Had my first coaching session today

[backahead]

I went over to White Plains AMF Center this morning for my first coaching session. This is my coach: http://www.richardjacobsonbowling.com/

First we talked for a few minutes about my bowling history. The he looked over my hands and noticed first thing the knot at the base of my thumb. Some have said it was a callous, I thought it was an internal tumor! Anyhow I was more correct. It's an internal issue where the body is trying to protect a nerve from futher damage. If left alone, it would require surgery and 4-6mo recovery.

So he checked my grips. The fingertip inserts were two sizes to small and my thumb was way too tight, causing the nerve knot. He replaced the figertips and shaved the thumb insert down considerably. Had me roll to ball a couple times on the carpet to make sure there is no pressure on my thumb.

As for the lesson, we started with video. He said I had good mechanics for a new bowler but the biggest mistake I make on every throw is at my release. I stand too straight. He showed me on video that my spine angle on release is 13 degrees. He compared that with a number of pros who are around 35 degrees. While they are attacking the foul line, I am pulling away from it. This affect my balance, velocity and aim.

So we spent 30min working on lowering my hips and keeping my shoulders in front of my slide knee. Oh btw, I slide now :) The we worked on my approach. Basically he is teaching me the pushaway, not the hinge. I didn't ask him why. Pushaway on the first, let it drop on the second. I'll do it this way while I'm paying him and decide for myself somewhere down the line.

We talked about my ball and he agreed it is too much for me but too late to change that. He did not recommend I get another ball though. He said my smartest move would be to put a shine on the dull vivid and get consistent with it. So we did that, took his machine 5min to make it glossy. I went and bowled one game without him and scored 189. I'll take it.

It lasted over an hour and he only charged me $60. Can't wait to work on this stuff tonight, next lesson is on the 25th.

[Hot_pocket]

its cool to see there are people in my area on this site lol ... White Plains is my home center and i Know Rich. He's a good guy he drilled my stuff for me for years when i was a JR. bowler. He is very knowledgeable when it comes to the sport. You will learn alot working with him and your game will definitely change.

[backahead]

Yeah, I saw you are from the boogiedown. I'll be there again on Sat. Aug 25 if you can get there around 11:30am we could bowl a few games. That house is much nicer than where I bowl. White Plains looks like a fancy movie theater, my place looks like a biker bar lol.

Very nice guy, easy going and super helpful. I offered him business (buying a new ball) but he said it wasn't necessary yet, gotta respect that.

[billf]

Glad it went well. I hope you took notes. Sounds a little silly but you would be surprised how much you can forget in the next week.

[backahead]

Glad it went well. I hope you took notes. Sounds a little silly but you would be surprised how much you can forget in the next week.

You are correct again Bill. We did not start with video, we started with stretching. I forgot about that. Back, shoulder, legs, and wrist/forearm.

[striker12]

stretching is good comes in handy soo when u get there u dont jsut drop the ball on the first shot i made that mistake for the first year or 2 then got into walking around the bowling allie for the hr i was there before league started its the only time i had to stretch.

but im planning on getting a few coaching session this year to inprove my game and my spares.

[Hot_pocket]

Yeah, I saw you are from the boogiedown. I'll be there again on Sat. Aug 25 if you can get there around 11:30am we could bowl a few games. That house is much nicer than where I bowl. White Plains looks like a fancy movie theater, my place looks like a biker bar lol.

Very nice guy, easy going and super helpful. I offered him business (buying a new ball) but he said it wasn't necessary yet, gotta respect that.

The 25th ill be in the Poconos with the family. But if your ever around we can definitely bowl. I havent been bowling much because of work and I have a 1 year old but im trying to bowl at least twice a month now. Whats your home house?

[Greenday]

This...explains a lot. I DID end up with a tumor at the base of my thumb after I had taken up bowling. It turned out to be a tumor wrapped around the nerve in my thumb and they nearly had to remove the nerve in my thumb, which most likely would have prevented me from having feeling in my thumb ever again. Had to deal with the stitches (most painful place I've had stitches), then after having them out, still had to let it heal. It was a long time before I could bowl again and even to this day (six years later), my thumb is sensitive there and prone to skin ripping off when I bowl.

[vgw]

Great results. What is the hinge you are referring to?

[backahead]

stretching is good comes in handy soo when u get there u dont jsut drop the ball on the first shot i made that mistake for the first year or 2 then got into walking around the bowling allie for the hr i was there before league started its the only time i had to stretch.

but im planning on getting a few coaching session this year to inprove my game and my spares.

Yeah I had been doing a little bit of stretching, just twisting my back for a min. This is far more involved now.

