The THUMB Part 2 - BOTH 1-Handers AND 2-Handers can use their thumb to start the release.

[@uberubben]

This is by FAR the best explainer of the whole "get your thumb out of it" advice. I've been curling my fingers up and bending my elbow for MONTHS without any clue how to "get my hand under it" without bending my elbow.

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Thank you, that means a lot to hear that!

[@jeffhart8214]

When you say thumb is pointing at 45 degrees , i think you should say thumb is pointing at 11:00 or 10:00 on a clock system . It would be better for your audience to understand.

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Yes, that is another way to look at it. Personally, I have always learned better with angle degrees, but that's just a personal preference. I should reference both that way I got everyone covered. Thanks

[@TDMStyle]

I've been struggling to fix my release and stop coming around the side of the ball for months, and these thumb videos are the first I've seen that really explain the details of the correct release this way. Can't wait to try this out on the lanes!!

[@baldbrothersbowling]

That's awesome. Follow up and let me know if it helps.

[@randymelissabutton2159]

Going to work on this all summer..Thanks!

[@joemorales3035]

Great video, very clear and informative. Great content. Thanks!

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Thank you.

[@FromTheRuff]

Thanks for the help. I was thinking I shouldn't jam my thumb in all the way and that's what was getting me at my follow thru. I'll have to hinge it next time see how that goes

[@BruceTheobald-f3j]

Wow I'm truly learning soooo much fundamentals, Thank you so much! I'm going to find a use for all those RIP cracked Roto Grip balls and practice throwing in the back yard 😊

[@baldbrothersbowling]

That is awesome!

[@StephRenee812]

I do that. That's how I'm learning to drill my own balls as well. Lol

[@devcore24]

Best explanation video I’ve seen and I’ve watched a lot, thanks!

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Thank you

[@mjheggie2]

Awesome content! Can’t wait to apply this! Never heard some of these ideas before and really appreciate the information!!(part 1&2!)

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Thank you!!

[@ValentineWS]

Best explanation, thank you very much!

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Thank you

[@TerryPullen]

Thumbs up and subbed. Two excellent videos, thanks!

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Appreciate that! Thank you for watching.

[@roughrosa]

Please have a video on how to release closer to ankle.. I am still struggling with that. I have no idea if what causing it is the swing plane, my balance arm or what.. I need help..😅 I think I am better at it when I am playing inside of the lane, but if I play down and in, my lay down is very very far.. if I try to throw the same as I were when playing the inside part of the lane, my ball just heads to the gutter..

[@baldbrothersbowling]

There are a few things that could lead to being away from your ankle, most likely having to do with dipping your right shoulder too much. What I would love to do is maybe take a look at a video of you, both with playing down and in with the issue you describe, as well as playing more left when you feel you aren't having the issue as much. I am in the very early stages of developing an online coaching platform which it isn't functional yet, but what I can do for you at no cost would be I'd be happy to analyze your videos and send you a note back. If you'd like to try that, find Bald Brothers Bowling on Facebook and send me a direct message. From there, I can get your email and get you a WeTransfer link where we can share videos.

[@thomaswebb712]

I got to try this. I believe.I get my thumb out pointing the opposite then turn my hand

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Just remember when you start to point that thumb, it is at release. Don't continue to rotate your hand over or you will spin. As soon as the ball is off your thumb, you then lift straight up with your fingers. Almost like you are gonna smack your palm into your face.

[@addictedTobowling]

Going to try this tomorrow. Hope i can do well

[@ninety9million928]

Seriously... Thank you!!! Great information

[@nhkleonie]

The thumb fit in part 1 was very good. Appreciate the effort and thank you. IMO, part 2 will require the bowler to have gotten used to rolling the ball of the hand at the ankle or slightly in front. The turning of the thumb at 5:14, you’ll see the front of the elbow not facing in front (chicken wing). Having your fingers closer to the right leg (playing the inside of the ball) with the front of the elbow facing forward, uncoil the wrist and bring the finger to the 6 o’clock position. Refer to Kris Prather’s slow mo release for better understanding. Not saying he is wrong, but the tendency to chicken wing is always there when one tries to rotate the ball that way.

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Appreciate the comments. I think in the full step approach the elbow is more forward than in the no step. The elbow is in until the end, and it doesn't roll over, so I wouldn't say "chicken wing" but I certainly get your point. I greatly appreciate you watching and giving feedback.

[@rob13773]

I’m not an expert but I watched the video five times 5:14 , it’s not closer to the leg 🦵 but it’s not a chicken wing

[@rg46979]

Is that like an extra wide sarge easter?

[@baldbrothersbowling]

It is. I have arthritis in my index finger and the pressure from the weight of the ball was painful I worked with my PSO and experimented with several things, and we found that a combination of Sarge, spread a little wider, shifting my thumb slightly left and pitching it all left all helps position the ball into my palm more, alleviating the pain completely. It was complex process and a complex grip, but it works, so I will take it.

