tips for improving balance at line?

[Split Happens]

lately it seems that i've been finishing off balance on every single shot, even the good ones
im a lefty and im falling left on every shot, even the accurate ones that are striking'
when i try to slide my foot and post, i shoot less accurately

i realize the need for a video and am in the process of finding a good one

[HowDoIHookAgain]

I do not know if this will help, but it's a short video I found that basically says to not force your shot. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KSueTL-lss maybe that is your problem? It's kind of hard to give any kind of criticism without actually seeing your shot.

[Aslan]

I have the same problem. I'm going to try that the next time. I try not to force it...but may still be.

[ChuckR]

This is a common problem, especially when you get older. I am 72. Trying to make a strike or spare ends up after the night with my friend Ben Gay. Todays balls have so much action in them that to FORCE the delivery with the arm and leg becomes negative by the 3rd game, in my case. I practice during the summer and trust the ball and the fact we can walk to the foul line are a big part of that practice. The body and mind will a lot of good things if we let them.

[RobLV1]

The most common cause of falling off at the line is bad timing. The easiest fix is to make sure that your pushaway is synchronized with your fourth step back from the line, ie., first step of a four step approach and second step of a five step approach.

[Mgower]

Thanks for that video. I know your supposed to leave your arm relaxed but never noticed if my falling off balance coincided with a forced throw. Gonna pay attention to that now.

[vdubtx]

In addition to timing being off, one other thing that I was taught awhile back by a great coach, is to get your center of gravity(belly button) over your knees in your stance. Walk a smooth, non rushed approach to the line and deliver the ball.

[Split Happens]

In addition to timing being off, one other thing that I was taught awhile back by a great coach, is to get your center of gravity(belly button) over your knees in your stance. Walk a smooth, non rushed approach to the line and deliver the ball.

this
i have a tendency to rush things, especially my approach
this generally has disastrous results as it usually messes with my timing which causes me to fall off left

[Tony]

I found in a coaching session that my balance was suffering because my non bowling hand was down at my side instead of extended
out to the left where it could provide balance.

[fokai73]

Everything happens at the back of the approach to the foul line. From these two points, anything can happen to cause you to fall off the shot on your bowling side. I'm not sure what level you are skill wise - where you're at. and without a video, it's difficult to know and help.

Basic push away is what RobL1 has mentioned. If that's not in time for your game, then your approach is compromised. With that said though, not every push away is created equal. I have late push away timing. Is it wrong? Not for me, or for Chris Barnes. On the flip side, Tommy Jones has early timing, likewise most classic bowlers like duke, Voss, ect.. have "on time" push aways. One cause for falling off the shot is bad "timing spot" timing. What is the timing spot? It's part of the approach where your slide foot is flat and in front of your head and your bowling arm is parallel to the floor. If I get that too early, I fall off the shot every time. The bowlers I have mentioned all have different "push away timing" BUT THEY hit the timing spot ALL THE SAME.

Click on the link and go to 8:15 "The timing spot" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVORM49GxA

Also what could be wrong too, is your footwork. There's different things that can cause you to fall off the shot. The tricky part is find what causes it. Best bet is to see a good coach.

Edit: I also have to mention that many senior bowlers are not able to get to this point, but it's possible to be slightly early and still be balanced at the line. I'm not sure how this works, but I've had Mark Baker help me with my game early this summer and he briefly explained to me. I just forgot. I guess I'm not there yet lol. Mark Baker's book and DVD is a good tool to have if you don't have access to a coach.

[NewToBowling]

One of the biggest factors for me was releasing the ball with it directly under my head. If you take a video of yourself you should be able to draw a line straight down from your head to the ball. A bit to the right and your balance is shifted and thus you have a harder time posting your shot.

[bowl1820]

Tips for Bowling: Achieving a Balanced Finish Position | USBC Bowling Academy


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQO--leUZR0

[Aslan]

Nice video Bowl.

I'm struggling with balance right now...and a lot of it is timing...something I'd say me and the coach have been trying to fix for at least the last 6-9 months. Another factor is my approach...the coach actually sped it up a bit to try and get rid of some "choppiness" where I'd take a step or two and almost pause. And the third challenge is I'm finally starting to learn how to slide...and that in and of itself creates a challenge to stay balanced.

And then there's the competing views on advanced concepts. Some coaches teach that you want your shoulder down (Slowinski DYDS) and your balance arm towards the ceiling. Others teach the more traditional horizontal arm position. Some coaches teach a more straight up and down position at the foul line...others want you to bend at the waist more. My problem with the waist bend is I tend to use waist bend as a crutch rather than bend my knee more. I 'feel' like I'm bending my knee...but when I watch it on video...I could clearly get lower.

[billf]

Everything happens at the back of the approach to the foul line. From these two points, anything can happen to cause you to fall off the shot on your bowling side. I'm not sure what level you are skill wise - where you're at. and without a video, it's difficult to know and help.

Basic push away is what RobL1 has mentioned. If that's not in time for your game, then your approach is compromised. With that said though, not every push away is created equal. I have late push away timing. Is it wrong? Not for me, or for Chris Barnes. On the flip side, Tommy Jones has early timing, likewise most classic bowlers like duke, Voss, ect.. have "on time" push aways. One cause for falling off the shot is bad "timing spot" timing. What is the timing spot? It's part of the approach where your slide foot is flat and in front of your head and your bowling arm is parallel to the floor. If I get that too early, I fall off the shot every time. The bowlers I have mentioned all have different "push away timing" BUT THEY hit the timing spot ALL THE SAME.

Click on the link and go to 8:15 "The timing spot" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiVORM49GxA

Also what could be wrong too, is your footwork. There's different things that can cause you to fall off the shot. The tricky part is find what causes it. Best bet is to see a good coach.

Edit: I also have to mention that many senior bowlers are not able to get to this point, but it's possible to be slightly early and still be balanced at the line. I'm not sure how this works, but I've had Mark Baker help me with my game early this summer and he briefly explained to me. I just forgot. I guess I'm not there yet lol. Mark Baker's book and DVD is a good tool to have if you don't have access to a coach.

As I was reading this I felt like I was reading Mark's book again. My thought was "another Baker disciple". Baker, Slowinski and Hatfield are three coaches that have helped mold my coaching career and are amazing coaches.

[DRomano]

Keeping the ball in line with your head is a key to consistency, you don't want to swing the ball around the side, straight back, straight through.