Are you a beginner and looking to improve yourself at bowling? If you want to catch a bowling ball well, you need to know the proper hold, technique, and so on. Ah, and of course it also takes time and patience! Your friends will soon be amazed by your extraordinary abilities.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Learning the Technique
Step 1. Display a line on the track
Depending on the trajectory you choose the shot can change a lot, but also take into account the playing conditions: most of the oil is inside, leaving only 8-10 relatively dry track strips to use. These battens can be your friend or foe. Depending on the amount of oil and how the ball reacts to the track conditions, you will need to align your feet slightly to the left. Once you are familiar with the grip, settle down as needed.
You can start by placing your right foot on the center dot to test the grip of the track. It is important to keep your feet aligned and close together,
Step 2. Stand a few inches from the foul line
Calculate the steps you will need to approach the drop zone when shooting. If you use a 4-step approach, then take 4 steps back, etc. Then try to shoot the ball towards one of the arrows on the track. The easiest way to aim is to use the arrows on the track.
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In this tutorial, you will have to start by aiming for the second arrow on the right, spinning the ball in this direction, keeping yourself a few strips away from the channel and making the ball adhere well to the dry area of the track (10-12 meters from the throwing area.) until you get between the pin 1 and 3 (pocket).
If you are left handed, aim for the second arrow on the left and stick the ball on the dry area until you get between pins 1 and 2
Step 3. Launch
A 4-step approach is recommended, although there is no precise rule and therefore you can also use 1 step or 8 (usually the 4 steps are used to synchronize body movements well before shooting). For a 4-step approach:
- Start with your right foot if you throw with your right and bring the ball forward.
- Keep the ball parallel to the ankle during the second step and begin bending at the knees.
- Bring your arm back during the third step.
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Bring your arm forward and let go of the ball to complete this approach.
A 5-step approach is basically the same, the only difference is that instead you will start with your left foot without moving the ball during this first step
Step 4. Keep your arm fully extended during the throw
If you keep your elbow bent or too far away from your body, you will not be able to control the trajectory of the ball well. It is easier to keep your arm straight if you keep it close enough to your body.
- There are many different styles when you bring your arm back to pull, such as torso bending (Walter Ray Williams Jr or Wes Malott) or shoulder widening (Tommy Jones or Chris Barnes), but it's always best to use basic techniques in the beginning.
- Remember, the ball must adhere well when it reaches the dry area at the bottom of the track, but up to there the ball will proceed more or less straight, varying mostly by a few strips. We each have a different style, so choose the one that is most comfortable for you.
Step 5. Adjust the release
As you are about to let go of the ball, make sure your palm is against the ball, facing up. Now, as the ball approaches your ankle, rotate the ball so that your hand is along the ankle when you release it side of the ball slightly below, like you would do a spiral throw with a football. Continue as if you were shaking hands with the pins.
One way to practice is to use a football and perform a spiral throw with your hand in a prone position (palm down), these two throws have very common laws of physics. You can also train with a tennis ball. If you do it correctly, the ball will go straight and then rotate sideways
Step 6. Accompaniment
Accompanying the ball with your arm is as important a movement as the release itself. It is important to accompany forward and not upwards. Your fingers will create an upward motion without having to lift the ball high.
An easy way to remember this is the old ESPN commercial: "Spin the ball, then answer the phone." But hoping you'll have a better technique than the guy in advertising. Also remember that fluidity is essential: do not shake your hand, do not take breaks and accompany the ball well. You have to perform everything as one smooth movement. Accompaniment is crucial to maintaining consistent and accurate ball speed
Step 7. Make the necessary changes
When you are able to perform a good release on a regular basis, you will need to learn to move your feet well in sync. Do this to adjust the trajectory.
- If you throw right and the ball goes high (to the left of the pins), try moving your feet to the left a couple of bars while maintaining the same aim.
- If, on the other hand, the ball proceeds to the right of pin 3, try moving your feet to the right a couple of strips while maintaining the same aim. It is important to move the target on the track as you move your feet. Otherwise you may end up throwing the ball in the wrong trajectory.
- As you become more experienced and play more difficult tracks, left and right movements will be very important and you will also need to make speed adjustments.
