Bowling Tips for Drifting

Drifting is a common bowling mistake that occurs when your feet drift off course during the delivery. The motion and rolling technique are all intact, but the ball travels on an unintended course because you are off the mark at the foul line. Fixing the problem is possible with several simple techniques.

  1. Markers

    • Mark your intended finish position with a small piece of tape. The final foot position should be placed immediately before the foul line and the board is determined by your experience and shooting style. Bowl several rounds and freeze after the release. Look down and note the position of your foot. Also pay attention to the final foot position and the accuracy of the shot. Make adjustments to your final foot position based on the accuracy.

    Dry Runs

    • Dry runs are ideal for building habits. Walk your typical steps in slow motion, ending at the desired position. Repeat the process until you are comfortable with the motion and are aware of your foot position. Add speed and mimic the entire bowling motion until your foot position is consistent. Practice the dry runs on a weekly basis to build a consistent and accurate motion without any drifting. Attempt 10 slow-motion dry runs and 10 full-speed dry runs during each weekly session.

    Continue Drifting

    • Drifting is not an undesired result in bowling. The act is only undesired when it is unintentional. Videotape several rounds at the bowling lanes. Position the camera behind the lane with a clear view of your feet and the boards. Monitor the number of boards drifted on each shot. You must drift in a consistent pattern to bowl a consistent game. Compare changes in the amount of drift to changes in accuracy and focus on drifting a consistent distance that produces accurate shots.

    Overcompensation

    • Overcompensate to improve your awareness and fix the drifting problem. Intentionally drift far to the left on one shot and then far to the right on the next shot. The accuracy of each shot is typically poor, but monitoring your foot position is the important part of the process. Attempt a return to the desired foot position on the third shot. The initial two shots should eliminate your worries about a small margin of error and allow you to reset and return to your normal stance and finish position.