How to Hook a Bowling Ball (Easiest to Hardest Method)

[@realaverageatbest]

By the way, I know a lot of people are commenting “your style from 1, 2, and 4 don’t change” and that’s TRUE! My approach and swing overall doesn’t change. This about the RELEASE of the ball. And I can assure you the releases are very different as seen from the ball reaction downlane. My style isn’t gonna go from what it was in the first swing to EJ snapping it out of my hand in the final, cause this is my technique. I don’t bowl that way. Anyways, the 4th could’ve been better yes but the lesson still stands. Hope you enjoyed the content and we’re gonna do better going forward to make sure we execute on what we want you to learn. Thank you

[@randyhaney5567]

Aside from the lighting issue I thoroughly enjoyed the class...I learned something today, great job guys 👍🏿👍🏿

[@bradwright4296]

Uhu9gg

[@sgh1761]

Yup, hard to see the difference because your angle isn't straight from behind. Can't see your release really. Can tell from the rotation on the ball though.

[@jorgenkarls]

Regarding release 4. The hand looks like its just inside the ball in the beginning and then just like the release 1 and 2.

[@levihoward4470]

My famous hook is called Hurricane Levi

[@DarrenHall-n7r]

Great video. Sent it to a friend just getting into the sport and it helped him see the difference in where he's at and where he needs to be. Thanks.

[@Ermagawd]

You guys make understanding tips easier to understand then some other big names on yt

[@KobeRon-nin]

Good stuff, really breaking down into the effectiveness of each release, easy to understand though. Thank you!

[@surfacetension]

I've got a release like #4. I have the pro shop drill my thumb hole with a bit of side pitch, which helps retain stability while my wrist is inside of the ball. (If you use finger grips, they should be slightly turned counter clockwise for a RH as well.) Just a tip you might try out.

[@dresmith2148]

Hand position is key. Having a good layout also helps. You can buy mid performance ball with low rg, but with proper layout you can definitely make your ball hit hard. Worst thing you can do is buy a big strong ball thinking it’s going to improve your game. I made that mistake a few times myself.

[@andreaschristensen8239]

I like to use the door approch but I have a twist. Before throwing I rotate the ball in my hand so my 3rd and 4th finger are on top of each other and then im getting ready to throw where I twist my wrist. When the fingers are on top of each other and the ball releases from your hand it already spinning and with the additional spin my wrist is adding it just make it a better throw

[@sgh1761]

I think this is the best representation of "inside of the ball" ive seen.

[@AnthonyNovak1]

Thank you for this video. One of the things that hasn't been obvious to me isn't only getting under the ball at release, but the wrist position as well.

[@turkeyvolumeguessing]

I have been trying a more up the back kind of release but I have noticed that most of the time it really doesn't go anywhere once it hits the end of the pattern. Is that more a function of the layout and coverstock of the ball or am I not doing the 2nd release type correctly?

[@Reclaimer77]

Same because up the back isn't going to cause axis-rotation. It will curve a little yeah, but not hook. Right before you release you need to twist your wrist so the thumb comes out then follow through with your fingertips to get that ball rotating. It's hard!

[@SCRATCHONEMORE]

It’s all about the yoyo snap, og crankers use a couch and repeatedly practice the yoyo snap release into the couch over and over. That’s where true power comes from. Up the back is more so for down and in cats like Walter ray.

[@steveneskenazi80]

excellent instructions

[@ardaakel8123]

I go with a similar to two handed approach but just one hand and with cupped wrist. (and two hands with my balance and style) I can bend and hook the ball with ease honestly even when i first started so i chose that way. OF COURSE, I COULD NOT HIT A SINGLE PIN BACK IN THE DAY WHEN I *FIRST STARTED* BUT MASTERED IT NOW! 😉

[@robertlytle4323]

Keep up the good work guys! I used to average a hair under 230, but after taking in a lot of your content I am now averaging around 186. I am so glad I found this channel! I can't wait for the next one!

[@tokyosan7906]

I'm with you man I used to avg 279

[@realaverageatbest]

Thank you for the totally necessary and informative comment! We appreciate it!

