Moved this from the old one, at the behest of the side panel.

168 203 199

Got lined up to the pocket in practice, standing around 26 throwing over 13 out to about 8 or 9, using the VP2. My last practice shot on each lane left a solid 9... hard to complain about hitting too hard...

First frame was a good shot, the next 2 I lost out to the right off my hand and left tough spares which went unconverted. They still should have made it closer to the pocket than they did, so I moved outside a bit further and tried to go a little more up the back of the ball. Got some more area - standing 20 playing over 10-11. Made good shots, had nice carry on imperfect hits, til the ball stuck on my thumb a bit. This ball just feels a bit weird on my hand, almost like the span is a pinch longer than the rest, though I think they are the same... I might need to throw a little bevel on the thumbhole or something. Anywhoo, switched to the Big One and stayed near the pocket, though the carry wasn't as good. Missed a 10 pin that fell off my hand early, converted the rest of my spares, and tried a slightly deeper line on my fill shot.

Tried the VP2 to start game 2 (I really wanted the look it gives me), but had more trouble getting out clean, so went back to the Big One. Stayed outside one more frame, had it hook way early, then jumped in to standing 30 out over 14 to around 7 with a good bit of rotation (60 degrees maybe?). ball was screaming back to the pocket, left a solid 8, the high flush. Pulled one, picked up the spare, then strung a couple more - had nice carry. Tripped the 9 pin on what would have been a 4-9, kept moving in, eventually standing 35 out over 16 to 7. Felt good that game, but I felt like I was starting to force it, so Tried moving back out for the last game.

Went to about 30 degrees of rotation (I have 3 levels of rotation, went to "medium"), standing 25 out over 10. Made good shots, carry was ok, then the ball just started coming in flat. Switched to the Zone, made 2 nice shots for strikes, then the last 2 frames I felt like I did the same thing, but it seemed like I may have drifted left, because the ball went outside further on each lane and sailed the headpin. Picked up the spare in the 9th but left the 10th open.

570 series, with what felt like good Execution on about 70% of my shots. Can't wait to get to 80%, or 90

For the past several weeks I have been in a brutal slump..as some of you know. Well last week I went to see my coach, and this weeks scores are a big improvment. Although not quite to my liking I believe I am close to being back on Track. Bowled twice this week, and both series were in the 570's. Not great by some standards, but I was struggling to break 500 recently, so I'm hopefull things are looking up.
Turns out I had some timing issues (thats what it always is), and a little adjustment in my starting position, and VIOLA, every thing is smooth again.

Goes to show the value of a good coach. I am going to see her again next week to see if we can't get this going even better.

After finally braking out of slump last week to shoot a 630 what do i follow it up with? A 544, yeah i got lined up in first game. Shot a 231 and then totally lost my line. I found the pocket but boy did i have bad brake after bad brakes in second and third game. I left the big four 4 times in the second game and just could recoved with that many open 153, i saved the game by striking out in the 10th. Third game i left some more splits another four opens. I left 2-8-10 3 times, left 5-8-10. And ended up with a 160. So a 231-153-160=544. Thinking after the game i should of probally stuck with the same ball after i lost the line instead of changing ball maybe would of had a better chance. Though still not bad i actually went up in average.

Team wise boy did we get a beating. We were close but we lost all games by 10-20 pins.

Good going everyone. Hey Eraser - you almost had that 600 - WHOOOHOOOO, you are getting real close

Bowled last night - felt awesome going in. I was listening to my mp3 player on the way and found all the "pump you up songs" - had 1 that I kept singing to myself all night.

For most of the night I was coming in very high (which will be apparant when you see what I left) and was having trouble correcting it but all in all I feel really good about last night. Did ok with my timing and follow-through.

Ok - here we go - went in with a 153 (2 pin increase from last week ):

GAME 1
1. 7/
2. 8/
3. 9- (7)
4. 8/ (6-10)
5. 9- (7)
6. X
7. 8/ (4-7)
8. X
9. X
10. 9/X (3)

TOTAL: 183 (YIPPEEE)

GAME 2
1. 6 1 (2-4-5-8)
2. 8- (4-7)
3. X
4. X
5. 8- (6-10)
6. 7 2 (3-6-10)
7. 8/ (6-10)
8. 7/ (3-6-10)
9. 6 3 (2-4-5-7)
10. X9/

TOTAL: 140 (YUCK!!!!!!)

GAME 3
1. 7/
2. 9/
3. 8/ (5-8)
4. X
5. 7 2 (3-6-10)
6. 8/ (6-10)
7. X
8. X
9. 7/
10. 7 1 (6-7-10)

TOTAL: 177 (YIPPEEEEE)

After my first ball in the 10th of the 3rd game that left that nasty split I made the mistake at looking at where I was with my series - STUPID MISTAKE!!!! I needed 2 pins for my 500. So now I am nervous (for the 1st time ALL night) because I need to pick up at least the 6-10, which is simple enough, until you think about it too much. I stepped back and got myself back together, dried my hands and stepped onto the approach. BREATHE - you can do this. Started to sing my song that I had been singing all night - postioned the ball - BREATHE, follow-through, release, HANG ON!!!!! HANG ON!!!!! - VICTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!! I picked up the 6-10

YES - YES - YES A 500 series on the nose. Awesome - finally, a 500 with my new ball and new techniques. I did it, I reached my goal of a 500 before the end of October. Next goal? A 200 game - that will be next week, I am sure of it.

Ok, I know that most of how I posted would be how someone would feel going for a 300 game, but the fact that I did it with my new ball and that I am literally rebuilding my game from the ground up doing things properly is a HUGE accomplishment for me. I want to have these good games the proper way - not the way I was getting them before that left my wrist and arm in pain.

Melissa

Melissa,
Congrats on the 500 series. Once you get one there be more to come. 200 game you almost got it last night too just two more spare conversion on the first game and you would of got it. But you deffienetly achieve it!

Thank you so much.

1 more thing I am excited about that I forgot to post - The last 3 weeks have had at least 2 games in the 3 game set that was 170 or above

Hey girl, it's going. As Tony says, G Rrrrr E A T!

Great Job Melissa,
You are getting closer and closer to that 550. I coulda been a week or so off on that prediction..LOL. Just a couple of more spares and you got it!

Ha ha, Thanks Dennis I just loving coming on here - it keeps me excited for the next night.

Thanks Eraser ~ The 550 is coming, I can feel it. Next week, 550 for me and over 600 for you - you excited yet? Didn't get to do my pep talk this last Thursday so stay tuned

No league this weekend (my Saturday league is every other week) so I won't have anything to update about my improvements for that league.

Let me know how it goes with your coach after your next session

Thanks Melissa,
I am pretty relieved to see some progress after this week. I am bowling tommorrow, so I get another chance to reinforce what I learned. I'm not there yet but I feel I'm getting closer.