LETTING YOUR BALL DO THE WORK
Lofting the ball is a detriment in today's game; here's how to lose the
loft. Also: Tips for thin bowlers, the proper use of tape, and more.
by Mike McGrath

I have a constant problem of nose hits when I loft the ball. Do you have
any ideas to keep me from lofting the ball when I don't want to?
- Barbara McBride, Vallejo, Calif.

When using today's high-traction bowling balls, it's imperative that you
stay down during the release and let the ball roll off your hand. I'd
suggest that you move your target on the lane a bit closer to you - and
keep your eyes focused on that target until the ball passes it. This will
force you to stay down during the release and not lift upward. Today's
bowling balls will do all the work for you if you let them roll off the
hand.

THINKING THIN

I love to watch bowling on TV and try to emulate some of the stars. But I'm
relatively thin and can't generate the power that bowlers like Chris Barnes
and Jason Couch do. Is there a bowler who's thin in stature that I could
try to copy?
- Nathan Blanchette, Lake Forest, Ill.

If you're looking for a thin bowler to emulate, you're watching the wrong
Tour. Take a look at the PWBA telecasts, and watch for appearances by
Carolyn Dorin-Ballard, Kim Terrell or Kim Adler. These women are on the
thin side, and develop terrific roll and hook by using good timing during
the approach, slide and release, and a good knee bend. You don't need to be
big to throw a big ball, as long as you learn the advantages of proper body
position and good timing.

YOUTH MOVEMENT

It seems that there are many young golfers coming up all the time, but in
bowling, the Tour is dominated by bowlers 30 and over. Why aren't there
many young players on the PBA Tour?
- Ryan Ng, Taiwan

In a word: money. With the dismal prize funds of recent years, it made
little sense for a newcomer to try to make a living while bowling against
established stars with Tour-level skills. Another reason: today's high-tech
balls. To be competitive on Tour, you need access to eight or nine balls
per week, and the counseling of the ball reps who travel with the Tour.
Ball staff players get their equipment for free; newcomers don't. Hopefully,
with prize funds on the upswing this fall, the Tour will expand and a
greater number of younger players will give it a shot. Then if bowling
starts getting greater exposure, the ball companies will be able to provide
more equipment to the younger players.

EFFECTIVE USE OF TAPE

I notice that many bowlers use tape to adjust the size of their thumb hole.
Do you recommend using tape, and if so, when and how should I use it?
- Rodney Cross, West Bloomfield, Mo.

I'd recommend that you always carry tape in your bowling bag when going to
any type of competition, including league play. No matter how precisely
your ball is drilled, your thumb will swell and shrink based on factors
such as humidity and friction during your release. You should always try to
maintain a thumb hole size that's tight enough so you don't have to squeeze
the ball during the release, and this is where tape can come in handy. I
prefer smooth tape for the back of the thumb hole to adjust the hole's
size. If you desire tape in the front of the hole, you can use the textured
kind. Tape is a must for your best performance, so get accustomed to using
it during your practice sessions.

LINE FINDING

I've been bowling for about five years and have my average up to the low
200 range. As I go from center to center for tournaments, it takes me a
long time to find the proper shot for each center. Can you help me speed up
the process of finding the right line?
- Bobby Jackson, North Islip, N.Y.

Start your practice session by finding the area of the lane where the ball
skids for the longest time. This is usually somewhere near the center of
the lane. Then throw the ball progressively farther right from there to
find the area of the lane that hooks. In this way, you're determining where
the lane gives you the greatest area for mistake, and still allows you to
hit the pocket. From there, make adjustments of no more than 2-4 boards
with your feet and 1-2 boards with your target. That's the best way to zero
in on the best line as quickly as possible. During practice, you have to
teach your body to be in time, and you have to be able to recognize the
difference between well-thrown balls and poorly-thrown ones. Once you learn
the difference, you can make line adjustments with confidence and throw the
ball with the same confidence.


Have a question for The Coach? Send it by mail to Bowlers Journal
International, 122 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603; by fax
to (312) 341-1469; or by e-mail to MikeMPBA13@aol.com.