Keep the first step short

A short first step in your approach will allow you to maintain good balance. Each successive step will be slightly longer to build momentum to the finish position.

In a four-step approach, your ball-side foot steps forward as your arm with the ball moves out in a rounded motion. At the end of the first step, the ball should be about 4 to 6 inches in front of the ball-side foot ready to fall into the back swing. In a five-step approach, your short first step is with your non-ball-side foot. Your second step with your ball-side foot then imitates the four-step approach example above.

Starting a relaxed swing

Using too much muscle will pull your swing off line and make it difficult to be consistent. In addition, using muscle causes your swing to feel restricted, which actually slows it down.

A relaxed swing starts in the stance by keeping your grip relaxed. To develop this feel, try this drill from the USBC Athlete Development Drills package.

1. Get into a comfortable stance position holding the ball about waist high. Move your ball-side foot back more than usual to have additional balance.
2. Squeeze the ball as hard as possible and hold it for seven to ten seconds. You should feel the tension in your hand, arm and shoulder.
3. Relax your grip and feel the difference

When ready to bowl, make sure your arm and hand are relaxed before you start your approach.

Aim your push away at your lane target

As you start the ball moving in your approach, make sure that the ball moves in a straight line toward your target on the lane. This will help prevent your swing from going off line. Let the rest of your swing be relaxed and keep it in a straight line toward your target.

Ball Height in the Stance

The height of the ball in the stance is used to match the arm swing to the tempo of your steps. You may have heard coaches use the phrases "slow down" or "speed up" your feet during the approach. USBC Coaching recommends that you adjust your swing to match your natural tempo.

If you have a fast tempo, you do not have the time for a long swing. Hold the ball low (between your thigh and waist) to shorten the time of the swing to match. If you have a slow tempo, hold the ball above your waist to lengthen the time the ball swings. Most people end up holding the ball about waist high.

The line in your mind

In bowling, visualization and positive imagery are powerful mental game techniques. These concepts program the mind and set the tone for your next delivery. This technique is called the "line in your mind."

Imagine your ball path as a line drawn on the lane surface. In your stance, visualize a line beginning at the foul line (your release point) extending though your target on the lane and then into the pocket. Picture that line, relax and roll the ball down that path. To make this stand out in your mind, make that line your favorite color.

Getting lined up

Getting lined up and staying lined up are two different tasks. Getting lined up refers to finding the initial combination of starting position, target, release and ball selection to maximize your scoring potential. Staying lined up refers to adjustments you can make as lane conditions change during a session.

Getting lined up can be a challenging process. Each session, no matter how routine, must be approached with an open mind and a curiosity about the lane condition. Do not limit yourself by determining where you are going to stand and aim, then use equipment to "fine tune." Sometimes the best option is to play a different part of the lane than you normally use.

Begin practice by rolling your favorite ball on your favorite part of the lane. Watch the ball reaction carefully to see where it begins to curve and how much. Using this "benchmark" will help you determine what changes, if any, are needed. Also watch where other people are playing with success. Is it an inside or outside line? Especially watch people using a similar style to your own.

If the lanes are oily, plan to use a straighter line to the pocket. Trying to force the ball to curve more will lead to accuracy problems. If the lanes are hooking, you may need to use a softer release or less aggressive equipment. Sometimes moving to a different part of the lane will help you find the amount of oil that will be a better match to the ball selection and release you prefer. Generally the outside of the lane will be drier and the inside will have more oil.

The Golden Rule of bowling: Move in the direction of the miss

Making adjustments is part of bowling. Knowing this and being prepared to make changes often will give you an edge on the competition.

The bowlers Golden Rule is to move in the direction of the miss, while keeping the same target on the lane. The concept of this adjustment is based on the use of a pivot, with the pivot being the target on the lane. If the ball misses to the left of the intended pin(s), move left on the approach. If the ball misses to the right of the intended pin(s), move right on the approach.

Bowlers often will need to make this adjustment several times during a match. To do so, a bowler must be aware of his or her starting point on the approach and how the ball was released.

Find your starting position and target

It takes time to learn how your starting position on the approach and the location of your target on the lane affects how your ball will hit the pins. You may feel like you and your ball are all over the place, but once you determine the proper combination of foot placement and ball targets, your game will greatly improve.

First, determine where you should stand on the approach to begin your delivery (see Fig. 1). Place your heels on the foul line, facing away from the pins. If you have a four-step approach, take four-and-one-half brisk walking steps and turn around. This is your starting position. If you use a five-step approach, add one step to find your staring position.

Use the dots on the approach to help you position your feet in the correct place from right to left and the arrows on the lanes as targets at which to aim (see Fig. 2).

For most beginning bowlers, USBC Coaching recommends standing on board No. 20 in the middle of the approach. Right-handers should line up on that board using the inside of the left shoe and left-handers the inside edge of the right shoe.

Use the second arrow from the channel as your target. This arrow gives your ball a good angle into the pocket at the pins and provides some margin of error to the right and left of the channel.

