Hi All,

I'm not sure if this topic had been discussed before...

What is the difference between "Pure Stroker" and "Power Stroker"?

I would like to change my style from pure to power stroker, probably I'll find a coach to help me. But firstly, I need to understand what is the difference...

I watched Peter Weber as one of the finest power stroker... I observed that he bent his elbow a bit during forward swing... Is this a must for power stroker?

Thanks!

Another thing, I just read John Jowdy's article that mention about power stroker. He said Pete Weber and Rudi Kasimakis are putting the fingers in the ball to increase the ball revolution. "Lets the ball works on your hand" I heard it from a coach one day which I'm thinking it should a similar thing...

Need your advice guys...

The difference is the number of revs you get which results in the amount of turn your ball gets. The motion is the same, just more fingers/hand into the ball.

More hand should result in more pinfall through splashing/slashing pins. The more pins moving on the deck knocks more down.

Difficulty is control on med/dry lanes with a lot of overturn. If you can change your release to accommodate this, it works.

But, watch out. More fingers/hand also could result in the tendancy to hit up on the ball which defeats the purpose.

Dennis,

This summer I spent a lot of time on the lanes changing my release. I went from a shot with spin to a shot with more roll. Unfortunately, I am having a very difficult time right now in my 5 man league as the lanes dry up so can you go into a little more detail about changing the release to accommodate this?

And what's the difference between more fingers and hitting up on the ball? I had always assumed that they meant the same.

Thanks

Eddys,
Dennis pretty much covered it. While a pure stroker relies primarily on accuracy and smoothness to carry, a power stroker has accuracy, smoothness and puts a good amount of revs on the ball at the same time like Pete Weber as you mentioned. A power stroker is slightly different from a tweener who isn't quite as accurate, but has good versatility over various lane conditions. Good luck.

Rookie roller,
As for the difference between hitting up on the ball and more hand/fingers, I might be wrong here, but hitting up on the ball is more of lifting or triggering your fingers at release, while more hand is more of the wrist movement. With Pete Weber as an example, the announcers are constantly talking about how open his fingers are when he releases the ball, he has plenty of side rotation on the ball, but with out triggering the fingers. When you trigger the fingers will curl in towards the palm. As for the issue with lanes drying up, if moving in to get into more oil doesn't help, try coming more up the back of the ball as opposed to around the side of it. It allows for more end over end roll and a less drastic change of direction. Others will chime in this I'm sure.

I think this is my problem. I've been working on staying behind the ball but I'm pretty I sure hit up on it too much. Combine that with dry lanes and my ball overreacts. I'm guessing the fix is to release so that my fingers project the ball down the lane instead of pulling them up and in towards my body. Thanks for the tip.

I have the same issue on dry, its just hard to repeat shot after shot when you aren't used to it. I've been working on it as well as not gripping the ball which adds to it.

When I first got serious about bowling many years ago, coaches taught me to lift with the fingers ( hit up on it ) to get more revs. I bowled this way for years. I recently picked the game up again after sitting out for a few years and since I started back, I changed my release and no longer lift with the fingers. My release is alot cleaner and more effortless. I ended my last league season 5 years ago with a 184 average. Now, after almost no bowling for 5 years, I am averageing over 210 with the new release. If you want to improve your average, you need to improve on 3 things: Accuracy, consistant ball speed and a consistant release. It doesn't matter what type of player you are, you just need to improve on your particular game. Look at the variety of styles on the pro tour. No one tells those guys they could do better with a different style. Just hone the skills you have.

You got it Matt.
When you hit up you might have a tendancy to use your wrist and arm which may result in muscling the ball. This is what you want to avoid.

Many talk here about leading with your ring finger to optimize revs as a Stroker. Silvercoach calls it a frisbee release. PDW has an open hand release. In any event, the hand does not come back to your body, but is out.

I think when I "hit up" the ball I really can see the higher revs, but my ball doesn't seem to want to grip and come back to the pocket. It maybe only moves 1-2 boards.