Two-Handed Bowling Drills

By Jason McEwen

Should you bowl traditionally or with a two-handed style?

Two-handed bowlers have achieved great success in recent years from youth bowling and all the way to the pros. If you’re new to the sport, or want to make the switch, Gold Coach Ron Hoppe has some two-handed bowling drills for you to experiment with that will help you make the most informed decision on which way to go.

Kneeling Drill

 
Two-Handed Bowling Drills
One of the differences between the traditional style of bowling and the two-handed style of bowling happens during the release. Hoppe explains that traditional-style bowling has more of a lifting motion at the point of release, while the two-handed style bowling incorporates more of a rotation in the hand-off of the ball at the point of release.

To begin this drill, start by kneeling on one knee at the foul line. Place your fingers underneath or at the bottom of the bowling ball. Next, swing the ball back and forth a few times, and when you are ready to go, roll your fingers around the ball as you release it.

Stationary Drill

 
This drill isolates what it is like to be in a proper finish position for the two-handed style. Start by getting into a finish position at the foul line. Position your slide foot facing towards the pins. Your other foot needs to be behind you, parallel to the foul line. Similar to the kneeling drill, begin swinging the ball back and forth, and when you are ready, roll your fingers around the ball at the point of release.

1-Step Drill

 
Position yourself two to four feet behind the foul line. Put your slide foot in front of your body towards the pins and your other foot close to your slide foot, parallel to the foul line. Unlike the traditional style bowler, your entire body will face the gutter, whereas the traditional bowler’s body is squared up to the pins.

Start with the ball down by your knees with your arms fully extended. Next, raise the ball up to your chest. Then begin your slide towards the foul line and release the ball, getting your fingers around it.

3-Step Drill

 
This drill puts all the pieces of the puzzle together from the previous drills. It will help you understand the two-handed bowler’s timing. Standing upright around five to seven feet back from the foul line, place the ball like you would in your stance. Step outward with your slide foot simulating the pivot step. Then, do a quick shuffle step while raising the ball to your chest and begin your slide and release. After you have worked on these drills, it’s time to put the whole thing together. If you are transitioning from the traditional style of bowling to the two-handed style, one of the hardest things to learn is the footwork and release.

It will seem like a brand-new game at first. Remember to have fun with it. The results in the long run will outweigh the hurdles faced while transitioning to the two-handed style.  

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19 Responses to “Two-Handed Bowling Drills”

  1. Joe Hoenig

    Thank you for these drills, especially for those of us considering the switch. Could you please comment on the following: What weight hall should the converting bowler use for these drills? Their current weight ball, a house ball for starters, or a properly fitted lighter weight ball than they are using with their one-handed style? What are your suggestions as to yes thumb or no thumb? Are there any recommended stretches or exercises specific to the muscles used by a two-hander, especially for the older bowler who is converting to this style?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hello Joe and thanks for your questions.

      If you are thinking of making the switch and want to try these drills I would recommend getting fitted for the two-handed game.

      Get a benchmark ball at the proper weight and work on these drills.

      The most common fit is the 2LS Layout and it does not have a thumbhole.

      Check out this video with Jeff Myers , a convert to the two-handed game from the traditional style.

      Bowling exercises suggestions include:

      Body Weight Exercises
      Split Squats
      Slder Exercise
      Bicycle Exercise
      Dead Bug Exercise
      Hip Stretching
      Upper Body Rolling
      Grip Control Exercise
      Wrist Exercises

      Thanks for watching!

      Reply
  2. Raimo

    Why women don´t use two hand bowling? I know only 2 woman persons who uses this tecnick.

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Dear Lillian,

      Thank you for contacting us.

      For finding the videos for two handed bowling you can enter in the search bar “two handed bowling” and this will bring up the videos we currently have on the subject.

      If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-208-7395, or chat with us on our site.

      We greatly appreciate your business!

      Sincerely,

      Joan
      National Bowling Academy Video Membership

      Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Thomas,

      Thanks for your patience and here is the experts response:

      Hello and thanks for the question.

