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The Grip

When coaching the first thing I focus on, after establishing the correct size of bowl to use, is the grip. As with many sports the grip is fundamental in bowls and for beginners I coach two basic grips.

  • The CLAW GRIP and
  • The CRADLE GRIP.

There are other types of grip but these two are the easiest for beginners to get to grips with (Excuse the pun). Let’s look at each technique in turn. With both these grips you shouldn’t be gripping the bowl too tightly. The grip technique itself should provide enough grip to be able to bowl without the need to have “White Knuckles”!

The Claw Grip

The claw grip is where you place your middle finger on the centre of the running surface of the bowl - your index and ring finger sit in or align with the grip of your bowl and your thumb on top of the bowl. Your thumb can sit either along the running surface on the top of the bowl, or along the grip. Your little finger sits on the side of the bowl. The thumb and index finger form a “C” shape or claw.

You will notice that with the Claw grip is that the palm of the hand is off the bowl. There should be a noticeable gap between the palm of the hand and the bowl itself.

The Cradle Grip

The Cradle grip is where you place your middle finger on the centre of the running surface of the bowl - your index and ring finger sit in or align with the grip of your bowl and your thumb on top of the bowl. This is the same as for the Claw Grip and the difference comes in where you place your thumb. Your thumb should be held comfortably on the side of the bowl. Your little finger also sits on the side of the bowl. The bowl is sitting in the palm of your hand with the Thumb and little finger supporting the bowl. You will feel as if your hand is cupping the bowl.

The Cradle grip is almost as if you are cupping the bowl and in my experience most beginners find this grip the easiest to get consistently right when fir starting bowls.

What’s best for you?

I tend to find that most beginners that I coach find the Cradle Grip the easiest and most comfortable when they first begin, but I do encourage them to try different grip techniques once they have established a consistent delivery action.