How to Bowl
Your grip, stance and delivery action are important to meet the intentions of your bowl. A strong grip (without too much pressure) will help avoid dropping the wood. A solid, balanced stance will avoid misdirection and a smooth delivery will help avoid any bounce or wobble that might detract from your delivery length and accuracy.
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Here are some tips to help ensure a happy bowl:
Claw Grip
In the claw grip the bowler will hold the wood in their palm, their fingers well spread, and with their thumb placed towards the top of the bowl, helping to secure it in place.
In both claw and cradle grips the bowl should be held upright to avoid a wobbly delivery!
Cradle Grip
In the cradle grip the wood will rest in the bowlers palm with the thumb and little finger slightly to the sides of the wood. This grip is more commonly used with larger woods or on heavy greens.
Stance & Position
Your delivery must take place from the mat - where one foot must be in contact with - or directly over - the mat. Your bowl may be void if you are not in this position (known as a foot-fault). Aim to remain balanced in your stance by not over-stretching or stooping and keeping your feet apart (not in line). It is common to face slightly off-centre to account for the bias of your delivery.
Delivery
The delivery should be a smooth action from backswing to follow through. To begin, backswing your wood-holding arm behind you, staying close to your body. As you bring the arm past your body in a pendulum motion, take a step forward with your opposite leg and release the bowl. Bend your knees (depending on one's flexibility) to bring your release closer to the ground and avoid any bounce. Once released your arm will continue to follow through.
Note: some bowlers may find bowling more comfortable to take the forward step before the backswing.
Forehand
For a right-handed bowler the forehand shot will curve inwards from the right-hand side when bowled. For the left-handed bowler it will curve inwards from the left-hand side. Essentially you are bowling down the rink channel that matches your bowling hand.
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In this delivery you should start your stance pointing towards the direction you will bowl, and step in this direction during your delivery.
Backhand
For a right-handed bowler the backhand shot will curve inwards from the left-hand side when bowled. For the left-handed bowler it will curve inwards from the right-hand side. Essentially you are bowling down the rink channel opposite to your bowling hand.
In this delivery you should start your stance pointing towards the direction you will bowl, and step in this direction during your delivery.