WELL, I am so glad last night is over, lol.
My Wednesday night league is the least competitive league I bowl in, which was very good for me (since I was a big factor in costing us three out of four of our games)
I have a five step approach, and by the second step I am already into the motion of my swing. However, every time I released, I dropped my ball. It would slam down into the lane or do a "thud thud" One time I even released it almost right onto my foot! I kept dropping it for one and a half games and I HAD NO IDEA WHY. It felt like everything was right, my timing, my steps, my target, my grip etc etc. I bowled a 71 104 and 119!!!! That isnt even a hair close to my average.

Everyone thinks it was just some sort of mental block, since I was getting back into my regular swing by the third game. But now I am scared to do this again, since I don't understand why I did it in the first place...anyone else get into weird habits and don't know why? What do you do to figure out what you're doing wrong?

7PQ

I had to add a crazy amount of tape to get the right release point on my ball last night; much moreso than usual. I still don't know why.

Anyway, if you're dropping the ball, add tape. It may have nothing to do with a sudden change in technique at all. Your thumb might have just shriveled up a bit more than usual.

I have this problem sometimes. I know exactly why I do it, it may not be why your doing it.

Anyway. either 2 things happen when Im doing it, one, my timing is so off, or my concentration lapses and I just release the ball too early. Or second reason it happens is, I dont keep my fingers stiff enough to hold the weight of the ball when my thumb comes out and the ball just flops to the ground and goes right usually into the gutter with no hook what so ever.

Again this may or may not be what is causing

I'd agree with Flim.. you probably needed tape. You shouldn't have to squeeze to hang on to the ball and you shouldn't have to try to release it. If things fit right you should be able to keep your hand relaxed and the ball should come off at the right time.

It could be the pitch in your thumbhole is wrong. I'd have it rechecked just to make certain.

Definitely get your ball check for fit. While you are at the Pro Shop, get some tape as well.

Fingers go up and done in size. If you wear a ring, have you ever noticed that some days it's a little tighter than others? A little pice of white tape on the inside of your thumb hole will go a long way in getting the ball out on the lane and not on your foot.
Last night, temperature in upper 20's, I added 3 pieces of black tape. I keep my balls in my house so I know the variant was not due to a change in the balls.
Just remember, if you have to squeeze tha ball in order to hold on to it, you need tape. Squeezing is a no no!

Another thing to check (after you've taped up your thumbhole to the right size) is the line your arm follows during your backswing. It should be a straight pendulum swing just as if you were swinging the ball back and forth without releasing it. At one time, for some reason my backswing was getting way away from my body. I couldn't get the ball back to attain good balance (under my center of gravity), my hand would go over the ball, and I would drop it every single time.

If it's not a fitting issue, you could be "topping" the ball as Tyveil described or you could be pulling up at the line, which would cause you to drop the ball. Lord knows I've done that a few times in my life.

If you're not sure about the fit, I'd get it checked. Otherwise, concentrate on keeping your hand behind the ball and let the ball bring you up.

Since you said that everything else seemed right, I'd suggest you make sure to follow through with your thumb up. I know that solved my ball dropping problems, and added lots of pins to my scores <G>. I was actually turning the ball on the downswing ... I guess I thought I was making it hook more. In fact, by staying behind the ball and following through with my thumb up, I've gained control, stopped dropping the ball, and added a lot of punch to every shot. You may also want to work on keeping your forearm forward for the entire stroke.

Tom

I practiced all of yesterday and still, I was dropping my ball. I had an experienced bowler tell me that my wrist is probably under a good amount of stress. Very recently I have gone from a 12 to 15 lb ball. The first two weeks of bowling with my 15 lb seemed fine, but lately it does feel a bit heavier for some reason. He told me I should bowl with my 12 lb. for a while until I build my wrist back up...does jumping that much in lbs. really make a big impact on your wrist?