How to teach a free arm swing?

[billf]

Goes back to the #1 rule in bowling..there are no rules, just whatever works for that individual lol

[nev]

Goes back to the #1 rule in bowling..there are no rules, just whatever works for that individual lol

Yes at the end of the day in general there is no right or wrong way as long as its constant (same every time)
But there are things that can make it easier

I personally am a big believer in Joe Slowinski. Here's his resume;

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/...ach_resume.pdf

Here's his article on swing angle and WHY YOU SHOULD DROP THE SHOULDER. Your choice but this man's results speak for themselves.

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/...inskimay12.pdf

Interesting (but confusing)article thanks
Wow we are talking a beginner here not the elite
Fine tuning comes later
Give them too much to think about and they never come back

WOW an 8Lb ball in an adults hands
Ive got 8-9 yo kids in 9-10lb balls

Hows her pin carry???

TenPin Bowling is a tough metal and physical SPORT
It requires metal and physical conditioning Muscle training etc
May I Suggest Strengthing exercises squeezing tennis balls etc

For her or anyone to carry pins with an 8lb ball would require her to thunder the ball down the lane

Think of the swing as a clock pendulum the heavier the weight the truer the swing
No weight at the bottom its not going to swing

[billf]

WOW an 8Lb ball in an adults hands
Ive got 8-9 yo kids in 9-10lb balls

My oldest granddaughter is a little taller and heavier than Swingsets wife and I wouldn't be comfortable with her swinging a ball much heavier. After some experience/confidence maybe she will decide to try a heavier weight. At the end of the day bowling still needs to be fun to the participant. Anything that causes pain isn't enjoyable to most people, or so I'm told.


Think of the swing as a clock pendulum the heavier the weight the truer the swing
No weight at the bottom its not going to swing

But there is a point where too much weight can cause muscling or trying to muscle the swing.

A proper arm slot is too advanced at this time but a ball heavier than the individual is comfortable with is ok? I agree heavier would be better but not if she can't handle it or control it.

[billf]

Nev, I apologize if any of this is coming across as personal. It's not intended that way. Every coach know what has worked for them to get people to accomplish what's being asked and of course we all believe we are the ones that are correct. However, for some people, something all together may be what suits them best. Without tone or inflection, two dimensional words can come across more abrasive than intended.
My oldest granddaughter is taller and heavier than the lady mentioned. I still get mad when I think how a coach tried getting that 10 year old to use a 14lbs ball. Forced her to use it right up until she hurt her elbow. One reason I took the coach courses.

[kev3inp]

If you want your swing to be in the correct plane and height above the lane your shoulder must drop. (Unless somehow you're on your knees at the foul line.) It's a question of degree. Moderation in all things. I think it's hard to develop a "free swing" with nothing in your hand. For an 8 lb ball simulator you can use a gallon bottle of water, you just don't let it go.

[billf]

I think it's hard to develop a "free swing" with nothing in your hand. For an 8 lb ball simulator you can use a gallon bottle of water, you just don't let it go.

It is harder to develop a free swing. At first I just want them to know where the swing plane is and don't want to see anybody reach over to show a correction and end up eating a bowling ball. This step only takes a few minutes. I still work on my swing plane empty handed at home, work, wherever I get bored and have a minute or two.

[swingset]

WOW an 8Lb ball in an adults hands
Ive got 8-9 yo kids in 9-10lb balls

Hows her pin carry???

TenPin Bowling is a tough metal and physical SPORT
It requires metal and physical conditioning Muscle training etc
May I Suggest Strengthing exercises squeezing tennis balls etc

For her or anyone to carry pins with an 8lb ball would require her to thunder the ball down the lane

Think of the swing as a clock pendulum the heavier the weight the truer the swing
No weight at the bottom its not going to swing

I understand the ball weight worries, I do, I'm not new to the game...but we're talking about a very small woman who's in her mid 40's. She's tried a 12 and it hurt her forearm/wrist at address to hold it up, and it didn't make an ounce of difference with her consistency...she was just as erratic with a 12. She's not in bad shape, in fact she does P90X and is fit, but she's tiny and her wrists and forearms pretty weak. I have crappy knees, some people have ankle issues, she's just not strong there.

She tried a 10 and it was right on the line, she's already started working on her forearm and wrist a bit trying to develop a little stronger hand, but for now it's a question of pain. She's not going to learn anything if it hurts.

Her pin carry isn't too bad, btw, it's a urethane ball with a pancake core and she's knocking over pins without hurling it. As good as me? No, of course not but it's better than a house ball and she's got decent ball speed (12-13mph) without muscling it.

I hope to move her up to a 10lb when she's more comfortable and not trying so hard to juggle all the physicality of her approach but if it causes her discomfort she'll stay where she's at. 10lbs is where the ball selection opens up, there's not a lot of options at 8.

[TheSheibs]

I don't like how nev says that a kids father could be teaching their kid the wrong way to do something because he is not a certified coach. My dad spent a few years working at a bowling ally when he was in high school and taught me the correct way to make adjustments and the correct fundamentals. That's why I bowl the way I do. The best thing a coach can do is watch you. If you have someone who knows the correct way to bowl and knows the fundamentals, you can actually do pretty well.

Back on topic..... I agree about the shoulders being square to the lane. I also agree that no matter what you do you will have a slight shoulder drop. Put something in either hand and holding it by your side will cause your shoulder to drop slightly. If that is happening, one thing you can try is to not have her back foot slide over at all. This is how I was taught when I first started. Yeah, the leg going behind a bowler looks cool but does not serve a real purpose when you are just starting. Also to help her keep her arm swinging the same back and forward try the old statue of liberty, where she would finish with her hand in front of her. This will allow her to see if she had her arm come forward at an angle or if it was straight. If her hand finishes in front of her eyes then it was not straight. If it finishes in line with her shoulder than it was straight.

[billf]

Actually, for some woman the slide is imperative. It's the only way they can clear their hips. Swingset's wife's stats suggest she wouldn't fit into this category though. Here in Ohio, it can be a real issue and a delicate one to try to explain lol
Don't take the father teaching comment personally. Most fathers don't work in bowling alleys and only know the recreational side of bowling. Those fathers would do more harm than good to a child's development. That being said, any time a parent takes to participate with their kids is great and I have no problem spending a few extra minutes convincing them that the right way was their idea.
All a coach can do is watch and make suggestions. That's all anybody can do, really. The difference is knowing what to look for and how to correct it. Most good bowlers who work at their sport can do the same thing but usually only to the point of their own style.

[TheSheibs]

Most good bowlers who work at their sport can do the same thing but usually only to the point of their own style.

I think this is the reason why The average good bowler is the worst person to take advice from. Their good with their own style. They can tell if your releasing the ball early or lat, crossing your body, dropping the ball, etc. But when it comes to another style. The good bowlers who are good with their style and can give good advice are those who have looked at other styles and have an understanding of various styles. It is important to understand all popular styles to be able to give another bowler with a different style advice that would be beneficial.