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I've seen a dozen videos that say "Don't squeeze the ball." and I've been like "How the hell else am I supposed to hold on to it??" Thank you for showing me what to do instead.

This is the BEST tip of my life as I was bowling for over 50 years. I now have the swing and released that I only dreamed of throwing. I’ve been using this bowling tip for only 2 days now and my average and accuracy has increased tremendously with the thumb coming out at the same spot every time versus pinching. Hallelujah bowling is fun again,

This literally cured a 25plus year problem I never knew I had.

4 yrs after being released and this video may have single handedly changed my entire game! This is a golden tip!!! You just gained a subscriber!!

Thank you very much. I just started bowling in a league and went from a house ball to a top-of-the-line-ball (I just had to have because it smelled sooo goood!!!) But anyway, I was having a hard time figuring out just how to get it out of my hand and I watched several videos with no improvement because no one explained this hack and it worked like a charm. Went from a 140-160 with house ball to a 65-120 with my new ball. Since watching this video and using the thumb technique you explained I'm back up to a 150+. Thank you! This literally changed my bowling life!

As a newbie to bowling I have been watching many videos about approach, swing and release. On most of the videos they talk about getting your thumb out faster, but never explain how to do that. JR thank you for truely explaining this. I really appreciate how you explain the steps to a better game for the beginer. Please keep bringing us great videos, they really help us non-pros.

This guy is one of the best instructors that I've seen on KZfaq. Most thorough and easy to understand

Wow, something as simple as curving the thumb back and using just the joint for grip made a HUGE improvement! 8 strikes in a row! Best game I have bowled in years, 243. This and balancing my left arm were the two changes I made on my approach, and both made a huge improvement.

The backwards thumb grip tip was clutch my man. Everyone focuses on the release but never mention that tip.

This is golden information. All the bowling videos I've watched this is the first time I hear this technique.

Are you kidding me, no one has ever suggested I do this in the 17 years bowling league. Just got a Crux Prime and now I'm going to relearn how to roll a ball!! Your amazing thanks!!

The best video ever made on this topic. So many people in leagues don’t even understand this concept. Glad I follow the tips shown here already but it would have helped me a lot more when I was younger 20+ years ago lol.

I’ve been bowling for 60 years and no one ever told me about the thumb release and still was able at my best to average 190. Thanks for the tip.

Just when I was dealing with this problem. Thank you very much!

Wow. I have only gone bowling a few times in the last 50 years (yes, a real bowling addict, ha ha) . It has been over 30 years since the last time. I had no idea what I was doing and the people I bowled with had no idea either. This video was an amazing lesson. A bowling alley is only a 2 miles away. I am heading there soon!! And watching more of your videos!!! thanks soooo much!!!!

Finally someone explaing it to me instead of just saying don't use your thumb, thank you

This is the video I needed. It's quite a game changer for an amateur

This is the best description of what is happening, and what needs to happen regarding the thumb. Thank you so much for this information!

Great way of explaining where the pressure should be applied and how it affects release. I’ve always heard to use the thumb nail instead of clawing but now it makes sense. Thank You!

Yep, this is what I've been trying to figure out since I started getting relatively serious about bowling. Thanks so much.

Got back into bowling this summer and my goal was to correct everything I was doing wrong in my game from my steps (approach) to my arm swing, hand position, and most importantly, my thumb release. Though I’m not at 100% improvement yet, I have been seeing a steady improvement in every aspects of my game. Just wanted to credit you for the improvements thus far. Your instructions are clear and concise. Looking forward to more videos from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Very refreshing tips video. Explanation with demonstration . Keep up the great work!

I have watched videos on drills and how to release and everything. But this is the first one that even mentions the way you grasp the ball with your thumb. I have been trying to find this for weeks, I keep messing up on not knowing how to release my thumb early because I would grasp the ball the wrong way

Where was this video a year ago ... started bowling fall of 2017 and your videos answer questions no one else seems to be able to answer on the proper techniques

I’ve been bowling for quite a few years. I’ve noticed many bowlers with tape on the nail side of their thumbs, but could never quite figure out why. No one has ever explained this to me and maybe I wasn’t asking the right questions. This is the first time anyone has been able to explain to me clearly How the thumb should grip the ball on the nail side at release. Lots of bowlers around me and nobody has ever talked about this. I am amazed. Can’t wait to try it out at my next session. Thank you.

This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. The wrong way to hold the thumb is what I was doing consistently and would have never thought that was the issue. Thank you!

I'm excited to try this. Thank you for this video!

I mean this from the bottom of my heart, the advice about using the joint of your thumb to grip the ball has been the best advice i could possibly receive to contribute to my growth as a bowler. This is the piece of information that i needed I was gripping the ball with the tip of my thumb, and throwing every ball in the gutter, also ended up getting a blister. My mind has been blown. Thank you.

My high-school coach explained this to me maybe once and I never quite understood it. Looking at some of my videos now, it is one the few things that still limit me from improving my game. Thank you for very in-depth video of this technique.

