Ebonite

What is the "approved" approach posture before release? I have noticed that if I keep my back straight (stay upright) I can hit my mark every single time but have less speed and pin reaction and less hook. When I bend down while releasing the ball I have a more difficult time hitting my mark, but get alot more speed and pin reaction and more hook. I experimented last night and bowled a 181 upright, and a 176 bending over. Just a curiosity question if anyone want s to chime in. Thanks!

I know this sounds like a wimpy way out, but the best way to answer your question I can think of is to look at other people's profile positions during their approach, and how steady they are through their approach, as it is their positions through each step that make their game solid.

Personally, I've found that the women pros are a lot better at this than men, though there are those pros that have had solid positions throughout their career. With that, hit up youtube, and look for the following bowlers:

Mike Aulby
David Ozio
Parker Bohn III
Liz Johnson
CDB
CDL
Brenda Norman Mack
Diandra Asbaty

I know there are many others, but those stand out the most with posture and positioning. I know others will chime in, and if not, I'll pull out one of John Jowdy's books and post what he has to say as well.

BL.

I know for me,keeping my knees bent from start to finish I have more ball control. If I stand up to fast or my knees are'nt bent enough I have a tendency to pull the ball Brooklyn or shank the ball entirely toward the 7 pin. I think it's personal preference,though in your case(nova75mike)your only 5 pins difference between standing & bending.

The real question is-Are you a tall man or short man? I'm 5-5 so bending at the knees is easier for me,then a man who is 6'+. More importantly you should bowl what is comfortable to you! Try 3 games just keeping your knees bent if you can and see if that is comfortable to you. If not,then go back to standing.

Good luck & good scoring!

Zothen

I'm 5' 11" tall, and I bowled 6 games yesterday (the center was having a special $8 for all you can bowl). When the lanes (and myself) were fresh, I would start out slightly bent over and loft the ball slightly. Bowled 3 games that way for a 523 three game series. The last 3 games I bowled a 575 series. Those last 3 games I was slightly bent over during the approach and bent over even more during my release but did not loft the ball at all. Now the lane was going away quickly with 5 of us bowling on it, and I had to put more zing on the ball. So I guess all in all, I changed my style with the changing lane conditions and it worked out allright.