Expert: Chip Aki - 12/31/2006

Question
  I'm a first year bowler.  I bowl in a league once a week, and have a practice session once a week.  Up to know I would grab my ball look down the lane and Let'er rip.  I've had good success with this approach.  At my last practice session I decided to try and aim for one of the arrows, and make adjustments by starting my approach to the left or right.  This worked very well when the ball rolled over my targeted arrow.  This is my problem, I'm having a difficult time of consistently hitting the same spot.  Up to now I've trained to keep my shoulders square to the line and to keep my arm swing close to my body.  This makes it hard for me to get the ball to come off the foul line at an angle as apposed to strait down the lane.  When I tried to aim for that spot everything felt funny, my timing, my follow through, the way the ball comes of my hand.  Should I be making my swing adjustment with my arm swing, with my body, or a combination of the two.  Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated.
     Have a happy and prosperous New Year.  

Answer
If you are wanting to swing the ball, you will need allow the swing to go in the direction of your intended target.  This will not allow you to be aquare to the foul line.  You need to be square to your target.
When you set up in your stance, try to center your belly button towards your intended target.  This will open your hips up a bit and allow your swing to be in the proper direction without you forcing it.  You should see imrovement in  you ability to hit your target.

Good luck,
Chipo