Two handed bowling is a constantly evolving bowling technique that is constantly reaching greater heights of notoriety within the bowling community. We can thank the likes of professional bowlers such as Jason Belmonte, Osku Palermaa, and Kyle Troup for this.
There is no textbook delivery or posture when it comes to two handed bowling, but there are a few key takeaways to ensure that power (rev rate), speed, form, and approach (gather) will lead to a masterful bowling game.
If you would like to know more about two handed bowling, take a few minutes to read this entire guide!
What is Two Handed Bowling
Two handed bowling is a style of delivery that heavily involves both the throwing hand (dominant hand) and non-throwing hand (non-dominant hand) up until the release of the ball. It's used to create tremendous forward motion and revolutions on the bowling ball to generate a powerful pin carry (which is to say direct impact plus pin scatter).
This is a unique alternative to the one-hand delivery, no-thumb delivery, and half-thumb delivery.
Two handed bowling requires a bent over posture, a good underhand grip, and a strong arm for support or guidance. Hand position is just as important as technique and power, and fortunately, for two handed bowling, the margin of error is quite forgiving as long as you get the proper tilt and body posture.
Why Use Two Hands?
The question that should come to mind right now is: why use two hands?
People against this style of throwing may argue that the technique is not balanced, the effectiveness of the technique depends on a bowler's center of gravity, and it is not a fun approach to play in any bowling league.
However, there is a growing crowd of professional bowlers and coach players that swear by two handed bowling due to the following reasons/advantages:
- Two handers deliver more powerful throws due to the forward motion and momentum that they can generate
- The release of two handers is generally more powerful than that of a one handed bowler
- The grip in the two handed bowling approach allows for proper guidance prior to the release of the bowling ball.
- For the average bowling league player, two handed bowling is reportedly better to develop a more consistent bowl shot.
However, regardless of how you feel about two handed bowlers as opposed to a one handed bowler, we would ultimately say that each approach is a matter of preference. Whatever you were taught (or whatever you learned on your own) should be your style of play as long as you stick to the fundamentals and safety precautions.
History and Evolution of Two Handed Bowling
Bowling is a sport that dates back a couple of millennia ago, but the two handed technique only came into the game fairly recently, thanks to the likes of Jason Belmonte and Osku Palermaa.
Jason Belmonte
Belmonte, who plays on the PBA Tour in the United States and in other massive world events, is considered to be one of the pioneers and reasons for the popularity of the two handed release. With a total of 25 career 300 games on record, it is clear that he has found his own lane down the bowling lane with his two-handed throw.
Even from the viewpoint of a casual spectator or non-bowler, it is clear that the two handed style of Belmonte can easily generate the required forward motion and revolutions that are as good as, if not better than the game of one handed bowlers.
Just go on YouTube and watch highlights of Belmonte and you would easily see why he is one of the best in the world. Check him out in action in slow mo...
His style, while not as conventional as the other styles that have been utilized since decades ago, is still pretty good to generate the needed swing, spin, and power.
Osku Palermaa
Another great PBA bowler you could point a finger to when it comes to two handed bowling in the national and international circuits would be Palermaa. Just like Belmonte, Palermaa is a legend when it comes to the two handed bowl game.
Having been teased as a two handed bowler in his youth a couple of decades ago, he quickly rose to fame in his 20s as one of the people to beat in the national circuit (PBA). The spin he can generate with two hands is arguably better than the one hand technique of many bowlers.
His throw technique has a special distinction compared to Belmonte and the other two handed bowlers in the game. However, the power and spin delivery are ever so evident, especially in a sport where form and conventional techniques are the supposed norm or unspoken rules.
Present Day
Fast forward to today, it seems like two handed bowling was shunned eons ago, as the PBA, the International Bowling Federation (IBF), and the overall bowling community seem to be growing more fond of the technique in both professional ball play and casual ball playing. If you are one of those bowlers that learned to utilize a two handed form, you definitely would not be laughed at anymore.
Even though two handed bowlers are nowhere near the majority when it comes to bowler techniques (one handed thumb bowling still dominates the game), you would not be criticized or judged for it.
Two Handed Bowling Tips: An Explanation of the Technique
To be frank, there are no two handed bowling rules or regulations, so any variation of the two handed release is supposed to be acceptable. However, there are a few two handed bowling technique considerations to have in mind:
Stance
The stance of two handed bowlers is similar two one handed bowlers. A major distinction is that the two handed style is typically lower in stature. You can check out how Belmonte and other two handed bowlers have their bodies more compressed and closer to the ground as opposed to an upright stature of the traditional bowlers of the sport.
