Trail Leg: Heel and Toe Positioning

In order to achieve balance at the foul line, your trail leg needs to be in good position. If it’s out of position, your hips will stay open and you could potentially fall off the shot, resulting in missing your target down lane.

In this premium video, Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, explains the relationship of the trail leg’s heel and toe and how to position it properly for optimum balance and leverage.

Heel and Toe

After the ball starts in your approach, it passes your hip. At this point, your hips are open. As you exit your pivot or power step the position of the trail leg foot will determine how your lower body will respond.

If your heel faces the wall or it is perpendicular to the approach, your hips will remain open and you will lose balance, leverage, and stability in the finish position. This will negatively impact your release and ball motion.

The lower body is engaged and your hips are closed in the finish position when your toes and heel are parallel to the approach. The toes will face the pins, the heel faces the wall and both are as close as possible to being parallel to the floor.

Separation of the Trail Leg

Overall, if the trail leg is separated from the rest of your body, your hips will be open in the finish position.

The goal is to close the hips constantly to achieve balance and leverage so that you can watch your ball hit the target. Your fingers at the point of release will be under the ball and the ball will be closer to your leg during the release, maximizing leverage.

Check out “Bowling Tips to Achieve a Solid Finish Position” and “Perfecting The Finish Position” for more great instruction.