Does the two-handed bowling style appeal to you? Do you like the ability to generate all those RPMs on your bowling balls? Do you want to master this skill while staying away from the pitfalls of two-handed bowling? Today we’re going to highlight the five biggest misconceptions that new two-handed bowlers make, especially those who switch from 1 to 2handed style.
Possible reasons why people switch from 1 to 2 handed bowling style
Before we jump to the main part of this article, you might want to know why people want to switch from 1 to 2 handed styles. The possible reasons are:
1. Bowlers want to have more rev.
2. Struggling with physical conditions when bowling with one hand (the ball is too heavy or so…)
3. Bowlers struggle with thumb release and thumb hole fitting to have an optimal release.
4. People are just curious to learn new skills.
Whichever reasons exist, most of the time, bowlers want to switch to 2 handed style because they believe their ball rev rate will dramatically increase. Fair enough, right?
However, to have a better rev rate and happy experience when switching from 1 to handed bowling styles, you will have to overcome these five biggest misconceptions.
3 biggest misconceptions (with solutions)
Swing timing
If you started as a one-handed bowler and have been trying to convert to two hands, one of the biggest mistakes you might have is trying to create a pendulum swing just like one handed style.
A pendulum swing is not what a two-handed delivery has. When you push the ball too far forward in their push away that causes the backswing to become too quick, resulting in poor timing and over-rotation of the body
Solution:
During the backswing, you want to hold onto the ball a little longer at the start of your approach for more of a controlled swing.
Also, you might want to restrict the push away not too far away from your body, mainly in a controlled manner.
Swing distance
If you have someone record you while you deliver your shot, take note of where your delivery arm and the ball is located at the height of your backswing. Your ball should not be up by your armpit. Instead, your arms should be more extended during the apex of your swing.
I know you might think you are imitating some pros lifting the ball up over your head during the backswing. However, the question is why you need to do that? If you can’t answer it, you should stop doing it.
Solutions:
Actually, this is a misconception. While you are thinking that some pros are lifting the ball up during the backswing of 2 handed styles, the reality is they are trying to coil the ball and move the hand under the ball as much as they can, which is crucial for a dominant rev rate at release. So now you got it, and let’s try not thinking of lifting the ball anymore.
The counter-effect of lifting the ball during the backswing is you might release the ball in a downward manner onto the lane instead of posting the shot outwards with a flat spot.
By posting the shot with a flat spot, you will have optimal ball speed about which many new two handed bowlers usually complain.
Flat spot is also applied in 2 handed bowling.
Body position
The key to a clean delivery of the ball in terms of swing direction and trajectory is to make sure your body’s in the correct position. If your upper body is too upright during your backswing, your swing direction and trajectory will suffer.
Solutions:
Maintain an moderate forward spine tilt when releasing the ball.
Remember to tilt your shoulders as the ball gets low to create swing slot which allows you to clear everything and keeps your wrist and hand behind the ball most of the time.
Lateral spine tilt is essential to becoming an elite two-handed player. As with many top one-handers, the head is outside the hip as the ball passes the leg into the upswing. From my experience, one simple thought helps players achieve a great lateral spine tilt position. Keep your head outside of your hip. You can see how early the head is outside the hip in the Osku Palermaa approach sequence images below.
Osku Palermaa approach sequence
Overcoming these 3 basic but biggest misconceptions will surely give you a better experience with 2 handed styles. Guaranteed.