Keep the ball out of the channel

To keep your ball on the lanes and away from the channels, you need to know two things to make adjustments: 1) exactly where you stood on the approach and 2) your target on the lane.

USBC Coaching recommends the second arrow for most bowlers. Remember that the arrows are counted from the channel in (right-side channel if you are right-handed, left-side channel if you are left-handed). The arrow in the middle of the lane is the fourth arrow.

To avoid throwing into the channel, keep your shoulder straight during the stance, approach and delivery. Start your stance with the ball at a comfortable height in front of the ball-side shoulder and not in front of your body. A person standing directly behind your shoulder should see just a bit of the ball. Your forearm should point like an arrow to your target.

As you take your approach, keep your shoulder steady and be careful to not let it turn or move forward or backward. Imagine you are keeping your ball in a track during your swing.

Make a mental checklist for the approach

It's natural to get nervous while bowling especially during league and tournament competition. Unfortunately, being nervous can cause your muscles to tighten, making it difficult to bowl well. Your bowling will be better if both your muscles and mind are relaxed.

Try this trick to get a grip on nerves: As you settle into your stance on the approach, concentrate on a mental checklist of all the components of your approach and delivery. This will help you focus on what you need to do to get the scores rather than on the score itself.

Your checklist can include the following:

• Position your feet on the proper boards for the shot.
• Visualize and then get into the correct stance.
• Choose and focus on a lane target.
• Take a deep breath, exhale and roll the ball through your target.

Get new shoes to slide

Slide soles on bowling shoes do not come ready to slide from the factory. They must be broken in either by use or other preparation.

Using a soft wire brush, lightly brush the shoe from the toes back in the direction of the slide. Brushing side to side will make the sole rough and not smooth for sliding and brushing too firmly will destroy the slide sole altogether. If you do not have a wire brush, rub the sole against the edge of a door or wall.

If you use powder, use one that is specifically designed to make the sole slide. Powder hand conditioners or rosins can have the opposite effect. Use powder sparingly and knock off any loose powder before bowling as it can cause a hazard for other bowlers who may step in it. Powder on the approach is also technically illegal as it is considered defacing the approach.

Checklist for the new season

Before the beginning of league play, make sure to check to see that your equipment is still up to par. Keep these things in mind as you do:

• Check your grip. Our hands sometimes change enough that we must adjust the fit of the bowling ball. If you have to worry about getting your hand in the ball or holding onto it, you cannot bowl your best.
• Replace your finger inserts. If you use inserts, get them changed. They wear out and get brittle over time.
• Clean the ball with rubbing alcohol or a cleaner designed for bowling balls. If you polish your ball, this is a good time for that, as well.
• Get your ball resurfaced. If your ball is scratched or dinged up, a resurfacing will make the ball perform a bit better and it will look much better sitting on the ball return.
• Don't forget your towel. If you adhere to the superstition of not washing your bowling towel during the season, then wash it now! Hand wash your towel with a dishwashing detergent that fights grease, then throw the towel in with the rest of your laundry.
• Check the soles and insides of your shoes.
• And one more thing: Do yourself a favor and practice a few games before the season. Your teammates will appreciate it!

Hit the mark with a straight arm swing

The most common cause of a poor shot is a poor arm swing. You should have a straight swing that stays in line with the target on the lane throughout your delivery.

In the starting stance, position the ball to your side—not in front of your body. Part of the ball should be visible to someone standing behind your shoulder.

On the forward swing, your forearm should point to your target like an arrow. As the ball is pushed out, the ball should be in a groove or track that is in line with your body and target. Pushing the ball away from or pulling it in toward your body can cause the ball to swing in the opposite direction and off the target.

Handshake position key to throwing a curve

The easiest way to learn to roll a hook is to set your hand in a handshake position. Right-handers should turn their bowling hand slightly so that the thumb points toward the 11 o'clock position on a clock face. A left-hander should turn his or her bowling hand so that the thumb points toward the 1 o'clock position.

The hand should remain in this position through the entire approach and release. In the finish position, it will look like you are shaking hands with your target.

Because the thumb will release first, the fingers will put a bit of side rotation on the ball and make it curve.

Improve with a positive mental attitude

Having a positive mental attitude is the first step toward bowling well, especially at a center where you haven't fared well in the past. You should never think, I don't bowl well at this center, because that can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy: You think you will bowl poorly and you will bowl poorly.

Instead of dwelling on past experiences, call to mind all the skills and techniques it will take to bowl well this time, then use them. You'll be surprised at the results of having a positive mental attitude and it will probably rub off on your teammates or doubles partner, too.

Use the key pin to make spares

A good spare shooter must have a plan before each shot. With the 3-6-9 system—great for those who roll the ball straight or with a slight curve—the bowler moves left or right on the lane depending on which pins are still standing after the first ball. The target on the lane stays the same as for the strike ball and the ball is rolled across the lane at the spare.

For this system to work, you must know which board you stood on for the strike shot and be able to identify and hit the key pin—either the only standing pin or the pin with the lowest number among all the pins left standing.