[@stevekeller3643]

Wait, what ? Lol

[@CaidenFergy]

did you mean 130?

[@stevekeller3643]

@@CaidenFergy- ha, never thought of that !

[@billem3085]

Fantastic vid! Great Job!

[@dair2279]

Chipped my burner pearl pretty bad. Looking to upgrade to a 2 ball set up for league night ( + a spare ball that I already have) any recommendations?

[@bhammy131]

Phaze II, HyRoad Pearl

[@dillzilla4454]

the one i do mostly because using a thumb hole always seem to tear my hand apart is 2 fingers with no thumb similar to 2 handed but with one hand. i go back and forth between 2 handed and 1 handed depending on what i'm wanting the ball to do and since the 2 are so similar when not using the thumb hole.

[@CoachKX27704]

Still slightly confused about the 2 hand release. Is it more up the back or more palm/finger rotation?

[@realaverageatbest]

Either way is fine! Both have their uses, though if you are just starting out or trying to get the hang of things, we recommend getting used to more of a palm/finger rotation. That way you can adjust to other styles later one. Hope that helps!

[@twinquist]

I've bowled my entire life using style 1. (I'm turning 50 in 2 months) I've very recently started implementing style 4 (I'll NEVER stoop to 2-handed) and am still building up my wrist strength. But I can already tell a MAJOR difference in how much power the ball has through the pocket. It's like night & day

[@twinquist]

For those of you who want to convert from style 1 to style 4, I found that to this point the best tip I learned is to keep your index finger directly under the ball AND pointed at the pocket throughout your swing (but of course snap at the release). It's an easy way to train your muscle memory to keep your hand on the inside of the ball. Give that a try, build up your wrist strength and then move on to the next level (dropping the shoulder, etc). It's really sped up my development

[@crashoutvergil]

Also, from the looks of it your "pro release" needs an update. A lot of pros let their wrist flair out completely on their backswing, and do NOT keep their wrist stiffened under the ball. They let the ball carry their momentum, and bend their arm going forward so that they can get their hand under the ball. Darren Tang exemplifies this perfectly and teaches this same method on his channel.

[@crashoutvergil]

Also it's called "free swing" i have a weird inkling these guys don't know what they're talking about.

[@JamesFerret]

Video is too dark (not bright). Good tips but the presenters need light.

[@realaverageatbest]

We’ve been wanting to do something more for a while. Unfortunately it can be distracting to other bowlers while we film if we had big bright lights everywhere, so we’ve tried not to be a nuisance to others. We’d love to at some point though!

[@pugafer1960]

​@realaverageatbest There's probably some camera settings that can increase the contrast/brightness without ruining the quality or color.

[@steventalevi5638]

or go after hours @@realaverageatbest

[@hoodlesss]

@@realaverageatbestturn the ISO up. don’t turn it up too much to where there’s a lot of camera noise. 3000-4000 is the sweet spot for no noise with highest lighting.

[@dudeman1828]

Hey guys, do they sell lights where you’re from? If so go buy some and use the Rembrandt style of lighting….. prior to your next video.

[@nugetezz5144]

i think this is really good... other than how two-handed bowlers have started to become the new generation of bowling... even though you see a bunch of one handed bowlers in the PBA, its just because thats how the last generation was, and now a lot of two handers are coming into the game

[@myxzaplik]

Still looking for a good 2 finger 1 handed video. I know there is not a big demand for it, since there are few of is. Still would be nice to find.

[@Slurped_You]

i bowl like this as well but struggle to find tips on it

[@SCRATCHONEMORE]

Tom Daughtery

[@slc9800gtx]

I bowled about 5 years and averaged about 190, and did not know that I was using the simpliest but less effective release to do it until about 2022.

[@TraumaER]

Good video but wrist strength isn’t necessarily the issue with release 4. I’ve seen lots of guys much bigger than me and stronger in the arms not be able to hook a bowling ball. It comes down to timing and understanding the yo yo release or whip. Been bowling 30+ years and compete in regional PBA tournaments and my wrists are pretty small compared to most men.

[@SCRATCHONEMORE]

It truly is technique in the end, when getting the technique down tho wrist strength helps till you dial the technique in.

