How to Hook a Bowling Ball

Thank you: To the only video that explains anything.

As a silver coach I'd like to commend the maker of this video. You do not need to "force" the ball to hook. Proper release will allow you hook without having to snap your hand over / around the ball. A few points to add: 1) Point 4 in this video is very important; let the ball fall in your swing. Do not try to throw the ball; let your body and timing control the speed through a free swing. 2) Let your bowling shoulder drop as you start the approach to help your body at the end to be in position for release behind the ball. Notice the bowler's dropped shoulder on approach through release. This bowler has great body position to demonstrate it. 3) Rotate the bowling hand open on the back swing. If you were to pull the thumb out of your ball at the top of the swing it should point towards the sky (not necessarily straight up) This will help keep the arm straight and get the hand in the proper position behind the ball on release. This bowler is not doing that but is able to get a nice release without it. 4) Start the acceleration (add muscle) only towards the bottom of the swing and through the follow through. I tell my students to feel the "load" build on the thumb. When the hand is in the proper position, once the thumb is released the weight will quickly shift to the finger tips and cause a "snap" on the rotation. You need to be accelerating at this point and following through to get the maximum rotation on the ball. 5) As they say in the video... You need "time" and lots of practice. This is easy mechanics once you learn it, but it will feel funky as you learn. People have a tendency to think bowling is "easy" but it's a skill that needs to be built. Not only do you need to build skill, but you'll need to build muscle and muscle memory. (or unlearn bad habits) On a proper release you should see a low access rotation on the ball (not looking like a helicopter and it should "appear" to accelerate as it starts into the hook through into the roll. You do not need to force the ball to hook, normal mechanics will cause the most powerful hook you can create without "funky" hand / wrist mechanics. Very well done. Thanks.

One of the best tutorials I've seen on this subject, on you tube.

This was fantastic! I've been bowling recreationally forever and nobody has ever explained this to me...can't wait to practice with the football & then try it out at the bowling alley!

So far this is the best tutorial I've seen by far. Most of the pros don't know how to teach it in a video.

I've only bowled a few times in my life but I give this video my seal of approval and highest recommendation.

Out of all the videos I wantched on this topic this is the only one that really helped me and saw immediate results. THANK YOU

That's actually really well described to be honest. The foam football idea really brings it full circle to fully understand the movement. Really this is actually a great video

This video rules. Helpful, informative, excellent. I am very happy that I watched it. I will take what I've learned here and go to the lanes and try it. Thanks

Thanks for the video, really helped me release the ball properly! This is one of the best videos on how to hook the ball for beginners!

Wow, this completely illustrated what I was doing wrong which was blocking me from what I thought was a good swing. I have not been keeping my wrist behind the ball and have been letting the ball hang from my fingers. I had one randomly good swing today (before seeing this video) and I after seeing this video, it became clear what I did right; hand/wrist behind the ball. Can’t wait to start bowling better now. Thanks so much!

Thank you. One of the few videos that is reassuring that it really ISN’T easy and takes a lot of practice. Some of the old pros casually say things like “oh just pull your thumb out first” or “it’s easy if you pretend your going in for a handshake as you throw the ball”. In theory, I get what they’re saying but this was one of the few videos that thoroughly explained it and still said (essentially) “you will suck at this for a while but if you practice you’ll get there. The other videos I watched just left me feeling stupid for not getting it. Thank you for this.

I'm going to have to give this a try when I go bowling tomorrow. I've never really honestly thought about releasing the ball with my hand faced forward opposed to pointed downwards.

Love this turtorial, helped me get a 240 game, thanks and keep up the good work.

Awesome "Bowling 101" video. Every 10-year-old should watch this.

Thanks for sharing the video. Something new to work on is always a plus

finally ! thanks this helped alot I hook but wasn't consistent and I couldn't figure out why this video fixed that bravo sir you are a great man!

Thanks for posting this! When I was young I had a natural hook from day one. At about age 13 I broke my right wrist and ever since my natural hook disappeared. Not knowing how to do it I've always assumed it was from breaking my wrist. Well now I can practice getting a hook on my ball again.

Thank you! I’ve been getting really frustrated and this was the best explanation I’ve seen.

Thank you for making this, t is the first time I have found a video that actually explains it in detail

Gracias Brandon,por los tips que mencionas, el practicar y practicar hará que mejore uno. Nuevamente gracias por compartir tu experiencia.

I've watched a lot of videos about hooking a ball and you have some of the best camera angles and demonstrations of all of them. Cheers man. I need a small football now...

Went bowling yesterday never hooked a ball in my life, asked the guy in the lane next to me how to do it since he was really good at it. He took 2 minutes to teach and show me how to do it. After about 5 tries I learned how to hook the ball onwards and outwards. I feel like this video is a little over the top

best video iv seen after 2 hrs searching,,thx!!!

This is exactly what I was looking for. As soon as you showed the 'wrong' wrist, I now know where I'm going wrong.

The foam football is an excellent training tool. Great job.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video!

Nice tutorial, and I like the football practice technique. I'll be trying this out!

the motion with the foam football was a great example. thanks

This was very helpful. Thank you :)

Great Bowling Tip! We Have Bowling Tips Too - We Liked Yours So We Will Be Sharing It On Our Fanpage and Website and Blog! Thank You Again!

