This tip helped me immensely. I dabbled in 200+ games before this tip, but since viewing this, I had 3 200+ games two weeks ago, and 4 200+ games out of 4 Thursday night. Just let the ball swing and don't try to yam on it: fantastic tip! Thanks Coach Mike!
Crazy I just came across this. Been struggling with pulling down. Made some back swing changes and have been struggling with pushing the ball right. Real sized after watching this that that’s what I’m doing is trying to force it down instead of smooth. Thanks for the less is more tip. Made a difference right away!
All of this is right on. I am so guilty of helping on my down swing. It's a hard habit to break. Now every time I practice I'll bowl at least one game of the one step drill.
I think these tips are great, however I would like to know if they also apply to senior bowlers. I am 81 years old and because of knee problems, reduced backswing, etc. I was wondering if these drills would work for me or are there other drills that would help us "old folks"?
I think that the basic principal is taking the effort out and letting everything flow as naturally as possible. Taking any unnecessary movements out will help because it's one less thing you have to do the same every time. Now I'm only 31 years old, so I don't understand how you're feeling physically. But just try not to overthink it and keep it all smooth and steady. Multiple seniors outscore me in my leagues and what I notice in all of them is that they mostly have lower ball speed yet very accurate.
My old bowling partner was in her 80's too. She rolled that ball SO SLOW, it looked like it wouldn't have the energy to topple a single pin. And yet, every time, those pins would cascade down like they were humoring her, out of courtesy and respect for her time and accomplishments on this planet! She got 7 pins regularly and 9-10 on a frame.
I desperately need to learn from this coach I’ve bowled my whole life multiple perfect games and 800 series but over the last couple years I’ve tried pushing into more pro tournaments and PBA qualifiers and learned how bad my accuracy really is. I am fast and have arm swing issues similar to this and it’s created knee pains over the years. I just turned 40 I really want to make one last big push over the next 5 years and have more success.
Thank you for this video. I'm thinking these drills will help me a lot. I'm just getting back into bowling. And I'm having trouble with not pulling the ball to the inside of my mark. My ball speed may also be a little fast, sometimes upwards of 20MPH. However, I'm 6'1" and rolling a 15 pound ball.
One of the biggest issues I try to address with my students. These drills will be very helpful! I also incorporate two of your points into the pre-shot routine, I call it my mantra. Relax grip, swing loose. Thanks and keep 'em coming!
We all have the same problems with our students, but for me, it is getting them to accept that almost all have too large of a thumb drilled in the ball. It is so hard to explain it to a bowler who has already bowled some time, and I think it is one of the biggest points to be made before you can even address the grip pressure, free swing, clean release, and developing REVs. It all comes from being relaxed and not have to grip the ball from falling off your hand (thumb). The tighter the thumb can be inside a ball, the better all of these elements will get, and the student will learn and develop much faster.
had a question on this. If we do a free swing , doesn't the wrist break back and now we don't have the hand under the ball while the ball is moving back to the apex ? Or should we still have some tension in our wrist?
Good question. It is possible to keep the wrist in a bit of the stronger position even with a freer swing. If you get too floppy with the wrist it will tend to bend back in to the weaker position your mentioned. Focus more on the relaxed upper arm and shoulder being lose and relaxed more then thr wrist being too loose and floppy. Thanks for watching!
With the free swing drill, the ball at the apex gets to about the lower back. In the "after" shot at the end of the video, the ball gets to shoulder height at the apex. How do you get this higher back swing without muscling the ball?
Thanks I like tips helps me so long as I don’t think too much. Less is more!!! I will keep learning. I’m 66 bowling better now than I was young. Thanks again.
Great to hear that you are still learning and improving, happy to hear these videos are helping you! Good luck on the lanes and thanks the comments and for watching!!
I have issues with my arm swing and it has to do with bad habits from long ago. I tend to drop my hand and turn my arm or forearm counter-clockwise at or near the beginning of the swing. Likely at or near the top of the swing my thumb is pointing 180 degrees from where it should be. Magically I turn my arm to get my hand close to the proper position as I get it back down towards my ankle; however, it's pretty much impossible to repeat shots this way. My backswing can get a bit too high at times. I can avoid these issues if I do a foul line drill and just roll the ball at the line. I can do a good one step drill as well without turning my arm / hand inward. Any suggestions to help me get my track higher and hand behind the ball throughout the swing rather than all this extra gymnastics I go through? Thanks...
Started bowling about a year ago and still trying to find that "groove". Do you have any videos on the front foot slide? I cannot get/feel it, I try but always end up just stepping and stopping.
