Game version
Follow-through freeze: after each roll, hold your finish for a slow count while a partner checks that your hand points at the target. Swap.
Thumb Out First
Learn to let the thumb leave first so the fingers can lift the ball.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Grip the ball with a relaxed thumb.
Core: Usual. Beat your own best out of 10.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Bowling ball, lane
- Level · skill
- Developing · Release
The steps
How it works
- Grip the ball with a relaxed thumb.
- At the bottom of the swing, let the thumb slide out.
- Feel the fingers give the ball a small turn as it leaves.
- Roll 12 and notice the ball's roll.
Coaching point
Thumb out, fingers through.
Safety: Warm up your arm and shoulder first, and stop if your wrist, elbow or shoulder hurts or your thumb tingles.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (slow roll), Core (usual), More (hold the finish and name your target). Beat your own best out of 10.
Story
You are an archer who holds the pose until the arrow lands.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own best out of 10. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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