The mini football training tip is a game changer👍👍

Best tutorial yet imo.

Thanks so much for this detailed information abd description thanks a lot this video was the one what i am searching for my next bowling game 👌

Thanks for uploading this video.

Awesome tutorial! I cant wait to try it

Muchas gracias por compartir estos trucos, saludos desde Chile

Thx I learn a lot

I'm watching this currently in a bowling center lolol. Now I'm gonna beat my fiends ass!

Great Bowling Tips - Thank You For This Valuable Information. We Have Tips Too. and Will Be Share and Posting Your Videos On Our Fanpage and Websites and Blogs!

Ok so I'm currently changing my bowling style from two finger to utilizing all 3 fingers. This makes alot more sense to me seeing it in slow motion. I have actually been doing it wrong wondering why I wasn't getting any rev rates. It seems I'm trying to hard to spin the ball myself rather than letting my fingers roll it off in the natural way this shows. Once I get my new hammer black widow I'm going to be doing this drill to help myself before league starts up. Thank you for this very informative video

Forced to go bowling tomorrow. Hope this helps :D

Thank you for the tutorial! Lol this bowling alley looks like all star lanes in tooele, UT

First time watching this video. Love the song.

very good tutorial and the music is amazing

Nice one😀 Thnx for the clear explanation 📹👍

thank you so much . best tutorial video

OMG a video that actually tells you something thx

شكرا جزاك الله خير بسببك اصرفت ٥٠ جنية من محلات البولينج

taking the time to arrange the visuals along with the instruction helped; thanks.

Thanks bro. Todays my daughters class feild trip gonna hace a way better time now knowing this tip

best video explanation thus far!! Many thanks. Cheers

Excellent tutorial! Thanks

Thank you for posting this, will definitely try this. Finally someone giving lots of details and close ups now it doesn't look as hard as it appeared before.

Thank you this has helped me alot

Very helpful in last minute bowling situations

Bro! Great video man!! Everything is coming together now. Keep it up dude!!!

Awesome explanation! Thanks. I like the music too! I just started bowling and I found it easier to hook the ball using the no thumb style.

I never thought to put my hand behind the ball instead of on top/ sideways. Thanks!!

About to bowl right now ! Lol wish me luck bro

VERY informative, thank you

Great video very helpful!!!

Thanks for the break down!

Thx for the tips.😊

great video thank you so much !!!

This is youtube at its finest

Thank you for this video! I am 46 and began bowling in 4th grade. I have been away from it for many years now because I just started getting bad. I've strung together 9 in a row (honestly stuck at the foul line on the first 10th frame ball...PIIIIIISSED! LOL) Anyhoo, I began overpowering the ball which resulting in poor control and less hook...I now think you have solved my other problem. I never realized (and nobody told me) I am breaking my wrist at the bottom of the swing, and it was probably gradual (which is odd). I am ready to try my hand again and will let you know the results. Sadly enough, the bowling alley in our town is up for auction, I believe, tomorrow! *sigh*

Thx for video nice way to teach someone

What videos like this never point out is that most of the weight of the grip should be on the thumb not across the palm of the hand. That is why thumb hole size and angle very important in your custom drill.

Really good guide in breaking down the hook process. This helped me a lot! Recently switched from 1 handed to 2 handed though, but I still use 1 hand for tough spares or if the lane conditions are better for it. 2 hands just gives me more power and rev overall. I just put up a 2 hand training session on my channel, I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks again!

Not sure about the recommendation to put your index finger in the bowling ball but other than that, it was very helpful. Thank you.

I can't believe it my son teaches me how to curve I did not believe but when I watched this I was shocked I should listen to my son after all

Definitely tryin this

Great video!

10Q. good info and its help me much.

Thanks, I know how to hook the ball but learning different methods.

wow amazing...love it

Hey, Can you clear one queation from me? Is it valid to just stop at the foul line and swing your arm 3-4 times before delivery?

Great Video!

Very good video great video actually

At 0:46 seconds it says enter your "INDEX and MIDDLE FINGER to the first knuckle" but you put your Middle Finger and Ring Finger in the holes

very interesting thanks for tips

Lol I'm bowling right now and watched this video. Got a strike first time trying it lmao!!! Thanks!!

Awesome vid good work

Thank you bro!

Thats not index finger!

Thank so much now I get better

best video ever !!

I will trying ... thanks

Very helpful video.

Now, I could do this, if only I could actually hold a ball that far out xD

do you hook the regular bowling balls that come with your bowling place the same way? because all the videos i've seen all have their own bowling balls that have a wider gap between the 2 fingers and the thumb while the regular balls gap is way closer and I have not seen one demonstrating with the default balls

Nice vid, thx!

I have had skin torn on my thumb a few times in the past. luckily I had Some thing to put over the torn skin so I could keep bowling. Its fully healed now but it hurt a lot.

Great video! =)

Excellent video

GUYS , HIS LAST VIDEO (on his site) WAS 4 YEARS AGO. DON'T THINK YOU ARE GOING TO GET ANY ANSWERS. Helpful video just the same.

Thank you sunshine😁

감사합니다 Thanks

Brandon Gill ...are you an athlete of this sport or coach? If so I would like to ask you a few questions for a project I am doing. I have to analyze this skill. Thank you