Dictate Your Hook With Your Tempo

Adjusting the speed with which you deliver the ball is among the most subtle techniques in the game, but it allows you to deal with virtually any condition

AS YOU GET BETTER AS A PLAYER, you'll undoubtedly begin to want to hook the ball. In fact, in some of the bowling centers you'll play in you'll have to hook the ball more than you do normally, and in others you'll have to throw the ball straighter.

One way to make this adjustment is to grab a different ball in your arsenal that gives you some variety in hook potential. Another way to get the same result is to turn your hand to a greater or lesser degree; that increases or decreases the spin on the ball, which determines how much the ball reacts to, or "reads," the lane condition. And the third way to make this adjustment is by altering your tempo.

In the sport of bowling, tempo is vital to any sustained success--people should realize that the two go hand in hand. Whether you're shooting your first ball for a strike or trying to pick up a one-pin spare late in a game, you need to control your tempo. You need it whether you're throwing the ball straight or hooking the ball from coast to coast. In this issue, let's try to break tempo down so that you can make sure you're using the speed that best suits your game.

The beginning bowler usually throws a straight ball. A straight ball doesn't involve a lot of hand movement, but as a beginner walks up to the lane to deliver the ball, chances are he'll be moving slower than the more experienced bowlers. That's because the beginner isn't completely comfortable with what he's trying to do.

If you're this type of bowler, you'll get your feet set on the approach with your hand under the ball, holding it about waist- to chest-high. (For the purposes of this discussion, we'll describe a four-step approach for a righthander.) Push the ball forward, with the right foot and right arm moving at the same time. Your first three steps should be in an easy rhythm with about the same length in stride, and your last step will be a bit longer as you move into your slide.

The tempo is easy and unrushed, as comfortable as you can make it. In fact, to figure out the right tempo for yourself, the rule of thumb is to keep it comfortable and simple. No strenuous motions--everything flows fluidly and evenly. And that same fluidity and rhythm also relates to the ball coming off your hand.

As you feel more comfortable--and as your average begins to rise--some bowlers like to try to move to the next level by increasing their ball speed. Doing so requires that you raise the ball higher in your starting stance and pick up your tempo.

Once again, assume your starting position on the approach, but hold your ball higher than you normally do. Push the ball straight out in front of you, again moving the right hand and foot at the same time. Now, however, your stride will get a little longer and your pendulum swing (your armswing) is going to get longer too, because the higher ball position at the start will make it swing back farther. As your ball comes forward next to your slide foot, your momentum will be greater, which means your release will be quicker and your ball will move faster down the lane. However, even with a quicker release, be sure to execute your follow-through completely, just like on your usual shot.

With this greater momentum, chances are that your slide step will be a bit longer as well. That's a good thing to remember: When picking up your tempo, move back a bit on the approach to allow for the longer strides and longer slide.

Some bowlers like to go the other way--they have a normal tempo, but sometimes they want to slow their ball down. In a case like this, you would want to lower your ball in your starting stance as you stand on the approach. Hold it at your waist, or possibly even a bit lower. Though you start once again with the ball and leg moving simultaneously, try shuffling your feet to slow your steps down even more. By holding the ball lower and shuffling your feet, you slow your steps and shorten your swing. That will make your ball go slower down the lane and allow it to react more strongly to the lane. Your release will be at the low end of your normal speed, but you'll follow through completely.

Try to remember that even though you slow down, keep your release as aggressive and firm as you normally do. Sometimes when people slow their feet down they slow their release as well, which takes power off the ball.

For bowlers who hook the ball moderately but want to hook it more, incorporating these tempo alterations into your game will add pins to your average. Being able to change your speed by as little as one or two miles an hour --either slower or faster--can mean the difference between missing the pocket and routinely striking at will, because it allows you to play the condition you find that night with the ball you've got that night.

A big key to remember concerning your tempo is understanding how you react to a pressure situation. Every bowler reacts differently, and you need to know what you do under the gun. When I'm in a pressure situation my adrenaline is pumping, and because of that I can unintentionally throw the ball a bit harder than my usual shot, simply because I'm overly excited. Be aware of this and address it: When you're in a pressure situation, take a deep, calming breath and concentrate on maintaining the tempo you've been using.