How to do the Pro Bowling Technique Called Hook Ball

Knocking down pins in the back corners of the lane is difficult when rolling a straight ball. To improve your chances of picking up spares in a pin-in-the-corner situation, you should learn how to perform the hook-ball technique. The hook ball is all about spinning the ball upon its release. A ball with more sideways rotation has a more acute hook. Professional bowlers master this technique to the point of being able to increase or decrease the hook, depending on where the spare pin is located in the lane.

Instructions

    • 1

      Envision the bowling ball as if it is a clock. The top of the ball is the 12 o'clock position and the bottom is the 6 o'clock position.

    • 2

      Insert your fingers into the holes and turn the ball so that your thumb points in the 10 or 11 o'clock position if you're right-handed and the 1 or 2 o'clock position if you're left-handed.

    • 3

      Keep your wrist firm as you approach the foul line. A firm wrist allows you to have better control of the ball as you release it.

    • 4

      Aim the ball using the arrows on the right side of the lane if you're a right-hander and the left side if you're a left-hander. Depending on which pin you're trying to hit and which hand you roll with, you'll have to shift left or right between the arrows. For example, if you're right-handed and you're trying to pick up the fourth pin (the second-to-last pin on the left side of the triangle formation), you'll approach the lane from the right side and aim for the sixth or seventh arrow, which should make the ball hook into your targeted pin.

    • 5

      Swing your arm so that it lines up with the lane and release the ball as it passes your ankle. Your accuracy decreases if your arm swings to the left or the right.

    • 6

      Follow through on your release. Following through means to continue the arm swing to the shoulder level or higher even after the ball is released. This helps you to improve your technique and to maintain it once you've perfected it. (It also shows other bowlers and spectators that you have confidence in your roll.)