Sometimes during practice it happens that everything falls into place...All of a sudden one get into a good finishing position, the timing is perfect, the release is smooth and powerful, incredible revolutions on the ball...can't miss...spectators start to gather behind the lane...it feels so great.

But then the next session it's all gone gone gone...It may take a week, month or more before I can find that shot again (I practice 4 to 6 hours per week on the lane + a couple of hours in the living room).

Are there any tricks one can use to speed up the learning process? To record that feeling so that the shot wouldn't get so deeply lost?? It's frustrating to spend most of the time trying to find the shot that once was there...one start to think that maybe it was all just luck.

It's more than "recording that feeling". What's happening is that something is going wrong when you've lost that feeling. What's going wrong? No one here is going to be able to tell you. What you're going to have to figure out is what is getting out of wack. Is it your feet? Your arm swing? Timing? Are you muscleing the ball? Dropping it? Turning it early? Breaking your arm?

Are you working with anyone who' watching your game to help you figure out what's going on? All the practice in the world isn't going to help if you don't know what you're trying to fix. Once you can start to isolate the things in your game that go wrong, you'll start to recognize when that happens and be able to regin them in faster.

There's no way to speed up that process, other than knowing that things will get out of wack and that you're going to have to have someone help you identify what they are.

When someone tells you that you've dropped the ball, you'll start to register the feeling you had at that release with dropping the ball. When someone tells you that you were late, you'll start to register the feeling you had at the line with being late. When someone tells you that you went around the ball, you'll register the feeling of that release with going around the ball.

Then once you develop ways to quickly correct these things, you'll be on the road to quickly fixing your mistakes. But it's not a quick process. It takes time to feel and understand what you're doing and to deal with it.

SkidRoll
I am bowling joel. I know what you are going through. I have been bowling at a 187 clip for the
last month. Sunday morning i had 554 which was the
2nd lowest series in a month. The first was on
wedns league when I had 494. I did'nt lose the
feeling I just missed placed it. Sunday I got it
back but not all the way. I missed two ten pins
with my spare ball and couple of regular others
with my strike ball. It all came down to concentration. This wedns I will get it back as
I know what I did wrong. :p
Your ok just keep at it. bowling joel

Thank you Lefty and Joel,

My problem is somewhere between my ears and I shouldn't have posted this topic at all. I was just so frustrated after having a good period when I bowled at a 200..220 average for a couple of weeks and then lost it all in one night. Now I have been at 150 for weeks...just where I was when I started bowling.
I try and try and nothing seems to work, instead it gets worse and worse the harder I try to find and fix the problem(s). Finally I get discouraged enough and quit bowling until I can't stay away from the lanes anymore and everything starts all over again...
Sorry about being a complainer, need to let out some steam. Maybe I should switch to a much easier sport...like golf

Skid Roll
Whatever you do do not quit something you like to do. Old Chinese probverb never bite off more then
you can chew, also new journey long or short starts
with first step. An American once said sometimes less is more. Do not get uptight, try to work out
the problem instead of compounding it. If you carried 200 average for two weeks or months go back
in your mind and try to find out what you did right.
Don't give up as that's the easy way out. bowling joel

I had a similar problem recently. I ave around 190 most of the time. Then two weeks in a row shot 453!!? I hadn't shot that low in quite some time and needless to say I was quite frustated.
What I ended up finding out was that I was trying TOO HARD. Your body already knows how to bowl as is shown by the early 200+ average. What I have been concentrating on is nothing. I step on the approach line up and let the ball go.
This simple approach has worked wonders for my bowling. You can read Dr. Dean Hinitz article about the competitive cycle. This is really the same thing in many ways.
Give it a try. Hope this helps.

Skid Roll,

All athletes suffer setbacks from time-to-time.

"It does not matter how many times you get knocked down, but how many times you get up."
- Vince Lombardi

It's actually ironic that you mentioned golf, because I have a golf analogy. A friend of mine ALWAYS mis-clubs his shots. For example since he has hit his 5-iron 200 yards in the past, he believes that he should hit his 5-iron 200 yards every time. But in reality, he can only hit his 5-iron 175-180 yards on a consistent basis. My friend should not judge his length off his best days, he should judge them from his average days.

