Bowling with Leverage
by David A. Leverage
David A. Leverage is a Former exempt PBA Player, Silver level certified coach,
an ASU Bowling Alumni member, A 6 time PBA titleist, has (40) 300 games
and owns 2 Phoenix area Pro Shops.
Before we begin the very first installment of Bowling with Leverage I think it is appropriate to pay homage to Rolf Gauger, who over the years has been writing, teaching and coaching bowlers in Arizona and the world for the better part of his life. Education and coaching is something many people take for granted and even moreso in the bowling world where coaching is often overlooked and underappreciated. Rolf dedicated many years to the game of bowling, a game which we all love, and also hate at times. Nevertheless Mr. Gauger coached numerous people over the years and gave countless hours of his days to the great game of bowling. Even as he got older, he could always be found at Brunswick Mission Bell on lanes 1-4 with a grey sweater and a cup of coffee and most likely a full day of lessons scheduled for himself and his students.
Rolf was born in Nazi Germany and he and his family defected when Rolf was only 10 years old. Later in life as an American citizen, Rolf served as a weatherman in the US Air Force in World War II. He was an extremely patriotic American and was very grateful to be an American.
Many of his former students and friends have been writing to the family with condolonces and showing their gratitude to a man they said was "the sweetest, most patient and kind man they had ever met". In addition to being a bowling coach he was a Dance instructor for more than 20 years at the Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray Schools and in many cases he taught the new instructors as well.
Rolf and his wife Lynn met in Memphis, Tennesee and as Lynn puts it, "Rolf was the kindest and most generous person in the world, he loved life and everything about it."
I had the chance to talk with many of the people who knew Rolf either on a professional or personal level and this is what they had to say about him as a person, a friend, and a coach;
John Jowdy (Family friend and World Reknowned Bowling Coach): "Rolf was one of the most knowledgeable instructors in the game and deserved alot more credit than he got. I consider him an adopted brother, and he was one of the smartest guys I have ever met. I believe his articles were the best in the country and I think he should be put into the Phoenix and Arizona Bowling Halls of Fame"
Bill Machin (Rolf's grandson): "He got me any success I have had in bowling, took my game from nothing and he helped me than anybody else ever did"
Kevin Saunders (former student): "He really advanced my game, raised my average 30 pins from when we started to the end. He improved my fundamentals and basics and I stopped missing spares after we worked together."
Skip Russell (GM- BRC Mission Bell Lanes): "Rolf was the most down to earth guy and he would give you the shirt off his back. He idolized his wife. He was a very proud man". He was active in the Lions Club and owned a Southern California Home across the Canyon from the World Famous Hollywood sign."
Karen Machin: "Rolf didn't have a bad bone in his body, he was a great father in law"
John Machin (stepson): "Most people didnt't know he was a native of Germany and was one of Hitler's Youth before his family defected to the United States. He later joined the US Armed Forces and fought in World War II.
If anybody would like to add any comments on Rolf Gauger to either me or to the Gauger family, email me at daveleverage@yahoo.com
This month's Tip
I guess the first installment of "Bowling with Leverage" should be just that... How to create better "Leverage" at the foul line.
LEVERAGE: (dicitonary definition)
Far too many people in bowling fail to utilize the most powerful asset they have, their legs. Look around the next time you are bowling, even looking at some of the higher average bowlers. You will notice they simply do not bend their slide knee enough. In addition you will notice they typically have their trailing (non slide) leg up in the air and not on the ground where it needs to be. It is important to create proper knee bend at the slide and release and to keep the trailing leg (toe or side of the foot) on the ground to create better leverage and balance at the foul line.
Typically by creating the proper knee bend another good result will follow. The upper body will usually be in a better position as the result of proper knee bend. Take notice of other bowlers in your league who have a straight slide leg and do not bend their knee. You will see their upper bodies subsequently are in a very poor position and they are bending far too much at the waist. This causes many issues including poor leverage. It also puts more strain on the back muscles which already get abused from bowling.
If you have any questions or comments about this or other articles please email me at daveleverage@yahoo.com