Hello all,

This is a continuation to my initial post: http://www.bowlingcommunity.com/b/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/51726#Post51726

After a couple more practice sessions I decided to tape myself once again to determine if I've made progress on the suggestions given in the last post. I couldn't get a side view this time as my wife didn't come with me this time.

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dkXpILySqI

The good:
- As per suggestions in another post I decided to have my thumb pitches checked out by the Pro Shop. It turns out that I was 1/8th reverse. I had the shop move it forward to 1/8th forward and that helps me to stay in the ball at the bottom longer and with less gripping; this was done the day of the shooting of this video. I could probably have it moved forward a bit more but I want to use this drilling in a few more sessions before I decide to do it. I also added some white grip tape to the front of the thumb hole to assist with any premature slipping.

- I don't seem to be running to the line like I was in my last video. Per suggestion I stepped off backwards from the foul line and located my new starting position.

- I'm mostly placing the ball onto the lane instead of slamming it into the lane creating the dreaded double-bounce. I noticed in the new video I did this a couple of times but I think with time it'll get better.

- I seem to be maintaining better balance at the line. A couple of times I fell off the shot (muscled) but I think I'm getting much better in this area.

- I'm beginning to target boards and actually coming closer to hitting them than I have in the past. I used to target the pins and when I tried to target a board I was 3-5 boards right of target. Now if I don't hit my target I'm within a board or two. This is helping tons on my spare game.

The not-so-good:
- I'm still fighting with my backswing. I'm now consiously working on not having my backswing wrap around my body and I'm also trying to make it more compact in length and closer to my body.

- I'm still working on not muscling the ball. I have a feeling this will be cured with time and conscious effort.

The ugly:
- My release is still on the side of the ball. After filming I rolled a game kneeling at the line and concentrating solely on the release (stole this drill from another video post). Once I went back to my full approach I noticed I had a ton more revs on the ball but as time progressed I began reverting to my old ways. I will continue using this release drill until it becomes muscle memory.

I know I've still got a ways to go but forward progress is forward progress. If anyone has any suggestions for things to work on please let me know. I would love to hear any and all critiques. I'm all ears.

Thanks for your time,
Craig

I just did a quick sampling/calculation of ball speed and I'm right in the average. It takes ~ 2.34 seconds for my ball to reach the pins which equates to 17.5 MPH. Perhaps when I actually shorten my backswing a bit more this will drop in speed a bit which will allow for a bit more hooking action.

Well from what i seen in the video You missed right of the pocket alot. So if ur missing right moves a few boards right or until you find the pocket. As far as your release you said you wasnt coming out of the ball right, well I used to have the same problem I would come over top of the ball to try to get it to hook instead of staying behind it just remember your thumb comes out first then your fingers, But what someone told me that helped me alot about staying behind it is to like as soon as the ball is coming off your fingers take your hand and flip it when you follow threw so that the palm of you hand is facing the pins and that should get you more revs on the ball and a good spin on the ball. If your wanting to hook it more slow your ball down a lil bit and you will get more hook. I hope I helped you in some way.