Ball Rotation

Question
Hi Ron, I am here to ask you a question regarding to ball rotation/release. For the past year or so I have failed to fix my ball rotation and release. I am currently coming right off the back off the ball and have a very high track that just catches the edge of the thumb hole. The only time I come around the ball good and have a somewhat good track is when I grab the ball at the bottom and hit up on it as much a possible with also isn't good. So my question: How can I improve my ball rotation/release so that i come around the ball good and so I am smooth in doing so?

Answer
Without knowing what techniques you have tried and assuming you have a ball with a symmetric core and drilled for a finger tip grip that isn't exotic, there are 3 suggestions you can try:

Curl your pinkie finger towards your palm while holding the ball during your swing and point your index finger toward your mark. This accomplishes 2 things. First, by curling your pinkie finger your hand naturally pulls in on your ring finger which causes you to have more "lift". Second, the change in finger placement will cause a slight change in the release timing off your fingers. Third, by pointing your index finger at your mark your hand will be angled more to create more of a hook by changing the axis of rotation of the ball. If you watch the PBA players you will see that almost every one of them uses this technique. This WILL feel strange the first couple of weeks that you try, but don't be discouraged. It's very natural that your body resists doing something it's not used to doing.

If you rotate your wrist 45 degrees to left during your approach and swing it will change the axis of rotation of the ball. To help facilitate this change, and to try to overcome your muscle memory which will automatically try to straighten the rotation of your wrist, try to practice your release with your thumb up and the palm of your hand facing your face and make sure your hand stays in this position as it goes past your ear on your follow through.

If your stance during your approach is more vertical than horizontal you may want to bend more at the waist so that your back is parallel with the lanes. On your release step as you start the ball forward also "stand up" so that your back and legs supply more upward lift without having to muscle the ball back on your backswing or forward on your downswing. This will get you more revs but does not change your track.

Other changes would be to the ball drilling. Consult your pro shop to see about changing positive/negative weight and/or the axis alignment relative to the mass bias point.