Learning The Yo-Yo Release in Bowling: Easy To Hard (Commentary)

The Yo-Yo release in bowling is an advanced movement I always wanted to learn because of all the revolutions/power one could get on the bowling ball.

Of course PBA Bowlers EJ Tackett and Kevin McCune come to mind.

Last summer of August in 2023, I actually tried to practice it in one session after committing to trying to learn the movement.

It definitely took some trial and error but I'd like to say I made decent progress.

Drills performed in this video:

1. No Step/Foul Line Drill
2. 1 Step Drill
3. 4 Step Drill

Chapters:

00:00 - No Step/Foul Line Drill
00:49 - 1 Step Drill
02:25 - 4 Step Drill

Key takeaways:

Elbow bend

Forearm

Use of momentum

[gobluemason]

I can’t emphasize how helpful these videos are for someone looking to learn the yoyo. Thank you so much!!

[bendrix]

I learned this from a kegel instructor 6 months ago and got my rev rate up to 490 via specto bowling for only 1 year. You got to unload FAST with a soft wrist at the release point after the elbow bend on the down swing. Fluidity is key. Timing is key. Relaxed span with a 0 thumb pitch is what I was told to change my fit to. Good luck and I’m always open to answer any questions for anyone

[bbfeign]

excellent post, great help, thank you

[speedybean]

I learned this kinda just as I was bowling over a span of 5 months or so learned I had elbow bend already just need to get it to unbend at the bottom watched a lot of ej Tackett and had a lot of help with it and figured out how to get it down now it’s just second nature and just have to work on grabbing it but coming cleaner out of it I learned that I shouldn’t try to fight how my body naturally moves when going through the motions

[kaostale]

Bro keep it up, i change my whole style 6 months ago so i understand the journey you are on

[frisbeefrolf]

This is fantastic, man. Thanks for the great drills. I’m new to reactive balls and hook, but training my muscles and joints to do the thing has been a lesson in patience and futility. I can conceptualize it, but not practice it. This “yo-yo concept” is really clicking, though! So much easier! I’m a disc golfer good and the “wind-up” there is really similar to a yo-yo motion as well, so it definitely clicked something.

Thanks again’

[rhegafd]

I too am working on trying to learn this yo yo release. In my head it makes sense but on the lane I get on the side of the ball. I havent thrown a regular approach in probably 2 months.

[G_Weezy]

I tried this release almost snapped my fingers. It’s the quick snap at the end that gets me. But getting behind the ball and holding it between my pointer finger and middle finger helped. Putting all the pressure on the “V” of those fingers helped me.

[emperorking]

Great video, man. Subscribed. This is the best video I've ever seen on yo-yo'ing. I also really loved the editing and kind of psychedelic music you had playing in the background. Really enjoyable and watchable.

The yo-yo has been so elusive to me. I saw Kris Prather talking about wanting to add more elbow bend to his swing. I tried mimicking it and really injured my elbow with tennis elbow. The last 4-5 months of my bowling life has not been fun trying to manage it. I like to tell people who are using an exaggerated elbow swing to just be careful because it's really easy to injure your elbow. Belmo wears a compression brace now and I see so many pros who struggle with this. If you want to exaggerate elbow bend, just do it sparingly and work on strengthening those muscles over time.

EJ Tackett has the greatest yo-yo I've ever seen. What that guy's body does, he must be made of rubber. I have tried so hard to copy that yo-yo swing of his but I still bowl like Fred Flintstone. Twinkle toes and all. Your yo-yo looks really good, man. I can see all the work you put in.

[rhegafd]

I do not currently swing my arm with the no step or 1 step but I think watching you its the critical piece Im missing. I just do a push away and let my arm swing. But Im struggling keeping my hand behind the ball. Watching you swing 2-4 times is like practicing staying behind it a bunch more. Great video!

[Anthony-umog]

Thank you brother, I will try this one out. You made these steps easier and I can see a figure eight technique on your swing, now I finally see how to administer this swing.

[brandonsmith]

I’m no pro, nor super good… just love bowling. Those drills look like they may build some muscle in the forearm/wrist. Which is something I’m lacking due to injury. Looks cool and I will be trying this.

[brandonmori]

Fantastic video, awesome to see the progress. Hope you're doing well Soup!

[diefox]

That's some impressive progress in one practice session! I've tried learning the "PBA" release a few times over the years, but I've always had timing issues, specifically with my elbow bend. I always want to uncoil my elbow too early or too late. I know I just need to drill the hell out of it at the foul line, like you did here. I'll try it again this summer, when I'm only bowling league one day a week.

[jamesmurraldeo]

I’m on week 3 of practicing this release. I’m still lost on timing. I think the 4-step drill you’re showing here is the answer to my dilemma.

[mohdfaeizyusop]

I personally observed that your yo-yo release is looking very good! Seems like a pro already, when i watched closely compared to many bowling clips from youtube.

I am yet to get myself a proper "yo-yo" release, and it seems complicated much, despite the theory seems to be very simple. I know how to hook the ball very well, but it seems that my release is not as good as yours and not similar to Pros.

Kudos to you and I am going to watch your channel closely!

[scotthoward]

Nice video. The only concern I have is your arm swing is going way out and then back in. The swing should be square to the target so you can hit your mark more consistently.

[whitehh]

Looks slick as hell.. i want to try to figure this out.. so unnatural :D

[fishinghuntingfool]

I see that your arm swing is outside to inside then you compensate between step one and the fowl line, is this the correct way to swing?

[goobytron]

I’ve been trying and trying. It finally clicked. Positioning my wrist like I’m going to throw a backup ball but letting my hand naturally rotate to behind the ball. It suddenly just worked. I didn’t think about my elbow or getting under it. It just happens and it’s suddenly easy.