The same thing in bowling. For example: right now I'm in the midst of a hot-streak. For the past month I've averaged around 230. But am I a 230 average bowler? NO WAY! A couple of months ago, while I was fighting an non-bowling related injury (I'm an aspiring triathlete), I was only averaging around 185. Am I that "bad"? NO WAY! My true skill level lies somewhere between the 185 and 230.

I don't know where your true skill level lies, only you can be the best judge of that. Just don't be overly concerned when you're struggling or get too cocky when your hot, because all things - both good and bad eventually end.

I hope that this helps.

Marty

That is right on, Marty. Right now I am averaging about 199, normally I average between 210 and 215. I am in a slump right now, too. Waiting to come back out of it. I got frustrated and down on myself, that is when I posted on here. I got some great advice, so, SkidRoll, you came to the right place. I can concentrate more now on finding my mark faster rather than getting mad and prolonging my anguish. Don't worry, it'll come back, man...

Everything that everyone has said so far is right on...you are just a little out of sync.

No open tenths mentioned Dean Hinitz's Competitive Cycle. That is probably where your problem lies. I have it memorized...or at least the simple form of it, and it helps me tremendously.

1) Decide what you plan to do, and be sure to "make up your mind"
2) Commit totally to your plan...no doubts. Even if it doesnt result in a strike, you WILL learn something from it. Let your body do what you trained it to do...keep your mind out of the equation.
3) Have your emotional reaction to it. Get mad, happy, scream...whatever. Get it out of your system.
4) Reset yourself...forget what just happened, and consider that task done. Move back to step one.

Essentially, you go through this process once on strikes, twice on spares...resetting yourself before the spare conversion.

It really helps to keep you on stable ground mentally...

John

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by mdmjdm:
Everything that everyone has said so far is right on...you are just a little out of sync.

No open tenths mentioned Dean Hinitz's Competitive Cycle. That is probably where your problem lies. I have it memorized...or at least the simple form of it, and it helps me tremendously.

1) Decide what you plan to do, and be sure to "make up your mind"
2) Commit totally to your plan...no doubts. Even if it doesnt result in a strike, you WILL learn something from it. Let your body do what you trained it to do...keep your mind out of the equation.
3) Have your emotional reaction to it. Get mad, happy, scream...whatever. Get it out of your system.
4) Reset yourself...forget what just happened, and consider that task done. Move back to step one.

Essentially, you go through this process once on strikes, twice on spares...resetting yourself before the spare conversion.

It really helps to keep you on stable ground mentally...

John </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">I tried applying this last night, and found that I had more success. Being back bowling for only 3 months (after not bowling for at least 5 years), having my own bowling balls, it seemed I had hit a bit of a brick wall for a bit, not being able to get over 160. Last night, out of 8 games, I had 4 over 160, one being 176. I feel that I could be closing in on the precious 200 game.....been so close (197, 195, 195, 193) in the past.

I had been letting bad shots get to me, and then overcompensating on the next one.

SAABBOWLER

I appreciate the position you are in, we have all been there; at your current level I would look to work on consistency and sparing. By that I mean keeping you first ball in play (keeping it on or near the pocket) and then mopping up the spares.

Hitting the first of anything can be difficult but when you get your maiden 200 the second will not be far behind if only because you know that you can do it.

While sometimes you can make a big leap it is more often about incremental improvements, getting to understand the game and applying it to your competitive bowling.

Working with an instructor will of course speed things along but so will picking the brains of the many experienced bowlers on this site (most a lot smarter than I)

saabbowler: Keep an eye out for nerves, and learn how to combat them...in your own way. We all know what they feel like...and I used to feel them after 3 in a row. Faster heart rate, legs sometimes feel heavy...twitchy at times.

I do a few things to fight nerves...since I am constantly doing things I have not experienced in the past.

I ALWAYS give the ball a good squeeze initially on the approach...then relax it. It dissipates the adrenaline, from what I've heard. I just know that I used to tug the ball under pressure, and that cured it. When I'm REALLY too hyped up, I walk around squeezing my grip sac to death between frames.

