Learn from Stuart Andersen’s Bowls Delivery

After the 2019 World Indoor Bowls Championship, Stuart Andersen was ranked second in the world. It is interesting for bowling enthusiasts to examine his delivery.

Stance

Stuart Andersen bowls from the ‘shooters’ stance’. This style was first popularized by Nev Rodda in his blog. The Greenbowler author has adopted the Shooters’ Stance himself.  

The distinctive aspect of Stuart Andersen's ready position is that he holds the bowl already twisted. In other words, Anderson does not use a Bryant twist but starts with the bowl’s running surface at an angle to his aim line! At the beginning of his delivery action, he lowers his body but does not begin his backswing until the bowl is at ankle height. 

The shooters' stance & Anderson's bowl angle together

Grip

Stuart Anderson’s grip is the claw grip. He does not bend his wrist in a scoop but it remains locked. It is the angling of the bowl in his ready position that sets him apart!

 Anderson’s Opposite Hand Position

The ‘opposite hand’ refers to the hand that does not do the bowling. This hand in the cases of most bowlers participates very little in their deliveries.  Stuart Andersen uses his free hand to steady his bowl even as he sinks down by bending his knees to lower his entire frame. His free hand never touches either his thigh or knee but moves from supporting his bowl to hanging loosely at his side and helping to maintain balance during the complete delivery.

 Anderson’s Back-Swing

Stuart Anderson has a short backswing, throughout which he holds his bowl at the same angle to the aim line that he had at the beginning of his backswing... essentially no backswing. He does not need to tuck his anchor knee in behind his forward heel because his anchor leg is well clear of his swinging arm both because he uses the more open Shooters’ stance and because his backswing is so short.

More than other top bowlers it appears that his delivery is shoulder motion rather than arm motion. It gives a sense of compactness.

Forward Stepping

 Stuart’s entire body moves forward with his bowl swing. His forward stepping foot first contacts the bowling surface heel first and then he rocks forward onto his toes. The bowl is not released until his advancing foot is solidly grounded as is the case with all top bowlers.

Following Through

Stuart Andersen has one of the most reproducible follow-throughs in the game. His arm elevation and even his finger positions are consistent. This is seen in the picture. It seems he lets go of the bowl by drawing back all his fingers at once.

Walking Off the Mat

Andersen doesn’t walk off the mat smoothly or consistently but his weight is completely forward at release and his anchor foot is only touching the mat with his toes.

Positioning on the Mat

Stuart Andersen does not use the mat much. He seems to take up just the two positions; one forehand….one backhand.