All the top professional stars in the country roll a sharp-breaking hook ball. Let me describe it for you: the ball starts out on almost a straight line toward the pins, but as it nears the pins, about two-thirds of the way down the lane, it breaks in sharply toward them.

This is the kind of ball that gives you high scores—the one to strive for on both strike and spare shots.

The hook ball traces the path I've described because of its action on the lane. First it spins, then rolls. It spins as it leaves the bowler's hand and continues its spinning action on a straight path until it reaches a point about one-half to two-thirds of the way down the lane. Then it begins to roll. The nearer it gets to the pins, the more rolling action it develops. By the time the ball moves into the pin setup, it's in a full and complete roll. We call this a semi-spinner.

The curve ball forms a complete arc from the foul line to the pins. It's better than a straight ball for knocking down pins, but if you roll a complete curve, you will find you will be bothered by ten-pin or five-pin leaves. It's better to strive for the hook.

The positioning of the hand, wrist and thumb determine the amount of hooking action you give to the ball. As you release the ball, keep your hand set in the "shake hands" position I've described, with the thumb between nine o'clock and twelve o'clock.

Try to lay the ball down just over the foul line—not far out on the lane.

Sometimes bowlers are bothered by too great a hook. The easiest way to cut down the hooking action of your ball is to... [Chapter Incomplete]

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