Let's Talk Bowling : Stance, Ball Position, Approach and Delivery.

Let's Talk Bowling: Stance, Ball Position, Approach and Delivery.

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Stance

• Head Position
• head up. looking straight ahead. shoulder square to the target.

• Elbow and Arm Position
• right arm bent, holding the ball at chest height. elbow is tucked into the body.

• Weight Shift
• ensure weight is properly distributed so that the bowler is well balanced in the stance.

• Shoulder Position
• shoulders are parallel with the foul line.
• feel as if you could balance a cup of coffee on shoulders.

• Toe position
• have feet pointed at target and walk in a straight line towards the target.

• Eye position on the target

• Grip
• hold the ball by the tips of the fingers and thumb. a small pocket of air in the palm of the hand should be apparent.
• ball should be chest high in the right hand, supported by the left hand.

Ball Position

• There are 3 positions depending on the speed to the foul line
• if you're fast, hold the ball at knee height.
• if you have medium speed, hold it at waist height.
• if you're slow, hold it at shoulder height.

Approach

• Pushaway
• hands and left foot begin to move simultaneously.
• ball is pushed slightly upward and away from the body, upper body is titled forward.
• as first step is nearing completion, left hand leaves ball and extends for balance.
• right arm pushes forward to full extension of the pushaway.
• right arm and ball begin the downward motion which is the beginning of the backswing.

• Straight Line
• check the approach from the starting position to the finishing position.
• ensure that the bowler relates to each position, lines up accordingly and maintains a straight line through.

• Backswing
• ball should be start chest high and the weight of the ball coupled with the pendulum swing will automatically control the proper height.
• wrists locked.
• keep the arm in close to the body utilizing the pendulum swing. this will enable the ball to swing in a straight path.

• Slide
• this is the completion of the final step in the approach.
• the length of the slide is determined by the speed of the bowler’s approach.

Delivery

• Toe Position
• towards target.

• Shoulder Position
• bowler maintains shoulder and head in a level position.

• Eye Position
• keep eyes focused on the target spot.

Bowling Tips

1) Visualize. If you're a golfer, you'll know what I mean when I say "be the ball". I'm not talking about that extra second you think as you're about to maybe throw a third strike. Visualize every shot as you will see it before it happens. Be the ball, picture the target, the release, and the reaction.

2) Get down to the lane. When you setup for your shot you want to be comfortable with the ball you're about to throw down the lane. It doesn't hurt to be a little more tucked in and down when you're preparing for your shot.

3) Load up. If you want to improve your game and you don't own a balling ball, stop reading and go to the pro-shop, get shoes too if you don't have those. It's not about having the latest technology in bowling equipment, it's about that same feeling you get when you put on your pair of shoes, or fit your hand in your ball. Knowing that alone will improve your game.

I've got lots more bowling tips here and more links on the left menu.

Keep Your Arm Swing Free
The best bowling tip for a free arm swing is keeping your grip relaxed in the ball. Don't squeeze fingers or thumb, keep them relaxed, especially the thumb. To have a relaxed thumb in the ball your ball has to be fitted and drilled correctly. If your thumb hole feels loose it will cause you to squeeze the ball and then muscle your swing. Inserts in the thumb and finger holes can help give you a more secure fit. If you have a large webbing at the base of your thumb adding extra bevel around the top of the thumb hole will give you a deeper secure fit. The free arm swing will enable you to swing the ball effortlessly from the shoulder.

The 45 Degree Hand Position
This is the easiest and most natural hand position to use. In the 45 degree hand position the hand is partially under and partially to the side of the ball with the tips of both pinky-s touching. Non bowling hand supports ball. This promotes a free arm swing.

Use Your Lower Body Leverage
On the last step bend your knee to get down lower to the lane and slide your foot straight towards the foul line making sure it does not turn. Think of it as sliding into a deep knee bend. Counter balance your body by moving your non-sliding leg side ways to the opposite side of your bowling arm. Keep your upper body fairly erect as you get down low to the foul line.

Finish Up Close To The Foul Line
You should be about six inches from the foul line at the end of the delivery to have an optimal release. In an optimal release the ball is lofted a small distance over the foul line before it makes contact with the lane. This gets the ball further down the lane conserving energy when it hits the pins. If you are finishing up too far away from the foul line move closer in during the stance.

Relax Thumb, Come Through Ball
Don't try to over lift or turn the bowling ball during the release. It will only cause muscling and misdirection of your arm swing. Instead just relax your thumb and come cleanly through the ball as you release it and follow through, keep your eyes focused on your target. For a strong release you need good lower body leverage and you also need to finish up close to the foul line.

Bowling Is A Mental Game
Analyze your delivery and think about what you are doing when you practice. Feel your good shots as you make them and imprint it into your mind so you can repeat them. Use visualization to practice off the lanes in your mind making perfect shots.

Try The Drop Away Method
The drop away replaces the push away. In the drop away method hold the ball high up in the stance at shoulder height and take a small first step but don't move the ball (no push away). Instead just let the ball drop down into the swing on the second step. If this feels awkward to you try sliding your foot out on the first step until you get used to it.

Shoe Sliding Problems (Sticking)
If you have trouble sliding buy a Dexter red slide sole and some velcro self sticking fastener. Cut red slide sole and velcro self sticking fastener the same size as rubber heel on slide shoe. Paste velcro fastener on rubber heal and fasten red slide sole.

Develop Your Own Bowling Style
There is no set way that bowlers bowl and anything can work when a bowler repeats the same exact movements enough. Do what feels relaxing and the most natural to you. Developing your own bowling style will improve your game and scores.

Watch Professional Bowlers On TV
Watch the professional bowlers on television and record them with your VCR. Play back the tape and watch in slow motion. Study their technique to improve your own game. Women pros are great to watch because they rely on finesse over power.