The Yo-Yo Release in Bowling: Master This Basic Movement (Commentary + Hand Cam)

[@alexisbjj]

This guy has the best tutorial on the internet period! I was practicing and practicing without really being able to progress. Now i finally learned how to do it after many years. Thank you and keep up the awesome work

[@bowlersoup]

Yessir! Keep it up 👋🏻 I appreciate it 🫡

[@BrennonOne]

Really appreciate this commentary. Gonna stop beating myself up for not grasping this in 2 months.

[@bowlersoup]

Just gotta trust it! When I went through the journey, it was ups and downs, smiles and frowns, but in the end, it was all worth it 🫡

[@Vidal2021]

I don't understand what the physical movement of "flick it" is as it applies here. I'm trying to learn this release. As I look at the hand cam it looks nothing like your actual release, to me. Can you show/record the "flick it" without and then with the ball? Maybe a side view, like the hand cam? Thank you.

[@bowlersoup]

The idea of the flick is to help your mind prioritize clearing the thumb out of the thumbhole first, as most bowlers try to release the ball with all 3 fingers at the same time 👍🏻 When actually performed in real time, that flick becomes less distinct and more rounded because it's actually happening during your swing with momentum 👋🏻

[@cynthiajohnson798]

Like flicking a booger.

[@Srsly0_0]

this video needs like a million more views.. this is exactly what i needed

[@bowlersoup]

I got you! 🫡

[@FoolisH409]

Bro I’ve watched four vids now, and I can’t wait to get to the bowling alley to try this out!!! Something about your vids have really just clicked with me and I’ve watched SEVERAL videos regarding hooking a ball man, the shaking hands, the spiral football thing, the “cupping”, dude this is it I’m 100% confident. Can’t wait to try and implement this!

[@bowlersoup]

@FoolisH409 Lesgo! Trust the process and you'll get there 🫡

[@philsep7939]

Great review!! Excellent explanation!!!

[@bowlersoup]

@@philsep7939 Thank you! 👋🏻

[@granz58th]

I've done it!!! Your hand cam and demonstration without the ball were a couple of the last few pieces I needed to crack the mechanics behind the motion! Thank you!!! Now, time to actually get consistent, and maybe one day achieve mastery of the release...

[@bowlersoup]

Yesss! I knew you had it in you 🕺🏻👋🏻 See it, visualize it and do it! It's an indescribable feeling and quite a milestone. Keep it up, you got this! 🫡

[@hoannguyen2443]

After the release when you uncup does the last second the front part of the finger lift...i tried without lift it become like a straight ball spare? Can you advice on this... And thank ahead for showing us how to learn the yoyo release..

[@bowlersoup]

No problem! 👋🏻 If you can, try to use your forearm more to get leverage underneath the bowling ball. Because you’re under the ball due to the forearm helping with leverage, you uncup and the ball will then roll off the fingers and all you have to do is just follow through!

[@rhegafd]

I wanted to thank you as you played a major role in me getting this release down. I found my biggest issue was I was WAY to early on my approach which just killed my ability to yoyo release. I basically waited for my downswing to start before I took my last step (or in a 1 step approach before I started to slide) and it was like a stick of dynamite went off. Thanks again.

[@bowlersoup]

Thank you! 🕺🏻 Yes! That was a game changer for me too 🤯 It definitely took me some time to figure it out but once it clicks, it clicks 👋🏻

[@Topnikko]

This makes way more sense and is easier to imagine than releasing it like a yoyo. This is the first time I've ever heard anyone say flick it. Great video. I think I'll be able to get this down once my timing is sorted out. Any tips or tricks for that?

[@bowlersoup]

Yeah. I definitely know what you mean! As for timing, 1 step drill is really solid. It'll be awkward at first but you'll get it down! 🕺🏻

[@williemorrison5006]

What position is your thumb on the clock when your thumb is release from the ball

[@bowlersoup]

11-12ish, moreso 12. So, your thumb can exit the thumbhole smoothly 👍🏻

[@detsd59]

Very cool seeing Parkway. I bowled there when I lived in Santee. In North Carolina now.