After identifying the key pin, determine which zone that pin stands in, as shown in Figure 1. Then move three boards for each zone that pin is away from the head pin. For example, the 2- and 8-pins are one zone away from the head pin. If either of those pins is standing after the first ball, move three boards to the right and roll across the lane. If the 10-pin is left standing, for instance, the bowler moves nine boards to the left since the 10-pin is three zones to the right of the head pin. The chart in Figure 2 shows you how many boards to move depending on the key pin.

The following practice routine can help prepare you for the various lines that you may need to use. Start by using the first arrow as a target. Find the proper starting point to stand so that you hit the first arrow and get the ball to roll into the pocket. Once you've determined your proper starting position, roll that shot several times. Then move to the second, third and fourth arrows and repeat the process.

Watch others to learn what works

Arrive for your tournament squad earlier than needed. Not only will the check-in lines be shorter, but you can watch how others are playing the lanes. Pick someone who has a similar style to yours and watch the way they play the lane. What kind of line is he or she playing? Is it working? Use your observations to assess your strategy for the tournament.

Picking Up Corner Pins and other Single Pin Spares

While it may sound easy, sometimes single pin spares can be tricky. Some tournaments that have traced spares find that as much as 50% of spares are missed! The key to single pin spares is to be accurate. A straight ball is more accurate than a curve release.

If you use a big curve, get a plastic ball and/or learn to release the ball straight. With the straight ball, the ball reaction does not depend on lane conditions. Straight on a dry lane and straight on an oily one look the same. Master the straight ball and you won't have to go hunting for where to stand and aim when you are facing a different lane condition.

In the basic spare shooting tip, a basic 3-6-9 system is described for rolling a straight ball. If you generally roll a curve ball at strikes, you can still use this system by finding out during your practice where you need to stand and aim in order to get your straight ball into the pocket. Once you know this, the chart in the other tip will work well. You may also use this chart as a guideline in developing your own system if necessary.

Make sure you use a couple of shots during your practice play to work on your spare line. One effective strategy is to roll at the corner pins on your first shot and then try for the pocket on your second ball.

Eliminating corner pins

You just rolled a great shot that hooked into the pocket, but you left a corner pin standing. Sometimes what may have appeared to be a perfect shot didn't hit quite so perfectly. Let's take a look at why this happens and what we can do about it.

The most common leave for a right-hander is the 10 pin. On a perfect strike hit, the ball hits the 1-3 pocket before continuing through and hitting the 5 and 9 pins. The 3 pin is driven into the 6 pin and the 6 pin in turn hits the 10 pin as shown in Figure 1. If the 10 pin stands, you need to find out where the 6 pin went. Did it get driven straight back to where the 9 pin stands? This would be a high shot. Did the 6 pin go to the side wall as in Figure 2? This indicates a light shot.

The scenario is the same but on the opposite side for a left-hander who leaves a 7 pin standing. The direction of the 4 pin (like the 6 pin for a right-hander) is the key to finding out why the hit wasn't perfect.

Understanding the reaction of the pins can help solve the mystery of most spare combinations.

Tournament prep checklist

When tournament time rolls around and you need to be prepared to be your best there are many areas that any bowler can evaluate. From the pro shop to practice on the lanes, bowlers who often do well at tournament time do the things necessary to be pre-tournament ready. Here is a short list of things to consider before bowling a tournament.

Equipment

• Fit
• Choices
• Surfaces

Physical Game

• Repeatability
• Versatility
• Energy level - fuel
• Spares

Mental Game

• Pre-shot Routine
• Concentration

Use a straighter second release for difficult lane conditions

Varying lane conditions can make it tricky to find the right line. Rolling a straight second ball will help you on both oily and dry lanes. A lot of oil on the lanes will cause the ball to roll straighter no matter how you throw it. Dry lanes can make the ball hook too much.

Throwing a straight ball increases the forward rotation on the ball and reduces the side roll, which decreases the tendency of the ball to hook.

Try these techniques to throw a straighter ball:

• Point your forearm at your target line through the back and forward swings and release.
• Point your ring finger at your lane target at the point of release.

These tips will help keep your hand behind the ball instead of on the side at the release point.

Make angular and parallel adjustments

Lane conditions change as bowling balls repeatedly travel down the lane. With each shot, the ball absorbs some of the oil and moves oil further down on the lane. Changes in the oil distribution will affect ball path and reaction.

As lane conditions change, there are two types of adjustments you can make to keep your ball in the pocket: angular moves and parallel moves.

Angular adjustments, as illustrated in Figure 1, are the most common moves bowlers use to adapt to changing lane conditions. For example, you may start your league session standing on board No. 20 and aiming at the second arrow (which is on board No. 10). As the lanes start to hook more, you might move your starting position one board inside but keep your target the same, on the second arrow (or board 10). This is a slight angular adjustment.

The 2-to-1 guideline for making angular adjustments means that for every two boards you move with your feet, you move your target one board in the same direction. Using the starting point example above, a 2-to-1 adjustment would have you stand on board 22 and aim at board No. 11. Moving even more, by the end of the league session you may end up standing on board 26 and aiming at board 13.

