this is probably the most useful bowling video on youtube! now realizing the pro shop messed up my drilling and they are in denial saying its my technique. fml.
Awesome video-best explanation of grip pressure ever! Using Mike's info (relaxing the grip equals freeing up arm swing) I shot a 267 in league last and 658 series. Thanks Mike!
You and Kyle Sherman have one of the nicest throw/releases in the game IMO, I could watch you bowl all day, that smoothness gives me the feels :) Thanks for the tips.
This video is so helpful and described everything I was doing wrong today with my new ball and why I started to get a blister on the left part of my thumb. Thanks for the tips!
Great tutorial and exactly what I needed. Hurt my middle finger last night because my grip was incorrect and I'm using a 14lb, house ball that has large holes. A few questions: 1. Until I purchase my own ball and shoes, are there finger and thumbs socks to help improve grip? 2. Have you posted a video on selecting equipment; i.e. shoes, a ball, powder bag, thumb sock, etc.? 3. Have you posted a tutorial, with side view, on how to properly roll a ball down the lane for a beginner? Too many tutorials don't show, in slow motion with a side view, how to find good timing, stride, posture and form all before releasing the ball. See people hurting their backs, fingers and wrists because no one is giving them good tips to prevent injury and injuries can prevent people from coming back to the alley. New subscriber and look forward to watching more of your videos. Cheers
Been bowling for 24 years. Around a 210 average. But I've never really known what I'm doing. Never read about bowling or had proper instruction. Just learned today that you're not supposed to bend your thumb. And I definitely do. I just practiced holding the ball while keeping my thumb straight.....I can already tell this is gonna be like learning all over again. Not to mention I'm gonna need to have tighter plug's put in the ball....
When I swing the ball with your suggested thumb control, there’s a natural tendency to get outside of the ball in my backswing. Is there a swing thought to help overcome that urge? I think you’ve got a real talent for describing the proper feels for bowling; I’m excited to try some of your ideas! Thank you for this wonderful content, you will do great things.
Keep ur elbow tucked and more rotated toward ur body and in ur downswing really concentrate on keeping that elbow in toward ur body and the follow through should come right under ur head doing that
I have a problem that isn’t quite solved by anyone yet, which makes correcting it a puzzle to me. I went as far asking pro shop owners and drillers on how I can fix it. 1. My thumb’s nail bed closer to the root (not the tip of the nail) constantly becomes red after 3-4 games. I have no other sore, swollen or calluses part anywhere. I suspect a pitch issue. 2. If I don’t have a slight grip pressure, I I tend to drop the ball seconds before release, causing it a loud thud and less rev. So, I have to constantly tell myself to grip the ball, or at least cup the ball more to extend the grip. I have no problem with backswing or having any feeling the ball would drop during backswing, it was just when the ball is closer to release. It feels it’s off my hand before I am ready to let go, hence dropping the ball instead of landing the ball. My fingers are all taped up and the thumb hole have some tapes in it for the right tightness. If anyone has any idea, help!
How do you cup the ball and not "squeeze?" I find that i sometimes squeeze near the release point to cup and I have to constantly myself to not squeeze
I've had a guy tell me before I grip the ball like a hawk. I think the problem is my pro shop didn't do the balls drilling properly. The guy who told me that I was scripting the ball properly. You said to push backwards with my thumb not to squeeze it. Does that sound like a good alternative?
Every issue you described Ive been dealing with and Ive been looking for a vid like this for awhile! Ive tampered with my thumbhole and when I dont “squeeze” it I feel as if I dont hit it enough. I definitely don’t get the carry or a consistent roll, my average literally drops 15 pins, this is with me adjusting to the weaker roll by using diff balls, diff angles, hand positions. But squeezing causes my thumb to swell and I need to use 3 inserts for like 5 games...also I can never move left quick enough because I dont have the ball speed to match the rev rate. Im trying to find a happy medium lol...any advice? - Your friendly neighborhood Styx!
