Changing your ball roll isn’t always about making a complete hand position change. There is also value in fine-tuning your release through small index finger and pinky finger placement adjustments.

The standard bowling grip centers the weight of the ball in your hand. With your middle and ring finger occupied, here’s how you can adjust the position of your index and pinky fingers to affect your ball roll:

  • The wider you spread your index finger, the more likely you will come around the ball more. The tighter it is to your middle finger, the more forward roll you will tend to have.
  • The pinky works in the opposite way. Spreading your pinky finger promotes forward roll, while keeping it tight promotes higher axis rotation.
  • Maximum potential side roll comes from a spread index finger and a tucked pinky finger.

Use different finger position combinations to fine-tune your ball reaction as needed.