[backahead]

The 25th ill be in the Poconos with the family. But if your ever around we can definitely bowl. I havent been bowling much because of work and I have a 1 year old but im trying to bowl at least twice a month now. Whats your home house?

No worries, next time. Congrats on the baby, good luck! My home house is up here in Rockland.

[backahead]

This...explains a lot. I DID end up with a tumor at the base of my thumb after I had taken up bowling. It turned out to be a tumor wrapped around the nerve in my thumb and they nearly had to remove the nerve in my thumb, which most likely would have prevented me from having feeling in my thumb ever again. Had to deal with the stitches (most painful place I've had stitches), then after having them out, still had to let it heal. It was a long time before I could bowl again and even to this day (six years later), my thumb is sensitive there and prone to skin ripping off when I bowl.

That is what I need to avoid. I asked two different pro shop guys if they would do anything different with my ball, both said no. I showed one the knot and he said "toughen up" lol. Mine probably won't go away but so long as it doesn't get worse I should be okay. What made you get the surgery? Was it hurting? or numb?

[backahead]

Great results. What is the hinge you are referring to?

There is a thread about the subject a couple down from this one. It's how you start the ball. Hinge means no pushaway, just let gravity take over from the start with the elbow as the hinge...let the ball drop into its arc.

[billf]

Great results. What is the hinge you are referring to?

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/slowinskifeb09.pdf

[vgw]

Thanks, didn't know it was called what it is. I do a push off. I modified my approach many years ago by pushing off on the 1st step of a 5-step approach. When I had pushed off on the 2nd step, the ball would come out too late, so I made adjustments to match the release better with my slide. The hinge is similar plus it looks like it adds a little more bend in the body.

[Greenday]

That is what I need to avoid. I asked two different pro shop guys if they would do anything different with my ball, both said no. I showed one the knot and he said "toughen up" lol. Mine probably won't go away but so long as it doesn't get worse I should be okay. What made you get the surgery? Was it hurting? or numb?

It didn't impede my bowling, but it felt so weird and would send tingles up my thumb that I couldn't stand. The tumor turned out to be benign which we suspected but any time it happens you worry, you know?

It's really not a big deal anymore. I was using new skin all the time but got sick of that. Then I found this: http://shop.bowlersparadise.com/Elite-Thumb-Shield.aspx It fits me well. I don't use new skin with it. Bowled two sets of three games each and none of my normal wear and tear spots hurt or go raw at all. Didn't have to redrill my ball surprisingly.

[backahead]

It didn't impede my bowling, but it felt so weird and would send tingles up my thumb that I couldn't stand. The tumor turned out to be benign which we suspected but any time it happens you worry, you know?

It's really not a big deal anymore. I was using new skin all the time but got sick of that. Then I found this: http://shop.bowlersparadise.com/Elite-Thumb-Shield.aspx It fits me well. I don't use new skin with it. Bowled two sets of three games each and none of my normal wear and tear spots hurt or go raw at all. Didn't have to redrill my ball surprisingly.

Yeah, the only good tumor was in the movie The Great Santini :) Glad you're still bowling.

[backahead]

On a good note, I hit another new high tonight. And it was league night! Just didn't bowl it during league play :(



http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j406/backahead/photo.jpg

[Greenday]

Nicely done! Very solid game.

[Tampabaybob]

Great results. What is the hinge you are referring to?

The "hinge" he is referring to is from your starting position, you basically just let the ball drop, as opposed to pushing it out in front of you. It helps getting your timing in better sync and with less muscle effort (which you don't want). Lets gravity take over instead of muscle. Try it. there are several videos available on you tube demonstrating 'the hinge technique'.


Bob

[Tokes]

Nice job on the new high score I'm a little envious lol.

[backahead]

Thanks Tokes! I been out of posting action for the past few weeks. Computer went kablooey! Had my second session on the 25th. Focus was swing plane. Mine is a non stop disaster. I need some mental tips from you guys. This is my best swing plane, and it needs work:


http://s1084.photobucket.com/albums/j406/backahead/?action=view&current=shot.mp4

Everything is wrong I know :) Swing plane is the best I've video'd though.

[Tampabaybob]

Thanks Tokes! I been out of posting action for the past few weeks. Computer went kablooey! Had my second session on the 25th. Focus was swing plane. Mine is a non stop disaster. I need some mental tips from you guys. This is my best swing plane, and it needs work:


http://s1084.photobucket.com/albums/j406/backahead/?action=view&current=shot.mp4

Everything is wrong I know :) Swing plane is the best I've video'd though.

Good video shot. The first thing that jumps out at me is your elbow is too far away from your bod on your arm swing. Start with your ball to the right of your body, not in the center. That way the ball starts out in the correct swing plane from the beginning. Your ball should just drop into the swing slot on your first step rather than pushing it out, just letting gravity take over. If you can, try to keep your elbow in close to your body by feeling it brush by your side, down and back, in the swing, it will help keep it closer to your side. The inside of your elbow should 'always' be facing the pins through the delivery.

