Improve Your Finish Position
This is a drill frequently used by instructors during lessons, but one that you may not be aware of – the one-step drill. If you practice this drill at the beginning of your practice sessions or at home it will help your swing.
One Step Drill
To begin the one-step drill, take your ball and stand about 3 feet (or 1 1/2 steps) from the foul line. On Brunswick approaches there is a line from the end of the last approach panel that is about the right distance away from the foul line. The first thing that most people don’t realize is how much space you really need to complete the last step of your approach. You can set up with either the left or the right foot forward, depending upon your comfort level. For a right-handed bowler, most people will start with the right foot slightly farther forward from the right foot.
Swing and Slide Drill
Pick a location on the lane (left-to-right) that will allow you to comfortably swing the ball without worrying about the ball going in the channel, etc. Pick a medium hook ball that will not create an excessive amount of hook for the lane condition on which you are practicing, or just use your plastic ball. My favorite version of the one-step drill is the swing and slide drill used by the staff at Kegel. If you can and you like this version, I highly recommend you watch the video and use this drill.
Other Variations
Another variation on the one-step drill is to set up in a version of your starting position, using your knees as springs (slightly bent) and your spine tilted slightly forward. Hold the ball with the weight distributed onto both hands, and get yourself in the best balance position possible. Once you are in a good, balance position, swing the ball, dropping the ball into the swing and letting it travel to the top of your backswing. When the ball reaches the top of the backswing, start to let your slide foot (left foot for a right-hander) slide forward. Let the weight of the ball drop your arm to the bottom of the swing, and let your hand follow the ball to the target. Let your hand extend through to shoulder height (this should be natural) and point your middle finger to your breakpoint (the farthest point right of the ball path).
Get a Better Feel for Finish Position
What you will develop during this drill is a better sense for your body position at the foul line. As you get better at it, you will start getting better and better balance at the end of the swing. Work on “posting” your shot – maintain great balance at the finish. When you learn to let the ball drop through the bottom of the swing, post your shot and have great balance, you can translate that feel into your full swing. The key is to learn to work with the weight of the ball, letting the slide step move forward in harmony with the weight of the ball. Also note that it is very important to keep your hips moving forward with your shoulders during this drill and at any time in the last step (the slide step) of the approach.
Get a More Free, Fluid Downswing
The other key thing to get out of this drill is getting the feeling of letting the ball drop straight down from the top of the backswing to the release point. See how well you can let the ball drop and set the direction of the ball going in the same direction as your shoulders. After some practice, you will start to get some length on the ball down the lane and gain more consistency in the direction of the ball. Again, this will transfer to and improve your overall swing.
Learn to Slide
For some people who tend to plant rather than slide, this drill can help you learn how to slide. The key to using the drill in this manner is to make sure that you pick up the heel of your slide foot, but keep the ball of your slide foot on the approach. Slide the foot in front of the other foot to get your body over the slide leg, and you will start to feel more balance and leverage.
I like to take this drill in the following order: take 5 one-step shots followed by a full swing, repeating the cycle 2-4 times, or simply do 10-20 reps of this drill at the beginning of your practice session.Once you practice this drill a few times you see the results in your game, and you will start to like it!