JANUARY 2013 • $3.95 • www.bowlersjournal.com Posted with permission from Bowlers Journal International. 0113_BJI_COVER4.indd C1 12/17/12 3:16:21 PM Clinic Pro Tips And Ball Reviews THE PRO APPROACH BY BILL SPIGNER { [email protected] } The Moment of Truth Arrives THE MOMENT OF TRUTH in bowling is the release. The set-up (April have a huge infl uence on the release and the stability of the BJI), ball movement from the stance (July), walk (September) and swing body for the release. Upper (November) all lead up to that point. body forward tilt allows the ball to get beside the ankle The release and fi nish to the shoulder. This perpen- those who cup their wrist, at the bottom of the swing position, regardless of what dicular line to the fl oor would the arm will be slightly arc, and the side tilt creates happens up to that point, has go just inside the knee. This behind the knee when the space so the arm can swing to be solid and consistent. is the balance line, and this thumb is ready to come out. under the body, inside-out. All of the successful pros line should be maintained One’s upper body angles The forward tilts can be have a well-balanced founda- through the release and well tion from which to release the into the follow-through. ball, and the release and fi nish The next things to examine position has a lot of compo- are the legs. The sliding leg nents to it. The feet, legs and needs to have enough fl ex so upper body must be positioned the bottom of the ball is just correctly for the bowler to de- above the ankle, or lower, liver the right shot for his style. when the ball is at the bottom Let’s start with the feet. The of the swing arc, ready for sliding foot should be facing the thumb to exit. The slid- the bowler’s target line on ing leg’s kneecap should be the lane. Among most right- directly over the middle of handed tour players today, the sliding foot at this time. the toe of the foot is facing Meanwhile, the bowling- slightly right, and among most side leg needs to start clearing left-handers, it’s facing slightly out to make room for the left. Of course, when talking swing. The knee of that leg about tour players, the direc- moves to the outside of the tion their foot faces is very sliding leg, which helps lower dependent on the direction of the shoulder for side tilt to cre- their shot. If they are play- ate space for the swing. The toe ing straight down the lane, of that leg’s foot should stay in or shooting left-side spares, a contact (or very close) with the right-hander’s body will face fl oor as it moves out of the way. straighter ahead and the foot When the ball is at the also will face straighter. release zone, the bowling-side It’s also very important for arm should be perpendicular the foot to be directly under to the fl oor, from a side view. It doesn’t get much better than this, as Chris Barnes the non-bowling-side shoulder. It also should be parallel to exhibits the ideal release position: right leg cleared From a front or rear view of the leg, just before the thumb out and long, his bowling arm only as high as it needs the bowler, looking at a video, is ready to exit. For players to go, and his left arm with the thumb down and palm you should be able to draw a like Mika Koivuniemi, who facing back. straight line from the foot up have a lot of elbow bend, and Posted with permission from Bowlers Journal International. 48 January 2013 • BJI’s 100th Anniversary Celebration www.bowlersjournal.com PRO APPROACH 0113.indd 48 12/17/12 3:40:08 PM Clinic Pro Tips And Ball Reviews anywhere from 35 to 75 bowling-side shoulder low, to the sliding leg, critical balanced, posted position, and degrees, depending on the which helps to release the to maintaining balance. good things will happen. There cupping of the elbow and/ ball more parallel to the lane. As the weight transfers to are many top players that do or wrist. The more under the How much tilt? A good rule the sliding leg, the upper body this. Chris Barnes, Norm Duke, ball the bowler gets, the more of thumb is 40-45 degrees continues to move forward Mike Fagan, Carolyn Dorin- forward and side tilt is needed forward and about 35-40 a little. When this happens, Ballard and Missy Parkin all so there’s enough space under degrees of side; that’s a good the knee of the sliding leg have great fi nish positions. the body for the arm to swing middle ground from which moves forward, ending above There also are players who freely on an inside-out path. to work. Chris Barnes is 45 or slightly in front of the toe don’t fi nish in this well- Jason Belmonte is on the ex- forward and 40 side — a of the sliding leg’s foot. The balanced position. Walter treme end of tilts — almost 75 great model to emulate. bowling-side shoulder needs Ray Williams, for instance, degrees of forward and about Now that all systems are to stay low, retaining the side fi nishes on one leg. After he 50 degrees of side tilt. Players “go” for the release, it’s time tilt. You don’t want to raise the releases the ball, his bowling- with less cup and elbow bend to fi nish the shot, and your bowling shoulder during the side leg goes up in the air, use less forward and side tilt. legs provide the founda- release and follow-through. and he does not maintain In today’s game, you don’t tion. Think of it like a house; The follow-though should his balance line or his knee want to be “hitting up” on the without a good foundation, be toward the target, and the fl ex. But at the moment of ball; even straighter players a house can’t be built. upward fi nish of the arm truth, he is well balanced. have a good amount of tilt. Successfully fi nishing off and hand should be from the For most bowlers, how- Michael Haugen, one of the the shot starts with the trail momentum of the ball being ever, working on a solid, really good straighter players foot staying in contact with released — not from forcefully balanced fi nish position on tour, has about 50 degrees the fl oor. From a side view, lifting up from the shoulder. should be a priority. of forward tilt and 37 degrees the toe of the foot should end You want to maintain your of side tilt. His fi ngers are up facing down the lane, in legs in a posted fi nish until Bill Spigner is a USBC below the equator of the ball, contact with the fl oor. The heel the ball is well on its way, Hall of Fame member and so he needs the tilts to release behind it should be slightly while your follow-through can a Gold-level coach. Ar- the ball more forward out onto off the fl oor, and the leg fairly come right down after it has chived “Pro Approach” the lane, and not up and out. straight. This position allows completed its upward motion. columns can be viewed The side tilt keeps the the body weight to transfer Finish the shot off in a well- online at billspigner.com. Sean Rash is in an excellent position to start his release with the ball by his ankle, and his bowling arm perpendicular to the fl oor, parallel to the leg. From the rear, note how his sliding foot is facing in the direction that his ball will be traveling, and how it’s directly under his left shoulder — creating a perfect balance line. Posted with permission from Bowlers Journal International. 50 January 2013 • BJI’s 100th Anniversary Celebration www.bowlersjournal.com PRO APPROACH 0113.indd 50 12/17/12 3:40:09 PM.