The Pushaway

Push the ball DOWN, AWAY, and to the RIGHT—that's the "push­away" motion.

Down, away, and slightly to the right of the body. Remember these words: down, away, and to the right. They describe the most important part of the pushaway motion.

The pushaway triggers your approach and delivery. It initiates the action of the pendulum arm swing. Actuating the pushaway motion is like pulling the trigger on a pistol; once it's been done, there's no reversing the action that is to follow. So be sure your pushaway action is executed properly—if it isn't, your delivery won't be right. It is for this reason that I've tabbed the pushaway "the point of no return."
As you take that very first step, move the ball down, away, and off to the right, as I've said. Meanwhile, the left hand assists in starting the ball on its outward motion.

A word about the length of the pushaway—it should be no longer than the length of the first step. In fact, both in length and in character it should be like the first step: short and slow-moving. Never thrust the ball forward violently.

As I tour the country conducting "Free Bowling Clinics," giving individual instruction, and presenting exhibitions, I advocate and teach the four-step delivery. I'm convinced you can't beat it. Most of the professional stars you see today use the four-step style, for it is the one that insures the sharpest timing and coordination.

Now you may see any number of professionals who use a five-step delivery. But look closely—it's not really a five-step motion but simply a modified four-step. That first step in the five-step delivery is simply a timing step. It doesn't trigger the pushaway—it initiates no practical action. It is like the waggle of a golf club before the ball is struck. It's the second step of the five-step delivery that is the really important one.

The three-step delivery was once more prevalent than it is today, but it is not used much any more by the professionals. (Lee Jouglard of Detroit is the only one I know who still uses it.) The three-step delivery forces the bowler to hurry his delivery. The compactness of the foot action doesn't give you enough time to develop all the necessary arm and shoul­der action—that is, the pushaway, the downswing and arm-swing, and follow-through. To do all of these you have to hurry and "strong-arm" the ball. As a result your timing is impaired.

I recommend the four-step delivery for women and for youngsters too. Their problems are the same as those of the average bowler.

The first step of the delivery triggers the push away motion. And it's with the push away that the arm swing is begun.