New to Bowling? What should you work on to advance to the next level?
By Jim Newell
There are a number of things you could work on and all of them would make a difference in your bowling scores, and therefore the enjoyment you get from the game.
However if you at the raw beginner stage, you will probably get the fastest improvement in your scores and most benefit from learning and concentrating on executing a proper controlled approach and delivery.
Many new bowlers do not know the correct number of steps they should take for their approach and delivery style, they do not know what style has the best possibility of producing the best results for them, they do not know the proper sequence, they do not have a sense of what the timing should be. Many new bowlers are very erratic in what they aim at, or do not know what to aim at. They are not aware of how their ball will react with the bowling lane. Many try to make the approach too fast, or too slow and throw the ball either too slow too fast. These errors compound to cause an approach and delivery that is not efficient at getting the ball on the lane, in a position where it has a chance to get to the pins properly.
First you need to determine how many steps you will take and where you should stand on the approach to begin. Most new bowlers should start with 4 or 5 steps, stand on the approach with your back to the pins with your heels at and on the approach side of the foul line, take 4 or 5 long casual steps away from the foul line. Now turn and face the pins, look for the set of alignment dots on the approach that are in front of you and align the toe of your right foot with the center dot, the center dot is usually a little larger than the others. From this position start a normal paced slow approach to the foul line, be sure you walk in a straight line, you want to slide to 3 or 4 inches short of the foul line with the foot opposite of your dominant hand. (if you are right handed you will slide on your left foot).
As you take your first step forward, you want to be pushing your bowling ball away from your body and letting it start to swing down, on the next step your arm swings straight back to about waist high and then starts straight forward, as you begin your slide the ball should be just approaching the level of your ankle, as the ball crosses just above the foul line , with your thumb at about the 1:00 position the ball slides off your thumb and the off your fingers. You should be aiming at the second arrow from the right gutter, if your ball crosses that arrow it should somewhat naturally angle to the strike pocket. If your ball stays right of the pocket on the next ball move your feet a board or 2 more to the right, use the same target and watch where your ball hits. If your first ball goes to the left of the head pin you want to make adjustments to the left, again only a board or 2 at a time.
As you practice this smooth controlled approach and delivery, you will find the spot to start your approach on that works best for you. Starting from a set spot each time you bowl will allow you to adjust to the lane conditions you are on, lane conditions do change.
The important part of this lesson is to stay calm and relaxed throughout the entire approach and delivery. Watch some of the better bowlers in your bowling center for visual clues. Ask to have a bowling coach work with you to fine tune your approach.
Watch this video for an expert approach.
