As for foot positioning, the inner edge of the opposite foot of the hand you bowl with should be on the center dot when you roll. The other foot should be behind the foot on the center dot. Different people have different foot positionings. It is ultimately up to you to discover what positions give you the most power in your swing.
Giving the Ball Power
In order to deliver powerful rolls, a player must be highly mindful of many parts of their body. While it may seem like only the hands and arms matter, it is actually the entire body that gives force, speed, and accuracy to the ball.
Positioning your shoulder, hips, and feet properly is critically important to achieving a high-powered and accurate roll. Relying only on the swinging arm and hand without engaging the rest of the body can result in a weak throw. It can also lead to injury, thanks to too much pressure and physical exertion being place on one limb rather than being dispersed throughout the body.
By engaging other body parts, such as the shoulders and hips, you allow your body to incorporate more movement into the buildup of momentum. This results in faster rolls that have a heavy impact on the pins when aimed correctly. In order to achieve this extra momentum from your hips and shoulders, stability must be provided by a strong stance. Strong stances fully engage the legs and stabilize the body as the upper half twists or turns during the throw.
Tips for Senior Bowlers
Bowling is a sport and activity that can suit people of all age groups. As such, it has become a favored pastime among senior citizens. Bowling provides ample opportunity to stay in shape, socialize, and maintain a competitive spirit. In fact, many professional bowling leagues have senior members. Some leagues are designed and intended specifically for senior citizens.
Whether you are the family member or friend of a senior who loves bowling, or if you yourself are a senior, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. For any player, it is crucial to be mindful of the physical impact of the sport on your body. This is true regardless of age and physical ability.
Bowlers who are more experienced are naturally going to be better at maintaining proper form and minimizing negative impact on the body. For the less experienced, it is key to consider factors such as practice, stretching, and equipment.
Stretching before a Game
Stretching before bowling may sound strange, but it is a good way to ensure your body is at its prime mobility capabilities. A strong bowling stance and swing relies on good posture and movement of the hips and shoulders. Therefore, stretching the shoulders and hips before a game can result in better throws during the game.
It is also a good idea for avid bowlers to stretch the wrists regularly. Holding and rolling a bowling ball can have a fairly high impact on the wrists. This impact increases depending on the weight of the ball. By stretching your wrists regularly, you will maintain good levels of strength and flexibility required for handling bowling balls.
In general, stretches should only be held for around 30 seconds each to avoid unnecessary strain on the body. Small amounts of stretching every day will produce amazing flexibility results, even if it seems like a short amount of time to hold the stretch for. Never stretch your body past the point where you feel strain or pain, as this can result in serious injury.
Using Wrist and Ankle Supports
The wrists and ankles are two of the first parts of the body to deteriorate with age. Luckily, all sorts of braces and support aids exist to assist weakened wrists or ankles. Braces and supports are especially good at supplementing bodily strength and stability.
Using ankle and knee braces can help to maintain a strong stance that supports the movement of the upper body during a swing. Comparatively, wrists braces help to maintain strength in the hands and secure a firm grip on the bowling ball.
Invest in Good Equipment
For those who bowl regularly, it may be best to consider purchasing your own equipment. The two main pieces of equipment that benefit from customization are the bowling ball and the shoes. Specialty bowling shoes can be made with custom insoles that better support your feet. This, in turn, gives you a stronger and more stable stance.
Custom bowling balls are good for achieving an ideal grip on the ball. A custom ball will have grip holes drilled in that match your specific finger size. This makes holding them and swinging them much more comfortable.
Additionally, most bowling alleys offer assistance equipment. This includes bumpers that prevent gutter balls and ramps that a ball can be rolled down. Ramps are especially useful for those who are wheelchair-bound or those who have medical conditions that weaken their wrists and hands.
Final Thoughts
Bowling is a favored pastime for many people. It has basic and easy to understand rules. However, it also can be played according to professional and stricter rules to make it more difficult. There are modifications that can make bowling easier and more accessible, such as bumpers and ramps. Overall, bowling can be a great activity for everyone.
