Go From
150 to 175 We’ll use 150 as a baseline because there are plenty of them out there. That doesn’t mean that if you’re a bowler with an average below 150 you’re a hopeless case! All the advice in this section equally applies to any bowler. If you’re struggling with a 110 average, you can follow these guidelines to up your average into the 130s. At this level, many bowlers have
never had any coaching and basi- cally go up and make their shots in the manner that they’re most used to. There may not be much more to their shot-making than finding a basic target and hoping to hit the pocket. But if you’re a bowler at this level
and you’re looking to move into the 170s, it’s time to start taking a closer look at your game, and that starts with your shot.
TOP TIP: Click the video button (above left) for special video coverage of Chris Barnes discussing how loft impacts ball reaction.
The Basic Shot “It’s all about the fundamentals at this level,” says Barnes. “I would recommend some coaching to take a look at your stance, swing, footwork – all the basics – because you can’t build on your game until those fundamentals are truly in place.” Fagan agrees and adds that the resources
at your center are key. “Your pro shop guy or a local coach will
be able to point out flaws in your timing and footwork that you probably don’t even know exist. Be careful in just getting advice from your friends because they may not know what they’re doing either.” A short first step in your approach will
help you maintain that good balance. Each successive step will be slightly longer to build momentum to the finish position. In a four-step approach, USBC Coaching recommends your ball-side foot should step forward as your arm with the ball moves out in a rounded motion. At the end of the first step, the ball should be about four to six inches in front of the ball-side foot ready to fall into the backswing. In a five- step approach, your short first step is with your non-ball-side foot. Your second step with your ball-side foot then imitates the four-step approach example. Good timing is created when your body
leads the swing slightly going into your final step. This allows your body to be in a powerful position, with the arm continuing
22 USBOWLER FALL 2010
“It’s all about the fundamentals... I’d recommend some coaching to take a look at your stance, swing, footwork, all the basics.” — CHRIS BARNES
to swing strongly all the way to the finish. If your swing leads the body into the release area, you’ll have nothing to swing through, and your arm and release will feel weak. “Practice is key to making sure you
avoid those kinds of bad shots,” says Fagan. “You need to get out on the lanes and keep shooting, focusing on your steps first to get them down, then your push-away, slide, release and follow-through. Try to feel what
you’re doing with each of those on every shot and then make corrections as needed until you feel consistently balanced and have a nice, powerful release.”
Stay Out of the Gutter To keep your ball on the lanes and away from the channels, you need to know two things to make adjustments: 1) exactly where you stood on the approach and 2) your target on the lane. USBC Coaching recommends the sec-
ond arrow for most bowlers. Remember that the arrows are counted from the channel in (right-side channel if you are right-handed, left-side channel if you are left-handed). The arrow in the middle of the lane is the fourth arrow. “So many times, beginner bowlers end
up throwing gutter balls because they’re just not lined up right,” says Fagan. “That goes back to the fundamentals of your shot. If you’re ending up in the channel, it’s most likely because you’re not using the dots or arrows to help you target and you’re swing is not straight; it may be crossing your body.” To avoid throwing into the channel,
keep your shoulder straight during the stance, approach and delivery. Start your stance with the ball at a comfortable height in front of the ball-side shoulder and not in front of your body. A person standing directly behind your shoulder should see just a bit of the ball. Your forearm should point like an arrow to your target.
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