Random Coaching Thoughts

From tape placement to swing slot

Every now and then, I collect my random coaching thoughts and compile these into a full article. This is one such article. Often, experimenting with different concepts to aid a bowler leads to a significant breakthrough for a single bowler or many of them. Each of the topics that I discuss in this installment of Slowinski At Large come from my experience working with bowlers of all levels at the Kegel Training Center. Some topics appear to be a basic yet many bowlers of all levels arrive not implementing these basic applied practices because they are unaware of the importance. Before putting something in print, I test these concepts with many bowlers.

When something works with the majority of bowlers that I work with, I log these concepts into my random collection. It is my duty to share these with you in an effort to help you be a better bowler. I have published a similar collection under an article of experimental methods previously. These below represent new random thoughts.

Over my coaching career, I have learned that you can never assume any bowlers know all of the fundamental basics. Accordingly, in this issue, I discuss some random thoughts that should help you be a better bowler. Each random coaching thought has been tested and yielded improvements for the bowlers that I worked with using these methods.

To begin, I discuss the importance of thumb tape placement in the hole. All too many bowlers, of all levels, arrive at the Training Center without the use of tape or incorrect placement in the hole. Both scenarios create a situation that leads to release inconsistencies or excessive grip pressure. Next, I tackle the topic of increasing your slide sole variation with a simple technique that I saw a future Hall-of-Fame PBA player utilize to provide more slide options. In the third topic, I share with readers a simple visualization that helps improve the downswing and increase the likelihood of a stronger hand position at the bottom of the swing. Finally, in closing, I discuss an easy-to-use release visualization that helps bowlers move from a load-up to unload ...



Joe Slowinski

About Joe Slowinski

Joe Slowinski, a USBC Gold Coach, is a freelance bowling coach who works with bowlers around the globe. He is currently on assignment with the Philippines. Slowinski is the former Director of Bowling at Lincoln Memorial University, where he served as Program Administrator and Head USBC Collegiate Men’s and NCAA Women’s Coach. The Portland, Maine native has served as the Administrative and Men's Head Coach at Webber International University and served for four years as a Master Teaching Professional at the Kegel Training Center. Slowinski is also the former Director of Coaching and Coach Certification for the National Sports Council of Malaysia. He has coached international teams at the World Championships, Pan American Games, South American Games, and European Championships, helping Belgium win a Gold medal at the 2022 EBF Championship of Champions and coaching Brazil to Gold medals at the 2015 Pam American Games and the 2014 South American Games. He was the 2018 NTCA DII/III Coach of the Year and the 2010 NCBCA Men’s College Coach of the Year.