This is something Im in need of. I’m trying to get back into bowling after 10+ years. Due to knee and back pain, I’m unable to generate any sort of momentum or bend to roll the ball. Haven’t been able to find an approach that’s comfortable yet effective.
Glad to hear that you're getting back out on the lanes!! Hopefully some of our tips will help you to do it more effectively and with less pain!! Thanks for watching and good luck on the lanes!!
This is SUCH a struggle for me. If I let my arm fall using gravity, then I drop the ball with NOTHING on it. When I try to keep my hand/wrist firm on the release, I throw it faster. I can't seem to disconnect my wrist position from my arm speed... :-(
Am I supposed to let the ball swing freely in my normal swing? I understand not to muscle it down through the release, but can I lift it higher in my back swing, let it fall free, and then push a bit through my release?
These tips are always a bit biased. EJ Tackett is just as fast with his feet and swing if not faster than this example was in the video. I also didn't think anything was wrong when this guy took his first shot. They could've used a better example in my opinion when it comes to a bowler that tries to "muscle it" down the lane.
I'm assuming his rev rate did not match his ball speed, thus flying through the breakpoint. I'm also assuming he does not have the rev rate of EJ to pull the ball speed off.
Those alley shoes are really trash. My slide was all messed up. I have numerous problems. At the end of my delivery I nearly fall down, Idk why this is happening? I have to bend my legs more then I've done in a very long time. It's horrid, what to do?
Half the ball speed. How does one on a 1 step make the ball speed 50% if it's not being pulled or resisted? Gravity and momentum if left alone will always be 100% ball speed/swing.....
Well, you are removing the momentum imparted by your walk forward. That's a couple mph right there. And the whole point is that he was throwing faster than gravity and momentum alone, thus muscling it. Cutting speed in half is an attempt to get the muscle out of it. All that being said, I still disagree with the premise of this. It's outdated IMO. Guys like Tacket and Belmonte have blown all this theory out of the water.
No muscular effort at all? Not even after you've worked on this drill to keep everything in alignment? Isn't there a point where you want to start picking up the "power" with more physical effort?
The fake commentary at the end of these coaching videos where they pretend like they miraculously fixed some poor lost beginner’s form forever is always so cringe 😂
I went to the Dick Ritger bowling camp around 10 years ago. They had us do all these drills. It really freed up my arm swing and release. Great videos, these are really helpful.
I'm an 87 year old KWV who loves bowling and have been going now for about 6 months. I'm good with my normal 10 lb ball when it comes to a stright throw. I recently purchased a reactive ball that I need some instruction for. I need to walk up to the line of departure so I can't use natural form. Right, suggestions on how to throw the ball for strikes. I.E., I believe it's all I need the release. Are there any on line tips for my type of bowling, notibably how much twist at the release?
oh man, my friend is also good at the straight bowl, what instruction do you need? is your ball not hooking correctly? get that ball tucked in after the apex and have your fingers a quarter to the right and release. The ball should be rotating towards the 11 o clock position. If the ball is rotating towards the right, say 1-2 o clock you might not be under the ball, quarter to the right, or keeping your thumb in too long
Thanks for the great tips, Coach ! Nailed me to a tee with the untoward effects the result. One question tho- in a non-muscled swing, how is the apex higher than the start of the ball swing beyond the forward body lean ? Thank you
Thanks for that . Still not sure how the ball gets to shoulder height without muscling when the ball starts waist or lower chest high ? Is it the forward body lean one is in at the line that artificially elevates it ?
I'm a disabled vet and besides a bad slide knee, and bad back, my right elbow was shattered about 10 years ago. I started bowling again in the fall of 17/18 on a fun wed night league. I used to be a 195 bowler before and thought I would drop way off but to my surprise I averaged 176 my fist two year back. Last year though at the same house my avg hit the tank and I barely got it back up to 168 when covid-19 stopped the league year. With this info what would be the best drill or drills for me because I just couldn't repeat my shot and my window to hit on the lane shrunk to only about 3 boards because of the new oil pattern and type he used. Very oily conditions. Almost if not tournament conditions. I'll be getting a new ball this summer after a pro shop watched me bowl and suggested the highest hooking if the brand ball I prefer. Do I shoot that new ball as I have the two previous years with my same technique which is slow and not a ton of rev rate? Sorry for the length of the question but I've seen a few of your videos now and it's all with healthy younger bowlers. Your thoughts if you get a minute on a particular video or a drill or two I should try to get a snappier hook so as not to leave a lot of 10 pins and 4 pins on good 1-3 pocket hits. Thanks!
