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First I will start off we had a great time! Jordan bowled in the last flight of the day, they did not re-oil the lanes from 8a.m..

I am not trying to make excuses Although his scores dont reflect it he performed great. He was making adjustments almost every 3 frames. He only has one ball my bad for not buying him a plastic ball for just these occasions. At one point he was throwing 12board to 1 board just to grab some oil but where he is still new he was dumping some in the gutter which was killing his scores. He tried to flatten it out but still no dice about 4 feet out his ball would take off. Finnaly in the last game he was throwing 23-8 and started to get some good flush shots but with his ball being so light wasn't getting a lot of carry.

The Pepsi people did a great job keeping everything orderly they had a couple incidents a few lanes down from us that they promptly took care of.


The good points. Jordan's form was really solid. Even though he was struggling every game he never got frustrated or gave up usually gave me a big grin no matter if he spared or missed. many of the parents and coaches commented on his form 3 different coaches from different parts of the state ask where we lived hoping it was near them so they could work with him.

After it was over he said I wish I done better, I replied you could not have made me any prouder! Being a first year bowler making all the adjustments you did and keeping your composer was an incredible thing to watch. And many of the other parents agreed.

Thanks again for all the tips now its time to start working on his next tourney the 16th. I will be posting a short video tomorrow showing the lane conditions and pictures of all his awards he got at his banquet from his league. thanks again.

Rocket,
That is great, at least he kept his chin up and moved around rather than playing the card a lot of people play, "I have stood 20 and looked 10 for 15 years, I don't need to move". I think that is an accomplishment on its own.

CONGRATS JORDAN!!!

Now onto something I noticed in your video. It seems that in that video he was kind of rushing the shot. There was little to no pre-shot routine. Remember that you want to set up, breathe, relax, focus on your target, wash your mind of all shots and go. In that video he is walking up to his stance and looks down to where he wants his feet, as soon as he stops and looks at his target he starts his approach. I think it would be a good idea to establish a slow and rythmic pre-shot routine that will keep him relaxed and focused on the shot at hand. Just a thought.

Great deal, and he didn't let up. Watch out he'll be one heck of a bowler at some point!

Thank you both, the pre shot routine was the first thing I noticed when we watched the video as well. I am sure he will be reading the site as soon as he gets home ussaly the first thing he does, so that will reinforce my advice.

He has a local tournament coming up and it is at the lanes he bowls league in , first thing he asked me this morning was could we go practice tonight when I get home. I told him maybe rest up a bit tonight (I dont know about him I am exhausted) Then hit it tuesday so maybe we can work on his setup at home tonight give old dad a break.

Well, thats good that you notice things in his game. Its a great asset to have someone at the lanes that can point little things out to you while you are bowling.

Were you allowed to talk or to interact with him at all during the event? If so, remember that you cannot tell them what they are doing wrong (no coaching) but you could sort of hint towards it. Something that he would understand without the world knowing you are giving him advice.

I commend Jordan for his bowling. Also...how old is he and what weight of ball does he use?

Thank you, No no talking or signaling there were lots of parents and coaches alike squirming in their chairs. But as I mentioned Pepsi ran a tight ship and they told us they would be watching for hand gestures and such anyone caught would be asked to leave.

Jordan is 12 and right now only throws a 10# ball that is one reason he only had one I didn't want to put a lot of money in equipment when I know he would be growing out of it fast.
But looking back I wish I had for his sake poor guy was really working hard but with those super dry conditions just couldn't work it out.

His coach has been working with him and a twelve pound ball he had plugged and drilled for him but right now is still just a bit heavy about the 6th or 7th frame he looses all control of it.

When he is able to use a heavier ball his scores will improve tremendously. His carry will be much better. It's good that you aren't rushing Jordan into using a ball that's too heavy for him. But when he's able to using 14 or 15lb equipment he'll be able to move into better performance bowling balls. I think he could pull that off by the time he's 14 or 15.

Btw. For his age, his form is pretty darn solid. When I was that age I thought breaking 100 was amazing for myself. Now I'd quit bowling for life if I did so haha. I'm sure Jordan will be a good bowler in the future.

Thanks again, Yeah right now he is very passionate about the game and he doesnt let his sucess mess up his game he is never satisfied with his scores no matter how good. Like I mentioned earlier he would practice every day if we could. he does work on things at home when we cant get a lane.

Rocket, just thinking back ?? years. Too many to print. I was one of the 13 year olds who hung out at my local lanes. I got to know the better bowlers, as they were the ones who would practice all the time. I would bowl with them, or next to them and get tips. There were no certified Coaches then. The older guys taught the younger ones. Eventually, I was old enough to work at the lanes, cleaning up, picking up glasses, and mopping the lanes before leagues. We didn't use oil back then.

I see many younger teens at our local lanes today doing the same thing.

The advantage is that these teens, as I did, got a chance to bowl quite a bit and for little to no cost. I loved that time, and my parents always knew where I was. I was a bowling rat. In later teens, I got so bad, that I couldn't wait to drop a date off so I could get to the lanes, just to see who was there.

yeah, he is going to be really good some day!

Yes that is how he is when his older brothers are around he bums rides from them if there is open bowling before I get home then I pick him up. His brother will hang with him if there is no one there Jordan knows, but ussaly a good friend of mine is there working on his game and bowls with him.

Owners of 2 of the houses he bowls in do not charge him to bowl or if busy half price so we are very lucky there.