Practice this by rolling a shot to hit the pocket. Then make a 2-to-1 adjustment. Watch the ball reaction – it will probably be very light in the pocket. Make another 2-to-1 adjustment and it should miss the pocket completely. The goal of this practice is to focus on standing where you need to stand and hitting the target you intend. When lane conditions demand this versatility, you will have the skill to adapt.

Parallel adjustments, as shown in Figure 2, are made when both your target on the lane and your starting position foot placement move the same amount and in the same direction. If you move right two boards with your feet, move right two boards with your target as well. If you move left with your feet, move left with your target.

Adjust your target backward and forward

At your skill level, you have a good handle on starting position, lay down point and using the arrows as targets. You can fine tune the shape of your ball path by using different targets to accomplish different goals.

For example, if you want the ball to rev up earlier, you may want to aim closer to the foul line in front of the arrows. If you want the bowling ball to rev up later, choose a target farther down the lane which will get you to extend through the shot and delay the ball's roll to some degree.

Develop a line in your mind and play "connect the dots" by picking a spot at the arrows as well as a spot farther down the lane (i.e. a dark board or lane marking) and rolling the ball over both reference points.

You may get frustrated when you think you hit your target and the ball didn't hit the pocket. Before the next shot, you will have to determine:

• Did you roll the ball faster or slower?
• Did you rev it up more or less?
• Did you roll the ball over the target on the same angle as before when you struck?
• Are the lanes changing?

Don't forget the spare

The spare shot is just as important as the strike shot. Too many bowlers take the spare for granted and make a poor shot. Roll your spare shot with confidence and do not lose focus.

Beginning and intermediate bowlers should use their strike ball release at all spares to ensure consistency. With multi-pin spares, the ball needs some entry angle to keep from deflecting away from the back pin in the grouping. When shooting at any spare, the ball must hit the front pin.

When practicing, shoot all your spares to simulate league or tournament competition. To keep your focus sharp, use visualization and see the line you want the ball to take to make the spare. Draw an imaginary line from your bowling arm to the pin you want to hit. If you are rolling a straight ball, this will allow you to visualize the path the ball needs to take to make the spare.

Charting your strike percentage and spare percentage will allow you to identify areas to practice on.

Keep your arm swing in the groove

Arm swing direction is important because it allows you to hit your target consistently and project the ball to your break point. Professionals and top amateurs keep their arm swing in what is known as the pro groove.

USBC Coaching advocates keeping the swing in line with the shoulder joint of your bowling arm, varying left or right by at most only four inches.

Top players will consistently keep the ball in the groove. They may tuck their arm swing in slightly when coming forward from their backswing. This allows them to have stronger leverage and hand position at the point of release.

There are three phases of ball reaction; skid, hook and roll. The ball skids through the heavier oil at the front (heads) part of the lane. As the ball finds more friction, it begins to hook. Once the ball has finished changing direction, it begins to roll toward the pins.

Commit to the spare

Visualization is very important at higher skill levels. When it comes to spares, being able to visualize the path the ball should take down the lane can help you stay focused.

Commit to the spare and trust your fundamentals and execution to make the spare. Elite players plan to make the spare instead of assuming they will miss it.

Whether you choose to roll a straight or hook ball, many players make the mistake of trying to roll the ball too fast, losing their fundamental skills in the process.

Most top amateurs and professionals use a spare ball and roll the ball straight at spares because a straight ball takes the lane conditions out of play. The straight ball takes the guesswork out of the equation.

Compensate for long oil patterns

If your ball is not getting to the pocket, it may be because the lane oil pattern is long. Try these tips to compensate for a long oil pattern:

• Decrease your ball speed.
• Reduce your angle to help get the ball to the pocket.
• Change your hand position to get the ball into an earlier roll.
• Switch to a ball that has more surface and will hook sooner.

Develop your mental game

As a top player, you are probably an active tournament participant and most of your competitors have great physical games.

Having a great mental game, too, will give you an edge over the competition.

Top athletes are able to keep their minds free of distractions. Being able to find an inner sanctuary allows you to make smart decisions during the heat of competition.

Targeting for higher averages

There are no hard and fast rules for setting targets for high level bowling—only options that best fit each bowler. Players need to define and develop their own targeting strategy.

Many times, a big-hook bowler can't tell you which arrow he or she is using until after giving it some thought. Bowling basics tell us to always aim at a target. Shouldn't an advanced bowler be doing that? Not always. Using targets may sometimes take the high-average bowlers out of their comfort zones.

Some high-level players may use a target to get the ball to the break point on the lane, while others will use one or more reference points based on where they are playing the lanes.

High-level players experiment when practicing to find out what works best for them. They will practice using targets and then switch to using just an area. When the lanes are conducive to scoring they may just target an area on the lane. When bowling on a USBC Sport Bowling condition such as at the USBC Masters where accuracy becomes a premium, players will use targets since hitting the pocket and leaving easier spares is very important.

