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This week's tip:
Four Step Approach. The
Third Step Examined
by: Bob Strickland
The third step is your BACKSWING STEP. The swingside foot moves forward as the ball moves from a position perpendicular to the approach to a position at the top of the
backswing. The third
step is also the ANCHOR, or PREPARATORY, STEP for your fourth step and slide (the FINISH).
As the heel of your swingside foot contacts the approach, the ball should reach the top of your - YOUR SWINGSIDE FOOT ROCK FORWARD FROM HEEL TO TOE. Your ball should begin to fall into the swing as your SWINGSIDE TOE is moving down toward the approach.
LET YOUR BOWLING ARM SWING FREE AT THE SHOULDER JOINT. It is possible to do three
things to you ball as it is going down into your DOWNSWING. You can speed it up (accelerate)
or slow it down (decelerate) by overuse of your muscles; or you can let it be pulled down only by
gravity -- the PENDULUM SWING. The pendulum swing is desirable because it allows you
consistent timing. Picture a weight freely swinging from a string. This is the impression one
should get from observing a swinging bowling ball.
NOTE: If you cannot hold your ball during the downswing without gripping it tightly, it may not
be fitted properly or it may be too heavy or both! See a skilled pro shop professional to correct
the ball fit before the habit of "muscling the ball" becomes ingrained and ruins the timing and
consistency of your pendulum swing!
LET YOUR BALANCE ARM MOVE TO AN OUT, DOWN, AND BACK POSITION. Your balance arm
is extremely important in establishing a stable PIVOT for your swing plane. This means that
your shoulders will be square to your target line and level with the approach. Your TAKEAWAY
begins from the elbows-locked, fully-extended pushaway. As your ball begins its
descent into the
downswing, your balance arm simply follows the ball's movement, but takes its own, final
position out from your body, slightly down, and toward the back. Maintain this position until you
"break" from your follow through.
KEEP YOUR BACK UPRIGHT. Just as in your setup and first step, you should maintain an
upright posture. Lead with your chest; keep your back arched to counteract the weight of your
ball falling into the swing. Look at your visual target out of the bottoms of your eyes to help you.
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Robert (Bob) Strickland, a bowler since 1958, and PBA member since
1978. In addition to coaching, Bob is the author of Perceptive Bowling and Bowling Steps to Success.
Join us weekly as Bob shares his favorite bowling tips to improve your game.
