, BSā10, was 3 years old when her parents bought a bowling center in Vandalia, Illinois. She bowled her first complete game that same yearāa 62 without gutter bumpers, sheās been toldāand has been hooked on knocking down tenpins ever since.
A standout bowling career in high school led to her receiving the Nathan Craig Memorial Education Fund scholarship at 91ĢĘ²®»¢, where she was on the universityās first-ever national championship team in 2007 and later became the first college bowler to be twice voted NCAA Player of the Year. After graduating in 2010 with a bachelorās in human and organizational development, Barnes accepted Head Bowling Coach John Williamsonās offer to join his coaching staff.
Now the teamās associate head coach, Barnes has played a key role in the Commodoresā continued success. Last season, the team won its second NCAA championshipāa title she cherishes perhaps even more than the one she helped win as a student-athlete because, as she puts it, āI now appreciate just how much it takes to raise that trophy.ā
Here Barnes offers tips to novice bowlers, rented shoes and all, on how to improve their scores.
1. Donāt be a lightweight.
When choosing a ball off the rack (known as a āhouse ballā), donāt select one thatās too light. You wonāt be able to generate as much force with a lighter bowling ball, and itās probably not designed to fit an adult hand anyway. āThe lighter balls have holes drilled to fit younger kidsā fingers,ā Barnes explains. āThe most important part when selecting a house ball is to make sure that youāre able to insert your fingers completely into the holes.ā She suggests most women use a 12- or 13-pound ball, and most men one thatās a pound or two heavier.
2. Get a grip.
Now that you have a ball picked out, make sure you know how to hold it. āA lot of people put their middle finger and index finger in the ball, but thatās actually incorrect,ā she says. āYou should put your middle finger, your ring finger and your thumb in the ball. Your index finger and pinkie should rest on the ball to help you control it.ā
3. Center yourself.
As you approach the lane, try to stand as close to the middle as possible, aligning yourself with the front pin. You may be tempted to stand to one side and try putting some spin on the ball, but youāll quickly find that a house ball has its limitations. āMost people donāt realize that house balls arenāt made to hook,ā Barnes says, explaining they lack the weighted cores of professional ones. āSo the straighter, the better. Make sure your shoulders, your hips and your toes are pointed toward what youāre trying to hit.ā
4. Take the right steps.
Once youāre lined up, itās time to set things in motion. But itās important to start and stop on the correct foot. āWhen Iām working with someone new, I try to teach them the āfour-step approach,āā she says. āYou start with whichever foot matches the hand that you bowl with, and as soon as you take that first step you should be moving the ball, as if your hand and foot were connected. Counting the four steps in your head, you should finish by sliding on the opposite foot of your bowling hand. Just make sure you donāt slide past the foul line into the lane.ā
5. Let it roll and pat yourself on the back.
While you may be inclined to put some extra punch into your release, donāt force it too much. Itās the follow-through that counts. āYou should let the ball just roll out of your hand,ā Barnes says. āItās more important that you follow through toward your target. A lot of people stop short with their arm directly in front of them, so I always tell my kids to act like theyāre patting themselves on the back.ā
TEXT BY SETH ROBERTSON