      I don’t mean to sound cliché but practice, practice and more practice.

      If there is something specific that I am missing with your question, please reply and we’ll do our best to get you answers.

      Thanks for watching!

      Sincerely,

      Joan
      National Bowling Academy Video Membership

      Reply
      • Paul

        I am 66 and started bowling two handed a couple of years ago. Since I coach youth and high school bowlers, I though it was a good idea to learn. What I found is that it is generally easier on my body. Especially my back. It is also good for weaker bowlers (like the youth) to get better pin action.

        Reply
        • Customer Service

          Dear Paul,

          Thank you for your patience while I get the answer from the experts for you, here is their reply:

          Hello and thanks for the question.

          Well done on evaluating whats going on!

          I would switch back and forth between the ones that are comfortable for each season. There isn’t a one size fits all solution but if you have found a way to make your grip constant throughout the year… There is no wrong way.

          Thanks for watching!

          Jason
          National Bowling Academy

          Reply
  6. mike

    why? would you want to teach the youth bowlers on how to cheap, one handed bowling is the right and only way to bowl, this two handed s*** has got to go. stop teaching it.

    Reply
    • MICHAEL

      So, not to go guerilla or anything, but might you still be bowling with a hard-rubber, corked ball from ‘the good ol’days?’

      What is the motivation behind your burn?

      Reply
  7. Noel

    Don, I am a regular 75 year old left handed traditional bowler and have been working over the past 4 weeks to learn the two handed technique. Thought it might be too hard at my age but with patience and doing frequent 15 minute practice sessions, I am moving along and feel no pressure on my back or other limbs or joints. Wish you all the best and am glad that my friend Ron Hoppe published his drills. I will adapt them to improve my performance.

    Reply
  8. donrongarm10

    Since I am a regular traditional bowler I have been interested in learning how to bowl using this two-handed style. I am 75 yrs young and would actually enjoy trying something a little different. Who knows I just mite even become a better bowler. I have a friend of mine who bowls using the two-handed style and he is very successful. Except he has problems with picking up his 7pins. He is left-handed also. It has taken him over a yr to get pretty good. My comment/question is can someone my age actually learn how to do this two-handed stuff? I realize it is more than likely past my prime to learn now but I would like to give it a shot. Up until I had my knees completely replace about 10yrs ago, three times i mite add, I have not been the bowler I used to be, not even close unfortunately. For most of my life I have always avg over 200, now I am looking at 180-185 on a house shot. I miss many simple spares like my 7pin and at times even 10pins. Anyway any comment on your part would be not only interesting but informative.

    Thanks, and take care,

    Don

    Reply
    • Customer Service

      Hi Don,

      Thanks for your patience, here is the experts reply.

      Hello and thank for the question!

      It’s never to late to learn and it sounds to me that you’re up for a challenge.

      Physically, in the beginning it will be difficult to match up ball speed and hook.

      The two handed approach is more of a sprint to develop the speed required to match up.

      You can get a ball that is lower in weight to begin with and then follow Ron Hoppe’s drills until you are comfortable moving up in weight.

      Check out this video on matching up to see how ball speed and hook work together.

      https://www.nationalbowlingacademy.com/video/bowling-release-ratio-006859/

      Thanks for your question.
      Joan
      National Bowling Academy Video Membership

      Reply
      • donrongarm10

        Even this question that I have is not really related to “two handed” bowling, I would like to see a video showing the actual “yo-yo” type of release that most of the pros use today. With an explanation of course. I have watched a few videos of the yo-yo release, but still cannot see the “release”. Something in real slo-motion. Just sayin.

        Thanks,

        Don

        Reply
        • Customer Service

          Hi Don,

          Thanks again for reaching out to us,

          We appreciate your feedback and it has been forwarded to the proper department. Your comments are important to us and help with the development of our online video streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.

          If you have any other questions, please contact us at 1-855-208-7395, or chat with us on our site.

          Sincerely,

          Joan
          National Bowling Academy Video Membership

          Reply