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Author Topic: Tips for working on "Arm swing"  (Read 1519 times)

johns811

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Tips for working on "Arm swing"
« on: February 11, 2005, 02:57:19 AM »
My armswing quite frankly sucks. I can't stop muscling the ball. I can let it swing nice and freely standing still but as soon as I go to throw all bets are off. I bend my elbow alot too. Is there a good way to practice not doing this?

Any info appreciated.


 

guzmand19

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Re: Tips for working on "Arm swing"
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2005, 11:02:36 AM »
You must keep relaxed, and have minimum tension in your body.  Even in moments we think we are relaxed, we are really tense.  Have someone watch you, and stop you every time they see your elbow bend.  You said you can do it fine standing still, so try doing it one step at a time.  Take a step and begin your pushaway, and then let the ball swing on its own.  Once you get it there, take 2 steps.  See if you can identify which step it is causing problems.  

Keep in your head that if muscling the ball was the secret to bowling, the Ah-nold Schwarzenegger's of the world would dominate.  Sometimes you need to keep these small things in mind while bowling to convince yourself to go easy.
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D <~~~~ Used to be terrible wiffing 10 pins.  Now through much practice, can wiff any single pin spare at any time.

Darrell Guzman
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KDawg77

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Re: Tips for working on "Arm swing"
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2005, 11:02:59 AM »
John,

The best advice I received was from John Gaines at Ebnoite during a Demo Day. My problem was that I went into a crouch with a loaded wrist and while it generated major revolutions, it also overpowered the ball to where I couldn't control any of my Diesels. What he had me do was stand almost straight up, keep a firm and straight wrist and "soften" my major muscle groups (back, chest, shoulders). This change allowed for a freer swing without changing my ball speed and it even upped it a touch. Now I can control all my new equipment and have a "B" game in which to fall back.

Hope this helps.

Ken

Leftyhi-trak

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Re: Tips for working on "Arm swing"
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2005, 02:23:08 PM »
Is your grip correct? Some  experts postings having stated up to 80% of grips are incorrect. Have you seen a qualified coach? All the balls in the world can't fix bad habits or bad fit. I worked with Mike Jasneau of Lane 81 Proshop and master technician of the CATS analysis at the National bowling stadium and to me video-taping from multiple angles was quite eye opening to muscling of the swing. People can give you advice but in the end a qualified instructor is the best route.

I will say that actually learning some breathing techniques applied in my set-up and early approach did help relax my shoulders which in turn helped with some of my muscling problems. (Book from Dr Dean Hinitz- focused on bowling)

2EZ

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Re: Tips for working on "Arm swing"
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2005, 06:56:23 PM »
K-Dawg is correct in starting staight up and relaxed.  From there John Jowdy has a good drill/technique to not muscle the ball - the over/under method.
Start your swing by pushing the ball up "over" an imaginary bar that is 4 - 6" from where you hold the ball.  Then, let it freely swing back.  From the top of your backswing, allow gravity to bring the ball forward on line, and with your release at or behind your slide step, "under" an imaginary bar that is 4 - 6" high at the foul ine.
Helped me.
Good luck with smoothing out your swing - keep with it, it will pay off.