Bowling Timing

I have often been asked to define "bowling timing."

Bowling timing consists of the ability to co-ordinate the forward motion of your body with the swing of your right arm so that as you take your last step on your left leg, your body moves ahead in a smooth flowing movement and the right arm swings forward ready to deliver the ball.

Any discussion of timing naturally brings up the question of "natural speed." Natural speed comes from proper timing, the height of your back swing, and the length and speed of your footwork. Once you have acquired natural speed, you can keep it up indefinitely without strain.

If you proceed too slow or too fast, you are forcing yourself. If you maintain a natural speed you can deliver the ball with less effort than if you deliberately try to throw it hard.

A proper finish at the foul line is a necessity. The left foot, pointing straight forward, should be close to the line.

The shoulders should be squared to the foul line, the left knee bent, the body bent forward from the waist, and the right leg behind the bowler, acting as a brake.

In the accompanying photograph, little strain or tension is visible, mute evidence that the experts themselves realize the value of "taking it easy."

This angle of the game cannot be overemphasized. A bowler looks better and scores better when he consistently comes up to the foul line in a smooth, easy glide.

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