Each of us is different, and therefore each of us will have a somewhat unique style of delivery when bowling.  However there are basic fundamentals that each of us adhere to in order to bowl a good game.  One of the fundamentals is the approach and delivery of the ball.  As with everything else in life, each of us will do it just a little bit differently than the next person.  The following tips are designed primarily for the beginning bowler, however, even other bowlers may benefit by realizing that they are forgetting to do one of the things below.

1.  Hand positioning on the ball

Before you pick up your ball, imagine a clock face on the floor, with 12:00 toward the pins, and 6:00 toward you.  Keeping the arm and wrist straight, imagine inserting your fingers into the ball, with the finger holes at the 4:00 and 5:00 positions (7:00 and 8:00 for left handed bowlers).  With the fingers at this position, the thumb should be directly over the fingers.  If it isn't, you don't have the wrist straight.

Pick up the bowling ball, and again place your fingers and thumb into the prescribed positions.  Bending the elbow only, bring the ball up in front of you as if you are preparing to bowl.  If you do not turn your wrist, the hand will remain in the proper position when you lower your arm again.  Practice this until you can repeatedly raise and lower the ball, keeping the fingers and thumb in the proper position.

Once you have been able to maintain the proper hand positioning, find a partner to help you with this next exercise.  Position yourselves about 15 to 20 feet apart, facing each other, kneel down to the floor.  If right handed, place the right knee on the floor with the left leg up, knee bent and foot directly below the knee.  If left handed do just the opposite.  Pick up your ball, and holding it in the manner prescribed above, take 2 practice swings, then gently roll it to your partner.  As you let go of the ball, bring your hand up as if you were answering the phone, placing it next to your ear.  You should notice that the ball will begin rolling straight, then curve off in the direction opposite your bowling hand.  Pick a spot on the floor about 3 feet in front of you that you are going to roll the ball across.  Practice rolling across that spot until you can do it consistently, still doing the 2 practice swings before letting it roll on the 3rd.  Don't worry that the ball curves away.......it is supposed to.  If you find that you are missing the mark you have selected, stop and ask yourself: "did I take my eyes off the mark as I released the ball"?  Chances are, if you are honest with yourself, the answer will invariably be "YES".  Once you have the target in sight, never take your eyes off of it.  

Next update:  Your Approach

Previous Tips: Click on the topic to read

1. Attitude, Attitude, Attitude

2. Selecting the Right Ball