|
Although
I will briefly touch on the 'correct' bowling technique on
this site, I will not tell you there is a right or wrong way
of doing things. Bowling is more a matter of consistency than
it is about correctness.
I
am not a qualified coach, although I have attended coaching
clinics and discuss bowling with practicing coaches on an
almost daily basis. Much of what I have learnt about bowling
has come from watching the hundreds of bowling video tapes
that my father has.
No
matter what the style, 1 to 7 step approach, spinner, cranker,
tweener, stroker, left, right or two handed, thumb only, fingers
only, 1 - 4 fingers, light balls, heavy balls etc.. here are
a few things I have found ALL GOOD BOWLERS to possess:
-
Good balance at the point of release
-
Routine and Consistency
-
Watching their target
-
PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE
No
matter what style or category of bowler you fall into, or
if you are truly unique in your style (Hi Belmo), as long
as you can develop your game to include the above 4 factors
you can become a good bowler. NOTE - you will notice that
I did not mention accuracy? This is because accuracy will
only come with PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.
I
strongly recommend that no-one relies on a website to teach
you how to bowl, but here are some pointers to get you on
the way.
THE
FOUR STEP APPROACH
STEP
ONE:
Incorporates
the push-away. As the back foot starts to leave the ground
to commence step two, the ball should be fully extended in
front of the bowler
STEP TWO:
The
bowler removes the support hand to allow the ball to freely
fall into a "pendulum swing" - not being muscled
or forced by the bowler.
STEP
THREE:
At
about half way through the 3rd step the ball should be at
its height in the back-swing. NOTE: the ball is not forced
up behind the bowlers back - the bowler lowers their body
towards the foul line maintaining the pendulum height of the
ball.
STEP
FOUR:
Front
leg should be bent, front foot should become stationary at
the foul line just as the ball is released.
NOTE:
the back leg is kicked away from the bowler, this allows for
greater balance and to move the hips out of the way so the
arm coming through doesn't hit the bowlers leg
REMEMBER:
As
with all ball sports, follow-through is an important part
of the game. Where you point your hand immediately after the
release of the ball can dictate where it will go once it is
on the lane.
|
