Summit County USBC Information
In this section you will be able to download items needed for league bowling or try and find an e-mail for someone at National. We also have links for national scholarships as well as awards and tips.
Keep Your Arm Swing Loose
The key to a loose arm swing is keeping your grip relaxed in the ball. Don't squeeze fingers or thumb, keep them relaxed, especially the thumb. To have a relaxed thumb in the ball your ball has to be fitted and drilled correctly. If your thumb hole feels loose it will cause you to squeeze the ball and then muscle your swing. Inserts in the thumb and finger holes can help give you a more secure fit. If you have a large webbing at the base of your thumb adding extra bevel around the top of the thumb hole will give you a deeper more secure fit.
Use Your Lower Body Leverage
On the last step bend your knee to get down lower to the lane and slide your foot straight towards the foul line making sure it does not turn. Think of it as sliding into a deep knee bend. Counter balance your body by moving your non-sliding leg sideways to the opposite side of your bowling arm. Make sure you keep your upper body fairly erect as you get down low to the lane.
Finish Up Close To The Foul Line
You should be about six inches from the foul line at the end of the delivery to have an optimal release. In an optimal release the ball is lofted a small distance over the foul line before it makes contact with the lane. This gets the ball further down the lane conserving energy when it hits the pins. If you're finishing up too far from the foul line move closer to it when you start out in the stance.
Relax Thumb, Come Through Ball
Don't try to over lift or turn the ball during the release. It will only cause muscling and misdirection of your arm swing. Instead just relax your thumb and come cleanly through the ball as you release it and follow through, keeping your eyes focused on your target. For a strong release you need good lower body leverage (legs) and you also need to finish up close to the foul line (see above tips).
Bowling Is A Mental Game
Analyze your delivery and think about what you are doing when you practice. Feel your good shots as you make them and imprint it into your mind so you can repeat them. Use visualization to practice off the lanes in your mind making perfect shots.
Try The Drop Away Method
The drop away replaces the push away. In the drop away method hold the ball high up in the stance at shoulder height and take a small first step but don't move the ball (no push away). Instead just let the ball drop down into the swing on the second step. If this feels awkward to you try sliding your foot out on the first step until you get used to it.
Shoe Sliding Problems (Sticking)
If you have trouble sliding buy a Dexter red slide sole and some velcro self sticking fastener. Cut red slide sole and velcro self sticking fastener the same size as rubber heel on slide shoe. Paste velcro fastener on rubber heal and fasten red slide sole.
Develop Your Own Bowling Style
There's no good or bad way that bowlers bowl and anything can work when a bowler repeats same movements often enough. Do what works best for your game and gives you highest scores.
Watch Professional Bowlers On TV
Watch the professional bowlers on TV and record them with your VCR. Play back the tape and watch in slow motion. Study how they do the basics to improve your own game. Women pros are great to watch because they rely on finesse over power.
Using Insert Tape : Bowling Tip
The use of insert tape for the thumb hole is very important. Having a good grip on the ball is a necessity to a relaxed swing. Using white textured tape on the gripping side of the hole seems to work best. It gives you something to hold onto without really having to grip tightly. A recommended fit would have your thumb exit the ball smoothly without hanging up or slipping off. This will also allow for a smooth and loose arm swing which helps greatly in repeating shots. If the ball feels like it is slipping, add a piece of tape. If you feel that it is a little snug, remove a piece. This is much easier than altering your grip.
Preparing Your Shoes : Bowling Tip
Brushing the slide portion of your shoe from heel to toe with a wire brush will decrease slide and improve leverage. If even less slide is desired, brush side to side.
Getting The Right Hook : Bowling Tip
When getting an over/under reaction. That is too much hook when missing a little right, and not enough hook when missing left. Try using a green scotch bright pad on your ball just enough to remove the shine. This will mellow the reaction and give you a more consistent reaction.
Keeping Your Eye On The Target : Bowling Tip
Keeping your eye on your target from start to finish will eliminate many inconsistencies in the approach. You would be surprised how difficult it is to do three times in a row, let alone a league night or tournament. Remember, start to finish without losing sight of it.
