Page 14 - jan2013
Basic HTML Version
14
– JANUARY 2013
Are You Square to Your Target at the Foul Line?
How many of you know what you look like at the foul line after
delivering your ball?
If you hurry in your approach you have to put on the brakes at the
foul line, causing your sliding foot and body to turn away from the
target. A hurried approach causes the body to reach the foul line
before the arm and ball, which makes you pull the ball through the
delivery.
Every time you pull or force the ball at the release, you invariably
miss your target or arrow to the left. When you pull the ball, think
about the position of your thumb and you will see why the ball will
hook too much. Remember, your thumb steers the ball.
Has anyone ever told you to lift the ball at the foul line? Well, if
you use your whole body to do it, you will look like the Statue of
Liberty at the foul line. This extreme position generally is caused by
what you did on your very first step.
If you push the ball out too far in your first step, the weight of the
ball will cause you to lean over and go down into a crouching posi-
tion on the second and third steps. Now you have to rear up at the
foul line to put lift on the ball. Result: So much lift that you miss
your target to the left again.
Solution: Try doing this at home with your ball. Take only two
steps as in a regular delivery and see where you and the ball are. If
you are leaning forward and way down on the second step, try to
eliminate it by doing this. Work your way down to the foul line
smoothly from an upright position. Imagine an airplane coming in
for a landing—they come in at a gentle angle, not an abrupt, steep
angle.
OK. What should you do?
Find your point of origin on the approach. Hold the ball comforta-
bly in line with your bowling shoulder, supporting it with your non-
bowling hand, eyes on your target all the way to the line.
Push the ball our slightly toward the pins as you take your first
step. Both our foot and the ball should move gently and easily.
Then continue walking and swinging your ball and looking toward
your target.
If you keep both knees bent all the way to the foul line, it will help
you walk straight, too. You will be more relaxed at the delivery
point, and, above all, you will be able to slide at the foul line. So
many say, “I can’t slide.” If you follow these instructions, you will be
able to slide easily. It helps, too, to think of it as shoving your toes
toward the target.
Now, here’s the key to the whole picture frame, you can be
square to your target. Walk...swing...lean forward...reach and follow
through...slide with bent knee. Try to keep in mind that if your bead
is over your sliding foot at the foul line, you can keep your balance
for the few seconds it takes the ball to get to the pins. Now you
have control of the ball instead of the ball having control of you.
Helen Duval’s Bowling Tips
