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The Timing Spot – Building Proper Bowling Technique And An Ideal Bowling Approach
How To Improve Your Timing By Knowing Your Timing Spot
One of the most common complaints from a bowler is, “I lost my timing.”
For many years, timing was measured by when you moved the ball in relation to your feet. As we discussed in one of my earlier blogs, First Step and Pushaway, in a four-step approach, the ball should move out and over the top of the bowling ball-side foot during the first step. Even though this is the textbook way of moving the ball into the swing, it is not the way to measure timing.
Chris Barnes, Tommy Jones and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (CDB) have won many titles and majors in their bowling careers. Yet all three are completely different when they get the ball into the swing.
If we measured timing by when the ball starts into the swing in relation to foot movement, Tommy would be early, Chris would be late and CDB would be in time. Tommy takes five steps and moves the ball in his first step, making him early. Chris takes five steps and doesn’t move the ball until he almost has completed his second step, making him late. CDB takes five steps and moves the ball on her second step, making her in time.
So How Can All Three Be Great Bowlers But All Have Completely Different Timing?
There has to be another place somewhere in the approach where they are similar. I wish I could take credit for this one, but I believe Mark Baker (coach of Chris Barnes, Lynda Barnes, Tommy Jones, Mike Fagan, Mika Koivuniemi and Bill O’Neill, just to name a few) has found the true and correct spot to measure timing. The Timing Spot!
What Is The Timing Spot In Bowling?
When the slide foot is flat on the ground and just in front of the head, the arm and ball should be parallel to the ground. The thing Mark found in common with these and many other bowlers – even though all of the players mentioned in this blog have completely different styles, speed, rev rates and rotation – is that they all matched at The Timing Spot, regardless of how or when they get the ball started.
I am very fortunate that I have been able to work with Mark as an instructor several times a year for the past eight years doing clinics and camps. When looking at a bowler who is having issues with consistency and power, I do look at their timing. But I look at The Timing Spot to make sure when the slide foot is flat on the ground and just in front of the head, the arm and ball are parallel to the floor. When I get the bowler to this spot, there is immediate improvement in consistency, power and balance.
Mark has written an excellent book called “The Game Changer” and also has released a DVD called “The System” explaining The Timing Spot. Both can be found on BowlersMart.com
If you have any questions about this topic or would like me to cover a specific topic, please email me at jgaines@bowlersmart.com.
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Is there a drill for getting muscle out of the arm swing? Thanks!