Bowling Physical Game

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 8/16/16; Updated: 2/14/2022

There are two general areas of the game bowlers focus on when trying to improve their game, the bowling physical game and the bowling mental game.

The mental game contains an assortment of focal points important in making overall improvement.

The mental game includes a variety of topics such as competitive strategies, alignment and adjustment decisions in playing the lanes, and understanding bowling ball equipment and how to maintain the equipment with the purpose of getting a reliable ball reaction.

The physical game, however, is the starting point all bowlers wish to solidify on the path toward improvement.

You must have a sound physical game and understand the keys involved for bowling as well as you can as consistently as you can.

The physical game encompasses what you feel when walking and swinging your bowling ball and how you release your ball toward your sight target on the lane.

There are practice keys to follow if you wish to work on your game without the presence of a coach or instructor. Because of this, it is important to develop your own physical game practice plan (if you do not already use one) so you can work on your game while bowling practice and while monitoring your game during competition.

Here are a few keys you may wish to remember when practicing and when working on your game:

Set-Up: Set your spine angle with perhaps a ten degree forward tilt and with your shoulders fairly level when positioning yourself on the approach for the purposes of attaining good balance when beginning to bowl.

Maintain a comfortable amount of knee flex in your set-up and make certain your weight is distributed over your bowling shoes fairly evenly with perhaps a bit more weight on the foot you do not use to take your first step.

Footwork: Walk smoothly and avoid digging in or hurrying your final two steps and lunging into your slide step. A smooth tempo with your footwork is an important key in making a consistent approach. It is generally best make a smooth start with the first two steps and then building walking speed progressively in your final steps.

Balance: Keep your upper body torso from making unnecessary movement while walking to the foul line. Keep your head as motionless as possible, particularly while sliding and releasing your bowling ball.

Swing: Work on a consistent timing sequence to initiate the swing. Make sure you trigger the movement of your bowling ball with or slightly before your first step.

Allow the bowling ball it to drop into the swing freely and smoothly with a continuous movement. Avoid using too much arm tension forcing your swing or release.

Avoid grabbing and squeezing your bowling ball at the top of your backswing.

Release: Exit your thumb from the ball just prior to your hand reaching the release zone near or at the bottom of your forward swing arc. Regulate the moment of release by keying your thumb to exit the ball at this same relative position each delivery. Maintain consistent ball speed control.

Finish & Focus: Hold your form at the line after you release the ball and until your ball passes the targeting arrows. Focus of your eyes on your sight target until the ball passes the target.

If you have any questions about your physical game, consult with a coach/instructor or a local bowling professional to help you establish a practice plan customized for your game. Although you can self-monitor your physical game between sessions with your coach, it is important to end your practice sessions by working on the strengths of your game contained in your practice plan to help keep your game ready for competition.

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