let me know what everyone thinks!

Is anyone else having problems viewing the video?

Howie, you do many things well:
1. timing looks good, your foot is stopped when the ball comes through the release zone.

2. the ball is pretty close to your foot which keeps it on the proper angle you are trying to play.

What you need to work on:

You grab the ball a ton on the release, your wrist is in a strong position which is good, but by lofting the ball so far out on the lane you are making the ball lose side rotation as it impacts the lane, the ball will also sit up on the oil after bouncing on the lane which will make it shoot through the break point instead of reading and reacting as you would like. Keep your wrist in the same strong position, I like what you are doing there, just be a little nicer to the ball at the release and let the wrist position do the work instead of trying to hook the ball. If you do it right you will find that the ball will actually hook more and revs along with a more controllable shot.

Think smoooooth, you don't want to hear the ball hit the lane at the release.

I had started a writeup earlier, but got pulled away. Were you stepping out of the way so we could see the ball path on some shots? Don't worry about that, worry about posting your shot. Balance is key. The rest of the stuff I was writing was what Jim had said about the release - keep the good strong wrist position, but don't hit up on it.

Actually guys, I threw a game before I took these videos. I took some great advice from I think George that I noticed that I was doing. I squared up and lifted my chest so my chest wasnt aiming at the floor. Let me tell you... It made a huge difference in my revs and accuracy. I felt that I was always hitting the pocket. Now I just have to refine it a little bit so that I hit my line all the time.

Is it good that that my foot is stopped as my ball comes through the release zone?

How is my speed? Any other suggestions?

Yes its good for the foot to be stopped as the ball is coming through the release zone, but only if its just right before the ball gets there. This gives the best leverage at release. If your foot stops too early you might be tempted to pull the ball down to the release point.

The biggest thing I noticed was the falling off of the shot at times, even on the side view. I believe it is caused by your trail leg being so high in the air and the foot being all the way to your left. Try keeping the foot down closer to the floor, and a little more behind you. To give you an idea of what I am talking about search youtube for Wes Malott. He is a larger man and his trail leg is doing what I am trying to describe.

Is there anything that I am doing incorrectly that is preventing me from getting more revs on the ball? Essentially, I am trying to learn to crank the ball.

Yes, this:

Revs come from a free, clean release, that does NOT involve hitting up on the ball. Let it roll off your hand. Extend your hand towards the arrows at release, not upward. Try to scrape your knuckles on the lane past the foul line. These are some keys that will help you to visualize what an un-grabbed release should feel like.

Less is more. Again I will reference Wes Malott. He gets a ton or hook but its so effortless. Pete Weber is another one that gets plenty of hook with less effort and not hitting up on the ball.

I guess I envy the guys (even the amateurs) that are power bowlers. Thanks to this site, even though I have been on here for a short time, I have learned a lot and corrected a couple major errors in my mechanics. Right now I'm throwing 16.5 MPH. How do I throw the ball faster but get more hook or even the same amount of hook?

You don't need to really throw it faster than that too often. I'm guessing you've seen this speed on the autoscorer and that is the speed at the pins, and that is the best speed to hit the pins at. Too fast and pins fly upwards around the skinny neck of other pins and reducing the chances of a strike.

If you do need more speed, which would probably mean drier lane conditions, moving the ball up in stance, and moving back on the approach the same amount will give you more speed and keep your timing right.

They why do I read articles that pros throw between 18 and 19 mph? It makes it sound like if you ever want to be at that level, that's what you will need to do.

That speed is off their hand. By the time the ball reaches the pins it has slowed down to 16-17 MPH.

So it might be safe to say that I am doing that right now right?

Correct. You're probably close to 18 MPH off your hand.

Yup, its safe to say that. You could even be a little faster than that off your hand. Also the more of the lane you cover the more the ball slows down.

Thanks guys for everything. I am a better bowler because of you guys (and girls)!

No problem. Most of the posters on this site are proud of the fact that this forum is for the most part very helpful and encouraging of each other.

hey guys, something that i forgot to ask. How is my approach speed? Do you think I should slow it down a bit or should I keep it the same. Some of the shots look like I am rushing up to the line.

Some of the shots look a little rushed on the third and fourth step. Some of them are the ones where you fall of really quick. Your approach should be at a normal walking pace for most people.

The other day i was watching a tournament and the guys were throwing 30 mph

!?! I think that was probably kph, not mph. Was this in person or on TV? If TV, was it PBA competition or international?

Must be in kph. How did you know they were throwing 30 mph? I think Robert Smith and Eugene McCune throw about 22-25 mph range for there spares.

Hey everyone, i changed my approach and stopped muscling the ball and my approach is much more natural and not rushed. Since I did that, that ball has been coming off my hand smoother than ever and I have more control than before. the problem is that i cant make spares anymore...why?

I have also noticed that it is easier to turn my ball and keep my wrist cupped. Am I right when I say it is because there isnt more gravity pulling my wrist down? Just curious.

posted to the wrong vid

You will get faster without muscling the ball. If you work on a muscle free swing your speed will increase, however if you concentrate on the free swing you might lose some revs in the process causing your ball to go straight.

But that is what I would work on first if you want to gain speed. Then I would work on not grabbing the ball and playing with hand position to gain revs.

Me personally I like being a stroker.. It allows me to play from different parts of the lane... If I wish to play the outside on longer oil patterns I can without worry. If I want to play the midline I can. I have issues with playing the inside line which I am working on now, but I am able to keep it manageable if I have to play that line.

The easiest way I shoot spares is I visualize the shot in my mind and figure out the line that I need the ball to take to make the spare.. The I pretty much line up so that there is an immaginary line going from the center of my chest right through the pin I need to hit and walk straight toward my target and follow straight through.. I can generally hit my target about 90 percent of the time when I take my time.