A large group of bowlers have chosen over the years to use a 4-step delivery, it gives them and nicely coordinated approach that allows them to have the correct rhythm to perfect their release.

A few bowlers use other approaches, but most bowlers love converting to a four-step approach after discovering it possibilities. Enroll in a class on bowling and you will hear the instructor say, “Out on 1, down on 2, back on 3 and then slide!”

You will discover this approach accomplishes the height of results with minimum effort.

Lets examine this step one of the four-step approach. You need to push away in this step and that is what is meant by: “Out on 1”. This will cover the push away.

You should know that during the push away your ball needs to be placed forward and a tad to the right so you have enough room to do your step number 2, and your swing that should be pendulum-like of your arm. If this is not done you will slam into your right leg on your step number 2.

During doing your step number 2, the left hand (for right-handers) should be removed from the ball. Sometimes this is immediate but it does vary. A lot of bowlers do this during the push away or just before the max is attained. The left hand should never be left on the ball during step number 2. You will invite trouble.

For the second step your ball does and pendulum-type swing. Don’t push it though. Make the weight of the ball do your work for you.

“Back on 3, and then slide.” When you finish your slide, you left foot is required to be at a distance of 3 inches behind the foul line. Don’t push yourself to make long-type strides the short ones will benefit you more.

With every bowlers, the third step should fine the ball in a complete back swing. This is where now that you cannot correct anything you have done wrong, you are fully invested at this point. Actually you are from the push away.

Your slide is your 4th step, in the slide your ball moves quite easily forward, and the weight helps the swing. Don’t force the ball the weight will do the work.

During this slide bend your body forward, and keep your right leg behind you mainly for balance, but it can also be a brake to halt your slide. When you have stopped sliding be about 3 inches behind the foul line.

With moving from the 3-step delivery method to the 4-step delivery method, remember your steps should be as if you are just walking.

Do not ever push your strides to be long ones, regular short strides are more useful here. Some lanes have limited approach areas for you to move in so stick to short strides.

It is important that you keep your right arm at your side, regardless of the number of steps you are utilizing in your approach. Your elbow really needs to be rubbing on your side.

Once the bowlers practices this approach they will never go back to another!

Aim for the arrows instead of the pins for better accuracy.  The arrows are located a ways out on the lane.  Rolling the ball over the arrows will take some foot adjustment at each arrow.  The adjustment should be to the right for the futherest arrow to the right.  Move slightly to the left for the next arrow going left toward the center and left again slightly for the next arrow to the left and etc.  There are also dots at the approach which may be used the same way as the arrows.

Some modifications work well; some do not. The downswing is more stringent in keeping with fundamental technique; a complicated process, it affords little deviation.

Consider: In the downswing, your arms, shoulders, legs and hips all move at the same time, with varying speed and directions in order to set the ball down on a specific board on the lane. Is it any wonder many beginners frequently roll gutter balls?

The key to a successful downswing is found primarily in the transition point between the end of the backswing and the beginning of the downswing. Concentrate on letting the weight of the ball initiate the downswing. If this is done, it affords the best opportunity for the arms, hips and legs to coordinate so as to provide an ideal swing speed, leverage and the correct swing direction. If all the parts move in correct sequence, you will be more consistent.

The downswing movement starts from the ideal position at the top of the backswing. Your best preparation is to create a strong coil with the upper body so there is tension between it and your lower body. This tension allows the weight of the ball to easily drop into the ideal swing on the way down.

Having made a strong coil, you then check out the position of the ball at the top of the swing. The ideal backswing height is determined by the number of steps taken, the spacing of those steps and personal physiology. With these factors in mind, experiment to determine which backswing height best suits your swing, then achieve that height shot after shot. If you fi nd this is a problem, then choose a more appropriate height for your game. Consistency with the height of the backswing is a must.

