Approach the line with a plan; following some basic steps and understanding where most bowling manuals lead you astray will help you get your shots off accurately - The Coach's Corner

THE IDEAL APPROACH IN BOWLING is smooth and graceful, rhythmic and synchronized. It encompasses stance, alignment, length, a cadence of steps, knee-bend, and slide. A successful bowler must begin with a restful stance, one in which he or she is relaxed--in a comfort zone--and where all systems are go.

The pushaway is the first step in an ideal approach; it's the trigger that determines a free armswing. An ideal approach concludes by positioning the release point to attain maximum leverage and a fluid follow-through. Truth be told, every element of the approach must be performed with flawless balance.

THE STANCE: YOUR PLAN OF ATTACK

The stance is your drawing board, center of concentration, and plan of attack. Start a proper stance in a relaxed state of mind and body, particularly with regard to the weight and position of your ball. You must be able to move freely from the start of the pushaway through to the slide.

Concentration is unquestionably what sets apart such distinguished stars as Kim Adler, Mike Aulby, Chris Barnes, Parker Bohn III, Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Norm Duke, Cara Honeychurch, Amleto Monacelli, Brian Voss, Pete Weber, Walter Ray Williams Jr., and Danny Wiseman. Concentration also was the hallmark of the immortal Earl Anthony and made Don Carter the most feared bowler of the late 1950s and early '60s. Don Johnson was the epitome of utter concentration during his reign in the '70s. Johnson was so focused he was oblivious to any disturbances that would rankle other bowlers.

Conversely, the inability to concentrate proved to be the Achilles' heel of the shortened career of Barry Asher, a 10-time titlist in the '60s and '70s. Hard as he tried, Asher was unable to coordinate his stance with his approach. This led to early retirement, ending a career that may have vaulted the Californian to 20-plus titles.

What defines an appropriate stance? Actually, there is no set pattern; it's a matter of comfort. However, an erect position, with the knees slightly flexed and all the body weight directly above the feet, aids a free armswing considerably and creates a greater pendulum force. Dave Arnold, Aulby, Barnes, Tommy DeLutz, Eric Forkel, Doug Kent, Mika Koivuniemi, David Ozio, Ryan Shafer, Voss, Ricky Ward, and Williams are all practitioners of an erect stance that permits the weight of the ball to descend naturally and generate a free, long, and extended swing.

On the other hand, many successful pros apply different positions when addressing the pins. Some begin with a low crouch. While this particular stance poses a dilemma for a free swing, it is generally employed by bowlers who utilite semi-controlled or fully controlled swings.

For example, Marshall Holman, one of the greatest bowlers in history, begins his stance in a very low position. He takes five rapid steps, never raising his head, and releases the ball while still in his slide. Holman is that rare bowler who has the ability to control the ball through a short backswing, yet the entire forward swing is free and propelled from the shoulder.

Wiseman's approach closely resembles that of Holman, with one exception: Wiseman's backswing is higher and features an open hand at the top of the swing, whereas Holman positions his hand under the ball and keeps it in place to the release point.

The position of the ball in the stance can be varied. The most comfortable area for posting a ball is about waist-high and close to the body, with the weight of the ball distributed evenly between the palms and held near the center of the body. An average-sized person would find this position suitable, but bowlers with larger hips cannot clear the body on the downswing and would be compelled to draw the ball back in an arcing manner. Drawing the ball back in an arc could lead to an outside-inside swing and further complications. Consequently, people with wider hips should hold the ball parallel with their hips in order to create a straighter line, eliminating realignment for the forward swing.

This is particularly essential for female bowlers. The average woman's hips are proportionally wider than those of the average man. Consequently, women should begin their stance with the ball held at a position perpendicular to the hips.

ALIGN WITH YOUR TARGET

A properly set alignment must always be in a direct line with the intended target. Forget the foul line! There is a common misconception regarding the position of the body at the foul line among some unsuspecting instructors, who subscribe to the theory that the shoulders and body must be square to the foul line. Nothing could be more incorrect. The shoulders and body must be square to the target, regardless of the intended angle.

For example, if you are playing the second arrow, down and in, the shoulder should be aligned with the 10th board (or the second arrow). If a bowler is playing a deep or inside angle, where the ball is laid down on the 25th board at the foul line to reach a break point around the 10th board, the feet, body, and shoulder must be directed in that position. The same principle would be applied when addressing a 10-pin or 7-pin. Never attempt to convert these corner pins with shoulders square to the foul line; angle your body in that direction only if you prefer spares over open frames.

