I’m a beginner bowler rarely breaking 100. I watched this video several times and practice multiple days a week. I bowled a 145 today which is my highest ever score. I’ve watched so many other videos….this one was by far the BEST! Thank you! 😀

I've watched this video probably a half dozen times and last Tuesday I bowled 13 games just practicing what you explained in the video. On my Thursday league night I bowled a high of 255 and ended with a 196 average which is a 51 pin increase vs. my regular average. Awesome and thanks for an awesome explanation. Hoping to get into the consistent 200 games.

This lesson is GOLD. I've been struggling with my new reactive ball until I saw this. THANKS.

This is the best hooking tutorial because you show us what you are doing and slowly. Other videos would describe it and just do it really fast and I never know what's happening

This is super helpful, not enough beginner videos talk about the importance of getting under the ball.

Absolute Best Bowling Training Video I've "Ever" Seen! This guy is Absolutely Terrific and Patient! Extreme Detail on All Key Points - From Start-To-Finish! He's a Gem! Such a Blessing for his knowledge and Sharing! I've watched Over 30 + Videos - and this is "By Far" The Best / Most Detailed! Much Appreciated 🎉

By far the best explanation I have seen. Makes perfect sense after watching this video. I have some great drills to work with now too. Many thanks!

Excellent video as usual! JR coming correct with the value everyday!

I am a left hand bowler. Still learning how to release the ball. This was a big help. Going to try it tomorrow. Thanks

Man I love your videos. You are probably the most helpful KZfaqr for bowling tips. Keep up the good work!

This was an awesome teaching video. Simple instructions and practice techniques... Great video!

Love all your videos! Thank you for what you do to help folks.

Excellent! !! Thanks for video. I will be re-watching and practicing these drills repeatedly.

I haven't put this drill into practice yet but I can say this has been the clearest explanation about the mechanics of getting your thumb to release that I've seen on KZfaq thus far. I'm a two-finger bowler and have been struggling to integrate my thumb into my release but this video really made the idea click. Thanks!

Hi JR. I just found my comfort zone on the right side of the lane now. Shooting 150's and 180's and hitting most of my spares. Discovered that rev-rate isn't as important as keeping a straight arm and wrist control is. Thanks for the lesson.

What a great set of drills. This has been a problem for me for a long time. I’m going to practice at home. I think this will make a big difference for me. Thank you so much.

great explanation in this video, especially the part about visualing "fingers dragging on the approach" to visual delayed release of fingers to increase rev rate.

Thanks JR again for some wonderful practical bowling advice!!!

THANK YOU !!! You explained this perfectly ! Now I need to practice !

That was the best release video I’ve seen. Thanks for turning to show from the side.!!

Beautiful tip. Thanks JR

This is great! Thanks for not adding distracting background music!

This is the best ever thank you for this I tried this exercise last night while waiting on my turn to bowl makes it so clear now I'm not sure what the heck i was doing before but this worked for me thanks again.

I need to work on this, a lot! Thx for the lesson👍🏻

This video is golden

Looking forward to trying out these drilss.

This sounds like a great vid. Trying to figure out how to control the hook because I am beginner. Breaking it down into two stages helps alot at learning. I didn't even release my finger release affected the ball rev rate.

This is the video I have been searching for. Thank you!

Great point J R., lesson learned.

Great Video! Very helpful

Awesome explanation and visuals it makes sense now thanks JR.

J R you are right about the question and the visualization. This is a better explanation. The visualization is the key starting point. We roll the perfect ball and it feels light as a feather and performs the way it should. The next ball not so much. Still trying to visualize for consistency. Will work on this mental approach. Thank you.

This is the detailed explanation I need!! Thanks!!

Nice. Going to try this drill here at home and at practice.

This video made an immediate impact on my game. Thanks very much! Do you have any videos on when to ball up/down? I have a well rounded arsenal built but I struggle to make the right decision with when to change balls and what ball to go to.

Excellent demonstration

These are really helpful videos. Thank you.

Thanks for the drill and help!

Loved this explanation - thank you!

great break down of and describing the micro motions.

