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How to Properly Pick up a Bowling Ball

By Joseph (BBT Writing Staff) Leave a Comment

rack of bowling balls

Many of our articles the outline proper form for throwing a bowling shot, but with beginners there’s an even earlier step: how to actually pick up the ball. 

You might not think that how you do this even matters, but there are a few key points to keep in mind. Can’t you just grab the ball any which way and it will end up being the same? But in fact, properly picking up the ball is important in that it will put you on the right track for a good release. This article will go over what you need to know.

First, a quick safety consideration: always wait until your ball comes to a stop in the ball return before picking it up. 

Next, don’t put your fingers in the ball while it is still in the ball return. Instead, be intentional by first picking it up with both hands, and on the sides so that your hands won’t get injured by another ball in the return moving. 

Then rest the ball in one hand with the other helping to cradle it. Once you start to reach the approach, then put your fingers in underhand and then roll the ball down to your thumb–don’t start by putting your thumb in (assuming you use the thumb at all!) This will help you achieve a better release.

Once you have picked up the bowling ball properly, it’s time to take your shot! Take a look at our article on good release technique to ensure you’re on the right track.


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