| Because it is the first step in bowling, the | | | | steps, pace off five and one half, etc. Now |
| stance is one of the most important phases of | | | | you are in the proper position to take your |
| the bowling game. It's the point of origin | | | | stance. |
| and should be standardized. | | | | |
| | | | If you are right-handed, make sure your left |
| You should have a very definite way to place | | | | foot is a few inches ahead of your right |
| your feet every time you go up to bowl. The | | | | foot. It will make for more comfort. Also as |
| ball should always be held in the same place | | | | a beginner, have your left foot either in |
| in respect to your body. | | | | line with the center of the lane or slightly |
| | | | to the right of center. Your shoulders should |
| Above all, both of these factors should be | | | | be parallel to the foul line. Now you're |
| maintained so that you are the most | | | | ready to consider what stance you should use. |
| comfortable. If you're comfortable, you're | | | | |
| not even going to notice the weight of the | | | | Basically, there are only three types of |
| ball. You're off on the "right foot" because | | | | stance. In one, the ball is held in front of |
| you have already learned how to stand. | | | | the face, leaving just enough room for the |
| Certainly, the first few times you try to | | | | eyes so you can see where you're going. A |
| bowl, even if your stance is comfortable, | | | | second stance has the ball held so that its |
| you're going to be nervous; you're trying | | | | base is about even with the bowler's waist. A |
| something new. But if you are comfortable up | | | | third stance has the ball held low and at |
| there, that nervousness won't stay with you | | | | arm's length. |
| very long. | | | | |
| | | | So far as the position of the body is |
| Presuming you are a four-step bowler, go to | | | | concerned, comfort is the whole thing. Some |
| the foul line, turn around so that your heels | | | | bowlers find it more comfortable to stand up |
| are about four or five inches away from the | | | | straight; others bend over slightly and still |
| line and then take four normal steps away | | | | others lean way over. |
| from the lane. Then take an extra half-step | | | | |
| for good measure to allow for your slide. | | | | Each has its advantages, but a slight bend at |
| | | | the waist is favored by most top bowlers. |
| Wherever you are at this point, turn around | | | | Most beginners are inclined to stand erect. |
| and face the lane. Look down at your feet. | | | | There's nothing really wrong with this, but |
| Where they are is your point of origin and it | | | | don't hold yourself to it. Try the other |
| won't vary no matter when or where you bowl. | | | | styles and determine which is most |
| Your distance from the foul line should thus | | | | comfortable and produces the highest pinfall. |
| be determined, whether you are shooting for | | | | |
| strikes or spares. | | | | During the past several years, another style |
| | | | has come into being and it has several |
| However, in this day and age, because of new | | | | variations. A few of our leading bowlers hold |
| and fancy ball returns, change in | | | | the ball well over on the right side (being |
| surroundings from one house to another, etc., | | | | right-handed, of course), claiming that this |
| it is suggested that you always pace off this | | | | allows them to go into their swing with |
| distance from the foul line before taking | | | | greater ease. |
| your stance. | | | | |
| | | | Choose one of these stances that are most |
| If you are a three-step bowler, pace off | | | | comfortable to you and stay with it. Remember |
| three and one half steps. If you use five | | | | practice makes perfect. |