TIPS "Being a pro bowling fan is a long, hard road. No foam hands....No body paint....and it's almost impossible to catch a foul ball....let alone a strike."
The Follow Through.
One of the most overlooked errors of bowlers. A consistent release must also have a consistent follow through on the shot, it will maintain a constant in your game. If you release the same way and yet alter the amount of follow through it will affect your ball speed and it's 'break point' on the lane.
A shot with no follow through usually results in a weak hit on the pins and not as much pin carry. Keep up the momentum of your game by making sure you follow through on every shot. This is probably the single largest contributor to consecutive poor releases. It's not hard to bowl an entire game before you realise that you are not following through. Freeze your arm after release and check it's position after your ball crosses over the mark, it should be about head high with your thumb pointing over it's own shoulder.
Shooting the ten pin. For some it's the easiest pin on the deck, for others it may as well have crazy glue on the bottom. The conversion of this single pin spare is generally a mental problem for most bowlers. Fearing the ten pin will cause uneccessary errors. Just relax, line up for your spare shot and don't think too much about 'what' pin it is. If you have trouble with the ball hooking too much try 'breaking' your wrist ( let it bend 'back' a bit ) it will take some of the hook off your ball.
Footwork. It can make all the difference in your game as well. Developing the footwork to match your bodies natural 'timing' for the game is not as simple as one may think. There are two common types of approach, the four step delivery and the five step delivery. In the four step delivery, the ball is 'pushed away' on the first step, downswing on the second step, reach the height of your backswing in mid third step and the release of the ball should coincide with your slide foots approach to the foul line. During practice pay attention to 'when' the ball comes off your hand, and work at that perfect timing... You'll be glad you did.
Release One of the most important aspects of your bowling game is your release of the ball. Many times if your grip is not 'comfortable' you will throw a bad shot. If you find the ball slipping off your hand too soon, try either blowing on your fingers or into the thumb hole of the ball. The steam from your breath will give just enough moisture to ensure a better grasp on the ball. If your thumb sticks in the ball too long, try using a little baby powder or rosin to ensure a drier and more smooth release of the ball. If the thumb hole is a bit too big for your finger bowlers tape allows you to insert a piece or two to tighten up the space between your thumb and the hole, and later if your thumb swells a bit you can remove the tape to keep a sure grip on the ball and a more consistent 'feel' to your release.
Practice Take an hour one day this week and head to the lanes. Your game will improve if you have a knowledgable bowler to watch you throw a few frames and help you recognize the weaker points in your approach and delivery of the ball. If you throw a bad ball, they can see what you did wrong, and you can work on correcting the problem. When you are made aware of a dip in your shoulder, the angle of your hand upon release of the ball or a problem in the timing of your delivery, you will conciously try to 'not' make the same mistakes. Be aware of your motions, stop at the foul line and think about your finishing position. Did you follow through the shot? Are your shoulders square to the lane? Did your feet finish too close or too far from the foul line? Minor adjustments to your body position can mean the world of difference to your game. Try it out and see for yourself. Good Luck!
Concentration
Distractions, problems at home, school, or work, discomfort (such as tight clothing or a toothache), and many other things contribute to you losing concentration at that last second. One thing that you can do is wear a watch and count to 4. It's not necessarily the extra time that helps, but this gives you a familiar object to concentrate on, and it also improves your "timing". Watch the second hand count 4 ticks, then move your eyes to your mark as you begin your approach. This will work providing you don't have to alter the position of your watch arm too much. It doesn't matter whether you focus on a mark, or on an area of the lane, as long as you focus on something. "Hold that pose" until your ball crosses over that mark, this will ensure that you are not rushing out of your approach.
Consistent deliveries
A "dropped" shoulder can send the ball wide every time. This often happens when you rush your approach. Maintain a moderate approach speed and be aware of your shoulders during delivery. This is one of the most difficult things to learn how to do consistantly. It seems instinctive to bend over when you set down a 16 pound object, but it is very important to keep your back reasonably straight for a consistent delivery. Bending your arm at the elbow and swinging it away from your body are main contributors to an inconsistent game. A slight bend at the elbow to obtain lift is alright, as long as the inside of your elbow is pointing down your lane, and not at the snack bar. It might seem natural to begin your slide with a bent knee, then straighten it as you release the ball. Although this will get you more lift, it's just one more thing you have to get perfect for consistent bowling. Again, "Hold that pose" until your ball crosses over that mark, this will ensure that you are not rushing out of your approach. Stay down at the foul line for higher scores.
There are a few "systems" for getting spares and finding a better strike line.
