footwork

[TJS_7]

how many boards should your sliding leg be from the board you place the ball on say if i want to roll on board 15 should my sliding leg be on 20??? just want to get a general idea thx

[SplitMaster]

TJS...its all about what works for you..everyone has their own comfort zone..me myself,have an odd approach. I step over my left foot a bit with my right foot on my first step..say if Im throwing for my 10 board..I usualy stand non slide foot on 20...step over which tends to bring me left..then I approach towards my mark...but that works for me and may not work for you...everone has a different approach that works for them..find out where your level of comfortability is...I dont think everyone here bowls the same so you may get a wide range of opinions here .maybe take it all in and use it to what works for you...hope you find what you need and happy bowling!

[bluerrpilot]

The closer the ball is to your sliding foot the closer it is to your center of gravity. Making it easier to remain in balance at the foul line

[Rowdy]

I belive you're looking at this from the wrong angle. The BALL should come straight down the target line from the top of the backswing. All the footwork follows after that. How close the ball will be to your left foot is the result of what kind of swing and follow thru you have. Since I get the best results by swinging my right foot out behind me at a 45 degree angle or more,the ball tends to be very close to my right foot. Tink on the other hand,rolls her ball straight out and lets it skid/flip. The ball passes her foot farther away than mine does. Work on rolling the marble down the target line and let the footwork figure itself out. It usually does. Or you can have a coach or someone who knows your swing really well watch you and see whats happening.

[BubbaRay]

The bulk of your game relies on your steps, in particular the execution of a proper swing. In fact, by developing good footwork, you are literally laying in a big percentage of the groundwork required for effecting a good swing.

[slap]

TJS, it sounds like you've been talking to someone that has been through the Ritger system. If I understand your question correctly, you're asking about your "personal number." It's used to figure out all kind of things in that system. I'm not a Ritger trained coach (yet), but I'm learning the system from my coach who is. I'll try to explain it the best I can.

The personal number is determined at the foul line. As TJS said, it is the number of boards from the "laydown board" of the ball to your "sliding foot."

From bowler to bowler the number changes for different reasons but to make things simple let's just use body size. I'm 5'11", 200lbs and my number is 7 boards. Now if I were 5'11" and 350 my number would be greater than 7 because of my wider body.

Generally a bowler's number does not change. To a coach that would indicate an inconsistent release or another problem in the physical game. Also, the number should not change when different lines are being played on the lanes. Typically, when you open your shoulders to play a greater angle, you also open your feet and hips. The distance remains the same.

[TJS_7]

yes this is what i'm looking for I'm a bit smaller than you so maybe it's 5 boards for me I'm 5'7 175

thx

[slap]

yes this is what i'm looking for I'm a bit smaller than you so maybe it's 5 boards for me I'm 5'7 175

thx

Ooops, I got so caught up with the theory I forgot to finish my post. Try this drill...

You need to throw a series of shots down the ten board. Don't swing it, just a nice down and in shot using your normal delivery and release. If you normally drift then do that as well. (Drift needs to be factored in.) Start with your feet around 15. Attempt to roll the ball straight down the 10 board. The key here is to use your normal release. It needs to "feel right." After 3 or 4 quality shots, move to 16 then 17 then 18 etc... (The more a bowler drifts the greater their number which is perfectly okay.) At a certain point you'll be too far and you'll know it. From there you can narrow it down to which board feels the best.

That board minus 10 is your personal number (plus drift.) Again, mine is 7 so if I'm playing down 10 I line up on 17. Playing down 5, stand on 12. The math changes when playing angles but that's another post. :)

[Rowdy]

I learned something easier a long time ago. Figure out where you want the ball to cross the foul line. Walk up to that spot with a bowling ball in your hand. Hold the ball straight down from your shoulder and against your right leg with the ball over the spot. Look at where you're left foot is. Count the boards so you can line up farther back on the approach. Slide and throw lotsa strikes.

[TJS_7]

thx guys I'm not much of a drifter so I'll adjust to the info you guys gave thx again i really needed that.

[slap]

I don't drift much either. I guess the four years of my youth spent in the marching band eliminated that problem. :D

thx guys I'm not much of a drifter so I'll adjust to the info you guys gave thx again i really needed that.

Cool, let us know how it works out.

[TenPinSniper]

When you find your personal number? Which foot to you line up with for a righty? And also which side of the foot? (Left or Right). For me the way I line up right now. I use the Left Foot, Left Side... so to throw 10 I need to stand some where around 25-27.

[slap]

i think the ritger way is with the inside edge of the insteap of your slide foot.

the usbc system, at my level, isnt that detailed. as long as its the same all the time.