When I feel it in my legs, I go for a walk, to tire them out...also works.

I've also learned that I am the type that can deal with either "being avoided"...as many fellow bowlers will do when you are close to a 300, but I can also simply chat between frames. See what works best for you.

Let us know your progress...I'm sure you will get there soon.

John

Bowled last night in extremely heavy oil. Before, in these conditions, I'd be lucky to break 110. Last night, I bowled an average of 134, so the new ball makes a significant difference. I threw the ball about 4 boards from the gutter. Lanes were difficult, I spent the night picking off 6 pins and 10 pins.

skidroll
last night I found something else I do wrong. I am
bending over too far and the ball is going left of
target as I am pulling the shot. I believe I have
to stand a little straighter and project the ball
over my target instead of aiming at it. My games
reflected the way I was delivering the ball. 172
148 and 173. Each game could have been alot better. Will it help me keep the ball on line if
I stand erect instead of bend over. I believe that I should lean a little but not much.
bowling joel

MaryEllen
last night I had some trble with my delivery. I
was pulling the shot to the left. I believe I was
bending over too much and the ball started to hook
early. I think that I should stand more erect. Do
you think that this will help me keep the ball on
line to the target. Also check the other post I
have entered. bowling joel

Thank you all for the encouragment!

I was trying too hard to do things that are still beyond my ability. Went back to the basics concentrating on a free armswing and not opening the shoulders too much. Will go to the lanes today. Here we go again...


Joel,

When you miss your target to the inside it often means besides that you could be leaning too much forward that your timing is early? The first thing I would check would be the pushaway; it tends to get lazy over time.

just a thought,

Skid

Do you own a video camera? There can be a lot of reasons on why you pull the ball across your body. You'll be surprised at what you see that you're doing wrong as opposed to what you think that you're doing wrong. The camera doesn't lie. I own one myself and when there's something in my game that is either out of whack or in a slump I can see exactly what I'm doing and made the necessary corrections.

COMMON FAULTS OF PULLING BALL ACROSS YOUR BODY:


1. Fast Feet

2. Trying to help the ball and not letting ball do the work.

3. Bent elbow

4. Late timing- ball ahead of body

5. Tight thumbhole resulting in the ball not coming cleanly off your hand at the point of release.

6. Drifting on the last step.

7. Push away left instead of straight to target.

8. Bending too much at the waist.


Go thru this checklist as you playback a recording of your bowling at a practice session. It sounds more to me that you're bending at the waist. Flex your knees at your stance and at the point of your release your left knee should be bent as if you're sitting on a chair. But you should also at your stance lean a little forward with your shoulders. When you are at the point of release your shoulders should be slightly over your left knee. You should have someone video tape you from three different angles. Five video shots at rear angle. Another five shots at side angle and five shot at front angle. In order to have the frontal angle shot successfuly you should if possible have the person at the desk to put you on the very last lane, because you're a right hander. I hope this helps.


Sincerely,


Mary Allen

SkidRoll
I think that you are right on. I am leaning to far over.I also believe it is early timing. I feel when I approach the line that the ball is not up long enough but am unable to correct this.
thank you
Mary Ellen
You are absolutely correct in all phases you discribed. Actually it seems to me as if you are
somehow seeing me bowl. I have a video camera and
over the summer I will have to use it at least
two times. MY wife suprisingly enough is very good at using it and I will have her film me.
Today the team I am on went south. They were saying how on rolloff day one is going to a tour. andthe other might not be there. I told them if
there are only one other bowler besides me I will go home. This is it for me I am changing bowling
alleys and team mates. bowling joel
You two are wonderful. I have another post about
something else I will do it later in the week.

Joel,

I found these articles about pulling the ball:

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip30.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip31.htm

Skid

Thanks, Skid,

The articles were very enlightening.

labradorice

Skidroll
Thanks for the articles I checked them both out
and they are great. I will refer to them often.
bowling joel

Accck!! I read the article and one of the things he mentions is not stepping into the slide (moving the slide foot over to be in line with the plant foot on the slide step. I am one who doesn't step into it and subtely readjusts my body weight maintaining balance and not giving away my error by falling off to the side. (I tried it several times in the hallway and yep, I don't step into it, though I can easily do it if I consciously try.)