This tip helped me immensely. I dabbled in 200+ games before this tip, but since viewing this, I had 3 200+ games two weeks ago, and 4 200+ games out of 4 Thursday night. Just let the ball swing and don't try to yam on it: fantastic tip! Thanks Coach Mike!
Crazy I just came across this. Been struggling with pulling down. Made some back swing changes and have been struggling with pushing the ball right. Real sized after watching this that that’s what I’m doing is trying to force it down instead of smooth. Thanks for the less is more tip. Made a difference right away!
Bowling is such a good sport for keeping one's ego in check.
Definitely. I'm a fit 40 year old and have been smoked by a 60 year old woman in league.
So is bowling on sports shots. Currently, my average is about 25-35 pins lower than house shot.
Oh my gosh that’s what my coach Fallgren has been drilling in my head
Mike Shady is the best !
Thanks for the kind words. Keep watching and sharing. Coach Shady
All of this is right on. I am so guilty of helping on my down swing. It's a hard habit to break. Now every time I practice I'll bowl at least one game of the one step drill.
Nice drills, could see a clear difference.
I think these tips are great, however I would like to know if they also apply to senior bowlers. I am 81 years old and because of knee problems, reduced backswing, etc. I was wondering if these drills would work for me or are there other drills that would help us "old folks"?
I think that the basic principal is taking the effort out and letting everything flow as naturally as possible. Taking any unnecessary movements out will help because it's one less thing you have to do the same every time. Now I'm only 31 years old, so I don't understand how you're feeling physically. But just try not to overthink it and keep it all smooth and steady. Multiple seniors outscore me in my leagues and what I notice in all of them is that they mostly have lower ball speed yet very accurate.
My old bowling partner was in her 80's too. She rolled that ball SO SLOW, it looked like it wouldn't have the energy to topple a single pin. And yet, every time, those pins would cascade down like they were humoring her, out of courtesy and respect for her time and accomplishments on this planet! She got 7 pins regularly and 9-10 on a frame.
Yeah that’s what I want to Sir , I’m only 74. I’m planning on starting to bowl again and thought I might try the two handed style. Great stuff.
@@wesleyhall7689 yup I'm 33, my dad is 68 and he whoops my ass with a nice gentle delivery. I'm learning though and I'll catch him 😆
@@ubernate860 much like golf it's a very precise and you want to let the equipment do the work.
I desperately need to learn from this coach I’ve bowled my whole life multiple perfect games and 800 series but over the last couple years I’ve tried pushing into more pro tournaments and PBA qualifiers and learned how bad my accuracy really is. I am fast and have arm swing issues similar to this and it’s created knee pains over the years. I just turned 40 I really want to make one last big push over the next 5 years and have more success.
This is helpful once the alleys reopen I'll practice
Great tip on swing drill Coach Shady and Mike!!! Love the content Thank You #insidebowling 🙏🏼😊🙏🏼
Thanks for the kind words Romeo. More content in the coming weeks. Coach Shady
Thanks Mike and Mike. Great lesson that I am going to incorporate into my game.
Thanks for the tip. I've struggled with this for a while. It'll definitely help (once the bowling centers here actually re-open lol).
Guilty as charged….thanks for great tip!
This is a very useful video, I have this exact issue
Would these practice drills be good for 2 handed bowlers or do you have a different video because I need help keeping my elbow in towards my body.
Thank you for this video. I'm thinking these drills will help me a lot. I'm just getting back into bowling. And I'm having trouble with not pulling the ball to the inside of my mark. My ball speed may also be a little fast, sometimes upwards of 20MPH. However, I'm 6'1" and rolling a 15 pound ball.
One of the biggest issues I try to address with my students. These drills will be very helpful!
I also incorporate two of your points into the pre-shot routine, I call it my mantra. Relax grip, swing loose.
Thanks and keep 'em coming!
We all have the same problems with our students, but for me, it is getting them to accept that almost all have too large of a thumb drilled in the ball. It is so hard to explain it to a bowler who has already bowled some time, and I think it is one of the biggest points to be made before you can even address the grip pressure, free swing, clean release, and developing REVs. It all comes from being relaxed and not have to grip the ball from falling off your hand (thumb). The tighter the thumb can be inside a ball, the better all of these elements will get, and the student will learn and develop much faster.
@@igorhabljak3218 Exactly! I have a student who was complaining about his thumb fit. I introduced him to tape. He's still trying to figure it out. lol
had a question on this. If we do a free swing , doesn't the wrist break back and now we don't have the hand under the ball while the ball is moving back to the apex ? Or should we still have some tension in our wrist?
