This is way easier said than done. It took a while to develop the feel of what you are trying to explain. Once it clicked tho it made a drastic difference in everything. I recently bowled a regional and it was an embarrassing experience. I knew something needed to change. This was the answer. I can’t thank you enough for this video. It’s almost like you are locking your thumb using the base and the back of the mail. Then it just slides right off at the perfect time. Great vid.
I have been trying to get back to form after 15 years away. I've had lessons, watched videos until my eyes bleed, and practiced a lot. This video and the one that Robert Smith released a few weeks ago on release is a perfect pair. It's one thing to understand the cup/uncup motion. But to do it right you need to understand what your muscles are doing and when. That's where the squeeze instruction comes in. You explained this perfectly. I always think about thumb nail to the back of the ball. I had not thought to apply that to my middle and ring finger in the opposite direction. It helps me roll smoother instead of lifting the ball. Thanks JR!
JR this video was so well timed for me. I just got my first bowling that has been fitted to my hand and I have been going through the growing pains of trying to get rid of all the bad habits I've built bowling with a ball that didn't fit my hand. I have a really bad problem with grabbing with my thumb. Thanks for sharing all of your great bowling tips with us.
Great video JR. Most of the videos I’ve seen on this subject is to relax the thumb and don’t squeeze. I’m going to try your method of bending the thumb backwards to clear the thumb.
wow! that helps a ton man! I always squeezed my ball because it was going to come out on my back swing. I never knew the thumb hole had to be THAT tight. that makes a lot of sense now.
This was a well timed tip for me. I've been having issues correctly how far under the ball I can get in my release. Thinking more about the thumb should help.
From a newbie bowler, I've got this problem of hanging onto the ball. Love this lesson. Just got to practice it to get it right for me. Thanks, much appreciated.
This is no joke. I have been a bad rut lately grabbing at the bottom of the swing and falling off my shot. I'm guessing I'm pulling the downswing also but at this point I'm just trying to work it out. Thanks for this!!
I’m left handed. It was fun throwing the alley ball, but this new ball has me learning all over again. My thumb gets caught in the ball, and it winds up in the next lane. I’ll watch this recording till I get it.
Yep. This is key. You should be able to completely relax your hand. Then it's just making sure you get parallel in the flat spot of your swing so the ball lets go.
Not completely rest. A good tip for proper thumb pressure is to have your ball in the rack with the thumb straight up. Slide thumb in and let hand and fingers rest on ball. Then without clawing the ball (no bend at the thumb knuckle) pick it up with your thumb and pull your wrist back.
Thumb fit is so important. Spans and pitches are so important. Personal preference is so important. I personally like an oval thumb fit for this reason. Your thumb isn’t round... it’s oval shaped. As should be the thumb slug in your bowling ball. In my unprofessional opinion.
This is my NUMBER 1 PROBLEM, AND MY squeezing seems to be getting worse year after year. I have a 1/2 Calus on the back right part of my Thumb Knuckle and I just can't seem to get my Thumb Out first. I just had a Attention Star drilled with the Thumb slug for the first time, the person drilling my Ball is on the PBA Pro Tour, bowls in league with me he knows how I throw it and how much I squeeze. So he has this drilled to my proper Thumb. And I feel like there is no way In hell I'm getting this ball off my hand. It's been so frustrating cause like you stated my Release point is different and effects my Spoed and Breakpoint. Ty for this video I need about 100 versions on this. This weekend I plan on trying the new ball, and on Monday he is drilling me the Ion Pro with another slug just a fraction bigger for when my Thumb might swell a little. We shall see how this goes. But my squeezing has affected my Average and Spare Shooting Dramatically.
Fantastic video JR, great content as always. How do you translate this feel to two-handers that you coach? Any chance of a follow up video for two-handers?
Every time I use pad instead or nail, I know it. I find that I end up gripping with my pad, I'm frustrated and trying to guide my shot. Good video. The first few times I tried it it felt very awkward.
