L atelier du bowling

TIMING IS TANTAMOUNT TO SUCCESS

the sport and you'll find that an athlete’s timing is critical to proper execution. Bowling is a classic example of how important timing is to being successful. Timing is unique to every bowler’s style. It is the coordination necessary between the arm swing and each step of the approach that will result in the bowler successfully reaching the foul line a split second before delivering the ball. By developing consistent and correct timing, the bowler will maximize the three leverages (February/March) — body, shoulder and finger that combine to create maximum ball and pin action. Proper timing also enhances accuracy, enabling the bowler to hit the target consistently. The key to determining if a bowler has correct timing, whether that player uses a five-, four- or three-step delivery, is the next-to-last step before the slide. In this step, a right-handed bowler’s weight is on the left foot. The bowling arm should be positioned slightly behind the trailing leg as the swing enters its backward arc. To accomplish correct timing for all styles, the bowler must incorporate what we call “tempo steps” into the approach.
TEMPO STEPS
“Tempo steps” are short uniform and rhythmic motions of the feet where the bowler maintains contact with the floor, as opposed to a normal heel-to toe walking step. You can practice these steps by following a rhythmic chant short, short, slide keeping in mind these last three steps are always the same for all bowlers, regardless of how many steps you employ in your approach. At Dick Ritger Bowling Academy, we use a simple two-number system to describe the various styles of bowler approaches 6-4, 5-4, 5-3, 4-4, 4-3, 3-3, etc. in which the first number represents the total number of steps from start to the finish slide and the second number refers to the number of steps in which the ball is actually in motion.
PUSHAWAY, SWING SET PACE
Let the push away and a free swing dictate the proper pace or speed of motion. The key, no matter the style, is to establish a rhythmic movement that is consistent for each delivery. For those that use a three-step delivery, the bowler must use a push away (or drop away) to get the ball into the proper timing position at the proper time.