8
- December 2015
Idle Bowling Thoughts
By Chuck Pezzano
(reprinted in honor of his dedication to bowling)
Helen Duval’s Bowling Tips
Timing and Coordination
By now you have learned to check the fit of the bowling ball and to be aware of your
hand position after your release.
Let’s back track to the approach area. Why? Because now I’m going to explain tim-
ing and coordination to the foul line.
Remember, no matter how many steps you take to the line, you must have good
coordination between your feet and your arm swing to have solid balance at the re-
lease point. This is called timing and coordination.
How can you achieve this very necessary part of your game? Read on.
Three-step bowlers: Push the ball out first, then step forward with the left foot, keep
walking and swinging. The ball will be ready to delivery on your third step.
Four-step bowlers (easiest to do and teach): Four things to do both with your feet
and ball, all moving together. Ball moves out, down, back and forward. Put this to-
gether with right foot, left foot, right foot and slide. In other words, your right hand with
the ball and right foot move forward together, then keep walking and swinging, releas-
ing the ball on the slide. Count out loud if you have to.
Five-step bowlers: Step forward with the left foot (don’t move the ball yet), then go
into the above sequence for a four-step approach. You see a five-step approach is
nothing but a four-step approach with the added step before you move the ball.
Use whatever you feel comfortable with, but by all means you must arrive in the
slide and the forward swing together at the line. Arriving at the line with the ball and
slide together will enable you to be in balance as you can control what and where the
balls goes and does.
Suggestion for thought: Men and very tall women can use a three-step approach
comfortably because they have long arms. Medium height men and women should
use a four-step approach. Short women, especially, should use five steps because it
allows the short arms and legs to cover the distance in better rhythm.
Fast tip for balance: Get your head over your sliding leg at the foul line.
Reverse all the above for left-handed bowlers.
They said it ell - - - with comments.
“The way I see it; if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” - - -
DOLLY PARTON (Splits and misses are as much a part of the game as strikes and
spares)
“Anyone who doesn’t believe in miracles is not a realist.” - - - DAVID BEN GURION
(And that’s why every bowler of every average thinks about rolling a 300 game, and
aims at he 7-10 split)
“Instead of loving your enemies, treat your friends a little better.” - - - EDGAR
WATSON HOWE (Like your teammates, league and association officials, and bowl-
ing proprietors)
“In all things, success depends upon previous preparations, and without such
preparation there is sure to be failure.” - - CONFUCIUS (Practice, practice, practice)
“I base most of the fashion taste on what doesn’t itch.” - - - GILDA RADNER
(Perfect advice when selecting bowling uniforms)
“If I were given the opportunity to present a gift to the next it would be the ability for
each individual to learn to laugh at himself.” - - - CHARLES SCHULTZ (And let’s
face it, bowling is a funny game, even if it wasn’t meant to be)
“During the middles ages, people who couldn’t write would sign a contract with an
X and kiss it to show sincerity. That’s how X’s at the bottom of the letters came to
symbolize kisses.” - - - LISA LAYNE & PAUL SINN (Any bowling score sheet with
plenty of X’s on it also rates a kiss or two)
“Before all is said and done - - I’m, tired.” - - - GRIT (Happens at every bowling
meeting)
“Advice is like snow: the softer it falls, the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it
sinks into the mind.” - - - SAMUEL T. COLERIDGE (Are you listening bowling in-
structors?)
“No great man is ever born too soon or too late.” - - - NORMAN DOUGLAS (Even
though some great bowlers of the past would have loved the long shot opportunity to
shoot at some of the big money up for grabs today)
“Genealogy is tracing yourself back to people better than you are.” - - - JOHN POL-
LARD (In bowling all you have to do is look at the names above you on the stand-
ings sheet and you know who is better than you are)
“I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun.” - - - KATHERINE HEPBURN (If
just being is fun then just bowling is a lot of more fun)
“Dear God, grant me patience - - - and I want it right now.” - - - MICHAEL McKIN-
NEY (The common prayer of almost every bowler after a bad shot or a bad break)
“The average time between throwing something out and needing it again is about
two weeks” - - - CARL CARSON (So some pros tell me when they decide to get rid
of a bowling ball, any bowling ball)
“Did you really read this far.” - - - PEZZANO (Thanks)
PBA & USBC Hall of Fame
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