A couple of notes here: 1. If you squeeze the fingers outwards, as you said to stay in the ball longer to increase hook, i dont think it is done by "more yo-yo effect", but by lifting on the ball. To increase RPM via the yo-yo effect, your hand has to travel more around the ball regardless of if you squeeze the fingers or not. It's a wrist and elbow thing only. 2. About when the ball falls off the hand. Doesn't thumb pitch affect that? (meaning too much forward or too reverse).
Pulling back on the fingers only makes you hit up on the ball if it’s released incorrectly. Thumb pitch is adjusted to get your thumb parallel earlier or later. People incorrectly use reverse to release sooner. That in most cases just increases squeezing at the wrong point
When you throw a yo-yo, you also snap your fingers from closed on the yo-yo to open. It creates a similar effect to a trebuchet, in conjunction with the wrist.
I've been looking for years for a ball to replace the ball I had split thumb to thumb with no success. I had the original Black Widow. My local guy, out of the box, drilled it with a pin about 2 inches above the fingers. Then he 500 grit sanded it. He then lightly, and I mean lightly polished it. He then 3000 grit hand scuffed it. That ball hooked on anything. The center I bowl at likes oil, which it not a bad thing until they seem to have a sale on oil some weeks and can't get anything to move. I tried several balls with this method and asked a few pro shop guys and no success. Was even told by a couple that it's not possible with modern equipment. My ball speed down lane is around 17mph and rev rate is around 325
Just got a new ball and it’s hanging up on me even though the thumb and fingers are bigger than my other balls that are good. It’s rly strange. Maybe it’s the angle it’s drilled that my thumbs going in the thumb hole at? Ty.
Question, when I was taught how to b owl (20 years ago) I was taught to pinch the skin right at the base of my thumb, kind of pinch it to create almost like a seal. When you get to the bottom of the swing and straighten our your thumb, it lets go. Does this sound familiar? Should I be retraining myself?
That's the "squeezing in the right place" portion. You squeeze at the base of your thumb which, if you look at your thumb when you do it, does the same thing he showed about driving the curve in your thumb backward, pressing your nail against the back of the hole. The bad squeezing is the kung-fu grip clawing by squeezing/bending at the knuckle.
@@basilcoleman8463 its hard to explain in text but you put your thumb in the ball, then rotate your thumb clockwise and counter clockwise and then pull out just a bit while squeezing. It basically folds up just a bit of skin. It makes like a lock so you dont have to squeeze the ball as much to keep it connected to your thumb. My thumbs are drilled professionally so Im not doing something bc my thumb hole is too big. Its just how I was always taught.
@@rhegafd thx and I'll give this method a try. For the record I do not believe that my thumbs aren't professionally drilled so I would not attribute my issue to that. People are always looking for someone else to blame and I'm not that kind of guy. Will let you know how this turns out
When you're holding the ball straight down, how does the ball feel on your thumb? I have a tendency to press too much, so I use a thumb sleeve/sock to ensure I don't get hung up. If I'm wearing the sleeve, I can't just let the ball hang down like you were.
You should be able to completely relax your hand and it feels like the ball is holding on to you, pulling down on your thumb (almost like a finger trap). Get it flat like he shows and it slides right off.
This is way easier said than done. It took a while to develop the feel of what you are trying to explain. Once it clicked tho it made a drastic difference in everything. I recently bowled a regional and it was an embarrassing experience. I knew something needed to change. This was the answer. I can’t thank you enough for this video. It’s almost like you are locking your thumb using the base and the back of the mail. Then it just slides right off at the perfect time. Great vid.
I have been trying to get back to form after 15 years away. I've had lessons, watched videos until my eyes bleed, and practiced a lot. This video and the one that Robert Smith released a few weeks ago on release is a perfect pair. It's one thing to understand the cup/uncup motion. But to do it right you need to understand what your muscles are doing and when. That's where the squeeze instruction comes in. You explained this perfectly. I always think about thumb nail to the back of the ball. I had not thought to apply that to my middle and ring finger in the opposite direction. It helps me roll smoother instead of lifting the ball. Thanks JR!