Part 2 of 2: Customizing The Bowling Ball
Step 1. Get the right equipment
Regardless of your techniques, if the ball doesn't friction on the court you won't get the desired results. Typically, you need a ball made of reactive resin (i.e. charged with particles or modern epoxy) that is also suitable for less dry tracks. You can find these types of balls relatively cheaply, however resin is more expensive than urethane and will be a better investment for your games. Check the track and the presence of oil on it.
- While you can use bowling balls at specific game centers, they are made of plastic (polyester) and will not have good friction, but they will generally do well as back-up balls because they still maintain a fairly straight trajectory.
- It is a good idea, regardless of the level of the players, to have a spare plastic ball and a resin ball to throw, as the plastic balls borrowed from the bowling center do not always fit well in your hand and do not push. fine pins.
Step 2. Use the appropriate grip
When you catch the ball with your hand you need to know how to hold it, know your point relative to the axis and how to arrange your fingers well. Grab the ball with your ring finger and middle finger using the hand you use to write and place your thumb completely inside the hole. There are 2 types of sockets:
- Conventional: the middle and ring fingers inside the holes up to the second knuckle (often commonly used).
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Fingertip grip: you use the same fingers by putting them into the holes up to the first knuckle (with this grip you will have greater acceleration and it is still easier to perform).
Nowadays, modern grips in the bowling community are called "Vacu-Grips" In these grips you have to expand and contract your fingers, it will serve in case you will be playing a lot. You will find that most experienced players play using a fingertip grip that allows you to pull your thumb out faster by guiding the ball forward for greater speed
Step 3. Make holes in the ball correctly
This is a personal preference and depends on how you play, so speak to a local specialist for advice. Holes in the ball are very important if not crucial, so make sure they are made correctly based on your style of play and your physical limits. Of course, it is important that the ball fits well in your hand, but if you buy a new one the shop technician should adapt it to your preferences for free.
Talk to the shop specialist about your preferences, he may recommend things you haven't even thought about. Maybe a fingertip grip? A higher or lower RP differential? (lower for a pearl or matte coating, higher for resin?) Or maybe a completely different ball or weight
Advice
- It will take some practice so don't give up if you don't succeed right away.
- When throwing the ball it is important not to force the shot. It must be a pendulum motion, allowing gravity to direct the launch. If you need faster or slower speed, hold the ball higher or lower before throwing it (high = faster, low = slower). Trust your ball, there is no need to force the train.
- Hire an instructor to help you and evaluate the best solution for you.
- Keep the ball close to your ankle when you release it. To make it adhere well it takes a game of leverage. The closer you hold the ball when letting go, the more you can keep your fingers under the ball. As the fingers rotate around the ball, they must "catch" the holes causing an upward force thus causing the ball to rotate.
- While firmer grips favor more power, these are more difficult to control especially if you are a beginner. Find a middle ground that suits you that doesn't compromise your balance. So you can gradually improve your grip and modify it according to the conditions of the track.
- It is important to learn by observing the most experienced players, such as the PBA pros or even the most talented you meet when you go to play. They will often give you advice if you show interest in their abilities.
- If the ball travels too fast it will not adhere well to the dry part of the track, thus losing the friction sought. If the ball does not have enough speed, it could make friction in advance thus moving towards an unwanted trajectory.
- Don't rotate your wrist as you let go of the ball. If you do this you will deflect the ball which could hit pin 5 or end up in the channel. Keep your hand under the ball and push with your fingers.
- Additionally, there is an outlet called Sarge Easter (Sergeant Easter). This grip is not very common and is more advanced. It is used to help more powerful players control the shot by increasing the movement of the axis, which helps to delay the friction of the ball. Also, to get a more advanced grip you can bring your little finger closer or even change the position of the index but obviously these are details not too suitable for beginners.
Warnings
- Track conditions also determine the type of friction. If you can't hit the 1 and 3 pins or step on the side used for the "Brooklyn" shot it could be the fault of the track conditions, so don't try to force the ball too hard at first, learn to adjust later. It is the most important thing about bowling.
- If you release the ball improperly, you could get hurt, so be careful not to force it. As in golf, less strength corresponds to a better result. It's more a question of knowing how to swing your arm while throwing than of force. If you overdo it, you could hurt your wrist, elbow, or shoulder.
- Be careful when trying these things first. If you can, use a lighter ball when first rehearsing to get used to the movement. It is a good idea to be in the company of an experienced player, to observe him and to get help from him.
- As in all sports, there is no manual that can replace an instructor.
