Avoid Forcing Your Bowling Downswing

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 7/9/16; Updated: 3/7/2022

If you are averaging between 170 to 190 and find yourself rushing to make a good shot in competition, then avoid forcing your bowling downswing.

There are a number of reasons why you might be forcing your downswing. Let’s face it, everyone feels the heat of competition and wants to make good shots and get strikes when it counts most.

Forcing your downswing can produce poor results as opposed to allowing your ball to fall freely into the downswing from the top of your backswing and then gradually accelerate your swing to a full follow through position.

Forcing your swing may be a result of grabbing at your bowling ball by increasing the grip pressure on the ball as you reach the top of your backswing and then hurry the forward swing in anticipation of getting a strike.

If you tense your swing muscles, your neck, shoulders, and arm muscles, you might cause your timing to vary slightly from shot to shot or worse yet, you might find yourself restricting your backswing and forcing the forward swing and release.

If you feel you need to increase your ball speed, you may also find that you are forcing the forward swing and create a sudden unwanted movement of your head and shoulders causing you to deliver your ball off of your intended line.

Trying to apply more revs on your bowling ball to create increased power or to alter your axis of rotation can also cause you to hurry your shot and force your release.

Retain constant grip pressure throughout your swing right up to the time you release your ball and you will reduce the risk of forcing your shot.

Forcing your downswing may lead to pulling your ball off of your intended ball delivery path. If you sense this is the case, then focus on a free gravity swing and keeping your swing muscles loose and smoothly.



Trying to add more power to your release because you feel that more hook will help you overcome a poor ball reaction is a recipe for making a poor shot.

The trick is to retain a smooth timing sequence by not tensing your bowling muscles and slowing your steps.

Avoid using excessive gripping pressure at the top of your backswing and allow your ball to fall freely into your downswing, even when you feel anxiety and are trying to win a competition.

Next time you are bowling in a clutch situation, trust your swing and your avoid forcing your downswing.

By doing so, your percentage of quality shots will increase.