ffi Bill Spignet's Clinic

I I have made a lot ol changes in mY tendinitis. Do you have any suggestions game over the last lew years. My average for me? tendinitis or prob- has improved, but not to the extent I had Many pros have had to do is to hoped. lems similar to that. The best thing When you get The one thing that has remained con- follow your doctor's advice. stant is my inability to keep a straight ready to bowl again, use a lighter ball and splint is a elbow throughout my armswing' I have wear a bowling splint. A bowling your forearm to help been bending it lor so many years that I support that goes on Your doc- don't even notice the flaw until someone tighten and support your tendons. points it out. I've tried bowling with the tor might also be able to recommend some- ball down like and I've thing to wear. let yourself tried using elbow supports, but nothing At 16, it's worth the wait to gaining more knowledge about works. Do You have any suggestions? heal. Also, you care of your l'm willing to try anything. tendinitis might help take Bitl Spigner is in his 12th year on the PBA situation gets too se- The best advice I can give you about your problem before the tour. He holds three national PBA champi- PBAtitles' He bent elbow is to stop trying to fight it and rious. onships and seven regionat and operates Bill Spigner's Pro's learn how to use it. also owns going on the Corner in Notthbrook, lll. People used to be taught that they had to I I have asPirations of worked hard to de- have a locked elbow from the beginning of PBA tour and I've velop a solid game. When I cuP the pushaway until the followthrough. Per- Power have already during mY release, mY hand your first step, the ball should sonally, I don't believe your elbow has to be my wrist the not allow- iraveled about one-half the distance to As a matter of fact, I think a slight breaks from side to side, thus skaight. top of your swing. (The swing starts when control ing my fingers to be in line with my fore- bend in your elbow can enhance the ball at the comple- getting the litt I the left hand leaves and hand used correctly' arm. I don't think I'm action-if tion of the pushaway.) Upon the completion pros who bend their need. How do I correct this problem? ls There are many top your second step, the ball should have there any special wrist exercise or wrist of elbow during their swing-Mark Baker, Joe your ln your last help? reached the top of swing' Hutchinson, Pete Couture, and Earl An- device that would for your wrist, you step, the ball should be coming forward thony are just a few of the stars who have lf you want to strengthen or the release so your foot and ball get to the successfully over the can do wrist curls with dumbbells used a bent elbow foul line at about the same time. great and squeeze a small ball. past 10 years. Another all-time The biggest problem with a three-step lf you are considering using a wristband, Hall-of-Famer, Don Carter, was known for is that everything happens too get that will add stability to only approach his bent-elbow stYle. something the ball diffi- want to get used to fast, and it makes controlling But the best example I like to use of the your wrist. You don't fourth you cult. I think you should try adding a is . Most peo- using one of the more exotic devices if bent-elbow style step to your approach. You should also work nottrue' are considering bowling for a living. Some ple say his arm is siraight, butthats on balance and keeping your shoulders about two feet are too restrictive and lessen your chances His elbow starts bending level. of his swing, and he bends of developing different releases-some- from the bottom As far as ending up on the wrong foot, the get his fingers farther under the thing very necessary to be successful on it to help first tournament in PBA history was won by his elbow, he turns his the PBA tour. ball" After he bends Wrong Foot Lou Campi. He had great suc- Also, stop trying to cup the ball so much' hand to the side of the ball to get his fingers wrong foot. with a cupped wrist' cess ending uP on the well under the ball just before he releases it' Not every pro bowls straight- Every style has a chance on the PBA tour- As he releases the ball, his elbow I Should a bowler who is iust starting straightening out provided you're good enough at what you ens out. With his elbow out use finger griPs? gets do. and his fingers low on the ball, Weber I am fitting people for their first good look at your game and eval- When tremendous lift with very little force' Thus' Take a ask if you fingertip bowling ball, I usually will not of a uate it. Then watch the pros to see what Weber uses a bent elbow instead linger grips' But if they ask, I will working on. Videotaping they want cupped wrist to get his powerful ball' should consider been you explain what they do. lf the bowler has people wony so much about a and a good coach are also necessary if I've seen rolling a fingertip and is purchasing a new elbow that they iotally have prof essional aspirations. slight bend in their ball, iwill iind out if the person has tried or they forget about the rest of their game. As grips. Of the people I drill for seven years and considered trying try to sraighten out their arm, they totally I l've been bowling putiinger grips until two fingertip balls for, about 60% over what they're doing. You was happy with my progress up lose control in them. natural as possible when years ago. My average is 165, but I can't should be as As far as a new bowler using finger grips, your me- seem to increase it. bowling, but understand what up to the individual' Finger polio when lwas small, so lcan't it should be left chanics are and how to improve them. I had aid used when I roll the grips are the most popular bowling Learn to use that bentelbow and then you finish up on my left leg and take three today. can start working on other areas of your ball. I am right-handed get my timing game. steps, but I can't seem to right. I can't figure out where my ball Bitt Spigner welcomes questions from ol as posst- I I am a 16-Year-old bowler, and I've should be during the different stages readers and will answer as rnany Mail your questions to: started having trouble with my bowling my approach. ble in this column' your Bowting Digest, 990 Grove arm. A doctor told me I should stop ln the three-step approach, timing Bitl Spigner, Street. Evanston, lL 60201' bowling for six weeks because I have should be as follows: At the completion ot

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