How to Release a Bowling Ball to Throw a Hook in Bowling

When you're trying to improve your bowling game, especially if you are new to the game, you need to branch out beyond the simple "point and throw" method of releasing the ball.

Learning a little bit about the science behind throwing the perfect shot will help you plan your shots better and improve your game tremendously.

Understanding axis rotation and axis tilt is a great place to start; identifying your own axis rotation and tilt will help you choose the perfect bowling ball for you and adjust your shooting techniques accordingly.

Axis rotation and axis tilt both describe the angle of rotation of a bowling ball. Think of the rotation of a bowling ball happening in two separate fields, one horizontal and one vertical.

Each of these fields of rotation, the axis rotation and axis tilt, determine the angle of the ball. In turn, the angle of the ball determines how soon the ball will reach the so-called "breakpoint" – the point in the lane where the ball makes a slight turn towards its intended target. If you can control these factors, you can better control the movement of your ball.

Axis tilt, which is also sometimes called "spin", describes the rotation of the ball in the vertical field. Keeping your axis tilt to a minimum is desirable.

The more spin your have the vertical field, the less able you will be to hook your ball close to the pins, and the more likely your ball will be to skid away from your intended strike zone.

If you're wondering how much axis tilt you put on your shot, look at your hand when you release the ball. Is your thumb near the top of the ball? If so, you're putting a high amount of axis tilt on your ball. For the best results, try and release the ball with your thumb as close to the bottom of the ball as possible. This will keep your axis tilt to a minimum.

Axis rotation refers to the amount of spin on the ball in the horizontal field. Unlike axis tilt, you do not want to keep the axis rotation on the ball as low as possible. Instead, you want to find a happy medium.

If you have too little axis rotation on your ball, your ball will only roll straight-forward; it will not hook and curve towards its target.

Too much axis rotation, on the other hand, will mean too large of a hook. When your ball hits the break point with too much axis rotation, it will likely make a turn straight for the gutter.

You can also judge the axis rotation on your shots by looking at where you hand is when it releases the ball.

To get a better handle on your axis rotation and axis tilt habits, have a professional or experienced bowler watch you throw a few shots. They should be able to give you a clear idea of what you are doing and how you can improve.

In addition to making adjustments to your own game, you can correct some of your axis tilt and rotation problems by using the correct ball. Some balls will increase or decrease your hook based on the materials they are made of, so look for one that compliments your playing style.

Being conscious of these factors, plus using the right ball for your style of play can dramatically improve your overall game.