Questioni have noticed various videos where bowlers line up (RH Bowler) with their left foot looks to be lined up in the middle of the foot versus the left edge of the left shoe? which is correct or advisable in your opinion. if you line up in the middle of the foot don't you lose or gain a board or board and half or more which could make a difference in targeting?
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
Greetings LD, Consistency is generally all that is required in bowling for the most part. In the bowling videos or in real time bowling, the bowler has different depth perception issues, height, speed, and release characteristics. Some bowlers will even land with their foot turned parallel to the foul line which is natural for them, such as two handed bowlers.
"Ideally," you will begin from a spot on the approach and land very near the same spot at the foul line 80 percent of the time. This is provided you maintain the same targets, same pace or tempo with your feet.
It's not so much "where" you choose to site the placement of your starting point on your foot. What is very important "is that you do it, and do it consistently."
Most right handed bowlers will use the "inside right edge" of their left foot to line up on the approach. Other right handed bowlers will use the center of their left foot to place the foot on a certain board on the approach. Either method is acceptable.
As far as gaining or losing boards that is not an item of discussion in bowling's instructional teachings. You personally can used it as an "adjustment" if it helps you in your bowling. There is no hard and fast rule for that.
The biggest impact that a bowler has as far as targeting goes is when a bowler uses single targeting, which is not generally recommended. Basically it happens when you move in one direction with your feet to the left, or to the right, up or back. Their is no significant change in targeting unless the bowler places the "foot" in a different spot or spots the foot on a different board.
LD, I wrote my book in a passive voice to allow bowlers to experiment with different aspects of the game so they could pick and choose what they needed for their bowling. However, in writing about adjustments, I stayed very close to my USBC teachings to ensure all bowlers learned to "consistently" use good judgement in deciding what they choose to "argue" about with other bowlers when it came to making an "adjustment" on the lanes, verses what they would teach to a young and upcoming youth bowler.
In my opinion, whether you gain or lose a board in your delivery will not matter as much on a "house shot" as it will on a sport, PBA, or tournament pattern. Mind you, if your bowler is opposite eye dominant and doesn't know it, that can sometimes hamper their "projection" of the ball onto the lanes. In today's modern game you have to truly match up with "your bowling ball" as the conditions change. What is little less relevant is not "exactly" where you start on the approach.
You "do" have to begin in "a general area" which will allow you to build the momentum you need to release the ball and land it on, or near your first target, on it's way to your second target, or break point "area" down lane.
Knowing "how" to deliver the ball in today's game is "more important," and what you should focus on "next" in your approach set up. This is to get your swing into that 4 inch groove the best bowlers always mention. However 4 inches covers at least 3 boards, so we are not generally talking about one board or half board in instructional classes, unless it is just giving the bowler the confidence to try again from around the same spot. Psychologically, it works. Often, I know the bowler has also changed their hand position somewhat to get an earlier roll on the ball, or a later roll, while generally just throwing the ball better overall.
In summary LD, where a bowler spots their foot on the approach boards just needs to be done consistently. Teaching bowlers to make that choice will give them the opportunity to use good judgement in their set up. Once that package is complete: Stand at the right spot, position your hand to deliver the release you need to, look at your targets, and then delivery your ball over your targets. The correct ball for that lane condition will give you 9 or better just as consistently as starting from the right spot. Thanks for your question this week. Enjoy the Tournament of Champions Show this weekend from our Las Vegas Red Rock Casino and Hotel.
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book, buy it today!)