[@anthonydeloach805]

Wonderful

[@StephRenee812]

Nice. Great explanation... thank you im struggling on i guess im dropping the ball. Some times its before the foul like sometimes right on it. I cant get it out

[@baldbrothersbowling]

If you are dropping it sooner than you like, it is likely one of two things. 1.) it might still be too loose. I know you watched part 1 about the right fit, so you might be almost there, but might need to add another piece of tape or two. Just make sure that if you follow part 1 after adding it, it's not too tight. But it should be fairly snug. 2.) You might just be releasing your thumb too quickly. It is a challenge to get that timing down. I would start with no-step or 1-step drills first to get the feel of exactly when you should be releasing the thumb and lifting the fingers. At first, intentionally holding it longer may feel like you are lofting it a little bit because the difference between what you currently doing (dropping it) and what you need to do is extremely slight and quick. But do that no-step over an over until you feel that you are coming out at the right time, and then bring the steps back in. If you are still dropping it too soon on a no-step drill, I'd add a little tape to the thumb hole. Give that a try and let me know how that works.

[@rob13773]

When I turn 45 degrees, my fingers stay at 45 and go up ( shaking hand) or I rotate them back to horizontal position ( palm to the ceiling). The fingers need to go up (ceiling) or forward(pins direction) ? Thanks for a wonderful video!!!

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Hard to explain without showing. Ideally, starting at the top of the backswing your wrist would be copied and cocked a little left. As you go forward in your swing, point the thumb is essentially uncupping. If the wrist is cocked, the thumb will start to point about 45 degrees or so. As soon as the wrist uncups and the ball starts to come off the thumb, imaging starting to cup the wrist again, lifting the fingers thru the ball. They won't be pointed towards the pins directly. It might look like that on mine as I am not throwing it straight up the lane. Because I am throwing it from left to right I am less than 45 degrees from the line of the lane, but 45 from the direction of my line I am playing. I hope that makes sense.

[@mbschleicher0]

I'm a 2 hander. So when I say on of my biggest struggles is forward roll off the end of the pattern instead of finishing (continuing) left through the pins. Would you say this could be a big factor? If I am not doing the 45 degrees with my thumb before uncupping?

[@baldbrothersbowling]

It certainly could be. Could also be the ball surface and how you are playing the lane. Hard to know for sure without seeing that, but yes, this absolutely could be a factor. Note you want the angle to start AS you uncup. The uncupping is actually caused by you starting to point the base of your thumb at that angle. You are going from cupped and directly behind the ball to rotating your wrist so that you point the base of the thumb, starting the uncupping, and starting the ball roll coming off your hand. Just remember as soon as the ball gets off your hand, lift your fingers up, do NOT roll your hand all the way over. Hopefully this helps. It's gonna take some practice, and starting with a NO-STEP practice will be best for you. Feel the hand rolling and thumb moving at that angle, and watch the direction of the ball roll off your hand. With no-step, it's going to be very slow and overhook, that's okay. You are just practicing the feel of that release. Get that down, then bring steps back into it.

[@Gbuck426]

When the thumb turns 45 degrees, does that happen before or after the thumb is out of the ball?

[@baldbrothersbowling]

It starts before it's out. As a one-hander, you should be in a cupped position with your thumb basically behind the ball. After your backswing as you bring the arm forward, you will start to rotate your hand so that the thumb will move in that angle (45 degrees is estimate, could be a little more or less). As you do that, the wrist will uncup and the ball will start moving in that same angle while still in your hand (the ball is starting to rotate because your hand is). As you near becoming uncupped, DON'T roll the wrist all the way over. The ball will start to come off your thumb, and as it does this, you will switch from rotating the thumb to focusing on lifting your fingers straight up. The ball will be off your thumb at this point and lifting with the fingers is what will accelerate the ball creating your revs on that angle you have created. I hope that helps.

[@Gbuck426]

@@baldbrothersbowling Thanks!

[@juwanbrown7784]

In the starting position do do we at to keep our thumb straighter and then rotate it only during the release? I was able to achieve the release but I felt like as I tried to “change” my hand position I got stuck in the ball

[@baldbrothersbowling]

In all honesty, everything from the setup to the top of the backswing only matters for each individual person to eventually get to the right spot at release. It's going to be different for many people. Where your hand is positioned just before, during, and just after release is what is important. No step practice can help get the feel here. What is getting stuck? The thumb, fingers, or both? If just the thumb, did you watch part 1? Just wondering if you might be squeezing the ball a little.

[@juwanbrown7784]

@@baldbrothersbowling yeah the first time I tried it out was in league that’s proably half of the issue 😂😂😂 I think it was partially fatigue and trying to get use to pulling back with my thumb. Should I pull back the entire time after the push away or at the apex of my swing?

[@baldbrothersbowling]

@@juwanbrown7784 the timing is tricky. You want to go cupped, to uncupped, back to cupped. The exact timing of when you go from cupped to uncupped about when your hand is near your ankle, so you are keeping pulling back past the apex a little. You have to practice and feel exactly when you stop pulling back and pointing that thumb. I have another video coming out using a football that might help you practice the timing. Should drop probably tomorrow.

[@juwanbrown7784]

@@baldbrothersbowling awesome I’m looking forward to it!!

[@ninety9million928]

Instead of yoyo effect, I kind of think of it like Spiderman launching his web

[@baldbrothersbowling]

Yes, that is a great way to think of it.

[@rob13773]

😂 from the beginning of this style I called the spider man effect, I’m not the only one!!!!😊