[@YoPhocFays]

Great video. Just a tip, if you're going to be doing more bowling videos, lighting is important.

[@MrWoodybee]

This actually makes more sense , now. I throw #2. I did throw easier, the #1, but now I notice my Pink black widow urethane , doesn't seem to hook as much anymore. Very inconsistent, and that is driving me crazy. I bowled, a first time ever, a 625 series a couple weeks ago and now I can't get out of the 400. Ugggg.. so deflating, really.

[@hanksgavin]

Be interested for you to talk about finger placement.

[@kengoetz4567]

It seems that a lot of pros on recent TV broadcasts are in fact using a two-handed approach (no thumb in ball).

[@GenesisHD]

Watching Darren Tang bowl one handed is crazy. From the left corner over the head arrow, almost to the gutter and it just hangs a left and comes back in a way I almost don't understand. Watch his release, its straight up a whip in his wrist that looks painful but he gets crazy rpm out of it.

[@ianblackney6596]

What is the right way to hold a bowling ball is it with your hand under the bowling ball

[@randmiller88]

Helpful video but I would suggest you guys invest in a light source to avoid looking like unlockable players in a fighting game.

[@realaverageatbest]

Sadly we are just bowlers like everyone else! We’d love to have the alley all to ourselves or have a light setup but we don’t want to be a burden to others around us. We’ll fix the lighting going forward

[@daltonmoss2873]

I feel that! I appreciate it. I wasn’t even trippin on the lighting.😂

[@clowny2396]

There are a number of posts on KZbin which feature the bending of the elbow for more revs and the un-cupping of the hand at release. I'm surprised you didn't incorporate this method into another way to hook the bowling ball and perhaps even more effectively. Good luck and good bowling...

[@juwanbrown7784]

What other videos have you seen about bending the elbow? I saw one Jr video and Brad and Kyle. I’m trying to find more videos

[@realaverageatbest]

We do actually have a video about how professionals generate power with the elbow! It’s something I messed around with for a while until I sustained some elbow injuries

[@lazylion1421]

​@@juwanbrown7784 Jan proshop channel has some really good videos about it.

[@TheBowlingBro2818]

What happened to one handed no thumb?

[@stevenbrumit2746]

How about turning up the light

[@realaverageatbest]

Sadly we are just bowlers like everyone else! We’d love to have the alley all to ourselves or have a light setup but we don’t want to be a burden to others around us. We’ll fix the lighting going forward

[@TerryBollea1]

Cant get the ball to hook 2 handed ..just rolls out ...how do you do it??

[@donovannsanders8187]

At the time of release of the ball in 2 handed, you really have to get your hand around the ball in order for it to get some rotation that allows it to hook, it also depends on lane conditions and the ball you use

[@SorenWinslow]

I wish there was a little bit more explanation on the second release (tweener/stroker). There is something that is missing in the explanation of what your hand is doing. When I do it like mentioned, my ball does not hook at all, it still just goes straight.

[@gydigh]

Need more light so we can see how your holding the ball

[@kennygibbs9627]

Exactly 💯

[@mikemorrish5134]

Can I send a video of me bowling ? And if I can where ? To see what style I have and how to fix it

[@stevengreen4767]

I declare, I bowled for 20 years ,but I can never see any difference in the 3 one handed styles,that being said,I obviously have a horrible release because I don't know what I am even trying to do, even in my practice I never get it. I get people telling me what I'm doing wrong,and correcting me,but I just don't get it,what is the key to developing a proper hand behind the ball release?

[@nordattack]

I really liked this video. Great explanation of the releases. There was one other release style you didn't mention that I personally use, the Classic Full Roller.

[@Toyotacall]

Full Roller doesn't hook. This video is about hooking the ball

[@nordattack]

@@Toyotacall Sorry, not true. Full Rollers can hook the ball quite a lot. I bowled in my sport league with a Full Roller who had a 650 rpm rev rate with 22 mph ball speed. He could hook the whole lane, loft the gutter, etc. The Great Full Roller David Ewald could hook the lane. Even Full Roller Ned Day in the 1930's threw a nice sweeping hook.

