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From: goguen@cheers.DEC (Don Goguen  381-2565)
Newsgroups: net.sport
Subject: Re:  Bowling
Message-ID: <382@decwrl.DEC.COM>
Date: Fri, 10-Jan-86 16:21:35 EST
Article-I.D.: decwrl.382
Posted: Fri Jan 10 16:21:35 1986
Date-Received: Tue, 14-Jan-86 03:27:24 EST
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Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
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> As a non-pro, I would think that a standard ball (found at the alley)(oops!
> I mean lanes) would be the best, from the standpoint that each coach/
> teacher/parent/sponsor has his/her own style.  As pointed out, let's
> get the basic delivery down first.  The learner will develop his/her own
> style, from natural body rythms, strength, hight, weight, etc.  Then,
> should the person decide to bowl, it is up to a competent pro to tell
> them what kind of ball (including weight, material, drilling, and
> balancing) will improve their game and best complement their style.
>
>
>                                       Dave Scott

    I think this is the standard thinking about how to start bowling, but I
disagree (basically only since attending a bowling camp).  As I've mentioned
before, the 4 or 5 step approach in bowling is the equivalent to the
preparation and stroke in tennis and the golf swing.  All aspects of those
motions should be taught properly, or a beginner will pick up and practice bad
habits.  Letting someone develop a "natural" style is the equivalent of telling
someone to grab a tennis racket or golf club, play for a few weeks, and then
have someone show the proper technique.  It's why I believe most beginner
bowlers are so frustrated with the sport.  Somehow, beginners at tennis and
golf don't expect too much, since they somehow know it's difficult to master
the basics.  But bowling has always been too "easy" to learn, so people do
their own thing, and when trying to get serious about it, try to have a better
bowler help with stuff like hooking the ball more... By then, too many bad
things are inherent in their approach.

    Basically, where the ball is on each step is the essential element for
good timing.  How many bowlers do you see with a 5-step approach, who don't
even move the ball from its starting position until the 3rd or 4th step?  Then
they swing the ball quickly on the last step or two, and can't figure out why
the shot went astray.

    For the basic 4-step approach, the ball should be in the following place
as each step is taken (i.e. when the foot hits the floor):

    1 - Ball should be in front slightly above waist level, arm fully
        extended.  Biggest problem here is not moving ball at all, or pushing
        it down next to your leg.  Arm should be almost parallel to floor.
        That allows a free swing, where the weight of the ball creates the
        pendulum swing (most bowlers "muscle" the ball through the swing).

    2 - Ball should be slightly past vertical in the down swing.

    3 - Ball should be at height of backswing, preferably not higher than
        shoulder level.

    4 - At start of slide, when foot first touches, the ball should be just
        below waist level, still behind you.  As the slide continues, the
        ball continues so that the release point and the end of the slide
        coincide...

    The 5-step approach is nothing more than a small starting step, followed
by the above at steps 2, 3, 4, and 5.  Usually, any major deviation from this
will cause poor timing and inconsistent shot making.

-- Don Goguen
   DEC / Nashua, NH