Wrist Position

Wrist Position

Where your hand is when releasing the ball can make all the difference in your throw. In fact, your hand position is a major key for determining how your ball rolls down the lane. Whether it’s a flat wrist position to create a smooth back-end or a weak position for spare shooting, having a solid understanding of the various hand position techniques will give you more opportunities to adjust to lane conditions and make your game more versatile. Let’s get to it!

The Flat Wrist Position  

A neutral or flat wrist position allows you to be higher up on the back of the ball (during the release) – creating a smoother reaction on the backend. This release is productive when the backend of the lane is giving you a sharp hook into the pins with a lot of angle.

Cupping Your Wrist

Cupping the wrist slightly increases revolutions on the ball, creating more roll and more angle into the pins. This release is productive on heavy to medium oil patterns where you want your ball to get into a roll in the middle part of the lane.

Weak Wrist Position

A weak wrist position is mainly used for spare shooting. This decreases the revolutions of the ball allowing for a straighter angle when shooting spares. For the more advanced player, this can also be used on very dry lane conditions.

Putting it Together  

Remember – determine the lane condition and your targeting first. Then make the decision on which wrist position is most appropriate. With enough practice, you’ll be able to achieve your desired trajectory on any lane condition.