How to Release a Bowling Ball for a High Revolution Rate

Bowlers who are beginners ordinarily simply roll the ball down the lane in a straight line. More advanced bowlers put spin on a ball because if the bowling ball strikes the set of pins at an angle, theoretically, the ball can make contact with a greater number of pins. Hypothetically, if no pins were knocked down from the ricochet of other pins, the maximum number of pins knocked down from a ball moving straight down the lane would be four. If the ball comes into the set of pins at an angle, even without ricochet, the ball would knock over seven.

Instructions

    • 1
      Look down the lane at the pins as you stand in the approach.

      Stand in the approach, 3 1/2 steps behind the foul line. Place the ball in your strong hand with your middle and fourth fingers in the holes of the ball. Your little and index fingers and your thumb should rest on the surface of the ball. Hold the ball under your chin with both hands with your offside hand to the front and side of your bowling hand.

    • 2

      Look at the pin that is behind and to the side of the first pin on your bowling hand side. Step forward with your offhand foot and lower the ball. Drop the ball below your knee and swing it back behind you. The distance behind you that you draw the ball is determined by how much power you want to send the ball with. As you are drawing the ball behind you, take a step with your bowling side foot. Do not make your steps choppy. Step forward with your right, then your left, and do all this while drawing the ball behind you.

    • 3

      Cup the ball between your hand and your forearm as you draw it back. The palm of your hand should be facing the pins. Do not twist your hand or the ball inside or outside. Keep the ball balanced against your forearm and facing the pins.

    • 4
      Release the ball from below your knee to prevent yourself from lobbing it.

      Step forward with your offside leg a second time as you swing the ball forward and release the ball. As you release the ball, twist your wrist towards your body. Your thumb should move from the bottom of the ball to the outside and over the top of the ball during your release. This is what gives the ball spin. The faster you turn your thumb over the top of the ball, the faster the revolutions of the ball. You can actually bowl the ball at a low speed by swinging forward slower while at the same time, increasing the revolutions by turning your hand over faster.