Newcomer-is this a good technique?

[jbeck]

New here and I've been bowling for fun over the years and always wanted my own ball. Now since putting my 9 year old in a league it's given me a reason to bowl more and purchase my first ball with a fingertip grip (Freeze Hybrid 13lb). I've been bowling now for about 6 or 7 weeks now...highest game is 173 so far. I've watched countless videos and own the Norm Duke's video that I've watched trying to improve my game...my approach is getting better, but my release has been either good days or bad. I've been practing trying to rotate at release with hit or miss with tips from my son's coach. Now the alley I go to most days has a guy who has helped me out as well...he has me doing a release which I'm guessing is a full roller...not sure though, where I'm holding the ball in my release form the entire swing...I admit it feels weird after bowling my way for a while, but it does give me that hooking action I like to see with more pocket hits than misses. He says it's get my muscle memory in release the way I want to, but I'm wondering will I be able to go back to being behind the ball til where I should rotate? I plan to join a league next summer and want to improve my average to at least a 170 by then...maybe 200!

[Zothen]

Are you able to post a video so we can get a better idea of how your bowling.

Zothen

[noeymc]

agreed with zothen

[striker12]

welcome to the boards and i agree with zothen

[jbeck]

I will have to record myself the next time I bowl. Thanks for the replies!

[75lockwood]

New here and I've been bowling for fun over the years and always wanted my own ball. Now since putting my 9 year old in a league it's given me a reason to bowl more and purchase my first ball with a fingertip grip (Freeze Hybrid 13lb). I've been bowling now for about 6 or 7 weeks now...highest game is 173 so far. I've watched countless videos and own the Norm Duke's video that I've watched trying to improve my game...my approach is getting better, but my release has been either good days or bad.

I've been practing trying to rotate at release with hit or miss with tips from my son's coach. Now the alley I go to most days has a guy who has helped me out as well...he has me doing a release which I'm guessing is a full roller...not sure though, where I'm holding the ball in my release form the entire swing...I admit it feels weird after bowling my way for a while, but it does give me that hooking action I like to see with more pocket hits than misses. He says it's get my muscle memory in release the way I want to, but I'm wondering will I be able to go back to being behind the ball til where I should rotate? I plan to join a league next summer and want to improve my average to at least a 170 by then...maybe 200!

Welcome to the boards!

The FAQ has a lot of great info for your learning pleasure, but like the others said, the easiest way to get advice is to post a video of yourself bowling.
FAQ LINK (http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/11293-FAQ-and-Useful-Information-Answers-to-most-common-questions!)

[billf]

Welcome to the forum. After you're use to the release you will be able to go back to your normal delivery.
Welcome to the most under-rated, frustrating sport known to man. I love it!

[75lockwood]

Welcome to the forum. After you're use to the release you will be able to go back to your normal delivery.
Welcome to the most under-rated, frustrating sport known to man. I love it!

Hey! animals can bowl too!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qMSJUNKhYA

Edit: as you get to know me, you will see i'm good at getting off topic LOL

[Zothen]

Now thats funny!

Zothen

[noeymc]

thats funny i dont care who you are

[jbeck]

That is an awesome video! In the meantime I just downloaded The Game Changer for my kindle app. It's a good read so far and I plan to incorporate some of things I've read so far when I bowl tomorrow. I'll show some videos of my 9 yr old son cause I know he needs improvement as well. Thanks again

[jbeck]

Okay this is from yesterday...

http://youtu.be/1CCXrD5S8TQ

[jbeck]

And here's a slow-mo of my son...he's getting better in his league, but just can't get consistant.


http://youtu.be/911iMA5IPHM

[noeymc]

ok so you pre load you hand you also need to follow thur bend your knees you have a ways to go still buddy =D no hate at all give me a few mins and ill get you some videos on forum and such

question does your sons league have a youth coach? if so tell him you want him to work on your sons approach

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oq54_GlzK6A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoyRbBHXQOA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OLnGgyaXqM
u
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WpU-ycWtjk&feature=relmfu


give these a look over please know i am not hating and once you get your forum down you will probably be better then me!!!!!

[noeymc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ze8IPWhykkc&feature=relmfu

also can you get some different angels side view to =D the more angels the more we can see but remember nothing beats a real coach in person you can only learn so much on here i hope these videos help and i hope to see improvement =D

[jbeck]

Thanks for the advice and videos...and no hate taken. I appreciate the criticism and I've actually seen all those videos...just need to put them into play. I did notice my form after watching it and it does seem weird to actually see what I'm doing even though it feels like I'm doing it right. I actually improved today, but the video I recorded wouldn't play back. Hopefully I can get some side videos soon. As far as my son...the coaches usually don't spend much time on one kid but we both agree his approach and release needs more attention.

