We all know the Ball Return seems to get in the way at certain times. How does that device affect your game? Which way do you walk due to the Ball Return? The Ball Return is found in all bowling centers. A few have them back far enough to where they are not even on the approach. So how does it all play out when it is or isn't on the approach? I will talk about how the Ball Return could affect your approach without you even knowing it.

So let's start with the Ball Return off the approach. This will affect you more mentally than physically. Most of the time, you as a bowler will see the Ball Return out of your peripheral vision. Not the case this time, since it is in the bowler's area. So the mental loop is thrown into a spiral. I have watched some bowlers forget which foot to start with and how far to start that first step. It's just one of those mental blocks to overcome. This does not affect your physical game since you don't have to worry about hitting the Ball Return at any time. Whether your playing 6th arrow or 2 board, you don't have to worry about walking around the Ball Return to hit your line. Now you may see where I am heading to next when the Ball Return is on the approach.

When the Ball Return is on the approach next to you, how does it affect you? Have you ever noticed those nights where the right lane is drier outside and the left lane is hooking more overall? If you start paying attention to bowlers (not your pros, but casual league/recreation bowlers), watch how a lot of bowlers walk away from the Ball Return. When they walk away from the Ball Return, it causes them to play further right on the right lane, and further left on the left lane, thus making some bowlers stand in different spots throughout the night. A lot of that has to do with the psychological effect of the Ball Return. Most bowlers are afraid to hit it by any means. They do not want to be the person to cause a scene. A couple of times I have watched the ball smash right into the hood of the Ball Return--not a pretty scene for anyone to be a part of. Now, you also have some bowlers that walk towards the Ball Return, almost as a comfort landing zone to be next to the Ball Return. This will cause the opposite effect on lane play; further left on the right lane and outside on the left lane. I still have not figured out why bowlers tend to walk away or towards the ball return, it's something deep within the mind that almost forces the person to do certain things.

Does the Ball Return affect me if I know I always walk 5 boards left during my approach? You may be surprised to find out that it may still hurt you. Even though you have worked hard on your game, you may drift less on the right lane compared to the left lane. Why? Well, due to that Ball Return. When you're on the left lane, there is nothing to run into when you walk left, causing you to drift more than 5 boards at times. Opposite effect on the right lane. You may not walk as far left during your approach knowing the Ball Return is to your left as well. The mind knows this, which in result causes you not to walk as far to the left. Pay attention to the little details to help improve your game. 1-2 boards may not seem like a lot, but 1-2 to start with causes another 1-2 boards at the arrows which then results to a 4 board miss down lane. That right there is almost a half a foot miss, all due to your footwork, which is affected by the Ball Return.

Next time you head out to the lanes, make sure you are bowling on a pair of lanes. This way, you are able to tell if you do anything differently from the right lane to the left lane. Some will notice a difference. For those of you that walk to the same spot intended every time, well, sorry for delaying your day. Enjoy the game of bowling and remember to always Practice Practice Practice!

Steve Lemke Bowling.com SFA NCAA Coach