How to release your bowling ball | Drills to get your thumb out faster

Mug club members get exclusive access to private podcasts where you get to steer the conversation and ask questions. or just listen if you'd like!

Get your Dexter shoes here.

[jacquelinemerlino]

I’m a beginner bowler rarely breaking 100. I watched this video several times and practice multiple days a week. I bowled a 145 today which is my highest ever score. I’ve watched so many other videos….this one was by far the BEST! Thank you! 😀

[javieracevedo]

I've watched this video probably a half dozen times and last Tuesday I bowled 13 games just practicing what you explained in the video. On my Thursday league night I bowled a high of 255 and ended with a 196 average which is a 51 pin increase vs. my regular average. Awesome and thanks for an awesome explanation. Hoping to get into the consistent 200 games.

[ErnieScott]

Absolute Best Bowling Training Video I've "Ever" Seen! This guy is Absolutely Terrific and Patient! Extreme Detail on All Key Points - From Start-To-Finish!

He's a Gem! Such a Blessing for his knowledge and Sharing!

I've watched Over 30 + Videos - and this is "By Far" The Best / Most Detailed!

Much Appreciated 🎉

[jmt]

Of everyone on the internet regarding bowling techniques, you have helped me the most. Thank you so much for your teachings!

[hankepton]

As a beginner bowler, I did this a bunch of times onto a pillow in the house with my ball that has about 15 games on it. It really helped me feel it. Coming from golf, football, and soccer, the feel stuff is the hardest to teach. Swing release, rotating around a throw, driving a kick... you keep trying to do it right so you can get the feel, but when you're starting it's hard to get enough reps in the same motion to find the feel.

But these drills helped me execute the motion which allowed me to experience the feel that comes with getting the fingers to stay with the ball longer, so I can get the feel that comes with correct motion. Can't wait to take this to my bowling center. That's teaching: find a way to help me repeat the motion to experience the feel. Thanks for this!

[stevekatanik]

This lesson is GOLD. I've been struggling with my new reactive ball until I saw this. THANKS.

[HH-ezqc]

By far the best explanation I have seen. Makes perfect sense after watching this video. I have some great drills to work with now too. Many thanks!

[Ajaxlancer]

This is the best hooking tutorial because you show us what you are doing and slowly. Other videos would describe it and just do it really fast and I never know what's happening

[wickedsickfunkyfreshroller]

This is super helpful, not enough beginner videos talk about the importance of getting under the ball.

[patriciaboschock]

What a great set of drills. This has been a problem for me for a long time. I’m going to practice at home. I think this will make a big difference for me. Thank you so much.

[apgall]

I haven't put this drill into practice yet but I can say this has been the clearest explanation about the mechanics of getting your thumb to release that I've seen on YouTube thus far. I'm a two-finger bowler and have been struggling to integrate my thumb into my release but this video really made the idea click. Thanks!

[juliomaldonado]

This video is the best one I have seen thus far...thank you for sharing!

[dianejoseph]

I am a left hand bowler. Still learning how to release the ball. This was a big help. Going to try it tomorrow. Thanks

[Mista]

Been bowling for over 30 years and for some reason I just can't seem to release my ball properly. My issue is with clearing my thumb properly.
Because of this, I finally gave up on a one handed conventional grip release and have switched over to two handed bowling. This allows me to
get some really high revs on the ball, but I need to learn how to up my ball speed. Right now my issue is ball speed. Now that I'm throwing the
ball two handed my rev rate is easily twice as high as it used to be, but my ball speed isn't matching my higher rev rate. Because of this my ball
dives through the nose, or hits brooklyn side of the pocket leaving all sorts of wicked splits that screw up my scores! I do believe it'll be easier
to fix my slower ball speed though as a two hander then it would be to correct my life long issue of clearing my thumb/gripping the ball.

[thomasgorman]

J R you are right about the question and the visualization. This is a better explanation. The visualization is the key starting point. We roll the perfect ball and it feels light as a feather and performs the way it should. The next ball not so much.
Still trying to visualize for consistency. Will work on this mental approach. Thank you.

[mjb]

great explanation in this video, especially the part about visualing "fingers dragging on the approach" to visual delayed release of fingers to increase rev rate.

[lightingnut]

So where is the new training center bowling alley going to be located in the midwest? I vote for it to be in Ks.

[themcguirevlog]

This is exactly what I’m looking for to learn. Thank you so much!

[yourstylefitnessandhealth]

Its a timing thing, but its the key to seeing more down lane reaction with your ball !!

[boblarock]

I've seen this thumb release drill dozens of time over the years from many videos and it's never made any sense. How can you get the feeling of the thumb release with your knee and ball resting on the floor. When you're bowling, your knee and ball are not on the floor. However, I must say that the second part of your video has cleared this up. No one has shown how this works while standing. Now I need to try this on the lanes. Thanks for clearing this up.