Bowling is an enjoyable sport, and people from all experience levels get together to enjoy a friendly game every so often.
There are a few things you need to take into consideration when playing a game of bowling, one of the most important ones being how to correctly throw the ball.
However, before learning how to throw the ball properly, there are a few things you need to make sure of before getting started, such as having the right gear and equipment.
This article is going to cover all those things, as well as how you can throw a ball in order to play a successful game of bowling.
Choosing The Right Gear
Learning how to throw a bowling ball is a lot easier if you’ve got the right equipment. The first one we are going to discuss is shoes.
Wherever you go bowling, you’ll have the option of renting bowling shoes. These are compulsory as they are made specifically for bowling lanes, as they allow you to slip and slide in order to throw the ball accordingly.
If you wear your regular shoes, you’ll stay stuck in one place which can get in the way of completing a successful throw, and you can also injure yourself.
Therefore, unless you have your own bowling shoes (which is recommended if you’re a regular), then you’ll have to rent them at the bowling alley.
The next is finding the appropriate bowling ball with regard to its weight. Normally, people suggest using a ball that is 10% of your overall weight, but this will also depend on the physical well-being of the person.
It is best to use this rule as a guide, try a few balls, and see which one you can comfortably hold and swing repeatedly without getting too tired.
The Basics Of Throwing A Bowling Ball
It’s perfectly normal to feel intimidated in a bowling alley, especially if those around you are constantly throwing balls and knocking over pins left, right, and center.
However, everyone was a newbie once, and now that you’re aware of the gear, you can begin the basics of throwing a ball.
The first thing you need to do is grip the ball properly. You must insert the appropriate fingers into the holes of the ball. There’s a slot for your thumb, your ring finger, and your middle finger.
Begin by placing your ring and middle fingers side by side, inserting them into the holes, and the other hole is left for your thumb. Inset them until your knuckles.
If you’ve chosen the right-sized ball, you’ll be able to hold it comfortably without fear of dropping it.
Once you feel comfortable, and the right fingers are in the holes, try swinging it a few times to get used to the weight of it. By swinging it, you’ll also get the feel of what it is like to throw it.
Now you can try throwing the ball once you’ve got comfortable with how it feels.
When you’re ready to throw the ball, make sure your thumb is facing the direction you want it to go – down the lane and towards the pins. Take a few strides towards the lane (around four or five), while aiming the ball at the pins.
Once you’ve aimed the ball at the pins, you are ready to swing the ball back and release it toward the lane.
The ball should be released as your arm swings forward towards your ankle. When your arm reaches your ankle is when you should let go of the ball.
As you release the ball, you are to release your fingers from each of the holes. This may take some getting used to, so it’ll take a few tries to get comfortable.
Tips For Throwing A Bowling Ball
The best way to learn how to bowl properly is by practicing often. While you practice, there are a few tips that will help you along the way.
Gear
As mentioned in this article, having the appropriate gear will ensure that you’re comfortable and secure when practicing.
This means having the right shoes, and that they fit you well, and selecting the right ball when it comes to its weight.
There’s no harm in picking up a few balls to determine the best one and trying on a few different shoes to make sure that you’re 100% comfortable. This will not only make you perform better, but it will also prevent injuries.
Timing
In order to bowl well, your timing needs to be on point. Your feet should move in coordination with your arms when it comes to swinging. It’ll take a few tries to get this right, but practice makes perfect.
Hand Position
The position of your hand as you swing the ball is crucial. Your thumb must be pointing toward the direction where you want the ball to travel, and your hand and wrist must remain straight.
However, this isn’t the case if you want to hook the ball, as this involves twisting your wrist a certain way, but this is a move for more advanced players.
Approach
The approach in bowling is very important. As we said earlier, you should aim to release the ball around your ankles and get enough momentum in your strides.
Most bowling alleys have marks on the lane to guide you on this also.
Speed And Target
The ideal speed for most bowlers is around 16 mph, but it is whatever works best for you, and what knocks the pins over.
The more you practice, the more you’ll know how fast, and how big, your strides should be.
Final Thoughts
In order to throw a bowling ball correctly, there are a number of things to take into consideration before doing so.
This involves having the right gear such as shoes and the right ball, and knowing how to grip the ball properly.
Having the right gear will make you completely comfortable, and will give you the chance to focus solely on your technique when it comes to the actual bowling.
We hope this article has provided you with a useful guide on how to properly throw a bowling ball, as well as all the other factors that come along with the sport.
I wanted to create my website to inspire others to pick up their bowling balls and get to their local lanes. There’s nothing quite like enjoying a friendly game of bowling with your friends and family, so what are you waiting for?
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