I'm having a hard time staying behind the ball and keeping my wrist straight so I'm losing a lot of revs while I'm trying throw a hook (Still in the process of learning). Would any of you suggest a using a wrist support to maintain proper form, or should I just try to build up wrist strength. (I bowl with a house ball that fits fingertip, but its a Columbia Yellow dot, so I dont know how much I could hook it anyways). Any help appreciated. BTW, if you say yes, what do you think of the Brunswick Deluxe wrist support?

My wife was having a problem coming around the ball way too soon. The result would be that I could see the palm of her hand facing me directly when I stood behind her and watched. Just telling her that she was coming around the ball too far didn't help, so I told her to think about throwing a softball underhanded as she came through her swing. The problem was immediately fixed (for her, anyway). So you might think about it in those terms the next time you're out.

Also, don't expect a Yellow Dot to hook a whole lot; you'll get very little if any depending on the lane conditions. I'd invest in an entry-level reactive ball while you're attempting to develop that hook.

As far as wrist supports go, I look at them as being something you'd want to avoid until you know for sure that you really need one. I bought an inexpensive one when I was starting out, and eventually tossed it aside; I didn't need it, even though I initially thought I did.

A Yellow Dot is a plastic ball and it is manufactured or designed to go straight. When you try to make this ball hook, you are going to hurt your wrist or arm; sooner or later, and then you will not be able to bowl without enduring pain. So, until you get a reactive ball that is designed to hook; learn to throw a straight ball properly and your scores will be better than trying to make a ball hook that is not designed to do so. By the way you do not have to make reactive balls hook. You just lay the ball out there without any twisting of the wrist or arm and they hook by themselves as long as you follow through. Reactive balls should be drilled with finger inserts and a thumb slug.

The White Dot balls sure move, though. I played on a condition tonight where it hooked out of my hand. Ended up Standing on 27, aiming for 9 twenty feet past the foul line to get the ball out to 7 or 8 if I was lucky. Got too much wrist into a few shots to get nothing but the 7 pin. Rough nights like that make me wish I owned a Yellow Dot.

Breakthrough! Went bowling today, and I was able to keep my wrist straight, and get some decent revs. I guess the next step is to get a reactive ball..which leads me to the next question of...
1. Whats the best entry level reactive?
2. Will it move in med-heavy - heavy oil?

Thanks for the help!

I recently asked the pro at my pro-shop what he thought of using a wrist brace, and he recommended to me that I not use one. At least not at first.

I notice at the various lanes where I bowl that mainly the "cranker" type bowlers use them, I don't bowl like that so it doesn't seem to be any use to me.

As far as your other question about what is the "best" entry level reactive, I would have to say that what is best is the one that you can afford and the one that gets you excited about bowling. Maybe its because I'm a beginner and its the way that I throw, but honestly I don't notice a lot of difference between the reactive balls, and even if I did, I wouldn't be expert enough at it to judge which one is "best". Get one that doesn't break your budget, and has enough power and reaction that its exciting and fun to throw.

Thats just my two cents on it anyway. That being said, my next ball will likely be a Track Arsenal Aggressive or Brunswick Ultimate Inferno. The bowler next to me today had the Inferno, and boy did it react to his cranker style! Very exciting ball.

Bryant,

You are male you are 14. You should be very flexable and strong. What kind of weight bowling ball are you using and has it been drilled to fit you? Too really big things to consider when evaluating your bowling results.

Typical rule of thumb for ball weight, 1 lb for each year of life or 1 lb for each 10lbs of body weight. So depending on the ball, it maybe too heavy for you, which is why you have a hard time keeping your wrist firm throughout your armswing and release. I would say that you should at least be throwing 14lbs. And that would also depend on your body build too. So ask your Pro Shop what they think. But try not to go under 14. Entry level reactives are fine, but I suggest going to the $130 - $150 range if you can. Only because most people quickly grow out of the $99 reactives. Again, ask your Pro Shop what they think would be best after seeing you throw a couple balls.

I don't think you need a wrist devise unless you have a prior wrist injury from another sport or injury.

Erin

I am throwing a 14 lb house ball, but actually yesterday, I was able to keep my wrist straight for the whole series, so I guess I just have a "lazy wrist", probably just part of muscle memory. The houseball I use is fingertip, and fits reasonably well, I can bowl, and it doesnt hurt, or cause any strain. What midpriced ball would you suggest then? Thanks for all the replies.

I'm currently throwing a Track Arsenal Angular Particle that I really like. With the proper drill pattern and release, all reactive urethanes and particle balls will hook. I'm a stroker and all my Arsenal needs is a good smooth release. I play a fairly inside line with it.

I've been bowling abot 3 years and have never used a wrist support.

An old timmer told me once that if you act like ther is a man standing infront of you on your release and you want to shake his hand. It's not a very high rev. but it works for some.

If your wrist is straight sometimes and not straight others is there any real harm in using a brace to provide consistency? I had that problem and opted for the brace last month and my average is up 10 pins and climbing. In my league the brace is worn by more than 'crankers'
Ed

There is absolutly nothing wrong with using a wrist brace. If it works for you do it.

When I was younger and seen all these new fancey wrist braces coming out I went out and got one too thinking it was going to help my ball hook more. It did help but my average came to a stopping point one day. Then like a ton of bricks hitting me in the head I heard a voice say "When did you break your arm?" This reminded me of my coach asking me this every time he seen me with the brace on. I thought he was just being funny so I asked him one day...Why do you keep askingme this? He said "Well you're young and strong and I figured the only reason you would be waring that thing is because your arm was broke." I said "No....I'm using it to have more control and to have more action on my ball." He said "Well you're doing a good job at controling a 165 average and as far as hooking goes I see your balling hooking away from your spares so if thats what you wanna do then yes I guess you're doing a good job at it." It took me years to understand his riddles because he would never just come out and say what he means. He figured it was healthy to use my own brain and I knew he was wanting to tell me something so I just came right out and asked him and he said. "If you broke your arm and had to put it in a cast but never took the cast off would your arm get strong or would it heal to a point and rely on the cast for strength?" Then he walked away to leave me to think about it. Next night out I took the brace off and felt like I had the strength of a child in my wrist. I had lost all the muscle I had built up over the years in my arm because I didnt need them anymore because of the brace. It took me awhile but my arm strength returned and my average shot up 20 sticks. Im 34 and I have elbo problems so I do use an arm band at the elbow. With out my old brace I can change my pitch at any given time and I feel like I've over come a handicap. I'm not telling you to not use one but I would say think about it first. What if something happens in tournament play and your brace breaks and you have to rely on your own arm to get the job finished? I feel that if you have less things to break and go wrong you'll have less excusses at the end of the night why you couldnt shoot 600 average.