Hi Ric,

A cupped wrist will allow you to create more rotation then a firm wrist if both are executed the same way.  One way to I like to define it is when you throw a baseball, your wrist comes from a broken position to a cupped position when released and that's how we create rotation overhanded, well, underhanded is the complete opposite movement, cupped wrist to a broken wrist.  That's why you'll hear people talk about a yo-yo release, your wrist actually breaks as you release and this helps create a strong amount of revs.  Imagine holding a baseball with a firm wrist(your arm and wrist should be straight up and down), now snap downward as if to release it, you should be able to see that there isn't as much wrist action then when we come from a broken one, correct?   The actual speed of the wrist motion is also important.  Try throwing a baseball not snapping your wrist(kind of in slow motion), you should see that this ball has very little rotation even though your wrist went completely thru it.  You do have to snap it or flip it thru the object to create the revs.  This is just one of the ways to create revolutions on a spherical object, baseball or bowling ball.  Hope this helps... feel free to contact me if you'd like to discuss further.

Sorry Ric, I forgot to mention the reason a firm wrist can create or store more energy is because it actually has less revolutions and will skid longer then the cupped wrist effect(Both being based on the same speed of course). A broken wrist will even go longer then the firm wrist but it depends completely on what amount of lift we want or need to create the proper amount of skid, roll, and hook that is effective in knocking down ten.

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Rick Leong
Ten Pins Pro Shop
Track Pro Shop Staff
Vise Grip Staff

Edited on 1/20/2004 10:32 AM