I tried this out today in practice. I was much more consistent with my release and was so surprised at how much more power I had with a relaxed had at the bottom of the swing. For years I've been trying to get more revs and power by muscling the ball. Looks like I've been doing to much for years. Definitely giving this a go in league next week. Thanks for the tip!

Wow.....best video of all when it comes to releasing a ball...thanks JR!

Keep the videos coming JR. Love what you are doing for our sport!

This is ABSOLUTELY the best video and description on how to release the ball for better rev's I have seen, thank you for sharing.

Good to know. I grip it with my thumb in. So now I see why my shot is different from one release to the other.

I just wanted to say thank you for the video tips on taping the thumb hole and the one on how to properly grip/squeezing the ball. I was developing a callus on my thumb knuckle and was getting concerned since this was never an issue in the past. After watching your videos I removed all of the tape I had in the slug and taped the way you suggested. I just finished league and I had no issues releasing the thumb. Thank you again for showing me a new way of taping the thumb. Gratefully Robert

This is the answer to grip I've been trying to figure out for years and no one has explained properly! I've always had problems with grip and had people tell me to stop squeezing, but I didn't understand how to hold the ball on my hand otherwise. I've also had terrible problems with rubbing the skin off the back of my thumb due to squeezing. Thank you so much!

Three great videos in the last couple of weeks. Cannot wait and try this today!

I think this instructional + your tape fit instructional = a great one-two punch. Good stuff. Great explanation. Appreciated.

Great advice!!! Didn't realize why my grip was constantly inconsistent every week. I keep reverting back to my old claw grip but this made excellent sense now. Will keep a conscious though about my thumb tonight and see what happens.

JR this absolutely works!!!! My rev count went way higher and bball releases so much smoother off my hand because of this tip. THANK YOU!!!!

Thanks for the great information and the video was very helpful

As someone who had bowled for about 40 years, this was a great video to show new and experienced bowlers the proper things to do. Will you do an advanced video on pitches in the thumb and fingers in the future?

Thank you for this video and your tips! I used your suggestions last night and rolled back to back 200 and 225 games! My normal average is 145 or so. Once I got into the swing of things with the thumb positioning, my ball placement and hook were much more consistent!

Man, I wish I had seen this when I started bowling decades ago. After watching this video I realized that I have been squeezing from the knuckles and the wrong part of the thumb. Time to hit the lanes and learn to do it correctly. Thanks!

Outstanding! Never heard this before. I'll definitely be working on this release.

JR, I know this video is almost 3 years old, but I stumbled across it a couple days ago and tried it out last night at league. all I can say is.. THANK YOU! I have been a low rev bowler for very and have ben trying to fix that. I've watched a ton of videos about the yo-yo release and what to do with your wrist and to get your thumb out first, etc, etc, but none of them really helped me until I saw this. I realize now my thumb hole is too big in most of my balls so I will need to address that, but that's my own fault. I wanted a bigger thumb hole so I could get my thumb out faster, I see now it doesn't work that way lol. The balls I have where the thumbs are the right size felt great off my hand and had good rotation. Even though the fit was "snug", I never stuck in the ball or lofted it. So once again, THANK YOU!

Such simple things to improve your game, thanks buddy great Vid!

It really works, I found this out accidently and had a 600+ series but I thought it was dumb luck and I stopped doing it. I will be doing it from now on though!!

Just started trying to curve the ball few weeks back. Best tutorials out there for sure, both here and your bowlingX videos. Keep up the good work dude!

I have never hit the sub button on any you tube video but here i am almost 9 p.m my time rolling my ball in the house and truly feel that this is why i have been so inconsistent in my release. Definitely taking this to the lanes tomorrow for a full scale tryout. This is the by far the best tip i have seen to date. Would definitely like to see some more of you videos and possibly send a video or two to see if there are things i an improve on.. thanks Jr sir for time you take to help better the people in the sport

I was given a ball as an anniversary present and was talked into getting a fingertip grip (because it's a nicer ball). We rolled three games on saturday night and I was all over the place. If I wasn't getting a loud audible pop and throwing it left from my thumb getting caught, I was releasing too early and rolling right into the right gutter. (I'm a newbie all around, admittedly) Someone suggested that I "use the back of my thumb to grip" but all that did when I practiced at home was make me feel like my nail was going to get smashed. Gripping with the section of my thumb after that last knuckle, I can feel the tip of my thumb pulling back and staying away from "clawing" into the ball and can feel the difference just rolling down the hall. Nobody's explained it like this yet. I'm excited to see how this helps my consistency, when I got a few shots right the other night they were SWEET...but too few and far between. Thanks for this video!

Reading the comments below I have to agree with a lot of them. Can't wait to try it and it makes SO much sense!

first time someone explained this properly. fantastic video

I am really excited to try this out. I am a newer bowler who just joined my first league and your videos have been very helpful. Thank you!

