Part 2 - Teaching the Curve
Key Teaching Points
The Grip - The first step in learning to throw the curve is to change your hand position from behind the ball to the side. A common way to illustrate this is to imagine the face of a clock on the floor. The 12 and 6 will be on the target line with the 12 closest to the target. Place the ball on the center of the clock. This spot on the floor represents where you will begin to release the ball at the bottom of your armswing. The numbers on the clock help you understand where to position your thumb and fingers as you let go of the ball.
The Straight Ball - Many people overlook the importance of proper hand position in rolling a straight ball. Any thrown ball will eventually "roll-out" and go straight whether it's in the gym or on oiled lanes. The problem is that bowling balls become unbalanced when they are drilled and will drift in the direction the holes are located. Even a volleyball has a heavy spot located on the valve. To truly roll the ball straight, it is essential to roll the ball over the holes. The straight ball is an effective way to shoot at most spares. Your hand position for rolling the ball straight will be to have your fingers near the number 6 on the clock and your thumb on top of the ball pointing to the 12.
The Curve Ball - To make the ball curve, all that is needed is to change the direction of the rotation of the ball when you release it. You do this by moving your hand position from behind the ball to the outside of the ball. Using the face of the clock on the floor as a guide, the right-handed bowler will have their fingers near the 4 and 5 and have their thumb on top of the ball pointing at the 10 and 11. The left-hander will have their fingers near the 7 and 8 with the thumb pointing at the 1 and 2. How much the ball curves and when depends on many variables.
Drills for Teaching the Curve - It is essential for bowlers wanting to curve the ball to create rotation or revolutions on the ball. For this to happen, the thumb must exit the ball first with the fingers applying upward force. The greater the force with the fingers, the greater the revolutions on the ball, the more the ball will curve. When teaching the drills below, it is important that the bowler concentrates on the feeling of the thumb relaxing/releasing and the fingers applying force to impart spin.
Drill#1 - This drill is done using a baseball/softball sized object. Place your ballside knee on the ground and your non-ballside foot flat on the ground. Place the ball in your hand with your hand positioned as if you were trying to release the ball for a curve. Your arm should hang so the ball is next to your non-ballside foot. Without swinging the arm, spin the ball with your hand so that it spins backward. This requires just a flick of the wrist. It is important to feel the thumb release and the ball roll off the ring and middle fingers.
Drill#2 - This drill uses a football. First, assume the same position as the previous drill with your ballside knee on the ground and your non-ballside foot flat on the ground. Your goal is to throw a spiral with the football using a bowling motion. Point one end of the football at your partner and place the other end near the heel of your hand. Placing the middle and ring fingers on the laces helps with learning to feel the ball roll off the ring and middle fingers. Turning your wrist over or using your thumb to spin the ball will result in a wobbly throw. Throw the ball back and forth with your partner until you become good at throwing a spiral. Stand up and incorporate one step and then four steps as you throw the ball back and forth.
A ball that spins more will curve more. The football drill provides us with a great opportunity to see the effect of different grips on spin rate. Suitcase grip = palm facing downward = low spin rate. Shake hands grip = palm facing the body midline = moderate spin rate. Cupped wrist grip = palm facing upward = high spin rate.
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