All Information on this website came from ABBA website Click Here
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Basic Fundamentals of Bowling
Chapter 7, Section A
Chapter 7, Section B
Chapter 7, Section C
One Step Approach and Delivery
Chapter 7, Section D
Chapter 7, Section E
Chapter 7, Section F
Finding Your Starting Position
In bowling, as in any other sports activity, there are certain standard movements and procedures to be learned before attempting to compete with others. These movements and procedures are what we call "BASIC FUNDAMENTALS", and should be practiced to become familiar with game and competition procedures. Experts will concede that there is no one correct method of delivering the ball; however, research has found that most bowlers, including the professionals, have incorporated certain basic movements and techniques into their delivery in efforts to improve their game.
These basic movements are the basic fundamentals that should be learned and practiced.
Becoming proficient in the execution of these fundamentals will not guarantee a top bowler but it will enable the individual to bowl better consistently with a minimum of practice. Higher scores make for more enjoyment of the game and competition.
In this section, the fundamentals are broken down or separated into individual components, along with the teaching and learning techniques to enable the instructor and the student to better understand and master each component. We urge that the beginning bowler learn the movements and techniques in each component before moving to the next segment, especially before trying to put all components together in an approach and delivery.
It is not necessary to become proficient in each segment, providing the beginner knows and understands what should be done and how. The beginner can practice each movement separately and thus achieve desired proficiency before moving to other movements.
FITTING THE BOWLING BALL AND SHOES
Before beginning any bowling instruction, the instructor must show the individuals the correct method of determining the correct ball to use. For most visually handicapped persons, you must show them the procedures, and find the best fitting ball available.
To fit a bowling ball, you are concerned with two major items:
THE CORRECT FIT OF THE THUMB HOLE
THE CORRECT SPAN, OR DISTANCE BETWEEN THUMB HOLE
AND FINGER HOLES
To measure the thumb, have the student start with a straight thumb (no crooks) Insert the thumb as far as possible into the ball. Turn the hand while the thumb is in the hole. The student should just be able to feel the sides of the hole without any movement of the thumb. If the skin on the thumb pulls, try a larger ball. If students cannot feel the sides of the hole, try a smaller thumb hole. Use this method as a start, and caution students that they may have to try a larger thumb hole later, as the thumb has a tendency to swell slightly during bowling due to friction.
To measure the span (distance between holes), insert the thumb into the thumb hole as far as possible. Lay the hand flat across the span and the two finger holes. Use the crease under the large knuckle of the middle finger as a guide in measuring.
This crease should extend 1/4 to 1/2 inch over the hole. If the crease does not reach the finger hole, the span is too long. If the crease extends past the center of the finger hole, the span is too short. Do not bother fitting the ring finger, as the holes are pre-drilled at the factory to give the correct fit on the ring finger if the middle finger is correct.
AT THIS TIME, THE STUDENT SHOULD BE INSTRUCTED ON USING THE TWO MIDDLE FINGERS OF THE BOWLING HAND IN THE BALL, AND THE INDEX AND LITTLE FINGERS AS AIDS IN SUPPORTING THE BALL AND BALANCE.
THE ONLY GRIPPING OF THE BOWLING BALL IS DONE WITH THE THUMB
THE STUDENT SHOULD ALSO BE SHOWN THE CORRECT METHOD OF HOLDING THE BALL, WITH ALL FOUR (4) FINGERS UNDERNEATH AND SUPPORTING THE BALL, WITH THE THUMB PULLING STRAIGHT BACK INTO THE PALM OF THE HAND TO GRIP AND BALANCE THE BALL. CAUTION THAT THE WRIST SHOULD BE STRAIGHT AND FIRM, AND THE ELBOW STRAIGHT.
FITTING THE BOWLING SHOES
Instruction on the shoes should be limited to the difference on the soles of personal shoes and the difference between personal shoes and rental shoes. When using rental shoes, the student should be shown the marking system for sizes and instructed to try the same size shoe as he wears normally. The student should have comfortable shoes and should try different sizes until they are comfortable.
Instruction should point out that the private shoes have rubber soles on the shoe opposite the sliding foot. This rubber should be on the same foot as the arm the student uses to bowl.
The sliding foot, or the foot opposite the bowling arm will have a leather sole for ease of sliding.
Blind Bowlers Guide From
Table of Contents - Chapter - Previous / Next - Section - Previous / Next