Bowling Release Drills to Improve Your Consistency
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Former Team USA 3x gold medalist, and head bowling coach of Davenport University Mike Eaton Sr. and his son, PBA member Mike Eaton Jr. show off 3 different drills, including at-home versions of said drills that will help you get rid of your hit-up or “meathook” as Eaton Jr. calls it, in no time, as well as teaching you the importance of having a soft release, and how hitting up on the ball may be costing you a consistent ball reaction.
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Camera(s):
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Canon EOS 250D (Rebel SL3)
Canon EOS 800D (Rebel T7i)
Lenses:
18-55mm lens (x2)
18-135mm telephoto lens
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Mic:
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Moukey MCM-1
I do not own any rights to any of the music used in this video.
Seeing as this video is getting quite a bit of traction and great feedback, if you’d like to see Mike bowl in competition, see our MMSC finals series. He and his father also did commentary in the 2021 $10,000 memorial day classic tournament finals.
All of those can be found on our channel. Enjoy!
What size bowling ball are you throwing
This is literally one of the best videos on UA-cam for drilling release!
Agreed
Didn't realize Mike Sr. had passed away in March. F cancer. RIP to a great one
This video should be in every starting bowler's library for drills.
Probably the best video on this technique.
Thank you so much for showing these great drills! This is the best explanation of the bowling release that I've ever heard. I realized that I've been releasing entirely wrong all these years!
Thank you! The drills demonstrations and explanations are invaluable. I do not think I have come across a video yet that defines the release drills so well verbally and visually.
Honestly best bowling content I’ve ever seen - I went a few years during Covid watching everything - even got my average up from 170 to 210 in 9 months
This is the best content I’ve seen yet seriously - well articulated content and culturally represents the sport well
This is by far one of the best instructional videos I've come a cross on how to release the ball to get rotation on your ball just excellent. Even though it was made 2 years ago
I have watched this from the 1st time some months ago and now I watch it at least one time every week. I take my phone with me and go to this video to do these drills. Thank you
Literally the best bowling tutorial on yt 🙌🏾
I am too old to yo yo but this is the best training video for it I have ever seen. Thank you
I watched this video February of 2023 and shot 300 a week or two later. Fast forward to present day. I had been struggling on the lanes and decide to watch the video again I shot 706 series then a 580 the next I worked on the drills and shot 300 170 260 =730. This video helps
One of the best videos I've seen on the yoyo effect and staying behind the ball. Great job guys hope to see more in the future.
i was never taught how to use these drills back in the early 80's but now i'm going to practice these to improve my release.
Dam step two really helped me out. Thank you guys for talking the time to put this video together.
I'm just starting bowling. I am just trying fingertip ball. I watched this before my ball is even done. This is the best video I have found on line to teach me anything about bowling.. Thanks for this great content for a guy like me who has bowled 4 games. It shows me how to release a fingertip ball and stuff to do to practice at home...
Can't wait to try this out
Nice to see a father and son who enjoy the same sport. 👍
THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST PRACTICAL, BEST AND PERFECT VID TUTS THAT I HAVE EVER SEEN. Thanks!
This is the best video for release drilling so far. The explanations and demonstrations are clear with analogies. I learn them easily. Can't wait to try it. Much appreciate for your works.
I haave seen a couple of other pros refer to the yoyo release Brad Miller is one maybe J R Raymond and others, I am working on it now and love it. TIP . . . watch the slow motion youtube videos of top pro releases and you will see almost ALL of them use this technique, watch for the cupped wrist AND NOTICE NONE of them use the wrist supports that I LIVED AND DIED with :-( NO MORE :-)
This the best I seen yet 100% explains everything to know and learn this drill.
I will definitely try this drill. Thank you for sharing this.❤
Best video ever. I never see anyone doing drills at the alley, i just got into bowling more competitively I guess. I wanted mort... definitely want to start doing drills to get better.
Excellent video and commentary - Mike and Mike are wonderful instructors. Keep up the great work.
This is good stuff. I love the can idea as I truly believe that with most things, if you can do drills at home, your practice time will increase dramatically as we can't all get to a bowling alley daily. This also addresses something I am always having to work on, and I can do so with a can. Thank you.
The yo yo made so much sense and want to try.
Will definitely be trying this out today
Thanks for posting, gentlemen.
I just stumbled on this video. In general, this is one of the best instructional videos regardless of topic. As to bowling, it breaks down the release in ways I've never seen before. Simply excellent. If you haven't done so, I think a follow up video might be equally valuable. For example, how do these drills translate to the complete bowling motion? How are these drills incorporated into the complete bowling motion? Are there drills or steps that can be used to build on drill #3? In other words, one would hate to invest hundreds of repetitions on these drills only to find they are difficult to implement or don't follow naturally in a full approach and release. Of course, it's possible the motion and muscle memory are ingrained enough that additional drills aren't needed. Perhaps these drills become natural movements in the full approach and throwing motion. Thanks for the great video.
