Problem with excessive leaning

[BowlingObsessed]

Recently I've noticed that I have a serious problem with leaning too far forward throughout my approach and I'm starting to think that it may be the biggest flaw in the physical aspect of my game. I feel like I'm hurried to the line and it's seems that there is no telling where my feet and hips are going these days. Which is also causing some extremely frustrating issues with swing plane, balance, ect or basically anything else you can possibly think of.

My question is obviously how can I solve this problem and what may be the root cause of it. Bad timing? Pushaway? My first step being too long or quick? I feel completely lost at the moment so any and all help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Tenkei]

I have the same problem you do and I'm always told to slow down my approach. I find it also helps to count out loud or in your head as you walk to the foul line. Try to bend your knees a little more instead of leaning forward. It'll take a lot of practice but keep at it and it'll come naturally! I'm hoping someone more experienced than me can give more tips.

[Simply]

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." - Leonardo da Vinci

[The Mayor]

I agree with bending your knees more throughout your approach. It's hard to say what the issue is without seeing you bowl. If you could post a video, that would be even better! Also, if you try to target more down lane, like say instead of the arrows, you look at the reflection of the pins (even just for a little bit). This may help keep you more upright.

[Motivlution]

I'm a rather tall bowler and have found my self with a similar problem and like other people have said I found that bending my knees helped me a lot to not lean forward or bend at my waist. Holding the ball close to my body and over my hip also helped me with a timing problem that bending my knees pseudo-created.

[martin]

hmm do we have to be upright during release? why is it that 1 coach (silver coach at that) here tends to teach ppl to lean forward (but certainly not too far.. about 30 degrees max) for the release?

[glen290]

I coach the kids in our YBC to have their bodies as straight as possible, only bend that leading knee to get down lower.

[aussiedave]

Recently I've noticed that I have a serious problem with leaning too far forward throughout my approach and I'm starting to think that it may be the biggest flaw in the physical aspect of my game. I feel like I'm hurried to the line and it's seems that there is no telling where my feet and hips are going these days. Which is also causing some extremely frustrating issues with swing plane, balance, ect or basically anything else you can possibly think of.

My question is obviously how can I solve this problem and what may be the root cause of it. Bad timing? Pushaway? My first step being too long or quick? I feel completely lost at the moment so any and all help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

I personally feel leaning forward too much might get you off balance, as well as making a nice easy follow through a little more difficult. On the other hand, I don't advocate a bolt upright position either.
The way I remedied that was to keep my upper chest and head pointing toward the pins. Sounds basic and it is. Keeping the head still and upright as possible helps a lot here.
ad.

[atty_hen05]

Bend your knees and try to avoid stooping down during your release.. keep your head up to see how the ball is reacting to the lane condition. These keeps your balance when you release the ball and prevent your upper body from leaning forward.

[martin]

well for me, i usually lean forward automatically and knees bent automatically also (my long slide somehow brings my body leant forward and knees down), but i force my head to stay up and look straight ahead..