2nd thing I noticed was your slide foot. I would try to slide as straight as possible at the line to help keep your shoulders straight at release. If necessary concentrate on sliding a little to the left. Your shoulders won't open left due to the weight of the ball, but it'll give you a straighter shot at the pins.

Try it and let us know if this helps. Have someone take a couple of shots from behind and one or two from your right side so we can get a side view.

Bob

[billf]

Bob, no disrespect intended, but......The inside of the elbow "always facing the pins". It would be impossible to play the inside part of the ball that way. Playing the rest of the ball like the other 94% of bowlers, shouldn't the inside of the elbow face the target? I've a;ways taught target as that seems to work for strokers, tweeners and crankers. Thoughts?

[backahead]

Good video shot. The first thing that jumps out at me is your elbow is too far away from your bod on your arm swing. Start with your ball to the right of your body, not in the center. That way the ball starts out in the correct swing plane from the beginning. Your ball should just drop into the swing slot on your first step rather than pushing it out, just letting gravity take over. If you can, try to keep your elbow in close to your body by feeling it brush by your side, down and back, in the swing, it will help keep it closer to your side. The inside of your elbow should 'always' be facing the pins through the delivery.

2nd thing I noticed was your slide foot. I would try to slide as straight as possible at the line to help keep your shoulders straight at release. If necessary concentrate on sliding a little to the left. Your shoulders won't open left due to the weight of the ball, but it'll give you a straighter shot at the pins.

Try it and let us know if this helps. Have someone take a couple of shots from behind and one or two from your right side so we can get a side view.

Bob

Yep that's what we were working on (keeping the ball close to my body). Usually I open my right shoulder and pull the ball back behind my head. So I'm trying hard to keep a straight swing plane, while staying close. Not easy for me. I like your idea of using my slide foot to direct that shoulder action. I knew I needed to straighten it out but I figured I'd worry about that down the line. Maybe that focus will keep me from opening my shoulder and getting a gutter ball.

I just got a great contract to serve dogs on Sat and Sun at the apple orchards up here. But that means no more time for coaching until Dec. I'm working 7days, 80hrs/wk now. Maybe once or twice practice besides thursday night mens league that just started. I'll get the video at some point. Thanks Tampa :)

[Tampabaybob]

Bob, no disrespect intended, but......The inside of the elbow "always facing the pins". It would be impossible to play the inside part of the ball that way. Playing the rest of the ball like the other 94% of bowlers, shouldn't the inside of the elbow face the target? I've a;ways taught target as that seems to work for strokers, tweeners and crankers. Thoughts?


Bill.....Not sure how you're interpreting my comment, but if the inside of your elbow is facing towards the pins isn't your target located in basically the same direction???? Keeping the "inside" of your elbow facing straight ahead also helps to keep your hand behind the ball and/or staying under the ball.

Backahead.....keeping that slide foot as straight as possible will feel strange at first but it will help. Look at some of the pros videos, and you'l see if they aren't straight they're pretty damn close. Some are actually facing left (righty) at the line. 80 Hrs a week? Better you than me.....tough to get sleep in, let alone bowling and practice. Good luck, let me know if it helps.

Bob

[billf]

Bob, I read it as straight. If playing a line of 25 to 15 then the elbow stays straight towards the pins and not slightly angles towards the breakpoint. I have a tendency to take some things too literal. The angle of the elbow for a stroker playing straight up 10 would be straighter (more towards 0 degrees) than the full lane cranker starting on 40 and breaking at 8, whose elbow should be angled (2 degrees or so?) to the breakpoint/target. I phrased it that way as most crankers target an area or their breakpoint rather than the arrows. Tommy Jones is the man who comes to mind of where I heard that first.

[Tampabaybob]

Yeah, you're correct. If you're cranking the ball, yes, the inside of your elbow would tend to be more toward the right (i.e.; the break point), but in general for most bowlers, if they are "chicken winging it" and/or having problems going over the top of the ball then the first thing you would want to help them change would be to keep the inside of their elbow straighter. Right? So when talking to a lot of these guys on-line, and without the benefit of most of them having videos, you have to start from square one. That's why utilizing some of the existing videos on line are of great use, allowing them to "see" how the greatest bowlers execute their delivery.

Bob

[billf]

I agree. Coaching in person is definitely easier than on-line. I've been teaching a lot of bowlers the inside part of the ball lately, the total opposite of what they were doing. Most end up as strokers thinking they are inside the ball at first but are closer to the middle.