How To Get Good Bowling Balance

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 2/21/2012; Updated: 12/4/2023

If you are a new bowler or someone just now taking the game seriously, learning how to get good bowling balance during your approach is key in making an effective bowling ball delivery. Maintaining good posture and being in an athletic position at all times during your approach are keys in how to get good bowling balance. A stable upper body posture at stance and throughout the approach will encourage a consistent bowling ball delivery during your sliding step.
Here are a few tips on good balance:
1. In the stance position, lean forward about 10-15 degrees upper-body tilt, allow your backside to push outward slightly, and flex your knees. Your shoulders and knee caps should be directly positioned over the toes of your bowling shoes. This stance will encourage a solid, athletic body set-up position and should be maintained during your entire approach, including the slide into the foul line.
2. Hold the bowling ball in front of your bowling shoulder and as closely to your body as is comfortable. The closer the ball is to your body, the more relaxed are your arm muscles. Muscles of your bowling arm need to be as tension free as possible so the tempo of your swing will be unimpaired, consistent, and the ball can swing freely along a desired path aligned to your target down the lane.
3. Try to avoid dropping your bowling shoulder tilt in the stance position and while you are walking to the foul line. The bowling shoulder should be no more than perhaps one or two inches below the level of your other shoulder at all times.
4. Keep your head steady with the chin at or above shoulder level for balance and stability throughout your approach. Fix your eyes on your target. Keep your upper body as motionless as possible during your approach.
5. Avoid unnecessary upper-body elevation changes, either upward, downward, forward, or back, during the approach and the release.

6. Avoid unneeded shoulder rotation while you are swinging the bowling ball. Excessive shoulder opening-closing motions can cause a realignment of the swing path which may not match the desired direction the ball needs to be released toward your target.
7. Keep your non-bowling arm fully extended along the line created by your shoulders and about waist height throughout your approach, release, and follow through motions.
As in any sport, good balance leads to good results. Your chances for error increase when you introduce unneeded body movement during your approach. Ideally, only your legs and your bowling arm should be moving during your approach. Maintaining good balance will help you improve accuracy and your bowling scores.
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