Day #12: January 12, 2026
A relaxed arm swing starts before you ever move the ball and continues all the way through the release. A free, gravity‑driven swing gives you more consistency, better speed control, and less strain on your shoulder and elbow.
Why a relaxed swing matters
A tight, muscled swing slows the ball down, makes you miss your target, and often causes early rotation or grabbing at the bottom of the swing.
Allowing the ball to swing like a pendulum lets gravity create the motion while you just guide it, which increases repeatability and reduces injury risk.
Start relaxed in your stance.
Use light to moderate grip pressure: snug in the fingers, minimal squeeze with the thumb, and no tension in the forearm or shoulder.
Hold the ball under your chin and around waist height so your arm can swing straight without looping around your body.
Let gravity control the swing.
Think “less muscle, more gravity”: push the ball away smoothly, then let its weight pull your arm into the backswing instead of lifting it with your shoulder.
Keep your elbow straight and close to your side so the ball can swing on a straight path, like a pendulum, rather than forcing it around your body.
Simple drills to feel a free swing
Free‑swing drill: In your stance, gently push the ball out and let it swing back and forth 3–5 times with very light grip pressure, focusing on a loose hand, wrist, and forearm.
One‑step drill: take a small slide step while letting the ball swing freely, then release at about 50% effort so you can feel how relaxed the motion should be.
On‑lane cues you can use in league
Before each shot, quickly scan: relaxed fingers, loose wrist, soft shoulder—if anything feels tight, reset instead of forcing the shot.
During games, aim for the same smooth tempo every shot; if you start muscling the ball, focus on a slightly faster, freer backswing and let gravity do the work on the way down.