Since, your focus and eyes should NOT be at your feet, a
towel is used to find out where your ball is landing.
If you don't know where your ball is hitting the lane, lay a
towel at the foul line. If you release the ball at your ankle, it should hit the
towel every time. If you are dropping the ball, it will hit behind and drag the
towel. Don't worry, it doesn't go very far.
If you want to practice getting the ball out in front of you, lay the
towel out a little farther, and see if your ball clears it.