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Founder — Danny Speranza

The Push Away and Arm Swing

The push away is where everything starts with the bowler's approach to the foul line. It is very important to start correctly in order to finish the same every time. If the start is correct, then there is a better chance that the finish will have good results. The push away begins on the first step of a four step approach and the second step of a five step approach. It is a smooth, curving motion with the ball. The most important thing in the push away, is it must start in the direction towards the target.

Once the ball is placed into the correct direction, then there should be minimum muscles used in the backswing. Gravity will take the ball back and forward in the proper direction if the ball was started in the correct direction.

"No Muscling required."

The key thought is “Direction”. Start the ball in the correct direction. Another suggested thought process is to envision a mental image of the ball going in the direction towards the target. Now envision the ball path extending backwards next to your body. Envision a trough next to your body, in the direction of the intended ball path. Start by pushing the ball directly above the trough. Now, let the arm drop the ball into the trough and remain in the direction of the trough throughout the backswing and follow-through. It will stay in the proper direction if the arm does not muscle the ball.

Another way to get the proper mental picture of the arm swing going in the correct direction is to start, while in your stance, with the index finger of your bowling arm directly under the bottom of the ball and pointing it at your target. Continue to point the index finger at the target in the push away. Let the ball fall and continue pointing the finger at the target again in the follow-through. The hand will rotate around the index finger by rotating the wrist at the release point to create ball rotation. The index finger will still point at the target. This will prevent the elbow from going away from the body to rotate the ball, which is called “Chicken Winging”. Chicken winging the arm (rotating the ball by rotating the elbow away from the body) will negatively impact accuracy. Rotate the wrist and not the elbow.

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