The rest of the guidelines are generally the same: bend your knees slightly, maintain a relaxed posture, position your feet in the proper regions of the lane, and keep your ball around your midsection.
How you execute the tilt of your upper body is upon your discretion as this highly depends on the anatomy (dimensions) of your body.
Swing
The two handed bowling swing is the most distinct aspect of the throw in comparison to the traditional one-handed bowling ball swing.
As opposed to swinging the bowling ball like a pendulum (think of how momentum is gained from a wrecking ball moving from the opposite direction), a two handed bowler would actually instead cradle the bowling ball to generate the necessary energy upon the throw or release.
As you gather (take steps forward), you will swiftly swing your arms in the opposite direction (while cradling the bowling ball) and promptly release the ball at the end to have a powerful throw.
Grip and Thumb Position
Grip and thumb position are contentious aspects of the two handed approach. Belmonte's two handed bowling balls do not have a thumb hole, but other two handed bowlers use their thumb.
In this regard, we argue that it is simply a matter of preference in this sport. If you can throw the ball two handed by simply palming and cradling the ball, then go for it. However, if you feel like using your thumb would help you out more, then position your thumbs accordingly.
Take time to discover which specific variant works for you in this sport.
Release and Wrist Movement
If there is one thing that is universal when it comes to two handed throws, it is the way the wrist collapses right as the ball is released. Regardless of which two handed player you would like to base your own throw on, the end motion is pretty much the same.
Right before you release the ball (at the apex of the swing), you should ideally (and safely) collapse your wrist. This ensures that the ball exits your hand with proper guidance and direction and provides for a more effective spin.
Two Handed Bowling Drills
Bowling is a sport that requires balance, coordination, and proper footwork. Aside from the drills recommended by PBA, here are a few that you can utilize, especially for improving your ball game.
Swing Drill
This is all about working on your finish position and maintaining balance and stability from head to toe.
To execute this drill, simply position yourself in the finish position of your gather (bent over, lead foot planted, rear foot slightly elevated off the ground) and continuously swing the ball back and forth.
One-Step Drill
The one-step drill as an exercise that also works on the final phase of your gather, but integrates a stepping motion to work on coordination and footwork.
To execute this drill, execute the throw as you normally would, but take only one step instead of the usual three or four.
What Type of Bowling Balls are Good for Two Handed Bowling?
Certain websites and reviews found online argue that there are specific balls that can do better than others in terms of the two hand approach. However, we believe that any type of bowling ball you have right now should be effective enough for your two hand style.
As always, reactive resin balls work particularly good at hook shots while plastic and urethane bowling balls are ideal for straight shots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is 2 handed bowling legal?
Yes, it is legal. This is both allowed by PBA and USBC.
Why do they allow two handed bowling?
This approach is allowed because there is no apparent violation of existing provisions and regulations in the sport. There are a few members of the bowling community who have publicly shown their disdain for the technique, but nothing can be done as it is totally legal.
Do two handed bowlers use finger holes?
Yes, 2 hand bowlers use finger holes, but thumb positioning is a matter of preference (some do, some do not). To find out which specific variation is more suitable to you, we recommend doing drills with each and checking which feels more safe and natural.
Who is the best two handed bowler?
Jason Belmonte is considered to be one of the best and most popular 2 hand bowlers. However, there are other candidates such as standouts Osku Palermaa and Kyle Troup.
How to bowl with two hands?
To bowl with 2 hands, the goal is to have both hands cradling and supporting the ball up until release. For an in-depth guide, refer to the sections above.
Is two-handed bowling cheating?
No, this style is not considered cheating and is actually allowed for use in professional matches. There are no national or international bans on the use of this particular technique.
How to bowl like Jason Belmonte?
To bowl like Belmonte, you would need to work on your 2 handed bowling style. Take a look at our guide above for a better idea of this approach.
How to spin a bowling ball with two hands?
To effectively spin a bowling ball with two hands, you need to make sure that the ball is stable from starting position to finish position. Once you reach the finish position of your gather, collapse your wrist to generate the needed spin and power. The angle of wrist collapse depends on your level of expertise and the shot intent, so we would advise practicing more to find out what works best.
Conclusion
The two handed bowling evolution is not just a matter of revolutions of the ball but also its evolution around the world. Belmonte, Troup, and Palermaa are but a few of the legends in the game that you could point to that have placed in center stage this two-hand style.
The bottom line, however, is to simply stick to your preferred style of play. The beauty of bowling is you could play however you want (within reason). So if you do choose to master two handed bowling, then take special note of our tips and drills for more effective styles of playing the game.