One of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to bowling instruction and learning how to bowl is simply: How do you throw a hook?"
From the time youth bowlers first join Saturday morning junior programs, they see the older kids making the ball hook and they want to imitate it. This often causes them trouble as they contort their whole body in an effort to see the ball curve. Others seem to have a break to their ball whether they like it or not. So what's the secret?
The secret is actually that too much effort is counter productive when it comes to making the ball hook. Your arm directs the path of the ball and your hand hooks the ball. It's necessary to separate those two things in your mind so that you can have a nice free arm swing and concentrate on a nice smooth release.
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 Examples of a finger tip span |
In order to make the ball hook you must have the proper grip in a ball that fits your hand well. A finger-tip or semi finger-tip span is needed to throw a hook in most cases. In a finger-tip span the thumb exits the ball first and the fingers are then able to rotate the ball from behind to create the forward and side roll needed to make the ball change direction down the lane. A common problem among bowlers learning to hook the ball is they rotate their hand around the ball ether too much or too soon, causing the ball to "spin" rather than "roll".
Timing is the critical element in learning a hook release. Allowing the ball to swing freely and then 'waiting' for the bottom of the swing to roll the ball off the fingers is a skill that takes some practice. Just like any new skill, throwing a hook is something that requires patience, practice and at least some coaching for most people.
If you are interested in learning more or in getting some coaching, visit the pro shop today!
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