What Are The Most Common Problems That Can Hurt Your Bowling?-Part 1

    There are several problems one can encounter in the game of bowling. I've listed some below to help you be more aware of what may be happening if your bowling is NOT up to par:

1. Having an IMPROPER SWING:

    Sometimes a bowler is changing the angle of the backswing or the height of it without being aware of it. Therefore you must work on a proper backswing during your practice sessions. Learn to FEEL the ball and the TIMING with the footwork. If your game is suffering, you can have a friend come with you and take a video of you from behind. The way you push the ball out in front of you will determine how the bowling arm finishes up at the height of the backswing, If you push the ball straight out in front of you and the ball is at the center of your head (looking from behind), then your backswing is good. If you push the ball away from you to the right, at the height of the backswing it's further to the left of the head, and on the release, the ball will go too much to the right of the target and possibly end up in the gutter. If you push the ball out in front of you to the left, you will pull the ball a bit to the left, and if you're holding onto the ball a little longer than normal, it will also cause the ball to go to the left side of the lane. 

2. Being OFF BALANCE:

    As you know, the name of the game is "Consistency". If you are finishing off balance often, you won't be getting a consistent shot because the area where you release the ball can change and you will be missing the intended target.The angle will be changed, throwing off the trajectory of the ball. You must do your best to be as steady as possible during the ball release.
    
    If you're walking up faster than normal, you'll have too much momentum behind you which may also throw off your balance.
     If you put your trailing foot out to much to the side of your body, that can also cause a loss of balance. Keeping the trailing foot only slightly to the side of the body or more in back of the body after the slide is better.
    Keeping the left arm out to the side (right arm for lefty's) will improve balance as you are releasing the ball. It's also important to have a good knee bend and STAY DOWN for a few seconds after the ball is released.
    Keep your eyes on the ball as it goes through the target rather than looking up at the pins immediately after the release. Then you will know if you actually got the ball over the intended target. 

3. MENTAL PROBLEMS:

    Please read or re-read the topic of PRESSURE in my Blog Post from 12/6/21 and don't let pressure get to you!! If you stay really focused on the execution, counting your steps (so your timing is good), FEELING the body in sync with the pendulum arm swing, getting the ball over the correct target, then you WILL execute a good shot. You can only control your own bowling, so don't worry about how that other person is doing (who is getting close to your average). If you're worried, then you are NOT focusing on your game and you'll end up helping that person beat you out! UGH!

​4. DRIFTING or WANDERING:

    If you don't end up at the same board at the foul line that you started on at the stance (or very close), then you are wandering. While practicing, it's a good habit to get into to the habit of looking down at your left foot after the ball passes your mark to see that you are on or very near that same board or dot. Wandering can cause you to end up in a different place each time and coming in at different angles can negatively affect your game! A huge part of improving at bowling is doing things the same way over and over again. Practice just standing on your normal board and walking up on the lane several times without your ball. Look down to see that you are ending up on that same board at the foul line, then you'll know you are walking in a straight line!

5. SPEED:

    Walking more slowly than normal will cause a slower ball speed. A slower ball speed will cause the ball to hook more and possibly end up in the gutter before it even gets to the pins. Have you ever watched little kids bowl? The thing is to keep your speed as consistent as possible. If you're a little tired when you go to the league some nights, get some coffee to perk you up a little. The opposite is also true, that if you walk faster along the approach, the ball will also go faster and hook less. You'll end up coming up short and hitting the 3 and 6 pins instead of getting the ball into the 1-3 desired pocket area. I will go into SPEED a little more in a later Blog Post.

Check out my ebook available on Amazon/Kindle--"Let's Rev Up Those Bowling Scores".
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​    Join me in TWO weeks when I go into Part 2 of "Common problems that can effect your game".
​I want to wish you all a very Happy Holiday, Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Healthy 2022!!!!
   
    
​Good Luck and High Scoring!

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