How to Bowl a Curve

Find a ball with a weight that is comfortable for you to handle. It shouldn't be so heavy that you can't control it or so light that you can loft it. You can use a full finger ball or a finger tip ball, but a curve is thrown easier with a finger tip ball. Try out each kind and find the one that fits you best to build your bowling technique.

On the approach to the lane, there are two sets of dots. One set is 15 feet to the foul line and the other is 12 feet to the foul line. Which set of dots you will line up depends on how long your steps are and how many steps you take on the approach. The standard approaches are 3 or 5 steps. Once you've determined which set of dots to line up on, stand with your right foot just to the left of the center dot. Hold your ball in front of you with your elbow in touching your side. Assuming you are right handed hold the ball in your right hand with your thumb out to your right, middle finger towards the floor, arm straight. Support the ball with your left hand.

On the lane you will see two sets of arrows. One close to you, the other close to the pins. On the first set of arrows, aim for the first arrow off the center to the right. As you make your approach, push the ball out, down and then back behind you. Bring it forward with some strength. Lay the ball on the lane, do not throw it out there. As the ball is coming out of your hand, pull your hand up so that your thumb is now straight up and your middle finger is to the right. Simultaneously, push your forearm away from your body and bring it back to straight. Follow through by with your arm above your head and your thumb pointing straight up. Your ball should hit the arrow you aimed for, go out towards the right gutter and come back to the same arrow near the pins and hit the pins between the 1 pin and the 3 pin, which would result in a strike. You also want to watch your feet. Your right foot should end up with your toes pointing toward the foul line, body straight.

Learning to bowl a curve takes a lot of practice. The curve depends on your throwing strength. Where you stand and which arrow you use as a guide will depend on that strength. When you practice, take it real slow and study where your ball is going. If it isn't working then move over one spot and try from there. You will eventually find your spot and be bowling a perfect curve in no time.