Keep the first step short

A short first step in your approach will allow you to maintain good balance. Each successive step will be slightly longer to build momentum to the finish position.

In a four-step approach, your ball-side foot steps forward as your arm with the ball moves out in a rounded motion. At the end of the first step, the ball should be about 4 to 6 inches in front of the ball-side foot ready to fall into the back swing. In a five-step approach, your short first step is with your non-ball-side foot. Your second step with your ball-side foot then imitates the four-step approach example above.

Starting a relaxed swing

Using too much muscle will pull your swing off line and make it difficult to be consistent. In addition, using muscle causes your swing to feel restricted, which actually slows it down.

A relaxed swing starts in the stance by keeping your grip relaxed. To develop this feel, try this drill from the USBC Athlete Development Drills package.

1. Get into a comfortable stance position holding the ball about waist high. Move your ball-side foot back more than usual to have additional balance.
2. Squeeze the ball as hard as possible and hold it for seven to ten seconds. You should feel the tension in your hand, arm and shoulder.
3. Relax your grip and feel the difference

When ready to bowl, make sure your arm and hand are relaxed before you start your approach.

Aim your push away at your lane target

As you start the ball moving in your approach, make sure that the ball moves in a straight line toward your target on the lane. This will help prevent your swing from going off line. Let the rest of your swing be relaxed and keep it in a straight line toward your target.

Ball Height in the Stance

The height of the ball in the stance is used to match the arm swing to the tempo of your steps. You may have heard coaches use the phrases "slow down" or "speed up" your feet during the approach. USBC Coaching recommends that you adjust your swing to match your natural tempo.

If you have a fast tempo, you do not have the time for a long swing. Hold the ball low (between your thigh and waist) to shorten the time of the swing to match. If you have a slow tempo, hold the ball above your waist to lengthen the time the ball swings. Most people end up holding the ball about waist high.

The line in your mind

In bowling, visualization and positive imagery are powerful mental game techniques. These concepts program the mind and set the tone for your next delivery. This technique is called the "line in your mind."

Imagine your ball path as a line drawn on the lane surface. In your stance, visualize a line beginning at the foul line (your release point) extending though your target on the lane and then into the pocket. Picture that line, relax and roll the ball down that path. To make this stand out in your mind, make that line your favorite color.

Getting lined up

Getting lined up and staying lined up are two different tasks. Getting lined up refers to finding the initial combination of starting position, target, release and ball selection to maximize your scoring potential. Staying lined up refers to adjustments you can make as lane conditions change during a session.

Getting lined up can be a challenging process. Each session, no matter how routine, must be approached with an open mind and a curiosity about the lane condition. Do not limit yourself by determining where you are going to stand and aim, then use equipment to "fine tune." Sometimes the best option is to play a different part of the lane than you normally use.

Begin practice by rolling your favorite ball on your favorite part of the lane. Watch the ball reaction carefully to see where it begins to curve and how much. Using this "benchmark" will help you determine what changes, if any, are needed. Also watch where other people are playing with success. Is it an inside or outside line? Especially watch people using a similar style to your own.

If the lanes are oily, plan to use a straighter line to the pocket. Trying to force the ball to curve more will lead to accuracy problems. If the lanes are hooking, you may need to use a softer release or less aggressive equipment. Sometimes moving to a different part of the lane will help you find the amount of oil that will be a better match to the ball selection and release you prefer. Generally the outside of the lane will be drier and the inside will have more oil.

The Golden Rule of bowling: Move in the direction of the miss

Making adjustments is part of bowling. Knowing this and being prepared to make changes often will give you an edge on the competition.

The bowlers Golden Rule is to move in the direction of the miss, while keeping the same target on the lane. The concept of this adjustment is based on the use of a pivot, with the pivot being the target on the lane. If the ball misses to the left of the intended pin(s), move left on the approach. If the ball misses to the right of the intended pin(s), move right on the approach.

Bowlers often will need to make this adjustment several times during a match. To do so, a bowler must be aware of his or her starting point on the approach and how the ball was released.

Find your starting position and target

It takes time to learn how your starting position on the approach and the location of your target on the lane affects how your ball will hit the pins. You may feel like you and your ball are all over the place, but once you determine the proper combination of foot placement and ball targets, your game will greatly improve.

First, determine where you should stand on the approach to begin your delivery (see Fig. 1). Place your heels on the foul line, facing away from the pins. If you have a four-step approach, take four-and-one-half brisk walking steps and turn around. This is your starting position. If you use a five-step approach, add one step to find your staring position.

Use the dots on the approach to help you position your feet in the correct place from right to left and the arrows on the lanes as targets at which to aim (see Fig. 2).

For most beginning bowlers, USBC Coaching recommends standing on board No. 20 in the middle of the approach. Right-handers should line up on that board using the inside of the left shoe and left-handers the inside edge of the right shoe.

Use the second arrow from the channel as your target. This arrow gives your ball a good angle into the pocket at the pins and provides some margin of error to the right and left of the channel.