I feel like this was explained better here than anywhere else
That’s good advice JR because that allows you to roll the ball off of your hand, instead of throwing the ball.🤙🏿🤙🏿💯💯
JR this video was so well timed for me. I just got my first bowling that has been fitted to my hand and I have been going through the growing pains of trying to get rid of all the bad habits I've built bowling with a ball that didn't fit my hand. I have a really bad problem with grabbing with my thumb. Thanks for sharing all of your great bowling tips with us.
Great video JR. Most of the videos I’ve seen on this subject is to relax the thumb and don’t squeeze. I’m going to try your method of bending the thumb backwards to clear the thumb.
I'm over here in pdx, OR nodding my head. Easy to understand, no fluff, etc. Thank you very much for sharing this knowledge, JR
wow! that helps a ton man! I always squeezed my ball because it was going to come out on my back swing. I never knew the thumb hole had to be THAT tight. that makes a lot of sense now.
Your previous discussions/videos on this vastly improved my consistency. You explain it so well and it makes so much sense.
Thanks JR. Once I got use to the feeling of flexing the thumb the other way it gave me a much more consistent release without hanging up.
This was a well timed tip for me. I've been having issues correctly how far under the ball I can get in my release. Thinking more about the thumb should help.
I can't wait to try this because I'm a chronic squeezer and my hand gets to the outside of the ball before it even passes my leg on the way back.
From a newbie bowler, I've got this problem of hanging onto the ball. Love this lesson. Just got to practice it to get it right for me. Thanks, much appreciated.
Outstanding information. There are not a lot of coaches who understand the bowling release. Your information is the best I've seen.
Excelente, excelente 👍🏼
Yeah learning to relax. I habe thrown the ball behind me so many times.. lol.
I would get your fit checked. It shouldn't come off in the backswing.
Most helpful tip you have shared, for me at least
This is no joke. I have been a bad rut lately grabbing at the bottom of the swing and falling off my shot. I'm guessing I'm pulling the downswing also but at this point I'm just trying to work it out. Thanks for this!!
Thanks JR
Great video and very informative. I will share it
Thanks for this video JR, I will definitely try this! Great video as always
Thx JR. I really like your videos. Very informative!
I’m left handed. It was fun throwing the alley ball, but this new ball has me learning all over again. My thumb gets caught in the ball, and it winds up in the next lane. I’ll watch this recording till I get it.
Yep. This is key. You should be able to completely relax your hand. Then it's just making sure you get parallel in the flat spot of your swing so the ball lets go.
Not completely rest. A good tip for proper thumb pressure is to have your ball in the rack with the thumb straight up. Slide thumb in and let hand and fingers rest on ball. Then without clawing the ball (no bend at the thumb knuckle) pick it up with your thumb and pull your wrist back.
Cool video talk tech bowling Jr Raymond
This explains why my thumb always got swollen at the join . I started using tape to keep it from getting blisters
Wish i would’ve known this sooner! I have a blister on my thumb from squeezing.
Good info gotta try this one thx
Glad you made this video. This was the first question I asked anyone when I started bowling again. What is your grip pressure?
Need to really practice this because I do have a knot on the knuckle of my thumb from squeezing too much
Thumb fit is so important. Spans and pitches are so important. Personal preference is so important. I personally like an oval thumb fit for this reason. Your thumb isn’t round... it’s oval shaped. As should be the thumb slug in your bowling ball. In my unprofessional opinion.
Most PSOs will tell you the same. 99% (exaggerating w/o looking it up 😂) of thumbs aren't round. Your thumb hole shouldn't be either.
This is my NUMBER 1 PROBLEM, AND MY squeezing seems to be getting worse year after year. I have a 1/2 Calus on the back right part of my Thumb Knuckle and I just can't seem to get my Thumb Out first. I just had a Attention Star drilled with the Thumb slug for the first time, the person drilling my Ball is on the PBA Pro Tour, bowls in league with me he knows how I throw it and how much I squeeze. So he has this drilled to my proper Thumb. And I feel like there is no way In hell I'm getting this ball off my hand. It's been so frustrating cause like you stated my Release point is different and effects my Spoed and Breakpoint. Ty for this video I need about 100 versions on this. This weekend I plan on trying the new ball, and on Monday he is drilling me the Ion Pro with another slug just a fraction bigger for when my Thumb might swell a little. We shall see how this goes. But my squeezing has affected my Average and Spare Shooting Dramatically.
