most effective ball release

Question
QUESTION: Which release is more effective [1] lifting thru the ball - hand behind the ball & fingers under the ball? [2] going around the ball - hand & fingers on the outside of the ball?

As a right-handed bowler, I prefer to play the typical house shot, i.e., a down-and-in shot between 10 board & 5 board area.  If I wanted to get more area, I would try to play between the 15 board & 10 board area.  I try to stay square on the lane to the target area so that my armswing stays within the target area. I have a 190 average and would like to build up to a consistent 200-210 average. I am using a 15lb Onyx Hammer reactive ball.

Which release would be more effective for me, and under what condition[s]?

Thanks for your answer!

gw

ANSWER: GW,
Depending on your consistency, the more forward role (1), less axis rotation delivery starts up on the lane earlier but hooks a little less overall. On violent lane conditions where the outside boards are very dry and ILLEGAL according to USBC, the hand behind the ball #1 delivery can provide more control and more predictable results. As you come around the ball, more axis rotation and axis tilt (#2) creates a stronger, more volatile downlane reaction requiring a move using a path and more oil between second and third arrows.

You can use the #1 release when lanes are fresh and as the lanes change, move in, but when the release stops being effective, switch to the stronger finishing release #2 and, ideally, have a stronger finishing ball reaction.

You are discussing two separate release ideas. You can alter the delivery in an almost unlimited series of minor adjustments. Delivery adjustments are effective alternatives. BUT, they also demand pristine execution. When bowlers play with delivery options they MUST be absolutely sure that their execution is consistent. Have a coach or better bowler put eyes on you as you practice with a ball with a marked Positive Axis Point. So, you and your coach can be assured that each shot is executed perfectly. More than likely they all WON'T be, but you need to see ninety plus percent of your shots thrown identically before you can be confident that properly executed shots are what you are observing, and not just deliveries aimed into the nice soft forgiving part of the lane, that pushes them back towards the pocket.

As a bowling store operator, I'm a fan of ball options. If you roll the ball exactly the same (or to the best of your ability the same, the next million times you bowl), you will become consistent! Playing around with releases often creates confusion and inconsistency. If you roll two or three balls made to play a specific area of the lane, but created to handle three different degrees of lane oil, you should be able to utilize a strategy where your favorite, most consistent delivery works on fresh oil, as the shot breaks down a second and sometimes third ball can be utilized to control the lane as less and less oil is present and as you need to move to accommodate the change in lane play/path to the pocket.

Often while adjusting your hand position seems like a good option so many things come into play as you try to use a ball path that is constantly changing. If you have two or three tools (bowling balls) that you are familiar with, your expectation of what they do will become clear and as you adjust balls, you can better understand what's evolving on the lane because you have tools designed to do specific things on specific amounts of oil.

Thanks for your question. I hope I didn't complicate things further for you. Good luck and good bowling.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the detailed response!  I will be taking some time to absorb this information.  

BTW, given what I'm trying to accomplish, which current bowling balls would, in your opinion, match up with my game?  In considering these & other bowling balls, should I focus more on ball surface, weight block, or drilling pattern?

Also, is it legal to drill a ball with the Positive Axis Point permanently marked on the ball surface (like a white dot drilled into the ball) and use the ball in league games?  That way, I could read the ball's reaction as it travels down the lane.

Your suggestions & comments are appreciated!

gw

Answer
GW,
Putting a tracer on your Positive Axis Point by plugging and filling with a contrasting color is legal as is drilling a shallow hole that doesn't effect the static imbalance and filling the hole with contrasting tape or color works too.

You really havn't shared much about your game or the condions you bowl on. Knowing ball speed, axis rotation and axis tilt, rev rate and details about the lane surfaces, conditions, and your favorite ball path would help. Knowing what balls you throw, which provide the best, most usable reactions and how they are layed out and how the surface is finished would also be important.

The easiest way to evaluate a bowler is for me to see you bowl on condions I am familar with. That's not likely. So, the more information, even videos, the better. Thanks again.