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Thunder balls! PBA champion five times over, Chris Barnes strike up some tips for the lanes - Skills

Men's Fitness, March, 2004 by Sean Hyson

THE PRE-SEASON PUMP "People think that bowling is all upper body, but it's mostly in the legs. The knees support many pounds of pressure as you slide into your approach, so I recommend squats to keep them strong. Do 30 reps. Squatting deeper each rep. to keep your knees limber."

PICKING YOUR SHOES

"If the first pair of shoes the guy at the alley hands you looks extra grungy, ask if they have a newer pair. The newer they are, the slicker the soles will be and the better the slide you'll get when you push off for your shot. Also, a lot of lanes these days offer shoes with either Velero or laces. Go with the strings: they're a more secure fit."

PLAY WITH THE BALLS

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"Picking the right ball helps you avoid injuries. You want the heaviest ball you can throw without having to bend your thumb to grip it. But a lot of bowlers can get carpal tunnel syndrome, so before you pick up your first ball, stretch out the wrist of your throwing hand. Pull your fingers back and hold, then push them toward your inner arm."

ACCIDENTS HAPPEN

"If your hand gets stuck in the ball return machine, scream, It probably won't tear your hand off like in Kingpin, but it can mash your fingers. There's a trapdoor beneath the machine, but it's not easy to access. Hopefully, someone will come to help you, otherwise you're going to have to figure out how to open it and turn off the motor."

THE SECRET THROW

"Put your two fingers in the holes but no thumb. Grip the ball tightly in your palm. Turn your shoulders parallel with your pins, wind up, and release. The spin should make the bail jump right, then go left and hook into the pins."

THE LADIES

"In between shots is a good time to approach girls, but don't force your bowling philosophy on them--start up conversations naturally. Tell 'em you bowled a high-flush the first frame and threw a stone-8 the second. You got worried in the 10th when it hung on the lip, but then it came back and ripped the rack for a turkey. That should impress them."

Thunder balls! PBA champion five times over, Chris Barnes strike up some tips for the lanes - Skills

Men's Fitness, March, 2004 by Sean Hyson

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