I wonder if I should work on this or keep doing it the wrong way, as I seldom have a balance problem? I imagine that my ball is passing several inches further from my ankle then if I stepped into the slide. According to his article this may result in pulling the ball. Hmmm, to mess with this or not?

MaryEllen
SkidRoll
Last night I tried one of the notes that had a
video about finding your shot. It stated to try
this: set up but do not put the brain into action;
just take first step heel and toe then push the
ball on second step toward the target and let it
drop into free swing. etc. I tried it but the lanes were hooking more then I could handle.149
213 and 157 it worked partily. I missed alot of
spares and had some splits. Today I bowled again
in a senior league that I am going to be in next
season. On these lanes it worked better. 141 166
190 and I picked up most of my spares.
How this works is step one is heel toe step two
i push the bowl out toward the target on step 2
then I complete the steps and use free arm swing
to hit the target. I pulled the ball only two times to the left and rest of the time hit around
the target. I will keep using this as it takes
stress off the arm and wrist. bowlling joel

I'm very happy that you're trying to experiment with different things, because that's how you get better. From reading all of your posts you remind me of how I was 8 years ago. I've read every book and every magazine that I could get my hands on as well as to learn different things from my fellow teammates. And then the ultimate, I bought all of the Earl Anthony videos that I could get my hands on and studied him a lot. I wanted to pattern his approach and his overall smoothness and consistancy.

But enough about me, I'm very proud of you that you're trying to remedy your bowling problems. Keep up the good work and let me know of your progress and let me know if you need any more help. Just remember that it's going to take time to progress to whatever your goal that you set out to do. Just be patient and it will all pull together.

Joel, when I start bowling bad it's usually me not keeping my arm straight and following through. The lack of proper arm swing had me all over the place. Missing my mark inside and out, trying to force the ball down the lanes. Luckily we have a group of us that will get together and practice. It's great to have others around you that know your game, so they can help pull you through your bad spells. If your not hitting the 1-3 consistantly then make sure you cover your spares. This will help keep your confidence up and keep your score stabilized,while your working through the problems. Good Luck......

Danti,
I tried that new thing twice pushing the ball to
my right towards the target on step two of my five
steps. My confidence is growing and sunday will be
my third attempt at using this pushaway, if it works as well sunday as it did thursday I could be headed for some very good bowling. With the
new notes I get on this site and my ability to come up with new things I gather with all the info I get plus my own expireance I cannot go wrong and I think anyone who loves bowling like I
do should use this site to get better and help others do so as well. Bowling and instructions must continue from people who know so this sport
can live for ever. bowling joel

You are right about this forum, It is a great place to learn. I'm glad I found it as well.

Glad to hear you are doing better Joel. I'm also slowly improving.

One of my newest problems originated from the pushaway; it had changed and was now too strong and the elbow locked while the ball was in front of me and thus the motion of the ball stopped at that point for a short instant. By doing a softer pushaway and letting the ball lock the elbow at the bottom of the backswing the armswing got much more natural; smooth and relaxed and the timing got better. The other thing was that I tried too hard to get more and more revs on the ball. When I forgot about that focusing on other things I actually got much better pin carry.
But it seems that I need a really long "warm up" before I start doing well, over a half hour.
I wish I could do it right already from the start of the session. Only more practise helps there?

I got myself a cellphone with a videorecorder so now I can get a few shots on video from every practice session. I hope this will speed up my learning curve and prevent me from going into those long and deepdeep slumps.

Buck Rabbit,
Releasing the ball closer to the ankle should in the long run improve consistency and give more leverage and thus better pin carry. I would give it a try to fix it...Just my very non-expert opinion...I saw your average is much higher than mine...

Skid

Mary Ellen
SkidRoll
I think I have found the answer to my problem with
loosing the shot. I just read a note on Ron Cliftons site bowl4fun. It shows in detail that
if you turn the ball to soon or move it before it
gets to the ankle the revs are lost and the ball
does not do what it should. I will bet that when
I turn my wrist to the cocked position in the stance it is turned out of that position before it
reaches the ankle for release. What do you both think. bowling joel