Good question. It is possible to keep the wrist in a bit of the stronger position even with a freer swing. If you get too floppy with the wrist it will tend to bend back in to the weaker position your mentioned. Focus more on the relaxed upper arm and shoulder being lose and relaxed more then thr wrist being too loose and floppy. Thanks for watching!
Love it!! Keep them coming guys!!
Glad you enjoy them. Keep sharing and watching. Coach Shady
So guilty..lol...I will work on this everyday. Thanks coach.
GREAT STUFF MIKE.!!! mo please. also these drills may help know whether you have a good fit or great fit...
Thanks for tuning in Ernesto. More to come... Coach Shady
@@insidebowling NOTIFICATION ON!!!!
Good drills. I will try these. My problem is muscling the ball.
Mine was until I strained (?) my bicep. Taking a couple weeks off...
Where does the extra speed (besides the weight of the ball) come from? Is it all at the release?
Really like your videos!
No need for extra speed,, loft, and keeping your target further right ( or left), should keep the ball in play.
With the free swing drill, the ball at the apex gets to about the lower back. In the "after" shot at the end of the video, the ball gets to shoulder height at the apex. How do you get this higher back swing without muscling the ball?
You use the momentum of your foot work. Watch Pete Weber.
Thanks I like tips helps me so long as I don’t think too much. Less is more!!! I will keep learning. I’m 66 bowling better now than I was young. Thanks again.
Great to hear that you are still learning and improving, happy to hear these videos are helping you! Good luck on the lanes and thanks the comments and for watching!!
Great tips . . . thanks. Most average bowlers are doing the wrong and opposite approach.
thank you coach mike
I have issues with my arm swing and it has to do with bad habits from long ago. I tend to drop my hand and turn my arm or forearm counter-clockwise at or near the beginning of the swing. Likely at or near the top of the swing my thumb is pointing 180 degrees from where it should be. Magically I turn my arm to get my hand close to the proper position as I get it back down towards my ankle; however, it's pretty much impossible to repeat shots this way. My backswing can get a bit too high at times. I can avoid these issues if I do a foul line drill and just roll the ball at the line. I can do a good one step drill as well without turning my arm / hand inward. Any suggestions to help me get my track higher and hand behind the ball throughout the swing rather than all this extra gymnastics I go through? Thanks...
Started bowling about a year ago and still trying to find that "groove". Do you have any videos on the front foot slide? I cannot get/feel it, I try but always end up just stepping and stopping.
Stay tuned to our channel for more videos covering that.
excellent video thanks !
Thanks!
This is something Im in need of. I’m trying to get back into bowling after 10+ years. Due to knee and back pain, I’m unable to generate any sort of momentum or bend to roll the ball. Haven’t been able to find an approach that’s comfortable yet effective.
Glad to hear that you're getting back out on the lanes!! Hopefully some of our tips will help you to do it more effectively and with less pain!! Thanks for watching and good luck on the lanes!!
That tip help the I bowl 176 average is 123👍
This is SUCH a struggle for me. If I let my arm fall using gravity, then I drop the ball with NOTHING on it. When I try to keep my hand/wrist firm on the release, I throw it faster. I can't seem to disconnect my wrist position from my arm speed... :-(
Am I supposed to let the ball swing freely in my normal swing? I understand not to muscle it down through the release, but can I lift it higher in my back swing, let it fall free, and then push a bit through my release?
Hi I have a question how do I get the ball closer to my leg at release rather than trying to over reach. Thank you steve from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺
Great tip keep them coming! I did this drill in my backyard with an old ball.
Awesome
What about Marshall Kent?
great drill what hes doing is my same problem
Great tips. Could y’all do a video for two handers?
It’s coming!
guess i will have to try this, not as a drill, but more as how i bowl since i bowl from a wheelchair
Less is more , if i bowl 131 after a 221 , then less is more . Thanks?
These tips are always a bit biased. EJ Tackett is just as fast with his feet and swing if not faster than this example was in the video.
I also didn't think anything was wrong when this guy took his first shot. They could've used a better example in my opinion when it
comes to a bowler that tries to "muscle it" down the lane.
I'm assuming his rev rate did not match his ball speed, thus flying through the breakpoint. I'm also assuming he does not have the rev rate of EJ to pull the ball speed off.
When i feel tension, i always pull the Ball. I pull it up and then down. It absolutely kills my timing and Release
Those alley shoes are really trash. My slide was all messed up.
