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