Personally, I don't think the high backswing is a problem. I do see what Coach Jim is saying though. Overall it does look a whole lot better.

Can you tell me exactly how you throw at the corner spares and any other spares you are having trouble with? You are throwing a straight ball at them, correct?

Yes, straight ball.

I'm having mostly troubles with the steps, because theyre just way different from when I try to just do the normal approach shooting straight. And IMO without depending on what kind of shot you're doing your approach should be exactly the same.

But I guess I'll just have to learn first to be absolutely consistant with shooting straight before I attempt at other things.


EDIT: Youtube seems always to speed up a bit the videos, makes myself look like I'm rushing on the approach

Do you like to throw across the lane or along the gutter for your 7 and 10 pins? And do you throw the ball harder, as hard as, or softer than your strike ball?

I would have to agree with you about Youtube. I watched the videos again and that looks like the culprit that keeps throwing me off.

Across the lane. You should see it clearly on my 4th video. And also, I prefer to not throw any harder on spares, untill I have to bounce some pins from the walls.

I would suggest trying to line up your ball and your swing arm with the pin or pins. You could also try throwing the ball a bit softer and maybe the angle at which you travel to throw the ball, you could make that straighter.

I'm fully lined up along with my elbow and the ball to the pins I'm rolling at, always. It's more about the steps ATM, I think though.

Then maybe try to keep yourself walking at a straighter angle. Also I forgot to ask if you were missing left, right or both?
And do you have a target area that you try to throw the ball in? And where do you stand?
Myself I stand on the filler board for my ten pin, 2 boards right of that for the 6-10 and another 1/2 a board for the six pin, and I try to roll the ball in between the 20 and the 15 boards and I have pretty good success.

When throwing in angles, my bad habits come in play with the steps and overall approach.

And for 7 pins, I stand on about 37-38 board(Place looked from the outerside of left foot), and throw about through boards 22-24 at the place where arrows are. 10 Pins about the exact opposite of the 7 pin.

And for every other conversions I roll straight, for example if I left the 1 pin, I'd stand on about 23 and half board , and aim straight over the center arrow.

My bad habits come out too. I open up my shoulder a lot, I chicken wing, grasp the ball and hang on to it too long. It really is bad when you are throwing a ten pin and you let it go and it rolls right where the head pin should be. You have to eliminate the habits one at a time and go from there. I find that I'm focused more when I'm picking up spares especially the ten and seven pins then I am on the strike ball.

The target area in my opinion is a good thing to have because it allows a reference point for you to mess around with.

I know it isn't ment for straight balls but if you can find a consistent spot to get strikes, you can use the 3,6,9 technique. It is possible, but I haven't used it in a while so don't exactly remember where the targets are to throw the ball. But you should be okay with lining your swing arm up with the pin.

Overall it sounds like you're on the right Track and all you need to do is eliminate one habit after another until you get it. I'd say maybe practice your footwork with and without a ball until it feels right. And maybe straighten up the angles a little I still think that might help.

Well Sam.

Just reading what you wrote and Coach Jim and TDM. I will say since I see a new bowler in you and all that positive attitude. I guess you will have an advance later on with that smooth release and once you learn to hook the ball to your liking. All the right-hand bowlers will be pissed.

Why? You got all the oil. LOL

Just kidding. Keep working at it and 7 hours is nut. Your body need a break to re-train and understand this new technique to get rid of the old technique that you apply when you first started.

Trust me man. Just do a few hours at a time and just work on what you want to work on. Not everything at once. Give it time and you will be proud later on with the rewards.