While we're on the subject of single-pin spare systems, I have a question. What exactly constitutes a system? Obviously, the 3-6-9 method is a system that works well for many people. But if you're throwing your spare shot straight using a plastic ball, it's no good. I shoot left side spares from the 10 board (from the right), and right side spares from zero (10-pin) or the 5 board. I line up with my shoulders square to my target, walk straight at the pin and fire. I find that the less I think about the shot, the higher my percentage of picking it up. As it stands, I probably only miss 1 in 25 single pin spares, and they're usually 10-pins. The only thing getting in the way of doing better is when my head gets in the way, and I start thinking too much.

Is this a legitimate system, and one worth sticking to, or has anyone learned from something similar and found a better approach?

Any "SYSTEM" that works for you is legitimate.

I Totally agree with you Bronx and Erin.
There is no excuse to miss single pin spares.
The bottom line is I need to practice. Hope to get some practice time in before next Tuesday.
I still need to get my ball cleaned too.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by cheetah:
While we're on the subject of single-pin spare systems, I have a question. What exactly constitutes a system? Obviously, the 3-6-9 method is a system that works well for many people. But if you're throwing your spare shot straight using a plastic ball, it's no good. I shoot left side spares from the 10 board (from the right), and right side spares from zero (10-pin) or the 5 board. I line up with my shoulders square to my target, walk straight at the pin and fire. I find that the less I think about the shot, the higher my percentage of picking it up. As it stands, I probably only miss 1 in 25 single pin spares, and they're usually 10-pins. The only thing getting in the way of doing better is when my head gets in the way, and I start thinking too much.

Is this a legitimate system, and one worth sticking to, or has anyone learned from something similar and found a better approach? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">3-6-9 system is ok, I still use a variant of it. But the modification I made to it is to throw the ball extremely straight at my spares. Other players use the 2-4-6 system throwing the ball straight. The key is to find a system that works for you under any and all oil patterns that neutralizes the oil pattern. This way, even if you are struggling, you will close boxes and keep yourself in the hunt. These days about the only time I hook the ball at a spare is when its a double wood...

I use one ball for both my spares and strikes which is an Ebonite wildcat. I have full confidence in "my" system. I don't throw straight at spares I use a curve, it's all mental. I need to stop thinking about it and just pick it up.

Birdman, I am not sure how serious you intend to be with bowling but I would like to recommend that you re-think not throwing straight at spares. The majority of PBA members use a plastic ball and throw straight for a reason. It eliminates the need to re-align for spares on different lane conditions. It is enough work to set up for strike shots and then have to worry about your line for spares. Also you can encounter carry down etc. etc. as the lanes are used. If you do not want to utilize a "spare ball" you might consider learning to flaten out the shot so that your line to the spare is direct. After practice it is less stressful to throw directly at a pin instead of trying to determine the best line to hook the ball at it. Just another thought.

I appreciate your advice, however I've been bowling since 1992, and do not see the need for me to use a "spare ball". I do not have to deal with "major" carry down since I am left handed.
The bottom line is that I take my time and don't aim just let it roll smoothly off my hand. My week three goal is to have 3 clean games. I'll update ya'll on Tuesday.

I wish I could have 3 clean games. I had plenty of open frames tonight, but only 1 or 2 gutters, so I did good in my book. I acheieved my 2 personal goals for the week: get at least a 400 series, and get my average up to 110+. My league average (for the two weeks that we've been playing) is at 115, and I bowled a 410 series. Sadly, I was the best player on our team tonight (how in the world did this happen?!). So yeah, a 121, 150, 139 and a 136 average for the evening. Pretty good for me, but I'm constantly working on making that better.

Sorry to steal your thread. Just thought I would update, too, since I mentioned something earlier in the thread. Aaand, now back to you, Birdman.

No sweat man, U didn't steal my light. I wish more people would give thier real time scores nd opinion like yourself.

Here's to consistency.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Originally posted by Rolly:
I wish I could have 3 clean games. I had plenty of open frames tonight, but only 1 or 2 gutters, so I did good in my book. I acheieved my 2 personal goals for the week: get at least a 400 series, and get my average up to 110+. My league average (for the two weeks that we've been playing) is at 115, and I bowled a 410 series. Sadly, I was the best player on our team tonight (how in the world did this happen?!). So yeah, a 121, 150, 139 and a 136 average for the evening. Pretty good for me, but I'm constantly working on making that better.

Sorry to steal your thread. Just thought I would update, too, since I mentioned something earlier in the thread. Aaand, now back to you, Birdman. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="VERDANA,ARIAL,HELVETICA,TAHOMA">Don't worry about gutterballs. Some of the very best in the world have thrown them. In fact I'll tell you a story about one gutterball I threw.

I'm bowling in the finals of a PBA Senior regional (round of 16). I got there by playing the two board. Now, I'm on a strike in the 9th frame in the second game, and I need 8 on two balls to win the game. So what do I do? Drop it into the moat the first shot. So now, I just threw a gutter, I need 8 pins to win, and the line I'm playing is 4 to 2. What do I do? I play the same exact line I was playing the entire weekend, and make the spare.

The point of this story is that although you might have thrown a gutterball, you can't think about your past shots or what will happen if you make a mistake. You do think about making a good shot, and focus completely on the here and now of the shot you are about to throw. If I were thinking "Don't throw another gutterball", I probably would have. Instead I was thinking "Make a good shot".

Was I all stressed out about dropping one in the moat in the tenth frame? Yes.

Did I recenter and refocus and collect myself before I threw my spare attempt? Yes.