Keep the ball out of the channel

To keep your ball on the lanes and away from the channels, you need to know two things to make adjustments: 1) exactly where you stood on the approach and 2) your target on the lane.

USBC Coaching recommends the second arrow for most bowlers. Remember that the arrows are counted from the channel in (right-side channel if you are right-handed, left-side channel if you are left-handed). The arrow in the middle of the lane is the fourth arrow.

To avoid throwing into the channel, keep your shoulder straight during the stance, approach and delivery. Start your stance with the ball at a comfortable height in front of the ball-side shoulder and not in front of your body. A person standing directly behind your shoulder should see just a bit of the ball. Your forearm should point like an arrow to your target.

As you take your approach, keep your shoulder steady and be careful to not let it turn or move forward or backward. Imagine you are keeping your ball in a track during your swing.

Make a mental checklist for the approach

It's natural to get nervous while bowling especially during league and tournament competition. Unfortunately, being nervous can cause your muscles to tighten, making it difficult to bowl well. Your bowling will be better if both your muscles and mind are relaxed.

Try this trick to get a grip on nerves: As you settle into your stance on the approach, concentrate on a mental checklist of all the components of your approach and delivery. This will help you focus on what you need to do to get the scores rather than on the score itself.

Your checklist can include the following:

• Position your feet on the proper boards for the shot.
• Visualize and then get into the correct stance.
• Choose and focus on a lane target.
• Take a deep breath, exhale and roll the ball through your target.

Get new shoes to slide

Slide soles on bowling shoes do not come ready to slide from the factory. They must be broken in either by use or other preparation.

Using a soft wire brush, lightly brush the shoe from the toes back in the direction of the slide. Brushing side to side will make the sole rough and not smooth for sliding and brushing too firmly will destroy the slide sole altogether. If you do not have a wire brush, rub the sole against the edge of a door or wall.

If you use powder, use one that is specifically designed to make the sole slide. Powder hand conditioners or rosins can have the opposite effect. Use powder sparingly and knock off any loose powder before bowling as it can cause a hazard for other bowlers who may step in it. Powder on the approach is also technically illegal as it is considered defacing the approach.

Checklist for the new season

Before the beginning of league play, make sure to check to see that your equipment is still up to par. Keep these things in mind as you do:

• Check your grip. Our hands sometimes change enough that we must adjust the fit of the bowling ball. If you have to worry about getting your hand in the ball or holding onto it, you cannot bowl your best.
• Replace your finger inserts. If you use inserts, get them changed. They wear out and get brittle over time.
• Clean the ball with rubbing alcohol or a cleaner designed for bowling balls. If you polish your ball, this is a good time for that, as well.
• Get your ball resurfaced. If your ball is scratched or dinged up, a resurfacing will make the ball perform a bit better and it will look much better sitting on the ball return.
• Don't forget your towel. If you adhere to the superstition of not washing your bowling towel during the season, then wash it now! Hand wash your towel with a dishwashing detergent that fights grease, then throw the towel in with the rest of your laundry.
• Check the soles and insides of your shoes.
• And one more thing: Do yourself a favor and practice a few games before the season. Your teammates will appreciate it!

Hit the mark with a straight arm swing

The most common cause of a poor shot is a poor arm swing. You should have a straight swing that stays in line with the target on the lane throughout your delivery.

In the starting stance, position the ball to your side—not in front of your body. Part of the ball should be visible to someone standing behind your shoulder.

On the forward swing, your forearm should point to your target like an arrow. As the ball is pushed out, the ball should be in a groove or track that is in line with your body and target. Pushing the ball away from or pulling it in toward your body can cause the ball to swing in the opposite direction and off the target.

Handshake position key to throwing a curve

The easiest way to learn to roll a hook is to set your hand in a handshake position. Right-handers should turn their bowling hand slightly so that the thumb points toward the 11 o'clock position on a clock face. A left-hander should turn his or her bowling hand so that the thumb points toward the 1 o'clock position.

The hand should remain in this position through the entire approach and release. In the finish position, it will look like you are shaking hands with your target.

Because the thumb will release first, the fingers will put a bit of side rotation on the ball and make it curve.

Improve with a positive mental attitude

Having a positive mental attitude is the first step toward bowling well, especially at a center where you haven't fared well in the past. You should never think, I don't bowl well at this center, because that can turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy: You think you will bowl poorly and you will bowl poorly.

Instead of dwelling on past experiences, call to mind all the skills and techniques it will take to bowl well this time, then use them. You'll be surprised at the results of having a positive mental attitude and it will probably rub off on your teammates or doubles partner, too.

Use the key pin to make spares

A good spare shooter must have a plan before each shot. With the 3-6-9 system—great for those who roll the ball straight or with a slight curve—the bowler moves left or right on the lane depending on which pins are still standing after the first ball. The target on the lane stays the same as for the strike ball and the ball is rolled across the lane at the spare.

For this system to work, you must know which board you stood on for the strike shot and be able to identify and hit the key pin—either the only standing pin or the pin with the lowest number among all the pins left standing.