[@bowlersoup]

Awesome, that's definitely cool to hear! 👋🏻 Cheers!

[@RJTriesGames]

It's clear to me that you have improved a lot from what I've seen. I am also practicing my yoyo release, sine i broke down my game and kind of started over 3 months ago. I am now a 175 avg, and still working really hard on mastering this. Quick question tho, I've noticed you are far away from the foul line, everytime you release on a full shot. How come? :)

[@bowlersoup]

Keep it up, definitely takes some time 👋🏻 I used to release the ball before my ankle a lot and being a bit further back, forces me to project the ball out a bit more. In the future, I’ll make the change once I can really get the ball on the lane 😅

[@RY-dy3ph]

What is your thumb pitch?

[@bowlersoup]

0

[@tonytokablunt]

Currently learning this and the yoyo videos you've release are very helpful. I can see the movement and timing finally, but not quite there yet in being able to execute. I'll get it eventually and keep up with these yoyo videos!

[@bowlersoup]

Awesome! You definitely will 💪🏻 Keep it up! 👋🏻

[@HippieP629]

I'm the "need to see it over and over and over..." so it's drilled (PIN UP!! heeyoooohh lol) into my head. This explanation from multiple angles over and over is perfect. And a standing ovation re "...release; you just haven't done it yet" Shoutout to El Cajon. I used to live in PB, Point Loma, Northpark, etc a few yrs ago. And I def feel you on the either having diff jopo thumbs with or w/ out tape in there. It's a trip how quickly the thumb expands.

[@bowlersoup]

Hah! Also, thank you, thank you 🎤 Yep. I remember I used to really analyze different pro releases on KZbin and really just watch what they were doing. When it came to the thumb stuff, it got tricky, and I had to learn that myself overtime. But overall, the feel is definitely real 💯

[@joejones711]

How long did it take you to figure this out? I know the mechanics of the yo yo release but it’s so hard to put into motion. Love the videos and yes it’s making sense

[@bowlersoup]

It took me 2 years to really understand and find the feel. Now, I'm looking to improve my overall technique to get more on the ball and use legs 👟

[@joejones711]

How did you figure out the timing with the elbow bend and the actual release of the ball? That’s the issue I’m having.

[@TerryBollea1]

It makes sense....but I just drop the ball when I try to numb and flick....the ball just gors straight into the ground

[@bowlersoup]

Thumbhole may be too loose 👍🏻

[@TerryBollea1]

@@bowlersoup thumbhole is so tite I have to jam it in.

[@bowlersoup]

@@TerryBollea1 Try having a stronger follow through but not in a way where it’s completely forced. Priority is to clear the thumb as you are doing but remember the bowling ball has to now roll off those last 2 fingers to impart revs

[@TerryBollea1]

@@bowlersoup when I try that, I wind up chucking the ball 6 feet in the air right in front of me. The ball either wont come off....or falls off. I try to impart revs, I chuck it into the air....If I relax, I drop it behind the line.

[@bowlersoup]

@@TerryBollea1 With those 2 dynamics, now you have to find the middle ground where your wrist doesn’t get too lazy and not chucking it. Keep experimenting and give it time!

[@JayFernandez-q8l]

Parkway Bowl! Bowled many tournaments there! Nice tutorial keep it up. You explain it the best!!

[@bowlersoup]

Thank you! 👋🏻 That's awesome to hear; let the good times roll. Cheers! 🕺🏻

[@AnoobisObi]

Wow this video along with another video that was explaining the mechanics of the yoyo motion might have just solved a problem that ive had for years. For some reason after watching the other video, and then hearing you word it by saying to "flick" it made it click for me. I used to not "flick it" cause I was trapped into the pendulum swing mindset so kinda saw "flicking" as like a hiccup in the swing without actually understanding fully how it actually works. So yea thanks for the video 🙏

[@bowlersoup]

@@AnoobisObi I got you! Keep it up 🫡

[@DanielJackson-jx8gc]

When you say flick it? Are you meaning flicking it down into the lane or…

[@bowlersoup]

@@DanielJackson-jx8gc It’s like downward + forward, so think “onto” the lane ⬇️➡️

[@pcolesjr]

I laughed all through your vid, Not because the information is bad but because everything you said just happened for me I know the feeling, I was thinking this came late and Ive been following you. Thanks for the vids and thanks for letting me know I am definitely in the right ballpark.

