Expert: Chip Aki - 1/21/2007

Question
Hi Chip, enjoy your comments. I have a lofter who lofts every shot. His body english (as I call it) often seems to place him under the ball to get it off his hand and down the lane with tremendous revs. How do we pitch the holes his bowling ball to get him out of the ball sooner and smoother. Seems his arm is always at a 90 angle throughout his swing and never relaxed. Gripping issue? Probably a product of supporting the ball I believe. I once placed a towel on his right shoulder and instructed him to extend his elbow on the back swing. He rolled the ball with revs extremely nice. However, we know he can't do this in league play. Lately he has returned to lofting.  

Answer
Trying to change something like this can be very challenging.  Most people loft the ball because they concentrate on lifting the ball to much.  I would try to get the bowler to set the ball onto the lane much sooner.  It might be good to have the bowler bring his eyes closer to the foul line for a target.  Bending the elbow will not cause the loft by itself, but over lifting the ball will.

Good luck,
Chip