| Yearning
to become a better bowler? Here's how to bowl your best game
and bowl your mates over.
Get in the moment Remember, bowling is a game.
Leave your cares outside the bowling alley and concentrate
on what you're doing. Not only will you have more fun, but
your game will improve as well.
Have a ball Choose your bowling ball with
care. Pick a ball that is neither too heavy nor too light
for you. It's a good idea to have a ball of your own because
it will save you the time and effort of choosing from rental
balls at every bowling alley you go to. Besides, if you like
your ball and are comfortable with it, you're more likely
to enjoy bowling and to do it well.
Step by step How you approach the foul line
is up to you. Some bowlers use three steps. Others use a four-step
or five-step approach, which allows the bowler to develop
more momentum and makes the ball seem lighter.
It's hip to be square For a consistent delivery,
keep your shoulders square to the foul line and keep your
back straight. At first you may have trouble remembering to
do this, but keep reminding yourself, and it will eventually
become automatic. Keeping your back straight doesn't mean
that your upper body should point straight to the sky at all
times. You may have to bend slightly when you release the
ball, but you should bend from the waist instead of bending
your back.
Around the bend When throwing, don't bend
your arm or swing it away from your body. Keep it relatively
straight and close to your body. It's okay to bend your arm
slightly at the elbow as long as the inside of your elbow
is pointed down the lane.
Relax, don't do it Don't rush your approach
to the foul line, or you'll have trouble maintaining proper
position and keeping your balance.
Get close... ...to the foul line, that is.
You should be about six inches from the foul line when you
release the ball. This will lift the ball a short distance
over the foul line before it touches the lane, allowing it
to go farther. If you release the ball too far from the foul
line, it will lose speed before it hits the pins.
Easy does it Keep your fingers, especially
your thumb, relaxed as you hold the ball. Don't squeeze your
fingers or grip the ball too tightly, or you'll mess up your
throw. This is another good reason to have a ball of your
own that fits your fingers properly. Use finger inserts if
the holes on your ball don't fit right.
The art of letting go You should release the
ball as it is moving past the ankle of your sliding foot,
that is, the foot you take your last step with. If you are
right-handed, you slide with your left foot, and if you are
left-handed, you slide with your right foot. As you slide,
or take your last step, you need to bend your knee to get
the ball low enough to pass your sliding ankle, then straighten
the knee as you release the ball. This is a difficult movement
to perfect, but your coordination will improve as you practice.
As you bend your knee, you can bend your upper
body 15 to 20 degrees forward. Remember to bend from your
waist and keep your back straight!
Remember, remember Always remember to follow
through. This completes the movement and increases the power
of your delivery. To check if you're following through, freeze
your arm after you release the ball. Your hand should be at
the level of your shoulder or higher, and it should face the
target.
Eyes on the prize Keep your eyes on the target
at all times. This will keep your head steady and your body
properly aligned.
Think it through If you're not happy with
your game, ask yourself what you might be doing wrong. Analyze
your movements from the moment you take your first step to
the moment you let the ball go. Whether you're playing or
practicing, think about what you're doing. Be aware of the
position of your shoulders, back, and throwing arm.
Be yourself Develop your own style and don't
try to copy another bowler. Your game depends on how well
you can make your own movements work. That said, it would
be helpful to watch the games of professional bowlers on TV
and pay close attention to they way they move. Seeing how
the pros do it might help you identify and correct your own
mistakes.
Bowling
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