I've watched a lot of videos on bowling and this is one of the best videos I've ever seen do more videos
Best training video I’ve ever saw. Very well done and made so you can understand how it works
Great tips. This is where most wrist problems occur, in the RELEASE. This will help me tremendously.👍🏽
Yoo- first time viewer of this channel but this was suuuuuper good- thank you and we'll done
Thank you to all involved in this video. I have been trying to find videos on bowling as I started bowling 4 weeks ago and go bowling 2-3 times a week, I have over 40 matches put in and I feel perfectly comfortable with my approach but couldn't grasp how you release the ball. I have found tons of videos on how to learn to release the ball but none went to this extent. Edit: I like the idea of coming up with ways to practice at home because not everyone has the time or money to go practice. Luckily I have an old bowling ball that we do not use so I practice my approach on a carpet at home with that bowling ball
Excellent Training, and Thanks
Great lesson on release. I remember the days in GR bowling the Traveling League with Mike senior when he bowled for East Lanes. I was on the Clique Lanes team.
Finally, a great video and to the point. Thanks you so much for posting this
Thanks for sharing these drill this is perfect for me I really needed these tips
Just subscribed from Australia. Im still learning how to bowl correctly with spin
Best release drill video yet!
This is a great video! The explanation you provide resonates well with me. Hoping to try these drills soon. Thanks for posting!
Great info. Thanks Mike and Mike. Great people and friends of the PBA!
Thank You for this great presentation. I actually used a rock one summer and had to develop the release shown here in order for the rock to roll properly...like the can drill. I did not know exactly what I had changed in my delivery/release and now I do. From the drill I was doing, I took my game to a professional skill level. When I return to bowling I will implement these drills. In the meantime I will roll the rock. Many Thanks!
Great vid! Gonna try some of these drills. Thank You
Thank you! This is gold.
Thank you! Great video! Simple and on point! Good luck to you on the tour and your father's college team!
Great tips going to practice, I want to make it to the PBA
One of the best video I have seen on drills for release. I will start doing the drills soon.
I learned a lot from this video for drills.
Thank You!
Ok but how do I turn these three things into a release. I can do all these alone. But then you add the full swing, how do I incorporate this? I instantly lose it, thumb stuck, revs gone.
Great video tip for ball release. Thanks for the help to improve our scores.
Can you do a video on how you tape your fingers?
This great video I'm only been bowling about 3 years I going to try you drill at home and bowling this Wednesday. I bowl with a league. Who thought about YOYO!!! Thank you for Sharing!!!
This is exactly my issue, thank you for the tips and drills
These drills are so useful as a First Timer Bowler. I'm am planning to buy my own ball. May I ask the what kind of bowling ball I need to buy please? Thank you
Great video. I have trouble with the same thing
wow love it just like yoyo release
Ive been watching many bowling vids since my interest has flared back up in Dec. at a Xmas party for work bowling...Had a 189 avg 30 years ago, but I never shot a curve/hook, I throw a straight ball...cannot seem to get it down ...would love to send you a video of my attempts...your drills are awesome and seem easy to accomplish but with bowling costing 6 plus $ a game, i will have to try the V8...after watching hours of vids I know what I'm doing wrong I keep topping the ball and not following through...My old Ace 16lb is too heavy now, found the exact ace 12 lb but haven't utilized it yet currently having it refitted.
Hope to hear back Thank you
excellent video telling me how bowling is. Thanks
Thanks. This is the first time I've seen this new release and I've been bowling for a while and not releasng the ball in this manner. I have to try this in my next practice session. I believe this makes more sense and a lot easier on your hand. Kudos and please give us more tips to improve our game.
Really good video 👍🏾
Excellent content. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. I have to ask, what are those things on your fingers?
Spectrum lanes, a great place. Enjoyed my time there during the ITC/ISC tournaments
Going to try the can at home drill. With the second drill, can I use my Rev Mat at home, the mat with the rollers?
Great job on the video guys I can’t wait to try it myself
I’m beginner and this video couldn’t have came at a better time as I’m having swing and release problems. I learn quick from these kind of video’s.
Brilliant!!!
wow, super helpful video!!!
thanks one of the best drill.
very interesting im 31 and i have a high rev rate but ive gotten too comfortable with releasing the ball sometimes on the side and not always behind it. i need to do these drills at the house and over and over and over and over again and just be consistent with it then it will be better
I have the side hit up release and I get over/under down lane. Thanks for these drills!!
I am a new bowler and I didn't understand any of your first sentence. I got the second sentence okay just not the first one. 🙂
I am a new bowler and I didn't understand any of your first sentence. I got the second sentence okay just not the first one. 🙂
Thank you for the drill. I buyed already a flat shoes. To convert it into a bowling shoes. But the Bowling Sole here in PH is very expensive
Thank you for the drills.
Thanks a lot for the great video.
I've translate the subs to Dutch.
Maybe you can put them to the video.