A note to anyone struggling with this technique, doing this will cause your grip on the ball to feel weakened. This is where a proper fix really takes effect. Gripping with the inside of your thumb is harder to do because your body isn't used to it. Doing this without a proper fix can in fact cause higher grip pressure, causing fatigue and bad shot making. Be sure to use tape and other resources to snug up (to your comfort level) the thumb hole. If you are still having issue gripping the ball in this fashion ask your pro-shop owner about changing the pitch in you thumb hole to get a proper fitting/feel for the ball allowing you to use this technique effectively. Finally I highly recommend this to anyone having issues with timing at the release point.

This video save my thumb. Thank you so much.

Great Great lesson ! I have a bad habit of squeezing the ball with my thumb and I understand exactly what your talking about. I really needed to hear this advice and I am sure this will help me a lot so thank you so much !

This is mind blowing..I have a different release on every shot because of squeezing. Thanks very much, I will work on this tirelessly!

Thank you JR I’ve never heard of this technique before I’m going to try it thanks for all your great videos

Always appreciate good info.

This does help. Very informative

Thanks for the advice, I am going to try this tomorrow night.

I've been waiting for a video like this for many years! Thank you,

Very helpful instructions. Thank you

This helped me a lot. Thank you JR!

Great info! Thanks JR!!

Thank you for explanation Very much helpful

I have watched about every bowling 101 video I can find and you are the only one that has discussed this and that’s exactly what I was looking for awesome tip thank you

I tried it tonight JR and it worked a treat, once i got used to it. Started with a couple 170's then hit the 200's once i got used to the feel of where the ball is now siting on my thumb, gripping with it pointed backward . Thank you again for the vid so helpful, looking forward to league now ready to throw some good games (well for me anyway lol). Oh and for everyone else it did increase my rev rate a lot. My ball which is a Hammer Ripped Asymetrical was really hooking nice into the pocket when i got it all right in the release.

Awesome advice, great tips. I've been bowling for over 40 years and for 40 years I've been gripping my ball the wrong way thanks

This was very helpful thank you

Great video 210 average and I have been dropping because of this and never knew this was my problem. Thanks keep making these tips

Great video!!! You hit the head on the nail when talking about fluctuations in rev rates and I fall victim to this. I will admit I do knuckle in the ball a little but not as bad as I use to. I hate when i would be on a serious string of strikes then all of a sudden my rev rate would spike out of nowhere and I will have a high pocket hit or split. I am looking to clean up my release and I will start experimenting with thumb tape. Thanks for the advice.

Thank you JR. This is the best technique and easy for understanding how to release the bowling ball. All this time I’ve been doing it wrong and the ball jump up on the lane because of squeezing the ball.

Dude you have no idea how much this video just helped me. I watched this a few weeks back, but I was still working on other things at the time. Just now I went and got my bowling balls, and sure enough, they don't stay on my hand unless I knuckle them. I got some tape out and tightened up the thumbs, did a few slow practice releases onto my bed, and holy crap I can hold the ball without gripping, and release consistently now! Can't wait to try them out on the lanes, when my arm recovers from all the damned muscling I've been doing to compensate for the knuckling LOL I think it may be time for me to consider a swappable thumb, so I don't have to get the tape just right in all of my balls. Maybe then I can have a consistent release no matter which ball I use.

Thank you so much for the vid mate. I have been having trouble for over a month trying to get my rev rate up and getting my release right. I was in a trance watching you as it is exactly what i am doing wrong, I am clawing at the ball. You have me so excited now i will go and jump on the lanes for practice as soon as i can before i bowl next just to give this a try but i know if i can get it right it will change everything for me. Thanks again for the vid JR keep em coming oh and i subscribed for you as well.

What an eyeopening tip! Thanks for this video 🤙🏾

I needed this so bad, thank you so much I'm glad I finally found this video!

very helpful ty! cant wait to go try this

As a 20+ year 5-pin bowler, I’ve moved in to 10-pin this year. Figuring out my grip and release is a main focus right now because I’ve already noticed that I never release the ball the same way twice. Thank you for this.

Great video!!! I been doing just the opposite for years and I see why I struggle at times with my release

Thanks J R, I already knew about this tip but it’s very easy to forget if it’s not practiced very much. I’ll definitely make this part of my practice routine!

Brilliant tip!!! I'll be working on it next time out.

these are great lessons thank you

This was so helpful for me. I just commented on one of your other videos thinking that I needed thumb tape. Turns out I was just gripping the ball, which is causing me to yank it. Thank you so much!

Great instructions! Thanks

Great tip, JR!

Ooooo I thought my thumb fit was too tight but it was actually right when I first got it drilled. The quote “let the ball release you” really makes sense and that’s probably why I can’t get any revs. Gotta get some thumb tape now

Excellent guide, man! Appreciate you

This video was made for me. Thank you very much

Great tips. I will give this a try!

Great video. Very helpful.

Genius. Thank you JR

Wow best tip for me as a beginner!! Thanks

Deffinently going to try this Thursday. Thanks!

Make a lot of sense. Been struggling recently with my release. Will try this tomorrow at league night.

Very informative video. Makes a lot of sense to me.

That was awesome! it give huge impact of my game. Thank you sir 👍🏼

great lesson thank you