I need help please....

[hoppy1605]

I am having alot of trouble with my consistency. One week I come out with a 594, then a 466 tonight. I started with 115, 202, then a 149. I have a tendency to pull the ball, and when I come up for the next frame I overcompensate and trow it wide. Is there any practice methods that I can use to shore up my approach? I think that is the main problem. Only started my 3rd season this year, I finished up last year with a 177 average which I was happy with, but after 5 weeks this year I'm sitting at 165 (but have been all over the place.) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[billf]

Yes. Talk to the alley manager first and get permission BUT what I coach is this; small pieces of painters tape at various points on the lane. I usually place one at the second arrow, one at the 10 board at 45' (break point), shoot straight up ten. Then move the marker at the arrows to the third arrow, lay down at 25 hitting the third arrow and the mark at 45'. Do each ten times in a row. Don't stop until you do. If it takes you 10 hours, o well.

[Zothen]

I have done those excersizes and they work. You also have to work on your foot work and arm speed as well. Try this-when you get up on approach take a deep breath in/out,then as you go to throw the ball take a deep breath in and as you take your first step,push the ball straight out,then slowly move to the foul line and make sure you have a nice slow arm swing and as you release the ball extend your arm and bring index finger to your ear. This helped me a lot!

Zothen

[J Anderson]

I am having alot of trouble with my consistency. One week I come out with a 594, then a 466 tonight. I started with 115, 202, then a 149. I have a tendency to pull the ball, and when I come up for the next frame I overcompensate and trow it wide. Is there any practice methods that I can use to shore up my approach? I think that is the main problem. Only started my 3rd season this year, I finished up last year with a 177 average which I was happy with, but after 5 weeks this year I'm sitting at 165 (but have been all over the place.) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

I heartily second Billf's advice. as well as Zothen's

One other thought is that when you over compensate, you are still thinking about the bad shot. I've been known to think "don't pull, don't pull" and then pull it even worse. You may need to develop a mental technique that puts the bad shot out of your mind and focuses on hitting your mark.