Best Regards,
Peter .
Love this video. I'm curious if you can do one on the remaining phases of the release, specifically getting around the ball consistently. I do it, but I'm not really conscious of it, and I doubt it's consistent at all. I've also found that I've focused on hand position so much, I'm starting to throw it straight enough that it's rolling over the thumb hole which is not good.
Michael I sometimes clip my thumb hole as well. It can be caused by using low flare/differential equipment as the weightblock doesn't migrate the track off the thumb or fingers for high track players. Biomechanically speaking clipping the thumb can also be caused by your hand getting on the side of the ball with the thumb still in and then your hand "kicks back" as it releases
Ahh so this is what I was doing! Thank you!
Been looking for this kind of information for a ;long time - practical and really helpful. So refreshing to hear about thumb clearance and the drills as opposed to just being repeated told about cupping the wrist. Thank you very much for putting it out :) !!
Awesome video and thank you for sharing your skills❤️❤️
I just picked up bowling again after about a 20 year break and this is the exact problem I need to fix. I still bowl pretty well but I do tend to rip up the side of my thumb, did it today, by the 3rd game. I need to figure out how to do this release so I'm not struggling by the 3rd game with my thumb.
Best video on bowling
Great..Tried this at my last league game and bowled the worst I’d ever bowled ..Love the videos
Good info. Thanks
thank you i will try the drill
So you’re the reason that there’s a dent right after the foul line at my lanes 😂😂
Great drills. Curious as to what is on Mike's fingers. Look like a type of finger sock and not tape.
I did these drill to help improve my release and revery and went from very little hook to none. This release makes my hook bowl look like a straight ball. How do you get revery with a yoyo release?
At 67 I have never realized why I couldn't clear the thumb first. Now I know why and what to do to fix it.
This is very good
There was drill that a teacher used on my bowling lessons that seemed to work for any bowler. The teacher would be positioned to the ball side to allow enough clearance. Then as I would be swinging the ball to deliver it, the teacher would at a certain point yell out release. The idea is to get a feel for proper time to release ball in the slide. Many bowlers do not know this proper time until this drill is repeated. Once you get the feel, a teachers prodding isn’t necessary. You can do it yourself as a soft voice.
Big thanks for mentonii. These three dill´s of yoyo are the best ones that I have ever seen to release thump. No coach has given these good advices. On ring and midlefingers, what are they - tapes or what material.
they are tapes, I think.
How would you hook the ball by just yoyoing it?
This a great video Mike, I videotaped myself at practice about a week ago and noticed my release was like you described, at times a meat hook. And I can't get out of the thumb clean because I'm coming around the side with the thumb still in the ball. And that leads to being afraid to add tape, because then it will be worse with the meat hook release. But when I can stay behind the ball, I drop it at the line (dble dribble), causing more inconsistency. If I can get better at these drills, the tighter my thumb can get. Again, Thanks for the video tips!
I bowled 4 years with a 190 average and have been rolling the ball wrong the entire time. Dang. Now I have to learn to do it correctly. My brother with a 215 average explained this to me. No wonder he was always a better bowler than me.
do u come around the side at all ? for more revs or?
All these drills say stay behind/up the back. But when they got to the full swing, they still seem to go around the side.
I’ve been bowling for a long time. I cannot figure out this yo-yo release. They show uncoiling the wrist arm in a down motion like a yo-yo. But in the bowling ball swing your arm is going forward and up. So how do you get a downward uncoiling like a yo-yo?
Where do i find mikes youtube channel
Thank you for showing these nice drills, but arent you missing a important part? At the end of the hand motion you have shown, your two fingers (while your arm moves foreward) have to give the right axis rotation, right?
Hey Mike jr, great video, how can I get ahold of you to view a video of my game. Jim
I am very clear in my mind what needs to happen in the release, and I have been practicing to hopefully get there, but I have one question for you. I am 67 years old, and I recently started bowling again after a 25 year hiatus from the game. I am throwing a 14lb ball, and I am wondering if my ball could be too heavy for me? I can get good revs by keeping my thumb out of the ball, but the minute I use my thumb, I cannot spin the ball near as much. Advice?
Thanks ……it really helped
Very good from where you buy your finger socks
First of all...thank you for a brilliant video. The way everything is explained is awesome. I have a question though. It might be a stupid question. If this is the way to release the ball (rolling over the thumb 90% of the time), why isn't the ball rolling over the thumb when you do it in real time. Please explain with a video WHERE IS THE DIFFERENCE in the release?????? There must be a slightly different release in order for the ball NOT to roll over the thumb.
Any answer to the above question?
Axis tilt
I use really old urethane balls with no differential when doing the drills so the ball never flares off the finger holes. Plus when implementing the full approach swing there is a bit more natural axis tilt. The super cupped wrist is an exaggerated position to help develope the feel of the yoyo motion. Normally I start in a fairly neutral wrist position and then naturally cup the wrist and elbow a bit before release