This is a great video. With regards to that little bit of thumb pressure that you supply to the ball, at what point in the release are you relaxing it? Does your thumb relax at the start of the window or just before you roll your wrist at the end? I can clearly see your motion from that super slow-mo in the beginning, but understanding what your muscle tension is doing is just as important. Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the instruction and inspiration.

What about releasing with feeling the weight of the ball on the index finger? What type of roll and reaction would that produce?

Man, I coulda used that 20 years ago, but Maximum Bob was busy then. 😂

Maximum Bob is, also, Professor Bob! 😄

Man, this is great stuff! Thanks, Maximum Bob. 👍 🤔

Great explanation. Thanks!

Great vid Robert, will try some of these tips tonight.

This has got to be the best explanation to releasing the ball, it all made sense, Now as far as the tilt part, well that's another story, don't really understand all of it. Thanks Robert

I never liked calling it a "yo-yo". To me, it's much more like a frisbee as you said. And the hand finishing position is explained perfectly. Should finish in the "tray" position (if you bring your arm up, you could put a tray on your hand).

Mr Smith, thank you! I saw you when you were just a kid. Cannot even remember the center but I got to sub in a league you bowled in a few times (Was it Del Rio?) and like so many, it was fun to just watch what "Maximum Bob" did. Sure wish I had learned this stuff way back when. My time bowling the Senior Tour might have gone a bit better.

You're a freak when it comes to throwing a bowling ball. Nobody to this day throws a more powerful ball than you used to. EJ and the 2 handers have the revs, but not the power. Watching the pins exit the pin deck shows it all.

Great video. I have a heavier early roll and struggle with many of the same things you mentioned, misses left/right (fast feet), pin ups being a bit touchy (over/under) and pin down to early and tend to roll out but I like the more controlled shape. I shared this video with Palmer Falgren while practicing together recently. As noted it is slightly difficult to understand though due to mic issues but reading the transcript does helps. I'm certain you will dial things in and make your presence known on the pba50 tour!

Very good explanation on how to release / create revs. Nice job!!

Hey Robert, are you turning the wrist and causing the thumb to go to 12 o clock an the fingers continue around or how does the wrist actually work with the shot?

Hey Robert, are you turning the wrist and causing the thumb to go to 12 o clock an the fingers continue around or how does the wrist actually work with the shot?

Had lessons from some high level coaches. Names that most folks would recognize in the industry. This was a simple but better explanation then all of those lessons combined. Went out on the lanes and noticed an immediate improvement in my release and repeatability. Thanks!😁

I think this is a game changer for you Bob. Those balls looked fantastic. Very predicable. I look forward you seeing you win some PBA50 events. Go get 'em!

Thanks for the detailed explanation and demonstration. I will be using this video for my students, since I'm always trying to get them not to hit the ball, but roll it; and roll it consistently. It also emphasizes the end point of the release, which the students only get to if everything up until that point is done correctly. Your insight into the changes in the release and the changes in ball motion that results is invaluable, and your info is masterfully presented. I will be referring a lot more students to any video you produce; and thanks again.

Great video. Best explanation to date on release.

Great video and love the explanation!

Absolutely great video Robert!

Very intriguing video. Great information. Too bad your mic was not working, it was very hard to understand you.

PBA50? When did we get old? Err. Older. Great explanation. Also great to see you back out there. I'm still going to call you Maximum Bob, even if you're demonstrating Minimum Bob and Medium Bob here.

Hi Robert great information. I enjoyed breakpoint but also your release video. I always have trouble topping and getting on side of ball. I am 63 havea12 mph with a 15 l. Ball. Have been trying to seed up my approach h but cause me to pull ball. I also have thumb release issues. Should Irelease mythumb or should it release itself

Well done Robert Smith very very relatable

Looks like string pins

What a fantastic video on the release. I just have one question, when I uncup my wrist at the bottom of the release, I end up almost dropping the ball and it rolls slowly and with not much revolutions. How do you roll the hand over the top of the ball with the fingers while still keeping up speed and revs? Long time fan, still watch your old PBA matches

Been waiting for this vid from you for years… awesome video, the best release explaination ever. Thank you Robert !

nice video.. question I have a unique throwing style. I start with my hand sideways. I am a left hand bowler so my thumb and fingers are pointing to the right. Should I cup my hand in when I begin my approach?

Thank you sir you have taken me from being lost to finding my way close to the target of being a good bowler. Thank you. Please keep the video’s coming

Rob you started doing this before these kids out here.

Darren Tang is the perfect example of yo-yo bowling release.

I watched Robert at Sam's Town for awhile. Been watching him for decades. Best release and best motion of them all. Now I understand how he does it. GREAT video. After all these years he's still got it. 👍

You explained well

Thank you for the video

Damn bro... Thank you

I've watched a LOT of bowling videos. This is far and away the best explanation of proper release I've ever seen. Excellent video.

That is what I needed.

One of the best to do it, loved watching you growing up. All of the modern power players owe you a debt of gratitude for your part in the modern power game. Keep the vids coming, and TY.

enjoyed this...….how come no-one ever talks about how the arm exits left and then finishes right?

I'll go a step further than some others and say it's terrible that a great player adds to confusion by saying tilt when he means axis rotation.

This is exactly how I release it but your description was perfect!

As the discussion got to changing tilt at release, that got me to realize how much you can change the shape. The emphasis of the middle finger vs. the ring finger can get a ball shape to work for you without a ball change. Then you can with little thought make the ring finger be the lifting force at release. Ah, then Teacher Smith brings in another aspect, the pinky finger doing some work into the ball at release. Something new to myself after 57 years of bowling is the pinky finger of the hand. Maybe have a hole drilled for the pinky finger too.

Thanks!

Yaaaay Finally!!! I cannot thank you enough for this detailed explanation of the modern release, I've been 4yrs trying to figure it out by just watching videos. with this video I can work on it for myself then pass it on to my youth bowlers. You Are the Man 😄

Best of the best. Especially not more speed equal to more revs ……. Master of the master. Thank you so much.

This is the best video on the modern bowling release I've seen so far.

Rob hands down this is the best explanation of how to do the pro release 🤙🏽

Awsome info Rob! I guess layouts do matter! It’s something I can do for my boys in there arsenal. My right hander is always chasing left. Keep the vids coming!

Robert, you explaining the "release window", and how it starts "back here" (3:21-3:34) was super-enlightening! I'm one of those people who assumed it all happened in a fraction of a second by one's ankle. Thanks so much for making this video. You have a permanent follower!