[@bowlersoup]

You're welcome! 👋🏻 Keep it up! 🕺🏻

[@TerryBollea1]

Pendulum swing means no arm muscles....the ball swings your arm. Thats why its so hard to bend my elbow AND do a dead arm swing

[@bowlersoup]

Thumbhole loose = Have to squeeze/can't be loose with arm Thumbhole snug = Don't have to squeeze/can be loose with arm

[@CaidenFergy]

I got tape on my middle and ring finger, but not my thumb.

[@bowlersoup]

Definitely all about feel 👋🏻

[@IAmTheEggMan111]

If I let my arm swing freely I never get the elbow bend and my fingers stay on top of the ball. What am I missing? BTW, great videos. Nobody else is really trying to explain it

[@bowlersoup]

Thank you! 👋🏻 For the majority of the time, you want to be free but on your downswing, that's when you can start to initiate that elbow bend to help get under the ball as you near the point of release

[@glajah6380]

Excellent. Earned a new sub. Cheers and thanks for the content.

[@bowlersoup]

No problem! Thank you 👋🏻

[@DoubleD178]

I am 69years old. I have tried doing this with my 14lb ball, but no matter how hard I try, I cannot get my hand under the ball at release. Is my ball too heavy?

[@bowlersoup]

Going lighter “can” help you get under the ball more but what will ultimately help is wrist/forearm conditioning over time! Just a few tips: Properly snug thumbhole to ensure unnecessary squeezing doesn’t occur (number one thing) and really isolating the release through no step/foul line drills. All in all, the feeling might not be understood yet, but it’s there! 🫡

[@jonathanthomas8574]

Yeah thanks

[@bowlersoup]

Yessir 👋🏻

[@Jesusfanatic0711]

Getting the thumb to clear is really simple. Just imagine it being parallel to the floor and not down. Your hand and ball are going forward to with the thumb parallel it’s about to go forward naturally. Then just let the ball roll off the hand with very minimal finger pressure.

[@bowlersoup]

Yep! Once it clicks, it clicks! 🖱

[@billylusk3515]

I have this mental block about it. Its hard to make it happen

[@bowlersoup]

Definitely tough to learn at first but you'll get it in due time! 🫡

[@goobytron2888]

Same, I feel like I’m doing it. It’s completely different than my old release. But then I watch myself and everything looks the same as it always has.

[@i8910midnight]

you're lifting the ball with the fingers. just plop it downwards. like a yo-yo. don't pull back up and lifting it.

[@bowlersoup]

Correct! 👋🏻

[@jamesheraty8457]

Newer to this release, but I feel the “don’t pull up” only works if your thumb is fitted properly to the point where it “pops” because that tension on your thumb is what creates the second half of the “yo-yo” for you. Just my observation

[@bowlersoup]

@jamesheraty8457 Yep. I'm definitely playing around with some more tape at the moment and then powdering up, so I can get out of the ball 😅

[@coldkillah415]

Hey guys, I’m new to practicing this as well. So flick your thumb downwards and follow through? Don’t lift with your fingers correct?

[@emvyem]

Cool tq❤

[@bowlersoup]

👋🏻

[@pcolesjr]

Oh where is your thumb when you release

[@StephRenee812]

Hardest part is when I go back into my approach ..

[@bowlersoup]

You got it! 👋🏻

[@martinmacasieb9460]

flick it then fingers!

[@bowlersoup]

Yessir! 🕺🏻

[@williemorrison5006]

?

[@Claus-u9t]

I can't see nothing because the subtitle 😂

[@bowlersoup]

GGs 😁

[@runnikee6986]

So the subtitle allows you to see everything?