Fantastic video JR, great content as always. How do you translate this feel to two-handers that you coach? Any chance of a follow up video for two-handers?
Every time I use pad instead or nail, I know it. I find that I end up gripping with my pad, I'm frustrated and trying to guide my shot.
Good video. The first few times I tried it it felt very awkward.
So quick question. So you want your forward at the palm not at the knuckle ?
A couple of notes here:
1. If you squeeze the fingers outwards, as you said to stay in the ball longer to increase hook, i dont think it is done by "more yo-yo effect", but by lifting on the ball. To increase RPM via the yo-yo effect, your hand has to travel more around the ball regardless of if you squeeze the fingers or not. It's a wrist and elbow thing only.
2. About when the ball falls off the hand. Doesn't thumb pitch affect that? (meaning too much forward or too reverse).
Pulling back on the fingers only makes you hit up on the ball if it’s released incorrectly. Thumb pitch is adjusted to get your thumb parallel earlier or later. People incorrectly use reverse to release sooner. That in most cases just increases squeezing at the wrong point
When you throw a yo-yo, you also snap your fingers from closed on the yo-yo to open. It creates a similar effect to a trebuchet, in conjunction with the wrist.
I've been looking for years for a ball to replace the ball I had split thumb to thumb with no success. I had the original Black Widow. My local guy, out of the box, drilled it with a pin about 2 inches above the fingers. Then he 500 grit sanded it. He then lightly, and I mean lightly polished it. He then 3000 grit hand scuffed it. That ball hooked on anything. The center I bowl at likes oil, which it not a bad thing until they seem to have a sale on oil some weeks and can't get anything to move. I tried several balls with this method and asked a few pro shop guys and no success. Was even told by a couple that it's not possible with modern equipment. My ball speed down lane is around 17mph and rev rate is around 325
Now you tell me not into the walls 😂 great tips !
What does finger pitch have to do with this? 🤔
Alot
Just got a new ball and it’s hanging up on me even though the thumb and fingers are bigger than my other balls that are good. It’s rly strange. Maybe it’s the angle it’s drilled that my thumbs going in the thumb hole at? Ty.
Question, when I was taught how to b owl (20 years ago) I was taught to pinch the skin right at the base of my thumb, kind of pinch it to create almost like a seal. When you get to the bottom of the swing and straighten our your thumb, it lets go. Does this sound familiar? Should I be retraining myself?
How does this pinching work?
That's the "squeezing in the right place" portion. You squeeze at the base of your thumb which, if you look at your thumb when you do it, does the same thing he showed about driving the curve in your thumb backward, pressing your nail against the back of the hole.
The bad squeezing is the kung-fu grip clawing by squeezing/bending at the knuckle.
@@basilcoleman8463 its hard to explain in text but you put your thumb in the ball, then rotate your thumb clockwise and counter clockwise and then pull out just a bit while squeezing. It basically folds up just a bit of skin. It makes like a lock so you dont have to squeeze the ball as much to keep it connected to your thumb. My thumbs are drilled professionally so Im not doing something bc my thumb hole is too big. Its just how I was always taught.
@@rhegafd thx and I'll give this method a try. For the record I do not believe that my thumbs aren't professionally drilled so I would not attribute my issue to that. People are always looking for someone else to blame and I'm not that kind of guy. Will let you know how this turns out
@@nevinkinzel ok thx
When you're holding the ball straight down, how does the ball feel on your thumb? I have a tendency to press too much, so I use a thumb sleeve/sock to ensure I don't get hung up. If I'm wearing the sleeve, I can't just let the ball hang down like you were.
You should be able to completely relax your hand and it feels like the ball is holding on to you, pulling down on your thumb (almost like a finger trap). Get it flat like he shows and it slides right off.
To J R Raymond, can you feel the ball coming off your fingers ?
Basically, your hand is open while fingers and thumb are in the holes? The opposite of making a fist?
You shouldn’t have to squeeze or grip at all. It should just hang on your hand. All about pitches
So you can make a good pitch down lane
Very incorrect