Advanced Release Techniques

What makes a bowler great?

Is it solid fundamentals in the physical game, equipment choices or making spares?

Is it having the ability to change your ball speed, lofting the bowling ball or a master control of the release?

Answer: the bowler who has a great understanding of all of these listed likely will score higher than the bowler who doesn’t.

The bowler that has an arsenal of adjustments will come out on top more often than not.

For example, a bowler who has one ball for strikes and another for spares versus a bowler who has a six-ball arsenal and is ready for any lane condition – who has the better chance for success?

Great bowlers know which adjustments are required to effectively play the lane condition they are faced with, and the more tools they have to succeed the better off they are.

Every bowler has the adjustments they are comfortable making and the ones that are outside of their comfort zone. The key is giving every adjustment a fair shot, so when you are faced with the need to make an adjustment, you are prepared to do so.

Expanding on another National Bowling Academy Video, “How to Throw a Hook,” Erik Vermilyea with Track will demonstrate Advanced Release Techniques including:

• Axis rotation, end over end
• Axis rotation, medium and maximum
• Increasing and decreasing rev rate

From 0° to 90° of rotation, Coach Vermilyea breaks down each hand position, while explaining the practicality of each release as it pertains to the bowling hook.

Then he will walk you through how to achieve medium and maximum rev rate explaining the differences between axis rotation and rev rate.

One of the key takeaways from this video is observing the different rolls created from each hand position demonstrated.

With the help of a partner, grab a football and get ready to learn how different hand positions create different roll.

Be prepared to pause, rewind and replay this one. The best part is that you can practice these releases as much as you want without the fatigue from practicing with a bowling ball on the lanes and you can still seeing bowling hook!

If you liked this drill, check out more bowling practice you can do at home.