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Phone: (815) 399-0314    Fax: (815) 398-6924   e-mail: doncarterlanes@yahoo.com

Bowling In A Nutshell
By Tom Blasco
      The sport of bowling is both a physical and mental endeavor. The following techniques are provided to help develop new skill(s) that will stay with you the rest of your life; a sense of consistency and direction providing you take the time to practice and let these new skills become part of your game.

CAUTION: If you try some of these techniques, they will initially make you feel different with your bowling ball. This is a normal reaction. If you are attempting to become a better bowler or educator, go with the flow. If you are bowling just for the sake of bowling and the proposed techniques don't fit your game, try to be as relaxed and comfortable as possible with your current game and adopt some of the other techniques.

1.       Preshot Preparation: Always be ready to bowl. Don't let your fellow teammates have to find you and get you back to the bowler's circle. This is extremely important in developing a rhythm amongst your teammates which contributes to better scores. Also, know what you are going to do before you step up on the approach to take your stance. This is not the place for thinking; your concentration and focus should be on your target and your ability to roll the ball at and over your target.

Hot Tip: Look at your target, but Don't aim at it.

2.       Take Your Stance: When you take your stance, ensure you stand in the same place on each strike shot, be at your point of origin. This will help you determine whether the ball is or is not hooking, so you can make an adjustment, if necessary.

Hot Tip: Follow the ball - if the ball stays right, move your feet right; if the ball hooks left, move your feet left. A left hander would do the opposite. Next, ensure you place your fingers in the ball in the correct manner each time (up to second joint for conventional; up to first joint for fingertip), always fingers first with a slight amount of finger pressure as you grip. Place your thumb in the ball, all the way, and let the ball be placed into your comfortable starting position. Establish a firm wrist position, with minimal bend or flex forward or backwards. Ensure that part of the ball weight is absorbed in your opposite hand, this will help relax your bowling arm and allow you to develop a good ball placement position and free swing. Now, take your body weight and distribute it across the bottom of your feet, with most of the weight on your non-starting foot. Once in this position, two things should be accomplished. One, ensure the ball is lined up with or just inside your bowling shoulder fairly close to your body. Two, ensure your bowling elbow is tucked into your side or resting on your hip. You should now be ready to deliver your shot and begin your approach.

3.       Ball Placement: From your relaxed position you should start the ball and step toward your intended target. This is called the push away, ball movement, ball placement or disengagement position. Do Not, I repeat, Do Not use a death grip (grip the ball tight) in this motion. Use only enough grip to get the ball into swing and back. Allow your grip and swing to be as free as possible. Move the ball, out, down, back and forward (toward the foul line) in as straight a line as possible.

4.       Body Position: Once you start the ball moving, allow the ball to swing as freely as possible and minimize the amount of muscle you use. Remember your relaxed grip. Try to keep your upper body (waist to head) fairly erect and your lower body (waist down) relaxed and flexible. Allow you knees to bend as you approach the foul line, making you ready for the release position.

5.       Release Position: Allow your body to arrive at the foul line with good knee bend on your slide foot, back fairly erect and your swing headed for your target. Let your thumb release the ball as quickly as possible, on the apex of your swing (the very bottom), and follow through to your target with the remainder of your arm swing. Always try to follow through to your target. You'll be surprised what it will do for you.

6.       Get Ready for Your Next Shot: Now that you have completed your first frame, get yourself ready for the next shot. Stay involved in the match, cheer on your teammates, give a high five or whatever. You'll see the bowler in front of you has just completed their first shot, now take a few seconds to go over what you are going to do - mentally review you shot. Yes, mentally visualize your shot and what you are going to do. One important part of the mental game is not to let your conscious mind get involved or beat yourself up if you throw a bad shot; I can't; I should have done; if I did; doesn't fit in this game. Keep the negatives out. Be as positive as you can be, even if you did only one thing right. Make each shot as positive as possible, have confidence in your ability and yourself and have fun. Now, pick up your ball, take your position on the approach, take a deep breath through your nose, exhale through your mouth, use relaxed concentration to see your target and take off.