Fundamentals, the basics of bowling, the things you might need to look at to excel in today’s sport of bowling. This week’s tip deals with one of the fundamentals of bowling, the release.  How many different releases do you use in your bowling game?  Did you know that there are different releases and that each one will alter the way your bowling ball reacts on the lanes?  This week I will cover three different releases and the affects of each of them. Hopefully you can use these simple tips to sharpen your bowling game this season. 

The first release I would like to talk about is you current starting release, or your benchmark release.  Some of you might use a cupped wrist, or a more standard straight wrist.  Either one will work.  We also call this you’re A game release. Personally for me, my A game release is one where I start my starting position with my wrist cupped underneath the bowling ball.  Most of the power players that you see will also use this release.  Now I’m not saying my game is a power game, but this is my comfort zone.  By using this release you can create more side rotation on your bowling ball upon delivery.  By creating more rotation, you can create more movement of your bowling ball on the lanes.  This release is also great to use when you encounter heavier or longer oil patterns and can help in creating more back end reaction on the lanes.  

The second type of release will be the straight wrist release. This is achieved by keeping your hand and wrist parallel to the floor in your starting position. This release, in my personal game, is considered my B game release.  When you use this type of release you create less rotation then with the cupped wrist, thereby creating a little less side rotation to your bowling ball.  By creating less side rotation, your bowling ball will not have as much back end reaction as with the cupped wrist.  The straight release is a good release to use when you encounter more of the medium lane conditions and will help you control the amount of hook in the back end of the lanes, as well as making a more predictable ball reaction when your bowling ball exits the end of the lane pattern.  

The third release is the weak or broken wrist release. This is the weakest release you can use, and will generate the least amount of side rotation to your bowling ball.  This release is where you would tilt your wrist down towards the floor.  If you need a clear picture of this, think of the second release we mentioned, and lower your fingers down towards the floor.  As I mentioned, this release will produce the straightest ball reaction, and the least amount of side rotation on a bowling ball. This release is used when you encounter extremely dry lane conditions.  You may also use the weak wrist release when shooting at your corner pins.  

So let’s recap this weeks tip, your release will affect ball reaction, and having at least two different types in your game, will help you attack certain lane conditions.  Let me also point out that you need to keep these releases in the same position upon delivery.  If you alter that, you have not achieved what you were trying to do.  For example, if you start with a cupped wrist at your starting position, and then end up with a weak wrist position upon delivery, what is going to happen to your ball reaction?  It won’t be what you intended it to be.  So remember, watch what your bowling ball is doing on the lanes, and adjust your wrist position according to what you see.  If you see too much hook, weaken the wrist position.  Not enough hook?  Well then adjust your wrist position. Or you can buy a new bowling ball. I always have to plug sales. Well I look forward to all your comments and questions. 

T.J. Yeip is the Manager of GLC Bowling and the Lead Technical Advisor. He is an IBPSIA Advanced Certified Member and former PBA member. You can email your questions to him personally at thomas.yeip@glcbowling.com