Only Practice Can Help You Perfect a Bowling Style

Bowling is a game that involves a combination of coordination and athletic ability, and successfully rolling a bowling ball down the lane and hitting the right spot can be a difficult thing to do for the beginner. The bowling style, or the manner in which one rolls the ball, can vary among bowlers as each person develops a style that feels comfortable. There are no set rules in the game of bowling as to how one starts the ball rolling down the lane, so people have developed a number of different ways to accomplish this.

Usually the first method of rolling the ball that people learn as a child is to roll the ball between their legs. Small children everywhere use this technique as a way to start learning the game of ten-pin, as the balls are way too heavy for them to use the typical one-handed throwing motion. To use this technique, one grasps the ball with both hands and stands with his legs apart in front of the foul line.

Bending over, the bowler puts the ball back and between his legs, and then pushes it forward toward the pins. Bowling in this manner will not produce a very high score, as it is difficult to generate enough power to roll strikes on a consistent basis, but this is a good technique for a child who is just starting out.

Once children are strong enough, they can start rolling the ball using a more conventional technique, which involves rolling the ball with one hand. To use this bowling style, one grasps the ball using the finger holes by inserting the middle and ring fingers in two of the holes and the thumb in the other. First holding the ball in front of his body and standing well behind the foul line, the bowler takes a few steps while lowering the ball with one hand down and behind his body to gain momentum for the throw. Being careful not to step over the foul line, the bowler then brings the ball forward beside his body and rolls it down the lane toward the pins. It takes a lot of practice to perfect this technique since it involves a great deal of timing to coordinate one’s arm movements with the steps.

When watching professional bowlers on television one notices that they usually curve the ball down the lane, especially on their first shot. This technique is known as a “hook”, and is a way for the more advanced bowler to hit the pins at an angle, which is more likely to produce a strike. By flicking his wrist, one can induce spin on the ball to cause it to change direction halfway down the lane. Most bowlers spin the ball toward their non-throwing hand, so right-handed bowlers would spin the ball to the left, but some flick their wrists in the opposite direction to spin the ball back in the opposite direction.

While there is no right way to roll the ball down the lane, some bowling styles tend to produce higher scores than others. It is only through lots of practice that bowlers can perfect their chosen technique and get the maximum amount of success and enjoyment out of the game.

Read more...