Consistent Swing Direction is Key to Higher Scores
There are four factors that govern how a ball gets from your hand to the pins. The direction in which you send the ball is the biggest factor, along with the speed at which the ball gets off your hand. The last two factors are how much rotation you apply to the ball (how many revolutions) and how your release the ball off your hand (axis rotation and tilt). If these four factors are consistent the only thing that changes is the oil on the lane surface, which then becomes easy to read. If only it were that easy, we’d all be on tour. While I can’t help you become a tour player tomorrow I can give your some hints that will help you gain consistency in these areas. We will begin by talking about direction and speed.
Note: many references in this tip are oriented to right-handed bowlers.
Direction in Your Stance
How do you control the direction of the ball? If you pick up the ball, set up and just roll the ball down the lane without any regard to a target there is no thought about direction. This is because you haven’t done anything ON PURPOSE to tell the ball which way to go. If you now look at a target at the arrows, you are beginning to establish a direction to the ball – you will instinctively want to send the ball in the direction of that target.
Draw a line in your mind down your intended target line, then extend that straight line all the way to the pins align. When you setup, align the middle of your ball slide foot to that target line. If that target line is straight up the boards, your ball side foot is only slightly farther back than you slide foot. This should allow your ball side hip to also be pointing down that same line of play (LOP). Your ball side shoulder should also point down that line in your stance. The line from the inside of your ball side elbow through the middle of your throwing hand should also be pointed down that line. If all of this is pointing down your intended target line, your chances of success are already much better. In summary, make sure that everything on the ball side of your body is aligned to your intended line of play (LOP)!
The drill to practice improving your direction in your stance is to set your body up, then adjust your alignment so that your ball side foot, hip, elbow through the hand, and shoulder are all directed down a line to a FAR target that sets the direction for the LOP, then look at your NEAR target (the arrows) before beginning your swing. You can use a full-length mirror to check to see if your stance is good. However, there is more that you will want to add to ensure you have great direction control.
Direction in Your Start
If you walk in a straight line down the boards, the arm must swing to your right (for a right hander). However, if you walk TO THE LEFT, you will create a swing slot for the ball and the ball can swing IN A STRAIGHT LINE. If the ball swings in a straight line, using mostly gravity to propel the ball back and then forward, you can easily improve the direction of the ball shot after shot. The ball will replace your ball side leg as the ball goes into the backswing.
The drill to improve your ability to walk around the ball and create a swing slot is this – on your first step (of the last four) make your right foot step directly in front of your left foot, as if you were walking a tightrope. This movement of your right foot creates a slot into which the ball will fall, which is how the ball replaces your ball side leg. As a side note, I recommend taking five steps, where the first step is taken with your slide foot and creates a little momentum going into the ball start.
The third part of creating consistent direction is to start the ball in motion on the first step DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF YOUR SHOULDER. If your shoulder is lined up to your intended ball path, what better way is there to start the ball on line? The crossover step takes care of the rest, and after the first step you will simply (and literally) DROP the ball into your swing path under the shoulder.
If this sounds complicated, it’s really not hard to develop. The alignment techniques should be part of your pre-shot routine on each and every shot. Once you achieve consistent body alignment the hardest part is learning the crossover step. You can improve the speed at which you learn this by alternately taking the first step with the ball by LOOKING at your right foot, then FEELING that position on the next attempt. Repeat this process many times WITHOUT THROWING A SHOT to get the feel. Every 6-10 steps, take a shot. In this way, you will learn this movement faster and save money on practice!
Direction Starting the Swing
Letting the ball fall into the swing is the beginning of developing consistent direction (and speed) control. If you start the ball on line and use a large dose of gravity to swing the ball back and then forward you have a much better chance of improving your speed control. If a rock tied to a string is dropped from a given height, the rock will always swing back the same distance, then swing forward in a consistent direction and at a consistent speed.
The drill to create consistent speed control is to allow the ball to fall into the swing then allow the ball to swing your arm and gently pull you forward in a smooth, natural motion. The force of the ball dominates what happens in your swing. You can either fight the weight of the ball and try to control gravity or simply work with that force to create a smooth, repeatable swing.
The key is to keep the ball start motion directly in front of your ball side shoulder with a crossover step on the ball start.
Direction in the Downswing
The final part of direction control is to create a consistent downswing. At the top of the backswing, your body is coiled, but it should still be on the LOP, with the ball directly behind your head at this point. From this position it is very tempting to want to add force to the downswing to “get something” on the ball. This is the point at which most people “grab” the ball, which slows the ball down and pulls it off-line.
So, the final drill for this month is to get to the top of the backswing, then WAIT for gravity to feed the ball down to the release point. At first the downswing will feel very slow – your body will adapt to this sensation and it will begin to feel normal. Finally, the ball will replace your ball side leg on the downswing. Do one step drills to focus on letting the arm swing replace your ball side leg on the downswing.
Practicing and Improving Direction
Take each of these items, one at a time, for 15 minutes each. Finally, take about 15 minutes at the end of your practice and “just bowl” to allow everything to start to come together. This practice, done for about 3-4 weeks, will pay off in your ability to repeat the intended direction of the ball down your target line.