Demolition man, I throw A straight ball at my spares. The splits were coming from me hitting to high on the pocket, leaving 6, 10, 7, and things like that.

I had my ACL repaired in Feb. My doc said that we had 2 choices. 1) We could do therapy and hope to get back most of my strength in my knee and most of my mobility. But, it will never be the way it was. 2) Repair my ACL and then go through therapy. After that, he said I should be back to 100%. Almost 8 months later and I think I am 100% back. The decision for surgery for me was an easy one. I have 3 small kids at home and want to be able to keep up with them as they get older. My mom is in her 60s and has a partially torn Achilles. She is wearing a brace and doing therapy. All depends on where you want to be in a year.

So, let me get this straight. You have to get worse before you can get better?
People coming in with a wheelchair seem like they waited too long.

Justin, for your spare shooting you have to remember that the pins are 60ft away so linear perspective starts to confuse your eyes and your brain. Obviously, this can be countered by choosing a closer target but even then you can still have troubles. Bowling is kind of like pool in the sense that it is all about angles and arcs. No worries though. It might take a little time, but try to find a consistent angle to throw at your spares, and most of them will be same with a little tweak here and there. And you probably already know how to adjust for high hits so I'll just leave that alone.

I do have one. like I said for the millionth time, I was having a bad day and was missing my marks.

Have one of what? He didn't mention you needing to get anything, so I'm confused as to your responding the way you did. Relax with the attitude young gun, if you want respect and advice on this board.

He was telling me that I needed a closer target, and I was saying that I have a target? The arrows, which I'm pretty sure they are close enough. Attitude?

Just bowled with a friend of mine. While there, I found there was trouble with the lane machine that has been causing all of my trouble. I changed lines and went to a weaker ball. I shot 188, 210, 235. And, this on a shot that I could hardly break 500 on. Once, I knew what the shot was, it made a difference.

New shoes with only one slide sole. Took a couple of frames to get used to that. I also tried a different line all four games, see what was working for me tonight.

216,169,186,197

One thing I've noticed with my new swing is that when I miss, I'm leaving a lot more splits - usually involving the 4 and the 10. I'm going to see about getting with the coach again next week and get some video.

I subbed tonight on the dreaded shot. I stood inside about 30 and targeted 12 at the break. I noticed it was also speed sensitive. Too slow and I crossed over. Too fast, and I didn't make it up.

Well, I also found the 2 lanes playing different, too. Washout, strike, washout, spare, 2-10, spare. The left ad less reaction than the right. Fiddles around trying to find a line on the left lane and finished with a 169. I followed it with a 225 then a 215. So, I guess I may have succeeded.

It's a far cry from my 169 average I have been fighting. It's about normal.

By the way, I got out to 5 once and it slid right into the gutter.