Most Bowling Videos Are Filmed Wrong – A Coach Explains How to Fix It
Written by:Panagiotis Vardakis, EBF Level 3, USBC Bronze, and National Coaching School Cat C coach Written by: Panagiotis Vardakis, EBF Level 3, USBC Bronze, and National Coaching School Cat C coach Panagiotis Vardakis Every week, I receive many bowling videos for analysis.
They come fromathletes training on their own, young bowlers, and competitive amateurslooking for feedback.
And in most cases, my first reaction has nothing to dowith footwork or release.
It has to do with the camera.
Today, bowlers can easily upload videos and get advice from coaches allaround the world.
The problem is that many of those videos are not filmed withanalysis in mind, making them difficult to evaluate.
This often slows thewhole progress, as the player must go back to the bowling center to re-filmhis bowling before any coaching can start.When a video clearlyshows what matters, video coaching becomes a powerful and reliable way toimprove performance.
Over the years, I have learned that just a few simple and consistent camerasetups provide nearly all the information needed to help an athlete improve.
In this article, I explain the camera angles I prefer, why I ask for them, andwhat I look for in each view as a coach.
Camera Straight From Behind – My Starting Point This is usually the first angle I ask for.
How I Like It Set The camera should be placed directly behind the bowler, centered with thebody, and completely stable.
The full approach, release, and ball path must bevisible, with no zoom.
The entire body should be shown from the stance throughthe finish.
Why I Ask for This Angle From behind, I can clearly see how the body and the swing work together.
Thisangle gives me a strong overall picture of coordination and movement.
What I Look For I focus on shoulder alignment during the approach, spine tilt and postureconsistency, and whether the swing stays under control or wraps around thebody.
I also evaluate timing between footwork and swing, the release pointrelative to the ankle, and whether missed shots come from body position ratherthan targeting.
Many bowlers believe they miss because of aim.
Very often, the miss actuallybegins two steps earlier.
Camera Straight in Front – What the Release Tells Me This angle gives me information I cannot get from behind, and it is often myfavorite one.
How I Ask Athletes to Set ItThe camera should be placed near the arrows, in the middle of the lane,facing the bowler.
It must remain stable and level whilerecording the approach, release, and follow-through.
Bowlingcenter rules and safety should always be respected when filming from thisposition.
The camera should be placed near the arrows, in the middle of the lane,facing the bowler.
It must remain stable and level whilerecording the approach, release, and follow-through.
Bowlingcenter rules and safety should always be respected when filming from thisposition.
The camera should be placed near the arrows, in the middle of the lane,facing the bowler.
It must remain stable and level whilerecording the approach, release, and follow-through.
Bowlingcenter rules and safety should always be respected when filming from thisposition.
Why I Ask for This Angle From the front, the release becomes very clear.
Small details that remainhidden from other angles are easy to identify.
What I Look For I observe the arm swing path, whether it is free or forced, elbow position atthe bottom of the swing, wrist stability, and hand position.
I also look athead movement, eye control, balance at the foul line, and consistency ofrelease height.
From this angle, I can quickly tell if an athlete is fighting the swing orallowing it to work naturally.
Full Approach – The Most Important Angle Landscape video of the full approach is the angle I request most often, andthe one athletes misunderstand the most.
How Coaches Want It FilmedThe video must be filmed in landscape format.
The camera shouldbe placed about two to two and a half lanes away, positioned roughly in themiddle of the approach.
Once the recording starts, the camera mustremain completely still.
There should be no panning, no zooming,and no movement during the approach.
The video must be filmed in landscape format.
The camera shouldbe placed about two to two and a half lanes away, positioned roughly in themiddle of the approach.
Once the recording starts, the camera mustremain completely still.
There should be no panning, no zooming,and no movement during the approach.
Why This Angle Is So Important This view shows tempo, timing, and repeatability, which are the foundations ofconsistency.
What Coach Look ForI evaluate footwork rhythm and cadence, tempo control, and the relationshipbetween steps and swing.
I also look at starting positionconsistency, whether the athlete rushes or accelerates smoothly, stabilityin the pre-shot routine, and balance at the foul line.
I evaluate footwork rhythm and cadence, tempo control, and the relationshipbetween steps and swing.
I also look at starting positionconsistency, whether the athlete rushes or accelerates smoothly, stabilityin the pre-shot routine, and balance at the foul line.
If the camera moves, reference points are lost.
Without reference points, realanalysis is not possible.
Common Filming Issues Athletes Need to Fix Very often, I ask athletes to re-film their videos because the camera followsthe shot, the video is filmed too close, or zoom is used.
Other common issuesinclude cutting the video before the finish or sending only strike shots.
Missed shots are extremely valuable.
They often explain areas for improvementmuch better than perfect ones.
Video Checklist (Save These For Later) General Rules Full body visible at all timesCamera never movesNo zoomFull shot recorded from start to finishMultiple shots included, not just strikes Full body visible at all times Camera never moves No zoom Full shot recorded from start to finish Multiple shots included, not just strikes Behind the Bowler Camera centered with the bodyStable and straightFull approach includedBall path clearly visible Camera centered with the body Stable and straight Full approach included Ball path clearly visible Front View Checklist Camera facing the bowlerPositioned near the arrowsStable and levelRelease clearly visible Camera facing the bowler Positioned near the arrows Stable and level Release clearly visible Full Approach Checklist Landscape (horizontal) videoCamera placed 2 to 2.5 lanes awayFixed camera position (no movement, no zoom)Rhythm and timing clearly visibleFull body shown from start through follow-through Landscape (horizontal) video Camera placed 2 to 2.5 lanes away Fixed camera position (no movement, no zoom) Rhythm and timing clearly visible Full body shown from start through follow-through Final Thoughts Video coaching helps athletes improve faster only when filming is done withintention.
A good video allows coach to provide more precise feedback, identify issuesearlier, and design more effective training programs.
It also helps athletesunderstand not only the outcome of a shot, but their own movement.
A good shot does not make a good video - it shows the truth of the motion.
About the Author Panagiotis VardakisPanagiotis Vardakis is an experienced bowling coach and educator whoseinvolvement in the sport spans more than two decades. His work combines technical coaching, long-term player development, andequipment knowledge, supported by his experience as a professional coach andpro shop specialist.Throughout his coaching career, he has guided athletes to national andinternational success across European competitions, coaching players fromGreece, the United Kingdom, Malta, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
About the Author Panagiotis Vardakis Panagiotis Vardakis is an experienced bowling coach and educator whoseinvolvement in the sport spans more than two decades.
His work combines technical coaching, long-term player development, andequipment knowledge, supported by his experience as a professional coach andpro shop specialist.
Throughout his coaching career, he has guided athletes to national andinternational success across European competitions, coaching players fromGreece, the United Kingdom, Malta, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
A significant part of his work is dedicated to youth development, where hefocuses on structured training environments that support both athleticprogress and personal growth.
Vardakis is currently involved in youth-oriented projects throughBYC in Slovakia andcontinues to work with athletes, clubs, and organizations through coachingprograms, clinics, and educational initiatives across Europe.
BYC For coaching-related questions or inquiries, Coach Vardakis can becontacted via email at p.vardakis@gmail.com or visit www.byc.sk www.byc.sk.
