I’m beginning to notice a scoring pattern in the PBAx league. It seems like every week the second game is usually my weakest score preventing me from a better series. For example, last night on the Shark: 220-153-190 = 563. Once again I trashed a possible 600+ series with a weak second game.

I think the main problem is my timing slowly gets out of whack because I’m throttling back my ball speed by initially holding the ball lower. I found that I have better accuracy, ball reaction, and pin carry when I slow the ball down, let it roll, and do the work coupled with a softer release on the PBA patterns as long as my timing is good. Last night during the second game, I started to feel like my feet were out of synch with my arm swing making me feel off balance at the line resulting in a slightly pulled shot. Once I made a conscience effort of slowing my feet down I felt better resulting in better accuracy and score. Lane transition is in the mix of this, but the main culprit is timing->pulled shots resulting in missed spares. I don’t seem to have this problem on a THS because first of all I’m more comfortable/loose, and secondly, I don’t throttle my ball speed/release like I do on PBA patterns. My normal ~17mi/hr THS ball speed feels natural with my gravity driven arm swing and overall timing.

Anybody else have this problem? Also, any suggestions on how I can maintain proper timing with a stroke that doesn’t feel natural, but yet yields better results? I can fix the timing by moving up on the approach, slowing my feet down or take a smaller/larger first step, but I can’t seem to maintain a steady timing rhythm across three games.

If you are holding the ball 6" lower you should also move 6" to a foot closer to the foul line, this will slow your feet down, you may need to move even closer, everyone has different leg lengths and different cadence. Just remember slower ball slower feet and closer to the foul line slows your feet down, backing up will raise your ball speed and foot speed, so remember that when the lanes dry out and you don't need to move deeper.

Thanks CoachJim. That's a good relational tip I can remember. I'll try starting my first game about a half a step closer to the foul line during Sunday practice on the Shark and see how it goes. Forcing myself to take slower steps won't be as repeatable as something ~automatic.