[@dukgod1757]

So what about 2 finger no thumb (but not two handed)

[@Philoniousmonk]

So the pro style is to cup the balls?

[@danielbrown1323]

The lighting really needs improvement here. You were in dark shadows most of the time off the lane approach. Very hard to see.

[@DirtyCubanMIA]

i throw back up and i've been trying different methods.

[@Harold-l3i]

helpfull

[@CodZombieGamer]

You guys needed an extra light for this video

[@jrazor28]

Need some lighting there bros

[@Jesusfanatic0711]

You have to cup the ball pretty hard to be two handed so building up wrist strength has nothing to do with throwing it one handed at all as I’m completely relaxed in the ball. If you need to build wrist strength for one handed then it’s time for a re fit of your ball until it’s where you just in the ball without muscle to hold it in position

[@xPandora__]

You dont need to cup the ball at all with the 2 handed style your hand can be flat yet cupping or cradling it can help you have your hand underneath the ball more

[@Jesusfanatic0711]

@@xPandora__ the point is you don’t need to build up wrist strength for one handed release you can have your hand pretty flat as well and behind the ball. Having the right fit and getting the thumb out of the ball go hand in hand all pun intended lol.

[@jessesantos6854]

Light plis

[@MatthewWatches]

The tips sound good but visually not as helpful as I think you want it to be. You need some backlighting, and to record the release in slow motion. A friend that was watching this with me commented that the fourth release looks exactly like the second, surely it's not, but the difference is not easy to see.

[@Road2PBATour]

Kind of missing an essential piece of information in this video. You need a custom-drilled ball with a core. Yes, you can hook a house ball but it's not efficient and will create bad hard to reverse habits. Second piece of information missing is the amount of oil on the lanes which is a big determining factor in how much the ball will hook, when it reacts, and how it goes through the pins.

[@realaverageatbest]

100% this video is meant for having your own equipment. That’s a solid point we should’ve mentioned but it is implied

[@scopedin2990]

just a nitpick, the "pro" release is a weird way to sum it up because its not exactly right. anyone whos ever watched a pro league match will know that every single one handed bowler (and two hander) release and setup their ball differently. while some do set it up that far over not all do

[@xPandora__]

Pro release is the correct term look at the finger position at the very bottom at the release point you can see it being underneath and on that inside part of the ball which is a more ideal position

[@DelBoy573]

You look like unlocked characters

[@daveshostack4950]

BIG DOES NOT KNOCK DOWN PINS, IT DOES NOT WIN GAMES AND IT HURTS YOUR CHANCES OF MAKING SPARES

[@tomy5868]

two handed flicker ball is perfect for saturday night cosmic drunk bowling...your friends will think you are cool.

[@brettnordling2417]

1st method your saying spinning the ball you don't ever do that. Old style release for hook is release ball with thumb 10 o'clock fingers at 5-4 this gives some side rotation for a little hook it's not top spin!

[@TonysMusic1974]

You cover picture saying "impossible" is pretty much how Sean Rash does it so it's not impossible 🤷

[@realaverageatbest]

Yeah, not impossible by any means. Just meant to signify the difficulty differences :)

[@bsmbB]

I like the 1 hand no thumb with the house balls

[@infospot4119]

The PBA bowler who throws the ball fastest is a one handed bowler.

[@DickiesBeerReviews]

Love that both have their thumb IN the ball...traditional bowling. I try to "get under" the ball and turn through my release. I laugh at the people who can't bowl with their thumb in and have to try and throw a hook with two hands and no thumb, or one had and no thumb. I get it, some people have figured it out with no thumb but most do it because they can't bowl the traditional way. CHEERS

[@xPandora__]

Most good 2 handers can throw the ball the traditional way it isnt hard. You have 2 hands might as well use both

[@DickiesBeerReviews]

but with thumb IN the ball? @@xPandora__

[@travishanson166]

Great effort in trying to put together a video to help beginners choose a method to develope their game, however I'd suggest redoing the video with people who have mastered each style. The point where your thumb leaves the ball and how you turned the ball were identical in all 3 examples. Mid downswing in all 3 approaches were almost identical. You routinely begin turning the ball before the thumb even comes out. This is undesirable for accuracy's sake and not something a new bowler should learn or try to emulate. Anyone who decides to advance to a higher skill level will struggle to refine their ball roll to compete. Ya'll have video worthy personas so keep trying. But if you want views, you need to make sure you give the best technical advise available to you.

