L atelier du bowling

Weight transfer puts power in the delivery

Get into proper position to make quality shots. Over the past few months. Over the past few months, we have concentrated on the importance of timing and all its components — from push away to slide — necessary to ensure a smooth and effective delivery. The final component in developing proper timing is the consistent transfer of body weight from the next-to-last step to the slide at the point of delivery. If correctly accomplished, you will be properly positioned to achieve maximum body leverage for balance, shoulder leverage to execute a free pendulum swing, and finger leverage for a consistent release.

STEP BEFORE SLIDE During the step before the slide, the ball should be at the maximum height of the back swing. At the split second before the ball begins its descent into the down swing, your weight transfers into the slide position. This transfer must take place smoothly to ensure strong balance (with both feet on the floor), a fairly deep knee bend with the chin directly over the knee, and the back toe slightly beyond the spine on the opposite side of your delivery hand as you advance toward completion of your slide step.

DELIVERY The pinnacle of the weight transfer movement occurs as the ball is released as it passes the slide knee. The knee is directly below the shoulder and gravity allows the ball to project off the fingers. The fingers, bent inward in the ball, createfinger leverage. At the point of release, bowlers employ a variety of release techniques and adjustments such as changes in wrist position, finger rotation, etc. to obtain the desired trajectory or ball rotation.

AVOID THE REACH STEP A critical element in the weight transfer movement is the position of the next to last step on the approach. This step must be fairly close to the foul line or you will tend to overstep or “reach” with a stretched-out slide step and your weight transfer will be flawed resulting in loss of balance, leverage and inconsistent arc of swing.