Feel

Question
As a bowler that is discovering release issues and comfort of grip problems. Before I go and accuse someone of messing up my ball...How do you know what the correct feel is? I have asked several people where does the ball sit in your hand. I could not believe all of the different answers to the same question.Some say the knuckle part of your palm at the pointer finger...some say with your ball completely in your palm. The only way to get it in my palm 100% is to put my thumb in and rest it on my palm , but cant figure if the fingers can get drilled that way for proper release. Its all confusing.

I'm not even sure if I'm explaining correctly. Basically what I'm saying is When do you know when its right?

Answer

www.TrueBowlerAdjustme Hello Ken, You asked, "How do you know what the correct feel is?" It's a complicated, yet simple answer! Complicated because, "only you-the bowler" can determine what the correct feel is. There are many things a coach can say to guide you to that "feel" you will eventually like. That "feel" has to come through trial and error sometimes, however it will have some vital parts to it...
  The correct feel, has to give you a sense that no matter how you choose to deliver the ball it will not fall off your hand. The correct feel, has to give you a sense that you control it's path to your targets as well as the speed of the ball to the breakpoint, especially if you are an advanced bowler. The correct feel, gives you "confidence" that you can REPEAT,your delivery time and time again. The correct feel, will not begin to ache after you are done bowling just 3 games, or as many as 6 to 10 games when it comes to my professional bowlers.
   The correct feel for one bowler may be loose, while for another bowler it could be tight or stretched. The correct feel, can be when the ball sits on your palm. For other bowlers, the ball may rest comfortably on the base of your index finger. The ball may rest on one side of the hand or the other. You may use three fingers to support the ball to get that "feel." You may use all four fingers. The correct feel for a bowler may be when they choose to tuck their pinky. Perhaps a bowler may just use the pads of the finger tips, while balancing of the ball my be supported only by the thumb.(Well that is, if the bowler even uses the thumb?)
  THE MOST CONCRETE ANSWER:  The correct feel? The correct feel comes from the bowler who knows from "their experience" what works for them. The driller will get you into the ball. However, it's up to "the bowler" to truly work themselves into a "feel" they can be confident will give them results. If you feel stretched, "say something!" If it's falling off your hand early, bring it to your pro shop professional's attention. If it seems your ring finger is a mile away from your thumb, or worst yet you have to take your thumb out of the ball a lot, to be able to use the ball. Let your ball driller know about it.
  Everything I mentioned above are key elements you have to investigate to achieve the feel you want as you prepare to deliver the ball onto the lanes. I have to say as a professional coach, if you can truly "roll" the ball off your hand, or spin the ball with varying degrees of control, you have the feel aspect pretty much taken care of for your game.
  In a nutshell Ken, "NO ONE CAN TEACH FEEL." We can only describe what "seemingly" feels nice for us. We can see the results of inconsistency, callouses, missed targets, balls falling off the hand going left and right, and on occasion we will have to run from behind a bowler who has let the ball go in their backswing.
  In closing, coaches will mention to a bowler to "try different things" that will give a bowler varying degrees of "feel." Many of these options I will mention in my new book that will be published in the fall of 2011, "SECRETS OF THE TRUE BOWLER." In it, I will mention tips a bowler can try to get a better "feel" for the ball as they setup, as well as deliver the ball onto the lanes. For example, focusing on "finger grouping," to achieve a good feel. I also will touch on the use of finger inserts indepth, regarding when to use grips and when not to use them when trying to get that "feel" for success.
  Ken,feeling the ball is physical as well as mental. Some bowlers will say, they feel nothing, others who like to have control of the ball will tell you specifically how "they" hold the ball. It may work for you, it may not. In the end, what you feel is going to be based on the type of delivery you most often use. In time the goal is to ensure you have a "custom fit" that is just right for you, and how you like to feel the ball come off your hand.

Enjoy the Memorial Day Weekend. Sincerely, Gary L. Oatis, MSgt,USAF (Retired)

Take care, God's Blessings to you Ken.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com

www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com