Definitely find the happy medium on how much to hold onto the ball. Using tape can help control how much room you have in your thumb hole. Also if you feel like you have tried anything tryout a different fit and talk it over with your ball driller and tell them the problems your having
I notice your thumb practically disappears when you place it in the thumb hole. Is that comfortable? My thumb goes halfway in since my fingers go in first and I’m always squeezing the ball. My fingers are comfortable but my thumb hurts from squeezing it so much. This is how my pro shop guy drilled the ball when he was measuring my hand and the distance between my fingers and thumb. I’m convinced he’s wrong but he makes it seem like it’s me.
I feel like I’m going to drop the ball when I try and open my grip up. Very difficult to navigate the right grip pressure. I have a very wide thumb so I end up having to sand my thumb hole after drilling to accommodate for the width of my thumb. Frustrating to say the least.
Michael can you explain to me what it feels like after you push away and the ball is on the way down. To be as clear as possible does it feel is it the balls hanging on your fingertips on the way down on your thumb on your way down or in your entire hand on the way down.Also is there any firming of the wrist after the push away why the ball is on the way down. Thank you in advance
If you're fit is even close you can learn to not squeeze the ball. If you are feeling like you are gripping the ball it's possible that you are forcing the ball thru the swing instead of working with gravity and using most of your strength to guide the ball instead of throw the ball.
I tried gripping the ball with my thumb bent back instead of forward, and I found it added a lot more pressure to my index finger and I had to stop as I almost injured myself. I added tape to my thumb to make it tighter but I still felt like I was going to drop the ball on my backswing. I have a smooth back swing and I also push the ball out in a circular motion like you said. Is my thumb hole just too large or have the wrong pitch? I want to figure out the problem because with my current set up I’m going to end up tearing muscles/tendons in my index finger from all the added pressure if I don’t grip with my thumb forward. I really want to stop gripping the ball so hard and find consistency. Breaking 14 years of muscle memory isn’t easy either.
You shouldn't have to apply any grip pressure to keep the ball on your hand. My span is on the shorter side of average so I use 1/8th of forward pitch in the thumb hole and a little tape to snug it up. With a proper drilling and taping the ball won't come off your hand until your release.
Ik this is a year old now but the other commenter is correct. You shouldn't have to worry about dropping the ball at all. The problem is because you have gripped the ball for so long, you Feel like your going to drop the ball even though you shouldn't be able to. I understand the struggle though, I've had the same problem with it feeling like I'm going to drop it
the thumb is 3 bones in alignment the first is in the pad of the hand and the second starts of the pad where the third starts the the middle hinge to the finger nail. I feel that my middle part is pressing into the ball where as the fingernail extends away not curled in. this allows the ball to not create suction while still providing control. if you get a slug placed in it you can get it molded to your thumb and the lip of the slug helps the second part of the thumb to hold onto it.
Check with your pro-shop and make sure your ball fits your fingers correctly, especially your thumb. If your thumb hole is too big a relax hand will drop your ball too early..
What is your ball holding onto if you’re not holding onto it. I believe I am squeezing it but I am squeezing it more as I’m pulling it down from the top of the backswing. Therefore I never really create a full extension of my arm on the way down because it is bent from me trying to hold onto the ball
I used to grip horribly but then I discovered tape tricks and now I can hold it without gripping and the ball… inertia releases the thumb at the right time
this is probably the most useful bowling video on youtube! now realizing the pro shop messed up my drilling and they are in denial saying its my technique. fml.
The best video I've ever seen on the web about bowling. Thank you
Awesome video-best explanation of grip pressure ever! Using Mike's info (relaxing the grip equals freeing up arm swing) I shot a 267 in league last and 658 series. Thanks Mike!
You and Kyle Sherman have one of the nicest throw/releases in the game IMO, I could watch you bowl all day, that smoothness gives me the feels :) Thanks for the tips.
Thanks Michael. These are all good tips. I'll try to remember them next time I'm at the League.
This is exactly what I needed. Thanks
This video is so helpful and described everything I was doing wrong today with my new ball and why I started to get a blister on the left part of my thumb. Thanks for the tips!
Best video for grip pressure. Helped my game a ton.
Thanks for tips!
Fantastic tip. Thx.
Been bowling 3 decades. Subscribed. You should have way more subs.
