How do you hook a bowling ball?

To hook a bowling ball, keep your thumb coming out of the ball first, allowing your fingers to lift and rotate slightly around the side of the ball at release (like shaking hands with the target).

Should you look at the pins or the arrows when bowling?

Always look at the arrows on the lane (located 15 feet past the foul line) rather than the pins 60 feet away. Aiming closer to your feet gives you far greater accuracy.

Official Master Guide

How to Bowl: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Master stance, footwork timing, lane targeting, and hook release with 2-time PBA Tour Champion Mike DeVaney.

Introduction: Why Fundamentals Rule

Whether you are stepping onto a lane for the first time or trying to break a scoring plateau, bowling is a game of repeatable physical leverage and visual precision. 2-time PBA Tour Champion and former Storm Products Head Coach Mike DeVaney shares the exact step-by-step foundation used by world-class bowlers.

Step 1: Equipment Selection & Grip

Before stepping onto the approach, make sure your gear is correctly fitted:

Ball Weight: Choose a ball weight equal to roughly 10% of your body weight (up to 15 or 16 lbs for adults). House balls should fit snug without squeezing.
Conventional vs. Fingertip Grip: Beginners use conventional grip (fingers inserted to second knuckle). Intermediate and advanced bowlers use fingertip grip (inserted to first knuckle) for maximum rev rate and hook control.

Step 2: Stance & Starting Position

Set your stance approximately 4 to 4.5 steps back from the foul line:

Keep knees slightly flexed and shoulders square to your target line.
Hold the ball around chest-to-waist height on your bowling side, supported underneath by your non-bowling hand.

Step 3: The 4-Step Approach

Timing connects your footwork to your swing plane:

Step 1 Pushaway: As your right foot steps (for right-handed bowlers), push the ball forward and out toward your target.
Step 2 Backswing: Left foot steps forward while the ball drops naturally into a pendulum swing.
Step 3 Apex: Right foot steps as swing reaches its highest peak behind you.
Step 4 Slide & Release: Left foot slides toward the foul line while your arm swings forward through the release zone.

Mike DeVaney demonstrating PBA Tour approach timing and release — PBA Tour Champion Mike DeVaney demonstrating approach timing & foul line slide

Step 4: Aiming at the Arrows (Not the Pins)

Never look at the pins 60 feet away. Aim at the 7 targeting arrows located 15 feet past the foul line. Right-handed bowlers targeting the pocket typically aim over the 2nd arrow (10th board from the right gutter).

Step 5: Release, Rotation & Follow-Through

Creating natural pin action and hook:

Allow your thumb to exit the ball first.
Rotate your middle and ring fingers up the side of the ball at release (think of a firm handshake).
Follow through high toward your eye level to ensure proper projection down the lane.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you hook a bowling ball?

To hook a bowling ball, keep your thumb coming out of the ball first, allowing your fingers to lift and rotate slightly around the side of the ball at release (like shaking hands with the target). The longer version is on how to hook a bowling ball.
Should you look at the pins or the arrows when bowling?

Always look at the arrows on the lane (located 15 feet past the foul line) rather than the pins 60 feet away. Aiming closer to your feet gives you far greater accuracy.

Ready to Learn from a PBA Champion?

Book a private 1-on-1 session at Strike Force Lanes in Greenfield, IN or submit video for remote video analysis.

View Schedule

Text Mike (702) 701-1494