This video is awesome. I’ve had a misconception about how to release the ball. I’ve been turning it too early. After watching this my release is fixed. Never knew about feeling my thumb come out then turn it.

Thank you great video and help! 🤙🏽

Best video on release I've seen yet!

Fantastic drill! Cheers mate!

Great video!

Great stuff! Thanks for the vid, it helped more than you know!

Thank you very much for sharing this - there is so much good information and you present it very clearly and focus on one piece at a time - I will be bookmarking this, thanks :)

Thanks for the great videos!

I've seen this thumb release drill dozens of time over the years from many videos and it's never made any sense. How can you get the feeling of the thumb release with your knee and ball resting on the floor. When you're bowling, your knee and ball are not on the floor. However, I must say that the second part of your video has cleared this up. No one has shown how this works while standing. Now I need to try this on the lanes. Thanks for clearing this up.

Wowzers! This is THE best video on increasing rev rate and side rotation that I have seen (and I've seen countless ones). Of course other videos mention getting the thumb to release earlier, but suggest no way to sensitize your self-awareness during that tiny time frame during release. It goes by so fast that you don't really know whether you're doing it better or worse than the previous time you did it! But these exercises (like repetitive slow-motion drills) should develop that sensitization and awareness-building. P.S. I've always thought that knuckle-draggers seemed to have an inherent advantage in bowling; now I know why!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D

Eillen's Bowling Buddy rev ball motion trainer will help with this lesson, your video however is great and easy to grasp keep up the good work.

It's very easy to understand!

Great video.

Great explaination!

Good tip! We all need this when we have some issues with the Rev rate

Thank You JR Raymond 👍🎳

Thanks sir for your explanation. I will try on my best

Yes . This helps ! Thank you!

Dude! I added the thumb hole to my ball today and just couldn't understand why I couldn't spend it like I do with two fingers. Exactly what you said! My hand wasn't relaxed and I was practically throwing the ball straight all game. Makes sense. I wasn't letting it naturally flow off my hand with my fingers relaxed to roll off into a spin. I'll def try this next time and I'll def be practicing these drills at home!

Awesome. Thank you.

Man I am glad I ran across this video. I have had that problem of low rev rate for ever. And I was wondering if getting my thumb out quicker would help out it hurt my rev rate. Thank you.

I learned a lot. Thanks

I think what's equally important is learning how to "lock" your thumb into the ball by focusing the grip pressure at the base of the thumb. Doing so can minimize knuckling and drag coming out of the thumb hole.

Finally! Thanks Jr!

This video here!!! OMG!!! I'm so glad I rewatched your videos all the time.. I haven't been understanding the whole wrist and release. I am always on top of the ball. End over end slower forward roll. I just was told to push with pointer finger you may have taught that too. Maybe its in this video. Also to pull up with my ring finger. It Idk. Now to understand the whole throwing it right. I tend to throw straight, like I'm pitching the ball in a catchers glove, thanks to growing up pitching slingshot, not a windmill. Also, stop the squeezing. If i do start to get something its the last game or its time to leave practice. Lol

Very helpful.

Great tips 👍👍👍

Good information 👍

This video has helped. Thanks

Nice , I'm new bowler and struggle to get good ball rev. I do get sum revs but id like more. Hope this helps me

Thank you!

Informative thanks

I just saw your video about ball release to get your thumb out first I'm going to try it tomorrow at the bowling alley

This does help. I have been struggling with hook balls and other ways to get the ball to work for me. I get i want to give up, but i do watch these Video to get better. I keep on watching and practicing. Some times, i think, the ball does not want to work. It rolls to the left or right and right to the gutter. This Video does help.

Loved it

JR, f'awesome breakdown of this method/drill. Curious, have you done any short vids covering the whys/wherefores of the way you tape your fingers and thumb?

Wow, can't get that knuckle-dragging imagery out of my head. Good job breaking it down

Great Vid

excellent thank you

I like the visual of dragging your knuckles on the approach in order to keep your wrist cupped!

Yes that helps! I would also say that a ball that "fits like a glove" was not beneficial to my game. My thumb would occasionally hang in my release. A slightly enlarged thumb hole enables me to release the ball cleanly, with my fingers doing the lifting.

