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?

Hold the 15 lb. ball to your side with your arm and wrist limp. Then flex your forearm, curl the ball upwards until your hand is at a complete verticle position (the back of your hand and the back of your forearm should continue in a straight line, the wrist is not "broken" backwards at all). If you can hold this position comfortably, the weight of the ball is not a problem. If there is strain, you may want to use a lighter ball for some time or do exercises to build the strength in your wrist.

Queen,
Going from 12 lbs to 15 lbs is a big jump! I could tell the difference when I switched down from 15 lbs to 14 lbs, so I assume you would really notice a 3 lb difference. I lowered my ball weight because I was dropping the ball early and was not able to maintain a consistent ball speed throughout a 3-game series.

I don't see how you will build up your wrist strength by going back to your 12 lb ball. I would recommend wrist exercises or a wrist brace. Perhaps the 15 lb ball is a bit heavy for you without a wrist aid. Just a thought...

P.S. Another reason I switched down to 14 lbs is that I found out a lot of men were switching from 16 to 15. I am not nearly as strong as the men bowlers that I know, so I assumed 14 lbs would be the correct weight for me.

Thanks Freak, when you said that you were dropping the ball early with your 15 lbs, that sounds exactly like what I am really doing.
I really do not want to give up my bowling ball...because I just bought it and I'm sorry, but I can't afford another "good" bowling ball at the moment... As for wrist aids...another person I talked to also mentioned that they might be a good idea.
They showed me their wrist aid, which looked just like a little terry cloth-like wrist band...which only covered their wrist...no fancy straps covering any of their hand or forearm or anything like that.
my question is how does this help strengthen or aid your wrist?

That wrist band will not keep you from bending your wrist back. YOu need something a bit more substantial. Ebonite, Masters and Columbia all make a glove that has a metal bar in the top and the glove portion that extends past the wrist. I think that's the most invasive brace to start with. Its not totally unflexable, but enough that it should give you some support. All the rigid plastic braces (including the Moongoose) need to be worn while your ball is fit. They will alter your fit. So you probably don't want to jump straight into one of those.

It is a big jump to go three pounds. You may need some coaching to get your timing re established. Because with the heavier ball, if you are not used to it, the weight of the ball will pull you with it when you pushaway and drag you after it when it comes down from the downswing. While I do advocate that women throw as heavy as they can (and women usually don't throw heavy enough balls). It is all relative to how fit you are, how old you are (I don't see an age on your profile) and how well boned you are. I mean if you are about 5' or 5' 3" and built tiny, then a 15lb ball is probably going to be too heavy unless you have done some pretty consistent work outs during your life.

Erin

Queenie,
Erin has a very good point about your timing with the new ball weight. I bet that had a lot to do with me dropping my 15-lb ball. I have a tendency to push away too late, and that causes me to get to the line before my arm swing. Then I try to make up for everything at the line and the ball falls off of my hand, driving it into the lane instead of sending it out over the lane. Maybe that is your issue. A good coach could definitely tell you if this is your problem.

Funny thing is, when I start my push away early enough (beginning of the 2nd step of my 5 step approach) everything else seems to fall into place. I don't have to disect my swing and think about each separate component. It all just works! Without proper timing you cannot expect good results.

Forgot to mention...
The wrist brace I wear does not help strengthen my wrist at all. It merely adds support to my wrist and keeps it in a consistent position throughout my swing. Then I can focus on other things besides trying to keep my wrist in the correct position.

I think that my timing (maybe) being a key factor is a very good point and im glad that she (erin, i assume) mentioned it. i am 5'10, but i have a small frame overall. i have a mixed reaction when people know i throw 15 lbs, some say i shouldnt but some say i should practice and learn with it. and actually, (bear with me here, i am thinking outloud) i probably have a little bit faster timing with a 12 lb, since it is lighter...and maybe i am self consciously letting go when i usually do with a 12 lb with my 15 and then i drop it early...does that make sense to anyone? lol.

I'm 5'9" and use 15. I used to be much more svelt then I am now, but I was still using 15. So I think barring any physical issues, you can learn to control this. However, it probably would be better to go up in increments. 14 would have been better then just jumping to 15. But you are there now, so I suggest some coaching, so that they can see where the timing issues are worse and pin point some ways to get better in time.

Erin

I had a problem dropping one of my balls, I used tape and still had some difficulty. I came across a little thing you may want to try. Its called Ron C's Magic tape and it has worked wonders for me,at a minimal cost. Its just a piece of tape that is almost like the fuzzy side of velcro, that you install on the knuckle side of your thumb hole. It takes the place of blacktape. You can add a piece of white textured tape to the other side of the hole if needed to snug it up. It really helped me, I gave a piece to a few guys on my team and they love it. You can get the info online, just Google "Magic tape". Might be worth a look.
Good Luck!!

Tim

Sorry Queen I gave You the wrong address,
this is the right one for Ron C's Magic Carpet
(not magic tape)
WWW.Bowl4fun.com.

Tim

Thanks Eraser I'll look into it...WISH ME LUCK! i bowl a doubles tournament today =D ((but definitely taking my 12 lb. with me))

Well,
how did the tourney go?

It was one of those where your partner bowls the first ball, and you either have to pick up the spare or wait til the next frame (if he/she gets a strike) I HATED IT! it went so quick that you couldnt think, but it was a lot of fun...they only gave prizes for the top three couples and there were A LOT there, we didnt get in the top three, but it was definitely an experience.

Hey guys...another question (sorry).
I have put my 15 lb. on "the shelf" for a while and my 12 lb. and I have been doing great at the alley I bowl every week for leagues. (usually bowl 170's & 180's) I absolutely have no problem.

Two days later I was asked to substitute at another alley, so I brought my 12 lb... I kept dropping it again! This is also the alley where I bowled when I kept dropping it when I started this thread. I just drop it right at my foot instead of following all the way through.

What I am getting at is, why can I bowl great at one house, but I can't at another? If there was something wrong with my release,technique,etc. wouldnt I have problems anywhere I bowl?

When I sub I tend to get a little tight (trying too hard to perform) and often will find myself rushing the line -- fast feet! That would definitely cause you to drop the ball because your feet are getting to the line before your ball.