Another factor to address at the top of the backswing is the ball’s side-to-side location. Ideally, the ball should be behind the elbow of the bowling arm, perhaps even tucked a “dab” behind the body. Also, at this point, the bowling arm is tucked in close to the body. That’s what helps keep your swing on plane. Otherwise, your arm will tend to work away from your body, which often causes your swing to come inside in the delivery, while also causing your hand to “top” the ball.

The challenging part of the initial downward movement is getting the proper sequence of motion between the arms and body. Aside from an ideal swing plane, this leads to good swing leverage. I believe this is made easier if you pause an instant at the top of the backswing to give yourself time to instinctively assemble the many movements that follow. This process should be deliberate and uncontrolled without conscious effort (which takes practice, practice, practice).

Ever notice how your best shots often feel they were made with little effort, while your more aggressive efforts went awry? The problem doesn’t necessarily stem from adding force; it’s a question of where the force was applied. If it is applied at the beginning of the downswing, you’ll likely lack leverage in the delivery. The key to good leverage is to let the swing’s speed build slowly until the point of release, at which time you pour on the power.

Finally, what works for some doesn’t work for all. There are many theories on how the downswing starts. Nelson Burton Jr. often likened it to the “moment of truth” where the second-tolast step shifts into the sliding step. Paul Krumske suggested that everything (arms, legs, hips, feet) start down together. And the great Earl Anthony was very meticulous about having his second-tolast step planted at the exact time the backswing reachedits ultimate and ideal height.

Bowling, like many other endeavors, is easy to learn but hard to master.  This especially true regarding picking up spares.  Few of us are so good that we never leave pins behind after the first ball.

It's important to be concerned at the beginning of each frame with what you are left with as far as spares to pickup. So plan ahead.  and, whatever you do, avoid the 7 - 10  split.

Picking up spares takes a lot or practice. It has been said "Pick up the spares and the strikes will come." That is quite true.

There are around 1,000 different spare combinations. Some people have a special ball to pick up their spares which is drilled differently.

Below is a diagram of the pins and their positions. If you are a beginning bowler, it is important to familiarize yourself with this pin diagram.

The 7 pin leave and the 10 pin leave are usually picked up by a far right (7) or far left (10) roll of the ball.

Some spares can be picked up by rolling a strike ball, if the 5 pin is part of the leave. Taking out the 5 pin hopefully will pick up the other pins.

The following are some spares and possible solutions for picking them up:

• The 6-9-10 leave would be picked up by the far left starting position and going cross lane.
• The 4-7-8 leave would be picked up by a starting position on the far right and going cross lane.
• The 1-2-5-8 would be picked up by rolling a strike ball and taking out the 5 pin which will take out the others.
• 1-3-5-9 could be picked up by starting left of center.
• The 5-9 would be picked up by rolling from left of center. This is a hard spare to pick up because it is easy to pick off just one of the pins.

A sleeper spare is where one pin is left almost directly behind the front pin and the ball will pick off the front pin unless the hit is straight on.

The above examples are only a few strike combinations that are possible and maybe a solution to pick them up.

7 Bowling Tips To Improve Bowling Game
by John Tenn

We've heard it many times before... practice makes perfect. And for good reason-it's the truth! The best way to get better at anything is to practice; bowling is no exception. However, how you practice will mean the difference between slowly improving and supercharging your game!

Bowling Tip #1: Use the right tools

In any sport, using the correct equipment for the job you have to do improves your performance. In bowling, the ball is the most important piece of equipment you will use, so choose the right one for the job! Be sure to try out many, and select one that's the right weight, material and finger-grip fit.

Bowling Tip #2: Are you bowling enough?

To progress at bowling, you need to bowl at least once or twice a week. The most economical way to get this amount of practice in is by joining a league. Usually, the more experienced players show up before the game to practice. This is when you can learn the most, from people committed to the sport.

Bowling Tip #3: Learn to walk the walk

While professional bowlers tend to use a 5-step approach, that's just not suitable for someone just learning the sport. Beginners are usually more comfortable with a 4-step approach. You can practice your approach without throwing a single ball. Keep your shoulders square to the front, your head up, arm swing smooth, and your pace consistent and even.

