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The Base of the Pyramid (Fundamentals) by Charley Wilson
Updated at February 21, 2010 13:47Determining where you are (and where you want to be) is paramount to deciding the path to take. It’s the first thing a coach will do when meeting you as a new client – watch you and see what basic skills already exist, especially what good ones you have, and ensure those are not lost in the improvement process. For me, there are three basic fundamentals that every bowler needs, regardless of their style. They are good balance, adequate pace, and a free armswing.
Balance. Balance is most significant, and fortunately, most evident, in the bowler’s finish position. Regardless how you get there, if you are balanced at release, and can keep that balance through the finish, the basic requirement is met. Obviously, good balance in the stance and throughout the approach may contribute to a good finish, but it does not always guarantee it. Also, balance alone does not a good bowler make.
Pace. Without a brisk but controllable pace, good balance may not produce an effective shot. Bowlers that seem to rush the approach are likely to have balance and accuracy issues, though they may appear to generate a lot of power; those who plod slowly to the line with a controlled armswing may be on balance throughout, but may not generate sufficient ball speed or revolutions to be effective. Even accuracy can suffer from too much control of the armswing, often seen in the slower-paced bowlers. Your pace is frequently determined in large part by your personality. The way you interact with the rest of the world is probably reflected in your bowling style. Be aware of that connection if considering dramatic changes in your style.
Free Armswing. For any style, the key to scoring is repeatability of the approach, armswing, and release. A key to repeatability is the free armswing. Many bowlers are successful at some levels with a largely muscled armswing. However, the vast majority of champions have at least a free-flowing forward swing, even if there is some muscle evident in getting the ball to the top of the backswing. For most of us mortals, it is difficult to relax the chain of muscles from fingers to shoulder once tightened, so staying relaxed from the beginning is best. This starts in the stance, with the ball weight supported (in large part to almost completely) by the non-bowling hand.
The physical game can be broken down into many elements (stance, start, footwork, armswing, finish, release, timing, etc). As we detail all of these elements in future discussions, we will see how each of them contributes to the three basics noted above.
Strategies. You must decide what your bowling goals are, what skills are needed to meet those goals, and what your current skill level is. If you are close to your goals, you may only need to review your fundamentals, check an occasional website, or practice a time or two. Magazines for serious bowlers can be found at http://bowlingthismonth.com/ or http://bowlersjournal.com/; other educational information is available at www.bowlingbookstore.com or through any Smartbowler Pro Shop. If your goals are more distant, read and research, of course, but you should also find a qualified coach to help you map your journey. He or she can help you decide how much work you need to do to get to your goal. Qualified coaches can be found using the “Coaching” menu at http://www.bowlspot.com/ or the “Find a…” function of the USBC website at http://bowl.com/ or, again, through any Smartbowler Pro Shop. Above all, don’t assume that what you need will come to you. Go get it!
Charley Wilson, a USBC Silver Level Coach, has been coaching professionally for eleven years. A retired USAF fighter pilot, he currently works as a coach and pro shop ball fitter/driller. Charley is married (Sheila) and lives in St. Louis, Missouri. Contact- CGWJR@charter.net
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