Expert: Chip Aki - 1/24/2006

Question
I have 2 issues: "dipping" my entire body at the release - and - struggling with keeping my eyes on the target as the ball rolls over it (I usually sight about 3 feet beyond the arrows but have a tendency to bring my vision off the target and closer in at the release point). Here is my question: are these two things related? Is it possible that I am "dipping" because of not keeping my eyes on the target or am I not able to keep my eyes on the target because of the dipping? Thanks!

Answer
I think the "dipping" is the main problem to be concerned with.  That much body movement will not let your head be steady enough to stay on your target.

You may be trying to get too low, and every bowler is told to get down in the shot.  This makes us want to drop our head via more bend at the waist, instead of using the legs and bending at the knee.  Try to bowl tall and just lower the hips and keep the head steady.  One other thing to visualize is to have your head drop at a slow and shallow angle througout the approach.

Good luck,
Chip