Release: Follow Through and Forearm Direction

Bowling’s release is one of the most practiced aspects of the sport. It happens in a split second, but everything that leads up to the release has an impact on that split second. In this Premium Video, Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, explains how to execute a good release, including the follow-through.

Setup

Where you hold the ball in your stance matters. Good placement of the bowling ball in the stance is located under the chin and just above waist high, this is the first step in creating a straight arm swing.

If you set up in your stance with the bowling ball too far to the left (right-handed bowler), the initial ball start will move the ball to the right of your body, causing the ball to loop around your back, resulting in your release and follow through going too far left.

When this happens, you end up pulling the ball and missing your target left.

When you set up in your stance with the bowling ball too far to the right (right-handed bowler), the initial ball start will move the ball to the left of your body, causing your swing plane to be too far right, resulting in a release and follow through going too far right.

When this happens, you miss your target to the right, and the ball skids too far and doesn’t make the turn back to the pocket.

Release and follow through

Reducing your grip pressure and distributing the weight of the bowling ball properly in your stance will help you achieve a loose arm swing.

A loose arm swing will aid in increasing your rev rate. Following through means your hand and arm continue upward after you let go of the bowling ball. Your forearm’s direction can be straight, or it can go in front of your face.

Whichever forearm direction you utilize is unique to you, but make sure you are repeating it consistently. If you find that you’re missing your target, it’s time to trace it back to the setup and get back on track.