Bowling Tip #4: Let 'em roll

Spend time rolling the ball. A bowling ball should never be thrown. How do you tell the difference? A thrown ball will land with a loud "clunk" and then slide a few feet before beginning to roll. A rolled ball lands quietly and quickly rolls down the lane. If you find that you're in the habit of throwing the ball, simply slow down. Try taking a slow, deep breath or two before bowling to settle any anxiety. You will hit more pins with a rolled ball than with a thrown one.

Bowling Tip #5: What you think is what you do

Spend time visualizing and analyzing your shots. Visualize your movements and your shots before you do them. If your ball goes consistently too far right, begin a little further left. You will learn to "feel" when you've bowled a good ball. When you do, write it down before you forget. What did you do? How did the ball feel? Where did the ball hit? Keep it for future reference so you can do it again.

Bowling Tip #6: What if I can't be at the alley enough to practice?

Any smooth surface with a long, clear distance is suitable for practicing your approach. It's not safe to practice the release, however, as a bowling ball will easily roll straight through walls if you miss your target! Not to mention you'll ruin the surface of your ball. When practicing at home, mark your foul line and arrows in masking tape or other material that will not damage your floor. Also mark where your toes need to be for each step. Practice your approach until it's second nature.

You can practice your arm swing outdoors with a bucket of water with a small hole at the bottom. The water drops on the ground will mark the path of your arm and the direction the ball would go. It's a good way to see if you arc around your body when you bowl and which direction your arm is going. This can be a very enlightening experience.

Bowling Tip #7: Don't spare yourself the trouble

It's a very good idea to practice picking up your spares. A bowler who can consistently pick up his spares can easily hold a 180 average without getting any strikes. It's especially useful to practice bowling at the 7-or 10-pins by aiming at them and bowling across the strike zone (the "x" on the lane) from the opposite side of the lane.

By practicing these bowling techniques on a regular basis, you'll be honing the skills that will help you improve your bowling game!

ImproveBowling offers bowling tips for bowlers who want to take their game to the next level. Visit http://www.ImproveBowling.com for more information on improving bowling score and techniques.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Tenn

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The great Earl Anthony - Pro Bowlers Tour 1981

Earl Anthony

He was born in 1938 in Kent, Washington and passed away in 2001. The first sport he was involved in was baseball. He was offered a contact with the Baltimore Orioles, but tore his rotator cuff at spring training, which put an end to the baseball career.

Earl Anthony joined a company bowling team where he was working and was very good. He turned pro in 1963 and in 1970 won his first PBA tournament. In 1982, he was the first bowler to win $1,000,000. He continued bowling over the years but won his last tournament in 1997 and passed away in 2001.

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Dick Weber vs George Pappas 1985

Dick Weber

He is one of the most well known bowlers. He was born in 1929 and died in 2005. He won many titles over the years such as National Bowler of the Year in 1961, 1963, and 1965. In 1970 he was inducted into the ABC Hall of Fame.

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1985 US Open - Marshall Holman vs. Wayne Webb

Marshal Holman

He was born in 1954. He started watching bowling on tv at about age 12. He mostly taught himself to bowl and has gone on to become one of the most recognized bowlers. Over the years he has won 22 titles. At age 21, in 1976, he became the youngest to win the Firestone Tournament of Champions.

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1981 Showboat - Mark Roth vs. Earl Anthony

Mark Roth

He was born on 1951 in New York. He won his first PBA title in 1975. He is known for his hard throwing style. He has won other numerous awards over the years such as PBA player of the year.

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1993 PBA Phoenix Open: Winning Never Gets Old Tip - Dick Weber and Camen Salvino Classic Clip

Carmen Salvino

He was born in 1933. Over the years, he won 17 PBA titles. He was inducted into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1975. He was known as the "Spook".

These are just a few of the top professional bowlers in the 20th century. The PBA is going strong and the sport of bowling continues to produce many great bowlers and new fans to support them. The pro bowlers are excellent role models for bowling techniques and style.