Okay so this week I've been watching pros with their footwork and reading online noticing somethings that are critical to good shots. Things I don't do so I decided to start over again with getting my fundamental footwork, timing, and release down this whole week. At first I definitely struggled to adjust but as I battled I finally broke through with my best practice to date. Okay I didn't have a coach but I went to two houses in Ann Arbor. Colonial and Ypsi Arbor. I managed to bowl a 223 at Colonial and my very first game at Ypsi was a 251. I played 20 games tonight so my average was probably around the 150-160's. Shot after shot was flowing out off my fingers like clockwork. The biggest thing I had going on tonight was that out of the 14 games I played at Ypsi, I destroyed the 9th frame, I had one open frame in the 9th with the rest being strikes. I couldn't believe it; I even finished with 7 straight in 9th frames. Definitely my best practice ever but I'll sure a coach in due time will be the judge of that

Sounds like things are going well for you, Tariq. Of course, the true testament will be when you get into league or tournament play and whether you can perform those same fundamentals there. And if things aren't working for you, will you stick with it or fall back into the old?

That's how I've really been able to gauge how well I've practiced. It is truly one thing to pick the 7 and 10 pin off of a full rack 6 straight times and throw a six bagger in practice. It's another animal all together to do it when there is point money, position and side pots, brackets, etc. on the line.

Not that it's all about the money, but just making sure that even when it's not working for you, you continue to do it the right way.

I relayed the story about how just last Sunday I bowled on some very tough (dry) conditions. Wven though I only shot 658, I kept my focus and only left two open frames, both on impossible spares...the 7-9 (on a high flush shot) and the 7-10 (on a high flush also).

Repetition (which creates muscle memory) is the only thing that will ensure that 'starting over' is a good thing...only time will tell. I normally wouldn't suggest starting completely over, only adjusting certain areas at a time, but if it works in long run I'm happy for you.