So where is the new training center bowling alley going to be located in the midwest? I vote for it to be in Ks.

it's easy to say and difficult to do it.Yesterday i bougth the wrist restrictor and when i said i learned from you they gave me a discount ...thanks

This just made me think about a bowler in our league years ago.After a few beers he was throwing the ball so fast and hard the pins would come flying clear back on the lane. I think it actually chipped some pins over time! He could bowl a 185 game drunk.

Broke my TV practicing this at home...

Great tips. I just started bowling, and not knowing what I was doing, I hurted my shoulder. I think I was using my thumb to release the ball

Hey J.R. Been around game for 0ver 50yrs...Always high avg since 15....Had To stop Late 90s Got back in 2015 Once aging 200 avg Had to stop aging 2017 . 1/09/2020 Knee Replacement high expectation of myself ...4 knees,3 ankle surgery make you think about the sport.. Going from 11yr getting demo balls as kid from Ebonite in Hop Town Ky in the 70s to Now 59yrs old broke down has been takes a toll on you.... So do review on the broke down body ...Trying to start from ground zero...Always had high 475 rv rate don't wanna slide on left knee.Replacement ! Might take up corn hole ...lol

After 50 years and retirement, I've decided to get back into bowling. This video showed me why I was so bad at bowling long, long ago. I released the ball with my fingers still underneath the ball and my thumb still in the hole. I guess that's how you throw a straight ball. Of course, I rarely broke 100. I guess the only reason you need to use your thumb is to hold the ball on the backswing. But even then, if you do it just right, you wouldn't need your thumb then, either. Wow, I just Googled "Do pro bowlers use the thumb hole" and one reply was that MOST pro bowlers DON'T use the thumb hole. It interferes with their hooking. So that agrees with this video in that getting your thumb out of the way quickly allows your fingers to get that hook on the ball better. Interesting.

Yo man thanks now I can finally curve my bowling ball :D

Great explanation i think i need a virtual lesson due to my injured wrist i do not have wrist bend to get under the ball and drag my nails so to speak. and i use a very snug thumb hole to help keep the ball on my hand to the bottom of the swing i learned not to grip with my thumb before i had my wrist injury and i have a hard time some nights do to fit on my thumb being a bit too tight or loose i have changeable thumb holes and tape but it is really hard to get the same feel all the time my thumb also shrinks as i bowl the faster we go the smaller it is and the slower we go the more it wants to hang a tad on release i was told to step into my shot harder but i am having trouble doing that also some days i can get good knee bend and other days not so much uggh some days i feel there is no help for guys like me i average any where from 190s to 210s depending on how the season goes with all my issues lol is there hope for guys like me ?

You can do it into whatever you want just don't break anything okey? I love this guy :D

Muy claro, gracias.

Anyone know where JR’s old video about having an “offset” thumb hole drilled is?? Been trying to find.

Just got a proton physix and couldn’t get the ball to really hook. I’m going to try this

Thanks

Watching this while bowling

JR, great video as always. I totally understand the how, but the feel is what I wonder about. How can the stress in the forarm and wrist from cupping the ball not produce grip pressure? How tight should ones thumb hole be, to not produce grip pressure? I'm a modest 350 Rev rate, uncalculated, it's just my ball drillers opinion watching my ball roll down the lane. I've always feered hanging up in the thumb, therefor unwilling to add too much tape.

beginner bowler with a 12lb tropical storm conventional drilled. I rarely break 100, having problems at release, always seems to release past the line up in the air resulting in a loft. I am at my whits end. I started thinking its cause of the conventional and maybe i should get it redrilled for fingertip. I will practice these drills at home and see if it helps.

How do you improve on the distance from the foul line and the releasing the bowl? When I was younger I would finish way closer to the line and now I'm like 3 feet from it, not sure how this happened. A video on that would be much appreciated!

i always thought that the release was one fluid motion, and my release is terrible. however, after analyzing i came to realize that the ball release is actually TWO separate actions done in rapid succession. the first is the release of the thumb, and the second being the flick of the fingers.