My homework remains to keep inside and under the ball through the release. I also delayed starting the ball until the start of my third step - Any improvement?



As far as trying to exaggerate & throw a back-up ball, I found out that my forearm and wrist will not turn outside at all.

~ John

I went to a bowl like the pros clinic with Brian Voss, and he told me a few things that might help you.

1. Set up with your chin over your right big toe, and set up with the ball below your chin. Your posture should be leaning to the right and bent slightly forward at the waste, so that your back doesn't bend to get into your release position. This way your head will stay still throughout the approach and your weight will be forward to promote your feet moving at a brisk walking pace instead of a slow stroll.

2. The ball needs to start and release under your chin this way your arm will swing straight and the ball will finish next to your ankle.

3. If you are able to get your next to last step and slide a bit faster then go back to starting the ball on your second step. If you are not able to go that fast with your feet then stay with the timing as you have it now.

Keep working on your release, your hand was behind the ball much better than it was. Post another video when you are ready.

Thanks CoachJim. I printed your last post out and will do it tomorrow (Thursday).

~ John

Here are a few shots from today.

"Chin over right big toe, and set up with the ball below chin. Posture leaning to the right and bent slightly forward at the waste"



~ John

I can't see your set up from that angle, but it looks better, but it also looks like you are leaning back to the left as you get closer to the foul line. Your power step needs to be shorter and quicker. The pace should be 1...2...3.4.5.

In the push away, try keeping your left hand on the ball a little longer and leave your left hand in front of you as the ball falls back into the swing, and see if that doesn't help keep the left arm in a better position to help keep you in position through the swing and maintain your posture through the release.

In all you are improving, I am seeing more hook, the ball is actually going away from the pocket and hitting with more power, so keep up the good work.

Here is a Video of Bill Hoffman that I think is a good example of "inside" & "under" the ball, along with the "Chin over right big toe, and set up with the ball below chin. Posture leaning to the right and bent slightly forward at the waste"







~ John

P.S. The wife called a "black" (no bowling)Friday for me today even though she is working!!! (I'll make it up tomorrow, and she will make it up "tonight")

That is a perfect example of how the modern set up in bowling has changed. Also watch the cadence as his footwork starts off slow and gets faster towards the slide. This is what Brian Voss was telling me about last weekend, and where I was making my mistake in coaching. I was having bowlers match their swing up to their pace, but they should be quickening their pace to match their swing (as long as the swing is not muscled and timed properly at the start of the first right foot movement in a 4 or 5 step delivery).

Granted that some bowlers have physical limitations that prevent them from quickening their pace to their swing, so matching the swing to their foot work may still work for some.

Todays pactice. Was able to get different angles.



Howiegroove - at your convience - I would like to see this clip in slow motion like you did before. I still don't think I am under & inside long enought at my release.

~ John

John, when you start the ball it is to the right of your head, then it swings behind your back then back away from your body at the release.

Try to keep your ball under your head the whole swing. You need to focus on starting the ball with your right foot some more, some shots you are still delaying the swing on some of the shots.

Should I start the ball start in more or my head out over the ball more?

Try both, I think it is your bow legedness that is causing your upper body to go back to the left, so you may have to exagerate the upper body lean to the right and keep the ball in tighter to make up for it.

Thanks to Howiegroove once again for the slowmo of my last Video. I’m still on top & outside of the ball, not under & inside!

Tomorrow I am going to try for the exaggerated upper body bow-legged compensating lean. Let’s see if that doesn’t bring the ball closer to my body allowing for a better hand position.

~ John

John, what is more important than the hand position is the ball alignment with your head, thanks to Howie, you can very easily see the ball start out to the right of your head, then swing back to the left of your head then drop back away from your body as your shoulders are level to the floor.

On a positive note, the top video shows your timing and cadence are much better, almost spot on, so you are making progress. You will find that it will be much easier to keep your hand behind the ball if your arm is in proper alignment with your head and your head stays over your right foot the whole way through to the follow through.