Nice advice. Thank you. I got a red tumb everything I bowl a set
Very helpful, thank you 😊
thank you for the help
excellent video
Very good video. Detailed explanation articulated in a simple format. Well done ✔ 👍
Great tutorial and exactly what I needed. Hurt my middle finger last night because my grip was incorrect and I'm using a 14lb, house ball that has large holes. A few questions: 1. Until I purchase my own ball and shoes, are there finger and thumbs socks to help improve grip? 2. Have you posted a video on selecting equipment; i.e. shoes, a ball, powder bag, thumb sock, etc.? 3. Have you posted a tutorial, with side view, on how to properly roll a ball down the lane for a beginner? Too many tutorials don't show, in slow motion with a side view, how to find good timing, stride, posture and form all before releasing the ball. See people hurting their backs, fingers and wrists because no one is giving them good tips to prevent injury and injuries can prevent people from coming back to the alley. New subscriber and look forward to watching more of your videos. Cheers
Thanks, I think this is going to really improve my game
Been bowling for 24 years. Around a 210 average. But I've never really known what I'm doing. Never read about bowling or had proper instruction. Just learned today that you're not supposed to bend your thumb. And I definitely do. I just practiced holding the ball while keeping my thumb straight.....I can already tell this is gonna be like learning all over again. Not to mention I'm gonna need to have tighter plug's put in the ball....
This is a great video
That is amazing you can keep a Phaze II from burning up on that condition.
👍good info
Thank you
good job
this video is very healpful! seen so much tutorials but no one have discussed grip pressure! Thanks @michaelcoffey!
When I swing the ball with your suggested thumb control, there’s a natural tendency to get outside of the ball in my backswing. Is there a swing thought to help overcome that urge?
I think you’ve got a real talent for describing the proper feels for bowling; I’m excited to try some of your ideas! Thank you for this wonderful content, you will do great things.
Keep ur elbow tucked and more rotated toward ur body and in ur downswing really concentrate on keeping that elbow in toward ur body and the follow through should come right under ur head doing that
I have a problem that isn’t quite solved by anyone yet, which makes correcting it a puzzle to me. I went as far asking pro shop owners and drillers on how I can fix it.
1. My thumb’s nail bed closer to the root (not the tip of the nail) constantly becomes red after 3-4 games. I have no other sore, swollen or calluses part anywhere. I suspect a pitch issue.
2. If I don’t have a slight grip pressure, I I tend to drop the ball seconds before release, causing it a loud thud and less rev. So, I have to constantly tell myself to grip the ball, or at least cup the ball more to extend the grip. I have no problem with backswing or having any feeling the ball would drop during backswing, it was just when the ball is closer to release. It feels it’s off my hand before I am ready to let go, hence dropping the ball instead of landing the ball.
My fingers are all taped up and the thumb hole have some tapes in it for the right tightness. If anyone has any idea, help!
How do you cup the ball and not "squeeze?" I find that i sometimes squeeze near the release point to cup and I have to constantly myself to not squeeze
What is your thumb pitch?
Just started trying to get serious with bowling and use my thumb, should my thumb be pushing on the backside of the hole so as to not grip it hard?
I kinda have to squeeze it more than most since I use a thumb saver.
I am doing a shovel motion since I am converting to one hand... Is it the fit or what you think
How heavy is your ball?
Is my thumb pressure forward or backward? In other words, do I apply pressure with the front or back of my thumb?
I've had a guy tell me before I grip the ball like a hawk.
I think the problem is my pro shop didn't do the balls drilling properly.
The guy who told me that I was scripting the ball properly. You said to push backwards with my thumb not to squeeze it.
Does that sound like a good alternative?
Nice music
Every issue you described Ive been dealing with and Ive been looking for a vid like this for awhile! Ive tampered with my thumbhole and when I dont “squeeze” it I feel as if I dont hit it enough. I definitely don’t get the carry or a consistent roll, my average literally drops 15 pins, this is with me adjusting to the weaker roll by using diff balls, diff angles, hand positions. But squeezing causes my thumb to swell and I need to use 3 inserts for like 5 games...also I can never move left quick enough because I dont have the ball speed to match the rev rate. Im trying to find a happy medium lol...any advice? - Your friendly neighborhood Styx!
