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[krash11554]

I have been bowling pretty bad for the last couple of weeks and idk what im doing wrong that would affect my game. here is a video from today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25p9yPVRfdk
i see my arm going behind my body and also my wrist is cupping alot.

[billf]

After only watching 30 seconds I can see several things. 1. Stop bending your elbow 2. Your swing slot is off because you come behind your back on the back swing. You're not really under the ball and don't roll it. You try to whip it around.

[krash11554]

Those are the things i thought i was doing. Any suggestions on how to stop doing them??

[75lockwood]

One thing i noticed to add to Bill's points, you aren't fully taking your third step, if you notice in the video, on your third step your right foot isn't passing your left, this can cause poor balance as well as a late timing causing you to try to jam the ball. Work on your footwork, everything should flow smoothly.

[krash11554]

Ok thanks for all the responses but do any of you guys have any ideas on how to fix it?

[Greenday]

Balance looks like it's off on some throws. You can tell which ones you kept your balance and which you didn't. When you kept your balance, it was a strong pocket shot with a strike. Throw changes a fair amount when you lean too far to a side. My coach has been making me get lower when I throw and once I've gotten used to it, I've been having a lot less balance issues.

[75lockwood]

Practice!

Lol, for the footwork issue, the best thing to do is slow down and work on each step one by one, when your bowling you need to literally focus on what your trying to do, don't worry about your target, don't worry about the pins, just concentrate on what your feet are doing below you. breaking a bad habit is not easy, it takes constant focus and diligence but it will be worth it.

record a video of yourself bowling from the side, then compare it to video on youtube that outlines the four step approach (see below). once you know what your doing wrong it will be easier to fix.

Sorry i couldn't be more specific, there is no good way to fix a bad habit other than to force yourself to do it correctly. i will warn you now, while trying to break yourself of a bad habit your scores will suffer dramatically (at least mine did) don't get discouraged, once you get the proper footwork down you will become more accurate and will end up a better bowler.

[krash11554]

What do you think I should try I fix first footwork? I didn't really think that was really effecting my game except on one or two shots once In a while. I was really try to focus on the arm swing and form

[Demoman]

This looks like the lanes I bowled at today for a tournament - is this silver lanes CT?

[striker12]

krash the best way ik of fixing footwork is to get up a area in your house of how many steps you want to do and get a camera set up soo u can see the step by step and see wher eu might need to adjust, thats how i did mine i got told to do that from a friend and it worked for me it just took abit.

but ther eis probly other ways you could trying looking on bowlingball.com and see if u can find anything on there or maby on bowl.com

[Tampabaybob]

Krash, take a minute and watch your video and stop it at 1:17. Look at how far your ball is from your feet. Now if you go back a few frames to where the ball is just about to your slide leg, your ball and swing is in a good spot. I'm guessing you're standing too far left of your target and that wide swing is a result of trying to over reach a good lay down point. With that said, try moving right, maybe 6-8 boards with your feet and walk as straight as possible to the line. Also, slooooow down your feet. You're getting to the line way too soon (ahead of the ball) and having to pull the ball through is making you fall to the right. When you fall right your feet are too fast, and when you fall left your feet are too slow. Get some practice and let us know if these things that everybody mentioned helped.

Bob

[billf]

Try reading this http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/058_bji.pdf
there is also another from that sight about the swing slot. Keep your elbow straight, move your arm straight back and it will help. Try this too http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/slowinski_march_article_09.pdf

[krash11554]

Thanks for all the responses, gonna try to fix what im doing wrong tommarow. Do you think its a couple of days of work to break the habits? or a while to break them?

[billf]

How long depends on how ingrained they are. Everybody's different but it will happen.

[motorpsykler]

Your opening your shoulder. Keep your shoulders square, it will make it much harder for you to swing behind your back. It's my #1 bad tendency as well.

[Tampabaybob]

Also try to feel the inside of your arm brush by your body when you're swing the ball back and forth. By doing this you will know you're keeping your arm close in to your body.

Bob

[Basisud]

I would also recommend trying to slow down your approach. Some things I have done is tell myself that I have all day to get to the line. Put a piece of tape on your bowling shoe to remind yourself that says "Take your time". Fast feet leads to bad timing and forcing the ball on the swing forward. It is supposed to be a gradual speed build up. I take a 5 step approach. 1.2..3...4....5..... I hope this makes sense...

[J Anderson]

I would also recommend trying to slow down your approach. Some things I have done is tell myself that I have all day to get to the line. Put a piece of tape on your bowling shoe to remind yourself that says "Take your time". Fast feet leads to bad timing and forcing the ball on the swing forward. It is supposed to be a gradual speed build up. I take a 5 step approach. 1.2..3...4....5..... I hope this makes sense...

I would put it 1....2...3..4.5. TampaBayBob would probably put it 1...2...3...4..5.. or slow, slow, slow, quick, quick.

[Tampabaybob]

I would put it 1....2...3..4.5. TampaBayBob would probably put it 1...2...3...4..5.. or slow, slow, slow, quick, quick.

John..........LOL........BOB !

[nev]

Looks to me that you are throwing the ball not rolling it

[Tampabaybob]

Good point nev, I didn't catch that at first. It appears that instead of rolling and lifting the ball, you are throwing it towards your target. Almost looks like your thumb and fingers may be leaving the ball at the same time. If you get lower, more knee bend, and get your thumb out first you may experience a much better roll on the ball. Try to let your arm swing as naturally as possible (with no muscle interference) and follow through all the way.

Bob

[edpup316]

And if you want some great examples of all these things heres a great video for you.

http://youtu.be/N5nnDbV0znE

[billf]

Oh no Bob. It looks as if edpup316 is infringing on your royalties! lol
That has to be the most posted video on this forum!