L atelier du bowling

Developing a free gravity arm swing will improve your consistency & accuracy

The second step in learning proper bowling technique by isolating the components of an effective delivery will focus on creating a free gravity arm swing to ensure consistency and accuracy. This can be practiced with or without using your ball, but in both cases, you should have someone assist you. The goal of this isolation exercise is to allow the weight of the ball, not muscles in your shoulder or arm to govern your arm swing. The more relaxed your arm swing becomes, the better action you’ll get on the ball in the end and that means better pin fall. Practice with a ball For this exercise you should stand in a balanced position as if you were beginning your slide with your left leg (right hander) slightly bent and the ball hanging freely at your side. Now, have your assistant kneel and hold the bottom of the ball with both hands while you are still holding the ball at your side. Hold the ball with pressure on your fingers only and no tension in your arm. Next, have your assistant push the ball back to a comfortable back swing height and hold the ball in that position for a split second before letting the ball swing forward in a free, natural arc. Your assistant should then “catch” the ball as it passes your knee, just beyond where you would normally release it. This training technique is intended to give you a feel for how the ball should travel throughout an effortless, relaxed, gravity-aided arm swing. After you have repeated this exercise five or six times, you should then practice this delivery while bowling to develop the proper rhythm or feeling for the swing. You will find it eliminates the tendency for you to muscle or force the arm swing, which almost always results in errant deliveries. Practice without a ball If you want to work on your game at home or if your ball isn’t readily available, you can practice the technique without it. Again, it is best to have an assistant to help you. To start, establish the same balanced body position as described previously with your arm hanging freely at your side. Have your assistant push your arm back to the maximum height of your back swing and briefly hold that position. When you begin the forward motion of your swing, your assistant will feel a gentle downward pressure or resistance. At that point your assistant should release his/her supporting hand to let your arm swing freely through to your desire finishing point. At the conclusion of the fluid, natural swing your arm should be bent with your hand next to your ear. Repeat this exercise several times, until you have the feel you want, before practicing the delivery with your ball in a bowling situation.