I have numerous problems. At the end of my delivery I nearly fall down, Idk why this is happening? I have to bend my legs more then I've done in a very long time. It's horrid, what to do?
how many reps?
Hey what if you bowl with two fingers?
Bowling coach: i want to see a lack of effort
All other coaches: wait what
(loved this video btw)
Its easy if the upswing has a low height. But when the swing is high comes the problem ..
How do you practice this being two handed bowler?
Half the ball speed. How does one on a 1 step make the ball speed 50% if it's not being pulled or resisted? Gravity and momentum if left alone will always be 100% ball speed/swing.....
Well, you are removing the momentum imparted by your walk forward. That's a couple mph right there. And the whole point is that he was throwing faster than gravity and momentum alone, thus muscling it. Cutting speed in half is an attempt to get the muscle out of it.
All that being said, I still disagree with the premise of this. It's outdated IMO. Guys like Tacket and Belmonte have blown all this theory out of the water.
No muscular effort at all? Not even after you've worked on this drill to keep everything in alignment? Isn't there a point where you want to start picking up the "power" with more physical effort?
Translation: less effort in your swing leads to more effort in your spin 👍🏿
The grab comes from bad timing and not using the body the right way.
the bowler fouled @0:59
But he does not foul in the slow motion replays, lol
The fake commentary at the end of these coaching videos where they pretend like they miraculously fixed some poor lost beginner’s form forever is always so cringe 😂
Me with my 20 mph ball speed 👁👄👁
This video isn’t for beginners, once again using verbiage and lingo that a beginner won’t even understand.
Your drill is borring!!!!! pointless!
Any tips for getting the ball out farther onto the lane?
I went to the Dick Ritger bowling camp around 10 years ago. They had us do all these drills. It really freed up my arm swing and release. Great videos, these are really helpful.
i also have issues trying for strikes but always ends in gutters or spares
Me too
I had these issues too. My feet were too fast. Timing issue for me.
You want a good arms wing? Imitate Dave Davis, PBA Bowler in the seventies
How not to bend your lower body in bowling?
Less is more is exactly correct .... In all cases.. even in ur game.
Thanks for watching Jax.
Except for when more is more.
When I do this my ballspeed on qubica goes from 15mph to 12
I'm an 87 year old KWV who loves bowling and have been going now for about 6 months. I'm good with my normal 10 lb ball when it comes to a stright throw. I recently purchased a reactive ball that I need some instruction for. I need to walk up to the line of departure so I can't use natural form.
Right, suggestions on how to throw the ball for strikes. I.E., I believe it's all I need the release. Are there any on line tips for my type of bowling, notibably how much twist at the release?
oh man, my friend is also good at the straight bowl, what instruction do you need? is your ball not hooking correctly? get that ball tucked in after the apex and have your fingers a quarter to the right and release. The ball should be rotating towards the 11 o clock position. If the ball is rotating towards the right, say 1-2 o clock you might not be under the ball, quarter to the right, or keeping your thumb in too long
Thanks for the great tips, Coach !
Nailed me to a tee with the untoward effects the result. One question tho- in a non-muscled swing, how is the apex higher than the start of the ball swing beyond the forward body lean ?
Thank you
Keep your back swing no higher than your shoulder. That’s a natural backswing, not forced. Keep it free and easy.
Thanks for that . Still not sure how the ball gets to shoulder height without muscling when the ball starts waist or lower chest high ? Is it the forward body lean one is in at the line that artificially elevates it ?
I'm a disabled vet and besides a bad slide knee, and bad back, my right elbow was shattered about 10 years ago. I started bowling again in the fall of 17/18 on a fun wed night league. I used to be a 195 bowler before and thought I would drop way off but to my surprise I averaged 176 my fist two year back. Last year though at the same house my avg hit the tank and I barely got it back up to 168 when covid-19 stopped the league year. With this info what would be the best drill or drills for me because I just couldn't repeat my shot and my window to hit on the lane shrunk to only about 3 boards because of the new oil pattern and type he used. Very oily conditions. Almost if not tournament conditions. I'll be getting a new ball this summer after a pro shop watched me bowl and suggested the highest hooking if the brand ball I prefer. Do I shoot that new ball as I have the two previous years with my same technique which is slow and not a ton of rev rate? Sorry for the length of the question but I've seen a few of your videos now and it's all with healthy younger bowlers. Your thoughts if you get a minute on a particular video or a drill or two I should try to get a snappier hook so as not to leave a lot of 10 pins and 4 pins on good 1-3 pocket hits. Thanks!