year to year. Have you gained or lost weight? If you’re a youth bowler, have you grown since last season? Our thumbs tend to swell in the


summer and shrink in the colder months, so chances are your thumb size in September is not the same as it was when the season end- ed last December or March. You may need to have your thumb hole opened up a bit at the start of the sea- son. In the winter months you may need to put some bowler’s tape in the thumb hole for a snugger fit.


— Carolyn Dorin-Ballard is United States Bowling Congress Director of Coaching


Certification & Development.


BOWLING SHAPE Ready to get back on the lanes?


Take it slow! Let’s face it, you haven’t picked up


a bowling ball in eight weeks — or longer! You’ll need to pencil in a few practice sessions before the start of leagues. The minimum should be two practice sessions a week for two weeks before league starts up. The first session should involve min-


imal exertion. Step onto the approach without the ball. Take your normal approach and slide. Do this several times to get the feel of the approach and the slide into the line. Now, while you’re still standing


back in the settee, pick up your bowling ball and swing it gently by your side. Use this exercise to get reacquainted with the motion, get a feel for the weight and to loosen your shoulder a little. When you get back onto the


lane don’t keep score. In fact, don’t even worry about knocking down pins. Your first shots should


be nice and slow, simply rolling the ball off your hand. Make sure your swing is loose and you’ve got your feet underneath you. Use this approach for the first


session, only bowling one or two games. Don’t be surprised if you still


17 USBOWLER AUGUST 2011


feel a little sore and stiff a day or two later. Your bowling muscles have been on vacation too! You need to reacquaint them with your bowling motion. It’s going to take a few sessions for your wrist and hand to get back into shape. Again, stretching both before and after bowling will cut down on the pain and stiffness. For the second session, try to get


lined up on the house shot that you bowled the previous season. Fine-tune your game from there. How’s your tim- ing? Technique? But be careful. Don’t overanalyze or


try to change too much. Work on only one or two things. You’ve been away for a while, so just work on getting your rhythm back. Work on spares. As the league season progresses,


continue to practice and monitor your game. If you think you still need help, look up a certified USBC coach. Assessing your own game is difficult. Sometimes you think your technique is fine, but an outside view would deter- mine otherwise. Similarly, sometimes you feel helpless but the answer is simple. That’s why it’s good to have some-


one else observe. The only way you learn is through feedback.


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