The most terrific and perfect armswings on television belong to the professional women bowlers. From a purely technical standpoint, you cannot beat the women for their execution of the "perfect armswing." The professional men don't make it look so obvious, but, if you watch them closely, you will see that they, too, all have solid swings. they just seem to have more gyrations because they are attempting to put more power into their throw,

The two key factors that need to be developed in your armswing are: (1) maintaining your arm straight and in line, and (2) having a firm, but relaxed, pendulum-like swing. Bowling consistently high scores, and therefore, maintaining a high average, can only be accomplished by hitting the pocket regularly.

In other words, one of the equations for improving yourself in the sport of bowling is - consistent armswing equals accuracy equals more strikes and spares equals higher scores equals higher averages. You may change balls, change stances, change your starting position, and change your target, but the one constant that must remain straight and relaxed is your armswing.

As a bowling coach, this is one of the parts of the game that I continually stress to all my students. Even though the equipment has changed and made the game "easier," all instruction still has not waivered from the fact that you have to have a smooth and stable armswing. If a student cannot develop a consistent armswing, it will be very difficult to develop other parts of their game.

Note: Bowling coaches will always make reference to the face of a clock. In the back view of an armswing, for example, a person is visualized as standing inside a clock face with 12 0' clock being directly in front of them, 3 o' clock directly to their right, and 6 o' clock directly in back. If you employ the services of a coach, you will hear many references to a clock face in other explanations. (Left-handers are asked to reverse the directions to accommodate them and these directions are given from the perspective of a 4-step approach.)

Here, then, is the "Choc-List" for the "perfect" armswing:

1) During your first step, push the ball away toward the 12 o' clock and 1 o' clock area ahead of you.

2) On your second step, the ball is a the lower portion of the armswing still continuing in a straight line between the 12 o' clock in front of you and the 6 o' clock in back of you.

3) At your third step, your ball should be at the top of the backswing, about shoulder height and between 5 o' clock and 6 o' clock.

4) At your last step (sliding or planting foot), your ball should come forward and again be in the 12 o' clock and 1 o ' clock area, with the proper follow-through, of course.

There are at least two angles that you need to be watched from for the determination of whether you have a proper armswing. This is the from the back view, in line with your armswing, and the side view looking directly at your throwing arm making sure of your pendulum swing.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)