[@realaverageatbest]

Well my entire swing isn’t going to change for each release. It’s a mainly release focused thing. So you aren’t going to tell a huge difference from the general approach. We should’ve shown more of the release in slow motion to emphasize the point and will take that into consideration going forward

[@travishanson166]

@@realaverageatbest strokers, crankers, tweeners (all outdated terms now) all have different arm swings to accommodate the release of the ball. Crankers use elbow bend and really get under and inside the ball. Tweeners use little elbow bend, strokers use none. Body mechanics also come in to play. An effective release starts in the setup and ends when the ball hits the pins.

[@realaverageatbest]

I 100% agree with you and that’s why I added the disclaimer in the video that I’m not really great at doing the harder releases. We should have included some shots of pros in the video so you can better seen how they get inside the ball and generate that power at release. Nonetheless thank you for the feedback!

[@killaakevv692]

Why the vid so dark

[@sharonliesen]

Why didn’t you do the two finger ball release??

[@T3XENFURY]

you forgot the 5th style.

[@Rickshaw881]

Two handed bowling ?? no,, nope. No good. Just isn't cricket , old boy!"

[@4G64SicKShoT]

1 2 and 4 looked identical lolol you doorknobbed all 3 lmao

[@realaverageatbest]

In the video I literally said “I can’t do this very well” but the 1st and 3rd were very fundamentally different at release. We should’ve slowed the video down so you can see it better

[@4G64SicKShoT]

@@realaverageatbest 3rd was the 2handed lol u cant compare them, on the 4th u did get under it a bit more but u still door knobbed it

[@realaverageatbest]

@@4G64SicKShoTI meant 4 lol. But yeah I got my hand more under it. That’s all I was trying to demonstrate. Next time we’ll go through more slow-mo and pro releases who better demonstrate what we are trying to educate

[@FFFF-td2hl]

lol but how?

[@michaeldufton360]

That “Pro” release needs some work.

[@ryanshaffer7894]

small hands. good try tho buddy

[@jasongivens5866]

#4 was not a pba release. It was an amateur release at best. Your hand came all the way around the ball with about 300 RPMs by the look of it. Stop pretending like you can throw it like a pro. You're only fooling beginners for views. "I'll demonstrate it for you now" Nope.

[@lockedonlaw]

How to hook a bowling ball: Buy a bowling ball designed to hook and have it drilled properly. Even touring pros carry nine bowling balls. Why? Because consistent delivery is the only way to be able to bowl on any condition. Trying to remember what hand position you used on which lane, especially across a sweeper, is impossible. If you're a house bowler, there shouldn't be any need to have more than two balls in any case. House shots are always a high scoring condition. What I'd like to see is people who aren't experts in bowling ball physics not try to teach people to do things the wrong way. If bowling was a simple as changing hand position, they'd still be using three piece bowling balls with pancake weight blocks.

[@BOWLINGFREAK300]

2 handed bowling is for hacks who cannot bowl properly

[@ripvanrevs]

Pretty much EVERY bowler uses two hands. Some just take their other hand off the ball a lot sooner!! Even Norm Duke takes two steps before his left hand comes off the ball.

[@daveshostack4950]

MOST BOWLING CENTERS LEAVE THE LANES DRY AND YOU CANT USE THE TWEENER AND PRO RELEASE. THE RELEASE THAT I USED MOST OF MY LIFE WAS THE SIDE RELEASE. THERE ARE TIMES I HAVE USED A METHOD IN WHICH I THREW A REACTIVE BLUE ZONE LIKE A STRAIGHT BALL OR A LITTLE BIT OF TILT ON A LANE THAT HAD OIL.

[@jeremy87turbo87]

My friend, you were not inside on your so-called pro. Shot by any means, the only time you were inside on that shot is on the push away for about a 1/2 a second.