In the previous part, we talked about how to aim and swing in 2 handed bowling. This time, I will help you complete your swing with 2 types of swing planes for happy rolling:
- “Controlled aim” swing
- Abduction swing
1. “Controlled aim” swing
Maybe, you can have a better name. But first, let me explain it.
With this type of swing plane, you match your aiming target line with the body alignment when holding the ball. It means you tend to turn your body to match the angle of the target line with the bowling hands.
Then you walk to the foul line in a way that keeps your body and swing plane matching the target line most of the time till release.
This type of aiming and body alignment helps you minimize extra movements while focusing on the target line. That sounds good!
However, some bowlers do not feel comfortable due to the controlled alignment right from the beginning, like turning the body and keeping the elbow to the inside of your body like this.
Some people don’t like this feeling, while others think this type of body alignment gives them more accuracy. It’s just a matter of choice.
However, there is a con with this type of swing plane. When you tend to turn or twist your body to match the target line from the beginning, it’s a high possibility that you will throw your shoulder forward when releasing the ball at the foul line and ruin the optimal ball release as well as its trajectory.
So let’s talk about the second swing plane, the abduction swing plane.
2. Abduction swing plane
You don’t need to understand what “abduction” really means here. Let’s consider it as a name now.
Contrary to the “controlled aim” swing, the abduction swing plane does not require you to turn or twist your body when holding the bowling ball.
You just need to stand perpendicularly or 90 degrees to the foul line when holding the ball, step, swing, and release.
With 5 step approach, you will walk and push the ball away in a perpendicular line to the foul line with the first 2 steps.
The re-alignment will happen naturally from step 3 when your upper body starts to head to the target line.
You can also see that from step 3, your left foot (or right foot for lefties) will naturally move to the left side of the perpendicular line from the first 2 steps because there’s no other space to step forward.
It will also create a hip opening space for the ball to swing back and forth later on. The hip does not open intentionally but naturally because of the spine tilt of the body.
Your head position will automatically guide and keep your body aligned to the target line at the release point if you can imagine this line before starting the shot.
You see every part of the movement fits together in a natural way.
Your arm and swing will also follow your head and automatically re-align to the inside of your body to match the target line without any effort, or you don’t need to think about it.
This process can not be triggered without a slight spine tilt from step 2 when you push the ball away from the body.
You see, the spine tilt at the release will make space and help the swing move to the inside of your body at the release point. That is one of the crucial points in this technique.
Without spine tilt, you will not be able to move your hands behind the ball for optimal ball rotation.
So I will give you an easy tip here to help you create your spine tilt.
If you tuck your elbow a bit closer to your waist from the stance, you can even see the slight spine tilt is automatically created from the beginning.
Even if you don’t tuck your elbow in, you can naturally create it when pushing your bowling ball away from the second step.
Another three crucial points you need to set up in your mind before executing this technique are:
a. Imagine the target line before you start any shots and keep your eyes on this line during the approach.
b. Walk and swing the ball in a perpendicular line to the foul line with the first 2 steps.
c. Apply the “controlled” free swing concept that we mentioned in the previous part.
You see, I repeat the word “automatically” quite many times. Because when you set up these crucial points in your brain from the beginning, it will naturally guide your body to line up without you thinking about it.
That’s it. Once you trust the process, magic happens.
Note: This technique is also utilized by most of the pros with 1 handed bowling style.
In the beginning, I don’t trust this concept. I thought if we don’t align the body to match the target line before starting the approach, how can we know where to release the ball?
But when I recept to it, everything works excellent without twisting or turning my body from the beginning. This technique gives me a relaxed swing and feeling, which I love best.
Now, it’s time you hit the lane and try these 2 techniques to see which one matches your body. Remember that there’s nothing right or wrong in bowling. It’s all about adaptation and final results.
I strongly believe that after the first 3 videos about 2-handed bowling, you can totally enjoy this sport. If you have any questions or struggles, don’t hesitate to comment below, you will get the best answers from me, guaranteed.
See you in the next part about “How to Increase the Ball Rev Rate”. Until then, enjoy bowling!