Definitely find the happy medium on how much to hold onto the ball. Using tape can help control how much room you have in your thumb hole. Also if you feel like you have tried anything tryout a different fit and talk it over with your ball driller and tell them the problems your having
@@michaelcoffey Thanks man, keep killin it out there!
I notice your thumb practically disappears when you place it in the thumb hole. Is that comfortable? My thumb goes halfway in since my fingers go in first and I’m always squeezing the ball. My fingers are comfortable but my thumb hurts from squeezing it so much. This is how my pro shop guy drilled the ball when he was measuring my hand and the distance between my fingers and thumb. I’m convinced he’s wrong but he makes it seem like it’s me.
I feel like I’m going to drop the ball when I try and open my grip up. Very difficult to navigate the right grip pressure. I have a very wide thumb so I end up having to sand my thumb hole after drilling to accommodate for the width of my thumb. Frustrating to say the least.
Forgot to mention I also use a Brunswick thumb sock just to ease my thumb out quicker.
Get a custom thumb slug. I use JoPo
Michael can you explain to me what it feels like after you push away and the ball is on the way down. To be as clear as possible does it feel is it the balls hanging on your fingertips on the way down on your thumb on your way down or in your entire hand on the way down.Also is there any firming of the wrist after the push away why the ball is on the way down. Thank you in advance
Exactly. How does it not fall off if you're not squeezing it some amount?
If you're fit is even close you can learn to not squeeze the ball. If you are feeling like you are gripping the ball it's possible that you are forcing the ball thru the swing instead of working with gravity and using most of your strength to guide the ball instead of throw the ball.
I tried gripping the ball with my thumb bent back instead of forward, and I found it added a lot more pressure to my index finger and I had to stop as I almost injured myself. I added tape to my thumb to make it tighter but I still felt like I was going to drop the ball on my backswing. I have a smooth back swing and I also push the ball out in a circular motion like you said. Is my thumb hole just too large or have the wrong pitch? I want to figure out the problem because with my current set up I’m going to end up tearing muscles/tendons in my index finger from all the added pressure if I don’t grip with my thumb forward. I really want to stop gripping the ball so hard and find consistency. Breaking 14 years of muscle memory isn’t easy either.
You shouldn't have to apply any grip pressure to keep the ball on your hand. My span is on the shorter side of average so I use 1/8th of forward pitch in the thumb hole and a little tape to snug it up. With a proper drilling and taping the ball won't come off your hand until your release.
Ik this is a year old now but the other commenter is correct. You shouldn't have to worry about dropping the ball at all. The problem is because you have gripped the ball for so long, you Feel like your going to drop the ball even though you shouldn't be able to. I understand the struggle though, I've had the same problem with it feeling like I'm going to drop it
the thumb is 3 bones in alignment the first is in the pad of the hand and the second starts of the pad where the third starts the the middle hinge to the finger nail. I feel that my middle part is pressing into the ball where as the fingernail extends away not curled in. this allows the ball to not create suction while still providing control. if you get a slug placed in it you can get it molded to your thumb and the lip of the slug helps the second part of the thumb to hold onto it.
I keep seesawing between dropping the ball at the line when I relax my grip, to hanging up in the ball. Help!!
Check with your pro-shop and make sure your ball fits your fingers correctly, especially your thumb. If your thumb hole is too big a relax hand will drop your ball too early..
Do you put tape in the thumbhole to snug it up? If so, do you put it in the back or front of the hole?
Yea I do. You can do either or both it depends on what feels the most comfortable. Which will be unique to the player
I put tape in the front of thumb hole and a piece on the back of my thumb
What is your ball holding onto if you’re not holding onto it. I believe I am squeezing it but I am squeezing it more as I’m pulling it down from the top of the backswing. Therefore I never really create a full extension of my arm on the way down because it is bent from me trying to hold onto the ball
I used to grip horribly but then I discovered tape tricks and now I can hold it without gripping and the ball… inertia releases the thumb at the right time
Are you bowling at verdes tomorrow?
I am. Also feel free to message moe over Facebook if its easier
I’m not on Facebook anymore
not a good view of release: my opinion.
First
What happened to this guy? He seemed to bail on YT and all social media.