QuestionI am having trouble walking straight to the foul line. This was observed by a friend of mine who also bowls and has a 200 average, what can I do to straighten up my approach?
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
John, I will share with you the following from a coaches perspective. When a bowler comes to me stating that they feel this or that will help them with their game, I say with all my heart, "let's give it a try!" If we figure it out and it adds to their repertoire cool. We incorporate the change and move on. One rule I use is: When you are trying to learn one thing, "sump'n else" is going to suffer!!! By that I mean, while we are trying to learn to walk straighter, it may impact your release, balance, revs, timing, or targeting because your mind is temporarily distracted. You may not score well while you are working on your change.
One crucial point about "walking straighter," - Are you wanting to walk straighter on an "angle" say like, to the 10 pin or 7 pin? Or are you just talking about walking straighter on the approach just to the foul line? For example, are you starting on the 20 board and ending up on the 19, 20, or 21 board in front of you.
If you are telling me you drift to the left or to the right when you deliver your ball on the approach, that is quite normal for bowlers. I have often found that a bowler will drift from the same starting point on the approach to almost the exact point of board drift everytime within 3 boards which is acceptable for bowlers. The amount of drift varies from 3 to 6 boards. The real problem may occur if you are falling off of your shot, or stumbling as you release your ball.
To help most bowlers when coaching, I carry two strips of blue cloth with me that are 3 inches wide by 3 feet long. I place the strips on angles to the 10 pin or the 7 pin. I also place the strips on an angle from the 20 board (Middle dot on the approach) to the 15 board (third arrow) or the 12/13 board (area between the 2nd and 3rd arrows). Keep in mind, the strips of cloth are spread far apart and only serve as a directional guide to the bowler's path to the target at the dots, arrows, range finders, or certain pins. They should never be placed close together as to cause you to step on one of them, slip and fall.
In summary John, walking straight to you target is a great benefit in bowling. It lends itself to a more consistent delivery. However, walking straight may mean walking straight up the boards as they lie on the lanes, or walking straight to your target. However, you may be walking on an angle, right to left, or left to right, similar to trying to pick up a corner pin on the opposite sides of the lanes. Using a make shift guidance tool, like two strips of a cloth, sheet, or bowling towels will point the direction that you should be walking to hit your targets. Thank you for your question, hopefully it may help others who struggle somewhat with walking straight to their targets. Take care John!
Coach Gary Oatis
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
