Everyone who loves bowling will tell you it’s quite tempting not to give it a little squeeze before letting it go.
Many believe it gives them a good chance of knocking down the bowling pins, while for others, it’s simply because the ball is too big for their hands. Hence, people try to hold the bowling ball tightly in a bid to prevent it from dropping.
If you’re reading this article, you probably already know that squeezing a bowling ball is not the best way to play the game. As professionals have tried to explain, the best way to handle the ball is by using a light grip pressure in the thumb and finger holes.
Not sure how not to squeeze the bowling ball? Check out these tips!
Contents
8 Tips & Tricks to Stop Squeezing the Bowling Ball
To stop squeezing the bowling ball before throwing it, you need self-discipline and a bit of determination. It’s not going to be easy, but you should be able to get it if you follow a few simple rules.
Over the years, people have developed several methods to stop them from squeezing a bowling ball.
These methods have worked for many, and there’s no reason why it should not work for you.
1. Do not use bevel sander in your bowling balls
The absence of bevel sander in a bowling ball leaves the edge of the thumb hole sharp. This forces you to keep your thumb straight while throwing it, thereby preventing it from hurting your thumb.
2. Keep your thumb straight and relaxed
Keeping your thumb straight while throwing the bowling ball helps release pressure on your palm, making it easy to throw the bowling ball without squeezing it. This method is not easy to adopt; some may even hurt their thumb.
It requires a lot of practice before you get used to keeping your thumb straight while throwing the bowling ball.
3. Keep your wrist firm while throwing the bowling ball
Keeping your wrist firm while throwing the ball can also help prevent you from squeezing the bowling ball before you throw it. This method is helpful and has worked for many people but it requires constant practice to adapt to.
4. Keep the pressure off your hand
This helps to lessen the pressure on the palm and thumb, thus reducing the grip on the bowling ball. With constant practice, this method can also help you learn not to squeeze the ball.
5. Use bowling balls with small thumb hole
This is a great deal. Using a bowling ball with a small thumb hole makes it easy for you to straighten the thumb, release the pressure on your palm, and prevent you from squeezing the bowling ball just before you throw it.
However, since this method comes with a small thumb hole, you’re gonna need to get used to a little discomfort because of the tight thumb hole.
6. Line the thumb hole with thick tape
If you’re dealing with a bowling ball with a large thumb hole, simply line the thumb hole with thick bowling tape to reduce its circumference. This helps reduce the movement of the thumb in the thumb hole, making it hard to bend the thumb or squeeze the bowling ball before throwing it.
7. Throw the ball with your palm
Place the bowling ball on your palm, straighten your thumb, and release the ball with your palm.
8. Grab the bowling ball at the bottom
Grab the bowling ball at the bottom, press the thumb at the back of the thumb hole, choose a closer target using the dots instead of using the arrows, and then throw the bowling ball.
This also reduces the pressure and grip on the bowling ball. After adapting to this method, it should aid your throwing immensely.
How to Properly Throw a Bowling Ball
Yes, it is possible to throw a bowling ball without squeezing it. Here’s how.
- Try to straighten the wrist of the hand you use in throwing the bowling ball. Do not twist or flex.
- Straighten your hands while swinging the ball.
- Try to rotate your wrist and fingers on the arm of your bowling ball right towards your body’s opposite side as the ball moves forward. If you are left-handed, try to rotate your wrist to your right. If you’re right-handed, then you should rotate your wrist to your left.
- Let the ball go right near your ankle and be sure to finish with your hand placed in a handshake position right after the ball has been released.
It would also help to use bowling balls that meet your personal requirements. If you are left-handed, for example, there are bowling balls for left-handers which can help you improve your ball release and level up your game.
Conclusion
Squeezing or gripping the ball is a habit that is common among many people and to be honest, it’s not easy to correct. It requires determination and constant practice at home and in the alley to stop it.
All the eight measures discussed above are effective and tested, so all you gotta do is see which one works best for you.