What are Your Hand Position at Releasing Point in Bowling?

How your hand position should be during ball release? As a new bowler, it is normal to think bowling is simply just picking up a ball and rolling it down the lane. Newbies don’t put too much thought into their positions of hands, fingers, or wrists. This article will solely focus on hand positions and will point out the facts of having the right one for the perfect shot. In today’s bowling, you need versatility, and developing that requires good physical coordination and position. Here, I will talk about the importance of the right bowling release hand position and discuss some of the types. So just hang in there, friends!

What are the four types of ball hand positions in bowling?

The hand position during ball release determines how the ball swing energy is going to transfer through the bowling ball. When your bowling hand is right behind your ball, all the energy during the ball swing will go through the ball. Offsetting your hand position is going to create a new direction for the swing’s energy to go around the ball. As a result, you will end up creating a torque motion. Once you start bowling seriously, you will soon figure out that there is more than one way you can hold your bowling ball. Each type promotes a different spin, opens up different angles, and enables a greater chance to roll a strike or a spare. Let me tell you four of my favorite bowling hand position during release.

1.  Cupped Release

In this particular technique, you need to wrap the bowling ball with your wrist and while you do that make sure your fingers and bowling hand are 45° angled. Because of the way you cup your bowling ball in this position, it is called cupped release. So what is the advantage of this hand position? Well, you’re more likely to have an earlier break point and this will make the ball roll a bit sooner. The additional rotation in this hand position will benefit you greatly for a better inward drive as your ball rolls down toward the pins.

2. Straight Release

Okay, so this hand position is another vertical one. I want you to imagine the cupped release to understand this position well. Here, there won’t be any angle adjustments and your hand will be straight as the name suggests. When this hand position is used, a bowler keeps their bowling wrists aligned with their forearm. Although the straight release is one of the most basic ways of throwing a bowling ball, it is one of the most popular ones as well. If you’re confused about how to hold a bowling ball you can start with this basic one. Nothing too fancy or complicated. Pretty straightforward as the name suggests. With that being said, the straight release is also one of the hand positions that will do you good, and bowlers (especially beginners) should use it more often during a bowling game.

3. Broken Release

These two hand positions I have just mentioned, may not be everyone’s cup of tea. What if you want something a bit special? For example, some bowlers might prefer delaying the break point of their bowling ball. Optionally, they might wanna get their bowling ball down the lane before the hooking takes place. If you think you can get some advantage from that, you should consider trying the broken wrist release method. For this hand position, you have to angle your bowling wrist downward (almost like a broken wrist position) before you roll your bowling ball on the lane. I hardly see newbies trying this hand position. However, professionals benefit from it greatly when they need to pick up the corner pins and secure a spare shot.

4. Clock-based Release

No, it has nothing to do with time, just the angles. Let me give you some examples to clarify.

12 o’clock release

Do you understand what your 12 o’clock is? Well, imagine or look at a clock. What do you see? What it has to do with hand position in bowling? Well, when a bowler follows the 12 o’clock release, the ball gets detached from the hand with the bowler’s fingers pointed forward in a straight line, just like the clock hands when they hit 12 o’clock time. In this 12 o’clock position, there is no side turn. Once you learn to do it properly, the 12 o’clock release will make your ball roll end over end down the bowling lane. One thing to expect is that the ball is going to break a bit late when using this position.

10:30 release

Well, time to look at the clock again. Can you guess what 10:30 looks like on the clock? Well, when you use this ball release, you have to hold your ball in a horizontal position with your hand. Your thumb has to be pointed at the 10:30 position on a clock. This position is not that uncommon you think. I have seen many bowlers perform it correctly and they score just fine. Just a heads up, your ball will roll slightly towards pin 7 if you follow this bowling release hand position.

9 o’clock release

To perform a more unique hand position with enough advantages,  you might try the 9 o’clock release. For that, you need to hold your bowling ball and turn your hand horizontally just like the 9 o’clock position on a clock. Generally, this ball release creates a lot of spins. This is why many bowlers like to call it a spinner. One thing to know is that your ball will roll slowly with lots of spins. The best thing about this release is that it hits the pins on point without much action.

Conclusion

So there you go, my fellow bowlers! Now, you know some of the best ways to hold your bowling ball. Try to work on one hand position and gradually increase your areas of expertise. You don’t necessarily have to follow one or two hand positions to bowl. Necessary adjustments are always appreciated. So work on your skills, and feel free to reach out to me whenever you want. Good luck and keep on rolling!