Additionally, you should do more than spot a target from the foul line to the arrows. As many of today's professionals do, you should also draw an imaginary line from the target arrow to the break point.

SETTING UP YOUR STEPS

There is no set number of steps a bowler must take to be successful. ABC Hall-of-Famers Lee Jouglard and Swede Carlson, two of the game's all-time greats, were three-step bowlers. Mike Durbin sometimes utilized a three-step approach, and with startling success. However, three steps is the least desirable of all approaches because it forces the movement of the pushaway prior to any steps. It is executed in a rapid tempo and does not provide the rhythm that's necessary for ideal timing.

The majority of experts subscribe to the heel-to-toe method for steps. Some bowlers embrace shuffle steps, in which the feet never leave the approach and are applied in a dragging gait. However, the heel-to-toe method helps you better achieve a proper cadence because it's a natural motion; shuffling has a tendency to slow down the approach and hinder consistency.

Fundamentally, all movements for a proper approach are designed from a four-step delivery. Using more than four steps (five, six, seven, or even eight) means the ball must remain stationary until the beginning of the last four steps. Any movement prior to this point will disrupt rhythm and timing.

THE ONE- AND TWO-STEPS

In a four-step delivery, the ball is placed in the pushaway with the first step. In order to maintain a free swing, push the ball away with the non-bowling hand. This eliminates all the muscle tension on the bowling hand.

On the second step, the ball should begin its downward movement without assistance--that is, from its own weight. At the same time, the non-bowling hand should extend out to the side for balance, even with the body and positioned like an airplane wing. The ball should be approximately six to eight inches behind the lowest plane of the downswing at the end of the second step.

STEP THREE: YOUR POWER STEP

The third step is the power step in a four-step delivery. The most important function of the entire approach is the bending of the power step. Tilting to deliver the ball from a lower position is counterproductive. The shoulders must never extend beyond the knee. The most effective way to create a deep knee bend is to simulate a sitting position on the power step: Begin bending during the second step and continue downward, culminating in a near-sitting position on the power step.

On the third step, the ball should be at the highest point of the backswing. The height of the backswing must be propelled by the gravitational force of the ball, not through forced muscle movement. In approaches of five steps or more, the power step is the one preceding the slide. At any rate, the power step is the most important for achieving flawless execution.

The power step propels the sliding step and is paramount in creating the force and thrust of the hand. This will permit the hand to accelerate through the shot without straining the forearm. The power step also propels the body into a position to wait for the ball, thereby preventing an early swing that leads to a release beyond the sliding step.

The power step is critical for maintaining perfect balance. It is a key to preventing rearing-up, falling off the shot, pulling the ball, and delivering the shot from a high position. It is extremely important to deliver the ball from the lowest position possible. A lower release lessens the chance of early hooks, overreaction, and faulty direction.

STEP FOUR: DRIVE LOW AND LONG--DON'T LIFT AND LOFT

On the fourth step, as the ball descends by gravitational force, the slide precedes the ball to the foul line, whereupon the foot brakes while the ball is still behind the ankle. Braking permits you to wait, clear the thumb, and release the ball at its greatest leverage point. In a power position, the hand is under the ball, slightly behind the ankle. As the thumb clears the ball, the weight of the ball is shifted to the fingers, and the fingers are thrust outward with a quarter-turn counterclockwise into the lane.

Drive the ball into the lane rather than lifting it up and onto the lane. Contrary to many bowling manuals, it is not advisable to lift and loft. Replace these two "L" words with more desirable "L's," "low" and "long."

The fourth step (in a four-step approach) can make the difference between a weak shot and an ideal delivery. The most important part of a perfect fourth step is the direction of the slide. Contrary to some bowling manuals, the sliding step in a four-step delivery with no drift is not in line with the second step. The sliding step should slide in line with the power step; that is, it must shift in under the right shoulder to fill the void left after the power step. This keeps the ball well into the body so that it will barely clear the ankle. It also prevents the arm from swinging outside the shoulder (otherwise known as chicken-winging). Any swing line outside the shoulder means you'll pull the ball across your body rather than following through in a 90-degree course.

Slide with the toe directed toward the target. Any slide with the heel decidedly outside of the toe will open the shoulders and body away from the target and create a sidearm delivery.

By drawing up a good game plan with a solid stance, aligning accurately with your target, and properly executing your key four steps, you'll maximize your scoring potential. There's no question that the key to great bowling is establishing a correct approach.

COPYRIGHT 2002 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2002 Gale Group