Well this was my first week on the "Cheetah" oil pattern on my Wednesday PBA experience league and I had such high hopes. I still shot my average (173 this week, 170 over all) but this time I did it with two good games & two bad games - all based around spare shooting.
The first game I only double struck once, threw the only split of the night (7-10), & swifted 3 other easy spares for a dismal 158.
The second game was much better with two doubles & all closed frames (a three count in the 4th due to lazy wrist) finishing with a 204.
The third game I had only one double strike and 5!!! easy opens. Most of my leaves all night were 4's or 7's or 5's. In my defense, (no real defense) I've changed my line-up for shooting the left side and I'm not quite there yet. That game ended with a double dismal 141.
The forth game I had a double & a turkey, but still 2 easy opens for a respectable 190.

The bottom line is that I felt I was throwing a good first ball at the two board but still leaving a lot of single pins. The parallel move then angular move I practiced on did work even though I needed to execute it better. That trick of pre-squeezing than relaxing the hand felt great and is going to work great for me.
I sucked at my spares during league even though in the morning I was awesome at them at practice. I played a low game of about 40 - picking off the 10 pin then the 7 pin only three frames in a row.

Still had lots of fun, but I do hate chocking on single pins.

The Cheetah is a short pattern and the only way to keep from missing your spares because the ball over hooking is to throw straight at your spares.

Spares are as important as strikes and deserve the same, if not more, attention as strikes. Often when the strikes are not forthcoming, making your spares can turn your night into a so-so night rather than a disaster. Just think, if you made one more spare per game you'd be a 180 bowler. One of the things I think of when shooting a spare is that if I miss this spare I will have to get two strikes in a row to make up for it.

ijohn83:

Do you use a spare ball for your spares?

Spares are the reason I am averaging 162 rather than 182. What is most frustrating for me is missing one pin spares by the smallest of margins and they seem to pile up at one point during the night then the rest of the time I am o.k.

Scott, I am in a similar situation. I go through streaks where I miss single pin spares. Then I have nights when I never miss a one.

Through much trial and error (and some coaching), I have discovered a few things that help.
1) I have to remember to follow through on my swing after release.
2) I have to keep my ball speed similar to my strike shot. If I get over-cautious and slow down, I tend to miss.
3) I give my spare shots a slight loft, and completely relax my hand on release.

If I can remember to do those things I am usually much better off.

Brett

I do throw a plastic spare ball. I have just recently started throwing it at almost all my spares, not just the right or left side. I also have changed to going a little more direct at the 7 or 4. I've also shorten my approach about 12" so I can put my slide foot toe exactly on dots. I've got the right side down (6, 9, 10) but my left side has been suffering. I need to settle on the dots I want to use for that left side.
Spares use to be my strong suit and will be again with more practice.
Thanks Brett for the 3 tips. I'll keep those close by during practice to remind me.

~ John

i feel your pain, i'm a righty, and almost never miss a 3,6 or 10 pin, show me a 4, 5 or 7 pin, and i'm off it an inch. drives me nuts!

It sounds like if you guys are having trouble with your left side spares and you are trying to go straight at your spares, (as you should), that you are getting to the line with your body square to the foul line and pulling the ball across toward the pin you are aiming at, instead of walking and being square to the pin/arrow you are aiming at.

I had a problem with missing left handed spares before too. What coachjim said rang true i was more lining up with the foul line instead of lining up with the pin and arrow i was aimming for. Once i corrected my spare percentage rate increased.