Key Teaching Points
Grip and Release - When bowling on a gymnasium floor students should learn to roll the ball straight. To do this properly, hold the ball with the thumb nearest the top of the ball (12 o'clock) and the fingers nearest the bottom (6 o'clock). The fingers and thumb should stay in this position throughout the armswing and after release. The palm of the hand should be facing the target. This will produce an end over end roll of the ball. When releasing the ball, the thumb should exit the ball first with the fingers exerting upward force to increase the amount of forward roll.
Target Line/Armswing - The line on the floor is the target line. The student with the ball should stand with their ballside foot about 5 inches away from the line. The non-ballside foot is next to and slightly forward of the ballside foot. Instruct the student to start and swing the ball above the target line. This is a great time to have the student practice a muscle free/pendulum like motion. Because the ball is lightweight, fatigue should not be a factor. If the student has trouble getting past their hip while swinging the ball, have them lower their ballside shoulder slightly.
Body Alignment - A key point to keeping the armswing along the target line is to make sure that the shoulders and hips remain square or perpendicular to the target line. A slight forward bend of the upper body during the armswing and release is recommended.
Timing/Opposition - Coordinating walking movements with the armswing is critical to consistency in bowling. Beginning bowlers standing next to a line on the gym floor may start by not taking any steps at all. They should first improve their skill in swinging the ball above the line and releasing the ball so it travels along the line toward their target. Adding a step with the opposite/non-ballside foot is next. To develop a rhythmic/balanced movement, the student should swing their opposite leg forward as the ball swings backward. When the armswing begins its' downward movement, the non-ballside foot hits the floor. As the armswing continues downward to the point of releasing the ball, the non-ballside knee bends slightly and all of the bowlers body weight is transferred to the non-ballside foot.
Balance - Being in a balanced position after releasing the ball is another critical element of consistency. When taking a one step approach, instruct the student to step directly in front of his/her ballside foot. Using the line on the floor, tell the student that if they start with their ballside foot 5 inches away from the line, their non-ballside foot should end up 5 inches away from the line as well.
Four Step Approach - MassBowling only requires a one step approach during play. Using the line on the gym floor can be very effective when teaching the four step approach as well. Using techniques found in the bowling skills section of this website, just have the student walk parallel to the line as they go through the bowling motion.
Taking it to the Lanes - As a USBC Bronze level coach, my favorite teaching tool is 15 foot long pieces of brightly colored yarn. I use it to simulate the two inch lines commonly found on the gym floor. Just tape one end on the foul line and the other end off the back of the approach. Try not to use tape on the approach itself. Using the teaching techniques detailed above, two people can practice rolling a ball to each other without actually rolling a ball down the lanes. Students can practice rolling straight or curve balls (see Teaching the Curve) using the one or four step approach. This type of instruction, using a lightweight foam or plastic bowling ball, is a great way for students to practice skills without actually throwing a ball down the lanes. When the student is ready to roll a real ball down the lanes, place the yarn on the approach in the direct path of the intended target line. Use this technique to teach different strike lines and corner pin spare shooting.
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