Coach’s Corner Tip

Let It Flow

If you want to create a consistent result in any sport, you need to use an athletic motion that is smooth and repeatable. This month I’d like to discuss how this applies to bowling. Let’s look at the what, why, when and how of creating a delivery that “flows” from start to finish. So what is a delivery that flows through the finish? Simply put, a bowler creates a motion that easily creates momentum toward the pins and that momentum creates and effective release of the ball with consistent
speed, direction and roll.

Why do you need to develop a delivery that creates flow? If you, as a bowler, add things to the swing that interfere with a smooth delivery (adding muscle, grabbing the ball on the downswing, etc.) you will have more trouble repeating shots and bowling high scores. If you create momentum and efficient motion in your swing you will develop more consistency and more power with less effort. You will be able to bowl higher games on more demanding lane conditions for a longer period of time.

When do you need to have your swing develop this motion? A swing with good flow starts in the stance, with good balance and a comfortable starting position. As you begin your swing, you will use the momentum of the bowling ball to create an efficient body motion. As the ball reaches the height of the back swing you want to make sure you don’t waste any effort starting the ball down. As the ball falls through the release point you want to have this flow continue, creating a fluid motion that continues well past the release point and ends when the bowling hand gets to about the height of the bowling shoulder. How do we accomplish this flow, this free momentum in the bowling swing? First, this starts in your stance, where you must create great balance in order for this to work. If you do not have great balance in your stance, you have no chance to create great balance at the release point. Keep the weight distributed across both feet, with the weight somewhere between the arches of your feet and the balls of your feet. Keep a slight bend in your knees and a slight forward tilt to your spine. Find a comfortable position that allows you
to hold the bowling ball and stay in great balance. 

There are a number of ways to initiate the swing. Use one that allows your body to begin moving forward as a single unit, rather than in parts. If you allow your body to move forward in one piece as you begin your swing, you will begin to create this flow even before your first step has ended. The ball moving forward (slightly) is a force moving forward. Just keep your body in balance until the end of the first step (of 4), and you are half-way home towards an excellent delivery.

At the end of the first step, the ball will start to descend into the downswing. As the ball drops into the swing and your second step begins, this motion creates forward momentum. The problem is that most bowlers manage to interfere with this natural creation of momentum. Your feet will begin to go faster at this point, so
let them! The ball moving backward naturally creates a forward momentum that you can use to create ball speed and “flow” going forward. Gravity can be your friend at this point, if you just let it! In short, let the ball fall into the swing and use that momentum to propel you forward.

At the top of the backswing, some of us like to carry the ball up just a little higher than we should (myself included). If the ball continues to move up as the slide step begins, you have your ball going in the opposite direction of your feet at a critical time in the swing! Let the ball start to drop down at the same time as you begin your slide, or slightly after, but keep the ball moving forward as the feet start to move into the slide, rather than back. This is a very key point where bowlers either maintain or lose momentum. 

As the ball drops down through the bottom of the swing, it is critical that you wait until the ball gets to the release window (where the ball is neither going up nor down) before adding any release momentum to the shot. Up until this point, it is all just about the position of your hand in the swing, rather than what you do with the ball at the release.

In the release, keep your hands somewhat soft and feed the ball into the lane. Even power players like Wes Malott feed the ball off their hand into the lane, creating a smooth transition that rolls well and stays in the intended direction.

Finally, the momentum from the downswing allows the arm to continue freely to about shoulder height. This momentum should be smooth and continuous through the release point. Gravity (for the most part) is creating a consistent momentum for you as you drop the ball down through and finally release the ball. Too many bowlers try to do too much at the release, which usually ends up occurring before the release.

Professionals create hand action only at the point of release, not before. There you have it – creating momentum (flow) in the swing that results in effective shots has several key points that, when put together, create a swing that flows in one continuous motion from start to finish. Try creating more of a continuous motion in your swing – it will help your scores!