Should you bowl traditionally or with a two-handed style?
Two-handed bowlers have achieved great success in recent years from youth bowling and all the way to the pros. If you’re new to the sport, or want to make the switch, Gold Coach Ron Hoppe has some two-handed bowling drills for you to experiment with that will help you make the most informed decision on which way to go.
Kneeling Drill
One of the differences between the traditional style of bowling and the two-handed style of bowling happens during the release. Hoppe explains that traditional-style bowling has more of a lifting motion at the point of release, while the two-handed style bowling incorporates more of a rotation in the hand-off of the ball at the point of release.
To begin this drill, start by kneeling on one knee at the foul line. Place your fingers underneath or at the bottom of the bowling ball. Next, swing the ball back and forth a few times, and when you are ready to go, roll your fingers around the ball as you release it.
Stationary Drill
This drill isolates what it is like to be in a proper finish position for the two-handed style. Start by getting into a finish position at the foul line. Position your slide foot facing towards the pins. Your other foot needs to be behind you, parallel to the foul line. Similar to the kneeling drill, begin swinging the ball back and forth, and when you are ready, roll your fingers around the ball at the point of release.
1-Step Drill
Position yourself two to four feet behind the foul line. Put your slide foot in front of your body towards the pins and your other foot close to your slide foot, parallel to the foul line. Unlike the traditional style bowler, your entire body will face the gutter, whereas the traditional bowler’s body is squared up to the pins.
Start with the ball down by your knees with your arms fully extended. Next, raise the ball up to your chest. Then begin your slide towards the foul line and release the ball, getting your fingers around it.
3-Step Drill
This drill puts all the pieces of the puzzle together from the previous drills. It will help you understand the two-handed bowler’s timing. Standing upright around five to seven feet back from the foul line, place the ball like you would in your stance. Step outward with your slide foot simulating the pivot step. Then, do a quick shuffle step while raising the ball to your chest and begin your slide and release. After you have worked on these drills, it’s time to put the whole thing together. If you are transitioning from the traditional style of bowling to the two-handed style, one of the hardest things to learn is the footwork and release.
It will seem like a brand-new game at first. Remember to have fun with it. The results in the long run will outweigh the hurdles faced while transitioning to the two-handed style.
Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.
Thank you for these drills, especially for those of us considering the switch. Could you please comment on the following: What weight hall should the converting bowler use for these drills? Their current weight ball, a house ball for starters, or a properly fitted lighter weight ball than they are using with their one-handed style? What are your suggestions as to yes thumb or no thumb? Are there any recommended stretches or exercises specific to the muscles used by a two-hander, especially for the older bowler who is converting to this style?
Thank you
Raimo
Why women don´t use two hand bowling? I know only 2 woman persons who uses this tecnick.
Lillian
I would LIKE to have a DVD OR VIDEO ON TWO HAND BOWLING.
Bill
<strong> How do you develop speed with this style?
Thomas Ingram
<strong> How does this work for older bowlers (60+)
mike
why? would you want to teach the youth bowlers on how to cheap, one handed bowling is the right and only way to bowl, this two handed s*** has got to go. stop teaching it.
Noel
Don, I am a regular 75 year old left handed traditional bowler and have been working over the past 4 weeks to learn the two handed technique. Thought it might be too hard at my age but with patience and doing frequent 15 minute practice sessions, I am moving along and feel no pressure on my back or other limbs or joints. Wish you all the best and am glad that my friend Ron Hoppe published his drills. I will adapt them to improve my performance.
donrongarm10
<strong> Since I am a regular traditional bowler I have been interested in learning how to bowl using this two-handed style. I am 75 yrs young and would actually enjoy trying something a little different. Who knows I just mite even become a better bowler. I have a friend of mine who bowls using the two-handed style and he is very successful. Except he has problems with picking up his 7pins. He is left-handed also. It has taken him over a yr to get pretty good. My comment/question is can someone my age actually learn how to do this two-handed stuff? I realize it is more than likely past my prime to learn now but I would like to give it a shot. Up until I had my knees completely replace about 10yrs ago, three times i mite add, I have not been the bowler I used to be, not even close unfortunately. For most of my life I have always avg over 200, now I am looking at 180-185 on a house shot. I miss many simple spares like my 7pin and at times even 10pins. Anyway any comment on your part would be not only interesting but informative.
Thanks, and take care,
Don
Become A Member
Premium Membership
Unlock exclusive member content from our industry experts.
24/7 Access to Premium Videos, Lessons, and Tips
Step-by-Step Instructional Demos and Techniques
50% Off Video Downloads Purchased in the National Bowling Academy Shop
Get exclusive premium content! Sign up for a membership now!
This site uses cookies and other technologies to track your use of the site that will allow us and our service providers and partners to enhance your experience and deliver relevant content to you. By agreeing to or closing this notice, you understand and agree to such use and data collection. For more information about our privacy practices and your choices, please visit our privacy policy and cookie notice.
Thank you for these drills, especially for those of us considering the switch. Could you please comment on the following: What weight hall should the converting bowler use for these drills? Their current weight ball, a house ball for starters, or a properly fitted lighter weight ball than they are using with their one-handed style? What are your suggestions as to yes thumb or no thumb? Are there any recommended stretches or exercises specific to the muscles used by a two-hander, especially for the older bowler who is converting to this style? Thank you
Why women don´t use two hand bowling? I know only 2 woman persons who uses this tecnick.
I would LIKE to have a DVD OR VIDEO ON TWO HAND BOWLING.
<strong> How do you develop speed with this style?
<strong> How does this work for older bowlers (60+)
why? would you want to teach the youth bowlers on how to cheap, one handed bowling is the right and only way to bowl, this two handed s*** has got to go. stop teaching it.
Don, I am a regular 75 year old left handed traditional bowler and have been working over the past 4 weeks to learn the two handed technique. Thought it might be too hard at my age but with patience and doing frequent 15 minute practice sessions, I am moving along and feel no pressure on my back or other limbs or joints. Wish you all the best and am glad that my friend Ron Hoppe published his drills. I will adapt them to improve my performance.
<strong> Since I am a regular traditional bowler I have been interested in learning how to bowl using this two-handed style. I am 75 yrs young and would actually enjoy trying something a little different. Who knows I just mite even become a better bowler. I have a friend of mine who bowls using the two-handed style and he is very successful. Except he has problems with picking up his 7pins. He is left-handed also. It has taken him over a yr to get pretty good. My comment/question is can someone my age actually learn how to do this two-handed stuff? I realize it is more than likely past my prime to learn now but I would like to give it a shot. Up until I had my knees completely replace about 10yrs ago, three times i mite add, I have not been the bowler I used to be, not even close unfortunately. For most of my life I have always avg over 200, now I am looking at 180-185 on a house shot. I miss many simple spares like my 7pin and at times even 10pins. Anyway any comment on your part would be not only interesting but informative. Thanks, and take care, Don