After identifying the key pin, determine which zone that pin stands in, as shown in Figure 1. Then move three boards for each zone that pin is away from the head pin. For example, the 2- and 8-pins are one zone away from the head pin. If either of those pins is standing after the first ball, move three boards to the right and roll across the lane. If the 10-pin is left standing, for instance, the bowler moves nine boards to the left since the 10-pin is three zones to the right of the head pin. The chart in Figure 2 shows you how many boards to move depending on the key pin.

The following practice routine can help prepare you for the various lines that you may need to use. Start by using the first arrow as a target. Find the proper starting point to stand so that you hit the first arrow and get the ball to roll into the pocket. Once you've determined your proper starting position, roll that shot several times. Then move to the second, third and fourth arrows and repeat the process.

Watch others to learn what works

Arrive for your tournament squad earlier than needed. Not only will the check-in lines be shorter, but you can watch how others are playing the lanes. Pick someone who has a similar style to yours and watch the way they play the lane. What kind of line is he or she playing? Is it working? Use your observations to assess your strategy for the tournament.

Picking Up Corner Pins and other Single Pin Spares

While it may sound easy, sometimes single pin spares can be tricky. Some tournaments that have traced spares find that as much as 50% of spares are missed! The key to single pin spares is to be accurate. A straight ball is more accurate than a curve release.

If you use a big curve, get a plastic ball and/or learn to release the ball straight. With the straight ball, the ball reaction does not depend on lane conditions. Straight on a dry lane and straight on an oily one look the same. Master the straight ball and you won't have to go hunting for where to stand and aim when you are facing a different lane condition.

In the basic spare shooting tip, a basic 3-6-9 system is described for rolling a straight ball. If you generally roll a curve ball at strikes, you can still use this system by finding out during your practice where you need to stand and aim in order to get your straight ball into the pocket. Once you know this, the chart in the other tip will work well. You may also use this chart as a guideline in developing your own system if necessary.

Make sure you use a couple of shots during your practice play to work on your spare line. One effective strategy is to roll at the corner pins on your first shot and then try for the pocket on your second ball.

Eliminating corner pins

You just rolled a great shot that hooked into the pocket, but you left a corner pin standing. Sometimes what may have appeared to be a perfect shot didn't hit quite so perfectly. Let's take a look at why this happens and what we can do about it.

The most common leave for a right-hander is the 10 pin. On a perfect strike hit, the ball hits the 1-3 pocket before continuing through and hitting the 5 and 9 pins. The 3 pin is driven into the 6 pin and the 6 pin in turn hits the 10 pin as shown in Figure 1. If the 10 pin stands, you need to find out where the 6 pin went. Did it get driven straight back to where the 9 pin stands? This would be a high shot. Did the 6 pin go to the side wall as in Figure 2? This indicates a light shot.

The scenario is the same but on the opposite side for a left-hander who leaves a 7 pin standing. The direction of the 4 pin (like the 6 pin for a right-hander) is the key to finding out why the hit wasn't perfect.

Understanding the reaction of the pins can help solve the mystery of most spare combinations.

Tournament prep checklist

When tournament time rolls around and you need to be prepared to be your best there are many areas that any bowler can evaluate. From the pro shop to practice on the lanes, bowlers who often do well at tournament time do the things necessary to be pre-tournament ready. Here is a short list of things to consider before bowling a tournament.

Equipment

• Fit
• Choices
• Surfaces

Physical Game

• Repeatability
• Versatility
• Energy level - fuel
• Spares

Mental Game

• Pre-shot Routine
• Concentration

Use a straighter second release for difficult lane conditions

Varying lane conditions can make it tricky to find the right line. Rolling a straight second ball will help you on both oily and dry lanes. A lot of oil on the lanes will cause the ball to roll straighter no matter how you throw it. Dry lanes can make the ball hook too much.

Throwing a straight ball increases the forward rotation on the ball and reduces the side roll, which decreases the tendency of the ball to hook.

Try these techniques to throw a straighter ball:

• Point your forearm at your target line through the back and forward swings and release.
• Point your ring finger at your lane target at the point of release.

These tips will help keep your hand behind the ball instead of on the side at the release point.

Make angular and parallel adjustments

Lane conditions change as bowling balls repeatedly travel down the lane. With each shot, the ball absorbs some of the oil and moves oil further down on the lane. Changes in the oil distribution will affect ball path and reaction.

As lane conditions change, there are two types of adjustments you can make to keep your ball in the pocket: angular moves and parallel moves.

Angular adjustments, as illustrated in Figure 1, are the most common moves bowlers use to adapt to changing lane conditions. For example, you may start your league session standing on board No. 20 and aiming at the second arrow (which is on board No. 10). As the lanes start to hook more, you might move your starting position one board inside but keep your target the same, on the second arrow (or board 10). This is a slight angular adjustment.

The 2-to-1 guideline for making angular adjustments means that for every two boards you move with your feet, you move your target one board in the same direction. Using the starting point example above, a 2-to-1 adjustment would have you stand on board 22 and aim at board No. 11. Moving even more, by the end of the league session you may end up standing on board 26 and aiming at board 13.

