The Stance

When stepping onto the approach you will notice two rows of dots. The back row marks a distance 15 feet from the foul line while the row further up is 12 feet away. These dots are most helpful for measuring your starting position.

Children need to stand closer to the foul line than adults because their steps are shorter. Also, new bowlers of any size may be more comfortable with a shorter approach. After gaining some confidence and experience you may decide to stand farther away from the foul line.

Whatever your starting distance, you want your final step to end within a foot of the foul line but not so close that you risk crossing the line. For a good stance, place the feet together and bend slightly forward from the back. Seek a feeling of relaxed readiness, not stiffness.

The ball should be placed somewhere between waist and chest high toward the right side of the body (left side for lefthanders). The bowling hand should grip the ball from underneath and the opposite hand also should support some of the weight of the ball.

1. Shoulders at right angles to the bowling target.
2. Non-bowling hand helps to support ball.
3. Wrist fairly firm and straight but not bent backward.
4. Bowling arm elbow kept close to hip.
5. Knees bent slightly.
6. Feet together, pointed toward target.

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