Make More Spares: Body Alignment & Release Position

In this premium video Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, walks you through how he shoots spares on both the left and right side of the lane.

Body Alignment

Your waist and shoulders need to face the direction of the pin you are shooting at.

If you are right-handed and shooting at the 10 pin, stand on the left side of the approach. Align your waist and shoulders towards the 10 pin and target what’s comfortable for you to make the 10 pin.

Note that his waist and shoulders stay in the same position throughout the approach:

Spares on the left side for right-handed bowlers require angling your waist and shoulders towards the pin you are shooting at.

Align your waist and shoulders towards the 4 pin and target what’s comfortable for you to make the 4 pin.

Note that his waist and shoulders stay in the same position throughout the approach:

Release

In order to flatten out the hook from the bowling ball you need to change your wrist position.

Try to avoid cupping the wrist and place your hand so it’s more up the back of the bowling ball. A good way to remind yourself to put your hand in this position when shooting spares is to remind yourself to put the weight of the bowling ball more onto your fingers than your palm.

The goal is to have an end-over-end rotation rolling down the lane with as little side rotation as possible. This will ensure your bowling ball goes straight and does not hook at the end of the lane.

Check out “Low Ball” and “5 Ball Drill” for two great ways to practice spares at your next training session.