Practice this by rolling a shot to hit the pocket. Then make a 2-to-1 adjustment. Watch the ball reaction – it will probably be very light in the pocket. Make another 2-to-1 adjustment and it should miss the pocket completely. The goal of this practice is to focus on standing where you need to stand and hitting the target you intend. When lane conditions demand this versatility, you will have the skill to adapt.

Parallel adjustments, as shown in Figure 2, are made when both your target on the lane and your starting position foot placement move the same amount and in the same direction. If you move right two boards with your feet, move right two boards with your target as well. If you move left with your feet, move left with your target.

Adjust your target backward and forward

At your skill level, you have a good handle on starting position, lay down point and using the arrows as targets. You can fine tune the shape of your ball path by using different targets to accomplish different goals.

For example, if you want the ball to rev up earlier, you may want to aim closer to the foul line in front of the arrows. If you want the bowling ball to rev up later, choose a target farther down the lane which will get you to extend through the shot and delay the ball's roll to some degree.

Develop a line in your mind and play "connect the dots" by picking a spot at the arrows as well as a spot farther down the lane (i.e. a dark board or lane marking) and rolling the ball over both reference points.

You may get frustrated when you think you hit your target and the ball didn't hit the pocket. Before the next shot, you will have to determine:

• Did you roll the ball faster or slower?
• Did you rev it up more or less?
• Did you roll the ball over the target on the same angle as before when you struck?
• Are the lanes changing?

Don't forget the spare

The spare shot is just as important as the strike shot. Too many bowlers take the spare for granted and make a poor shot. Roll your spare shot with confidence and do not lose focus.

Beginning and intermediate bowlers should use their strike ball release at all spares to ensure consistency. With multi-pin spares, the ball needs some entry angle to keep from deflecting away from the back pin in the grouping. When shooting at any spare, the ball must hit the front pin.

When practicing, shoot all your spares to simulate league or tournament competition. To keep your focus sharp, use visualization and see the line you want the ball to take to make the spare. Draw an imaginary line from your bowling arm to the pin you want to hit. If you are rolling a straight ball, this will allow you to visualize the path the ball needs to take to make the spare.

Charting your strike percentage and spare percentage will allow you to identify areas to practice on.

Keep your arm swing in the groove

Arm swing direction is important because it allows you to hit your target consistently and project the ball to your break point. Professionals and top amateurs keep their arm swing in what is known as the pro groove.

USBC Coaching advocates keeping the swing in line with the shoulder joint of your bowling arm, varying left or right by at most only four inches.

Top players will consistently keep the ball in the groove. They may tuck their arm swing in slightly when coming forward from their backswing. This allows them to have stronger leverage and hand position at the point of release.

There are three phases of ball reaction; skid, hook and roll. The ball skids through the heavier oil at the front (heads) part of the lane. As the ball finds more friction, it begins to hook. Once the ball has finished changing direction, it begins to roll toward the pins.

Commit to the spare

Visualization is very important at higher skill levels. When it comes to spares, being able to visualize the path the ball should take down the lane can help you stay focused.

Commit to the spare and trust your fundamentals and execution to make the spare. Elite players plan to make the spare instead of assuming they will miss it.

Whether you choose to roll a straight or hook ball, many players make the mistake of trying to roll the ball too fast, losing their fundamental skills in the process.

Most top amateurs and professionals use a spare ball and roll the ball straight at spares because a straight ball takes the lane conditions out of play. The straight ball takes the guesswork out of the equation.

Compensate for long oil patterns

If your ball is not getting to the pocket, it may be because the lane oil pattern is long. Try these tips to compensate for a long oil pattern:

• Decrease your ball speed.
• Reduce your angle to help get the ball to the pocket.
• Change your hand position to get the ball into an earlier roll.
• Switch to a ball that has more surface and will hook sooner.

Develop your mental game

As a top player, you are probably an active tournament participant and most of your competitors have great physical games.

Having a great mental game, too, will give you an edge over the competition.

Top athletes are able to keep their minds free of distractions. Being able to find an inner sanctuary allows you to make smart decisions during the heat of competition.

Targeting for higher averages

There are no hard and fast rules for setting targets for high level bowling—only options that best fit each bowler. Players need to define and develop their own targeting strategy.

Many times, a big-hook bowler can't tell you which arrow he or she is using until after giving it some thought. Bowling basics tell us to always aim at a target. Shouldn't an advanced bowler be doing that? Not always. Using targets may sometimes take the high-average bowlers out of their comfort zones.

Some high-level players may use a target to get the ball to the break point on the lane, while others will use one or more reference points based on where they are playing the lanes.

High-level players experiment when practicing to find out what works best for them. They will practice using targets and then switch to using just an area. When the lanes are conducive to scoring they may just target an area on the lane. When bowling on a USBC Sport Bowling condition such as at the USBC Masters where accuracy becomes a premium, players will use targets since hitting the pocket and leaving easier spares is very important.