Bowling Tips & Coaching Articles, Coaching Corner with John Gaines, Physical Game Tips
The Timing Spot – Building Proper Bowling Technique And An Ideal Bowling Approach
How To Improve Your Timing By Knowing Your Timing Spot
One of the most common complaints from a bowler is, “I lost my timing.”
For many years, timing was measured by when you moved the ball in relation to your feet. As we discussed in one of my earlier blogs, First Step and Pushaway, in a four-step approach, the ball should move out and over the top of the bowling ball-side foot during the first step. Even though this is the textbook way of moving the ball into the swing, it is not the way to measure timing.
Chris Barnes, Tommy Jones and Carolyn Dorin-Ballard (CDB) have won many titles and majors in their bowling careers. Yet all three are completely different when they get the ball into the swing.
If we measured timing by when the ball starts into the swing in relation to foot movement, Tommy would be early, Chris would be late and CDB would be in time. Tommy takes five steps and moves the ball in his first step, making him early. Chris takes five steps and doesn’t move the ball until he almost has completed his second step, making him late. CDB takes five steps and moves the ball on her second step, making her in time.
So How Can All Three Be Great Bowlers But All Have Completely Different Timing?
There has to be another place somewhere in the approach where they are similar. I wish I could take credit for this one, but I believe Mark Baker (coach of Chris Barnes, Lynda Barnes, Tommy Jones, Mike Fagan, Mika Koivuniemi and Bill O’Neill, just to name a few) has found the true and correct spot to measure timing. The Timing Spot!
What Is The Timing Spot In Bowling?
When the slide foot is flat on the ground and just in front of the head, the arm and ball should be parallel to the ground. The thing Mark found in common with these and many other bowlers – even though all of the players mentioned in this blog have completely different styles, speed, rev rates and rotation – is that they all matched at The Timing Spot, regardless of how or when they get the ball started.
I am very fortunate that I have been able to work with Mark as an instructor several times a year for the past eight years doing clinics and camps. When looking at a bowler who is having issues with consistency and power, I do look at their timing. But I look at The Timing Spot to make sure when the slide foot is flat on the ground and just in front of the head, the arm and ball are parallel to the floor. When I get the bowler to this spot, there is immediate improvement in consistency, power and balance.
Mark has written an excellent book called “The Game Changer” and also has released a DVD called “The System” explaining The Timing Spot. Both can be found on BowlersMart.com
If you have any questions about this topic or would like me to cover a specific topic, please email me at [email protected].
More Articles BelowClick Here For More Coaching Advice
John Gaines – From the Pro Shop to Team USA to the USBC Bowling Hall of Fame
The Iconic Lodge Lanes USBC Open Championships Bowling Team If you have ever bowled the [...]
1 Comments
May
900 Global Tour Rep Day 5 & 6 – The USBC Masters
Being The 900 Global Tour Rep Day 5 & 6 – The USBC Masters By [...]
Apr
900 Global Tour Rep Day 4 – The USBC Masters
Tour Rep USBC Masters Syracuse, NY 2018: [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Day 4 Today is known as [...]
Apr
900 Global Tour Rep Day 3 – The USBC Masters
Global 900 Tour Rep USBC Masters Syracuse, NY 2018: [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Day 3 Today is [...]
Apr
900 Global Tour Rep Day 2 – The USBC Masters
900 Global Tour Rep USBC Masters Syracuse, NY 2018: [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Day 2 Today starts [...]
Apr
Tour Repping USBC Masters Day 1
Tour Rep USBC Masters Syracuse, NY 2018: Day 1 Today was practice session for A, [...]
Apr
The Coach To The Pro Bowlers In Competition – PBA Tour Rep
Tour Reps Are Another Set Of Eyes For The Pros [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] If you follow [...]
3 Comments
Apr
Better Balance at the Foul Line – By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Ways To Keep Your Balance While Bowling And Not Fall Off Your Shot [...]
1 Comments
Jun
A Simple Tip For Making The 10 Pin or 7 Pin In Bowling By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] A Simple Tip For Knocking Down The 10 Pin Or 7 Pin There [...]
1 Comments
Jun
30 Days To Becoming A Better Bowler By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] 30 Days Or Practicing To Improve Your Bowling Scores I know, it sounds [...]
4 Comments
Jun
The Importance of Making Adjustments During League Bowling.
Making Adjustments During League Bowling Q&A With John Gaines BowlerSmart along with BowlersMart Merritt Island [...]
1 Comments
Nov
Changing Bowling Ball Surface Is The Easiest Way To Change Bowling Ball Motion By John Gaines
Bowling Ball Surface Is 70% Of The Balls Reaction Having issues hitting the pocket with [...]
Jun
How Do I Choose The Best Bowling Ball For Me?
So Many Bowling Balls On The Market, How Do You Choose One? There are a [...]
7 Comments
May
How To Read An Oil Pattern When Bowling
Importance Of Knowing The Oil Pattern Before Bowling The Different Well Known Oil Patterns PBA [...]
Apr
A Great Bowling Lesson With Gerry Aquino
An Awesome Bowling Lesson With Gerry Aquino [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Gerry is basically a new bowler. [...]
Mar
Achieve Your Bowling Goals With A Solid Practice Plan
If You Want Higher Bowling Scores Create A Practice Plan [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Most of us [...]
2 Comments
Mar
What A Great 2 Day Bowling Camp In Las Vegas With Sean Rash
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Sean Rash 2 Day Bowling Camp Las Vegas Sponsored By BowlersMart – Brunswick [...]
Mar
Great Bowling Lesson With Andrew Colon By John Gaines
Todays Bowling Lesson – Working on the pushaway and spine angle [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Andrew’s pushaway [...]
Mar
Creating the Simple and Effective Bowling Ball Arsenal Part 3 By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Part three of my blog series deals with choosing bowling balls. [...]
3 Comments
Nov
Creating the Simple and Effective Bowling Ball Arsenal Part 2 By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Part 2 On How To Create A Simple But Effective Bowling Ball Arsenal [...]
1 Comments
Oct
Creating the Simple and Effective Bowling Ball Arsenal Part 1 By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] How To Make A Great Bowling Ball Arsenal Simplified Are you confused by [...]
2 Comments
Oct
Coming Back To League Bowling After A Break By John Gaines
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Coming Back To League Bowling After A Layoff If you took some time [...]
Sep
Finger Inserts & Thumb Slugs Explained
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Today in the Coaching Corner, we take a look at finger inserts [...]
3 Comments
Jul
The Impact of Bowling Ball Surface Adjustments
How Different Surfaces Will Make The Bowling Ball React Differently Today, we’ll visit the subject [...]
2 Comments
Jun
The Slide And Finish Position – Building Proper Bowling Technique And An Ideal Bowling Approach
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Last Part of a Great Approach In Bowling – The Finish Position & [...]
1 Comments
Jan
Is there a drill for getting muscle out of the arm swing? Thanks!