Coachrich:

I took your advice and are seeking for a youth league, if i get in i'll keep you up to date. but my question is.......what do they teach in youth league? and will i get a chance to learn hooks? I tried Hooking with my plastic ball couple days ago, it hooked about two inches, but it was just oiled, medium i think. And I'm pretty sure my postion and ball release is 100% incorrect..but i made sure that my thumb leaves the ball first and spinning the ball with my fingers... anyways just wanted to keep you up to date on my status, and one more final question. What Urethane Ball WOuld you recommand that's good for learning hook shots but can still work pretty well later on?

This is just my opinion, but it seems you are overly concerned with hooking the ball. I used to work with the juniors at my home center and the most important thing to learn is a consistent approach, arm swing and release. Once all these are learned and in place, the hook will come.

Once you do learn to hook the ball, there will be days you'll wish you could roll that straight shot again.

We had volunteer coaches, some YABA trained, others not. We tried to have 1 coach per pair. As far as what you will learn, we treated each junior individually. Some received coaching on their arm swing, some on their release, some on their timing, some on their adjustments...it depended on the juniors knowledge of the basics.

So, relax, learn the basics, and enjoy the sport with all its frustrations. Just my 2 cents worth.

Bambino,

Although I whole-heartedly agree with everything BBowler stated in her post, I also understand your burning desire to through a 15+ board hook. (I was a young man with the same motivation a long, long time ago.) There's something exciting about throwing the ball out to the two-board and watching it snap back into the pocket to send every pin into the pit.

BBowler is also correct in that most YABA leagues with coaches, have the coaches spread throughout the lanes. You need to be aggressive and seek out their help. Tell them that your goal is to throw a ball with a strong reaction on the back-end. Not all YABA coaches have the level of training to get you there. The YABA Level II coaches are trained on the different bowler types such as the roller (full-swing), stroker, (half-swing) and cranker (up-swing).

(Any potential Level II coaches reading this post should remember that last sentence, you may see it again at the end of the class. :rolleyes: )

However, if you find any YABA coach with experience in delivering a ball with good axis rotation and axis tilt ('the big hook') ask them for help.

As far as a good urethane ball? Just keep within your tight budget. Buy something used or let the Pro Shop owner know that you are new to the sport and are looking for a tame ball (beyond plastic) that is on his/her bargain rack. We can discuss name-brand bowling balls when you have established your delivery technique.

Now a tip to get you started in the proper delivery:

Got a football? At home, take your four-step approach, start your armswing with the first step, but instead of a bowling ball, throw the football under-hand. When you release the football, throw it like a 'spiral' so that one of the narrow ends of the football stays pointed toward you and the strings are rotating around the ball. Practice this and you will get a fundamental 'feel' for the "big hook" delivery.

Hope this helps, good luck and keep in touch.

Coachrich:

You are right about the obsession... there's something very exciting about hooking a bowling ball, especially it's destructive power. But I will do as you guys recommand, Learn the basics, and i believe it'll eventually come. I will keep you posted on my status.

i just went to sign up for the youth league and i got my high average practicing that day......around 120

Bambino,

Fantastic!

I'm sure you will enjoy the fun and challenge of a YABA sanctioned league.

Good luck and keep in touch,