[noeymc]

id get his footwork down and work up from there maybe ask him if he would mind stay for one more after league to help him or something

[billf]

Also, ask the coaches about some one on one time for him. I stay after every Saturday for free lessons for the kids and new bowlers. It's hard to do much with a league going on plus I have 60 kids by myself.

[LonelyBowler]

Your timing is off. Also don't rotate at the release, don't even think about doing it. Just keep your fingers completely behind the ball and then lift with the fingers.

[jbeck]

Also, ask the coaches about some one on one time for him. I stay after every Saturday for free lessons for the kids and new bowlers. It's hard to do much with a league going on plus I have 60 kids by myself.


I wish I could have yesterday, because one of the coaches stayed there to play more games with his son. Had prior plans though...I'm sure if he just had one good day of coaching his game would improve so much better! I consider him to be the second best bowler on his team next to the coaches son, even though his average is the lowest. He's improved over the last 3 months and is getting better because he's trying to perfect his form where as the other 2 of the 4 team members do the same thing every week. His scores were better than the both of them this week....of course the coaches son is far better than all of them but he has his days. They have fun though and are usually the last team to finish up.

[jbeck]

Your timing is off. Also don't rotate at the release, don't even think about doing it. Just keep your fingers completely behind the ball and then lift with the fingers.

I did realize my timing was off and corrected that when I bowled yesterday. I was really on it and could've broken my highest score, but 1 of the 2 lanes I had to be spot on with my target and that's what hurt me. My left lane I was constant on board 20 aiming for the 2nd arrow throughout 4 games. The right lane I had to make adjustments from board 18 to 15 aiming at the 1st arrow. If I missed that I'd hook to early or kiss the gutter and miss right. I kept telling myself I'm gonna bowl a 200, but that damn right lane got me!

[noeymc]

beck your prob going to change your timing once you get the right footwork and approach dont worrie about timing yet and the hand shake release is prob the most common and helps u become the most consistent stick with that if u dont turn your wrist your prob going to end up tracking on a finger hole

[jbeck]

beck your prob going to change your timing once you get the right footwork and approach dont worrie about timing yet and the hand shake release is prob the most common and helps u become the most consistent stick with that if u dont turn your wrist your prob going to end up tracking on a finger hole

Are you saying I shouldn't go back to bowling behind the ball or stick with it for a good while...if so how long?

[noeymc]

no hes right you want your hand behind the ball and turn your wrist as it pass's your leg loft it about a foot on the lane you can pratices that by setting your towl on the lane and aim for right past it and thats about as far as you should loft it

but

i know people who bowl with there hand on the side i keep mine slightly on the out side on my back swing very little like i have my hand turned maybe 1/8 towards my left hand

this is the right way if you look at how he turns his wrist right as it is passing his right leg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTdmONtZohY

[jbeck]

Thanks a lot for all the replies! I try to bowl at least 3 times a week with 3 or 4 games...no more than 5 for my arm and wallet sake. I'm dedicated to becoming a lot better by next summer. Hopefully I can bowl a 300 game, 700, & 800 series...well those are my goals. I know that doesn't come easy, but I'm willing to put in the work!

[noeymc]

i would find a coach if your for real it will help your game alot!!!!! ask people on here they all pretty much have seen a coach

[jbeck]

i would find a coach if your for real it will help your game alot!!!!! ask people on here they all pretty much have seen a coach

Yeah I do want to get a personal coach, but I'm more leaning towards my son getting one on one coaching more than me...don't think I can afford it for both of us. Maybe I'll see how much he wants to stick with it after his season...if not then I'll look for a coach for myself.

[noeymc]

you can find a coach for 50 bucks a session ( 50 seems to be going rate) and thats with a sliver level coach i seen him 2 times soon as i get a new job ill be going back for sure but there not alot alot money but they do cost

in case he charges to much u can look on here and try to find a different one

http://www.bowlingball.com/find-a-bowling-coach.php

[jbeck]

That doesn't sound too bad...will probably have to wait til after the new year though.

[billf]

Definitely after the new year, we all need all the cash we can get for the holidays.
Most coaches will do a "doubles" lesson at a rate less than two people individually. Worth at least asking about.

[scottymoney]

jbeck are you in a league yourself? If not you should ask around and see if they have practice leagues. Usually they will give you a new ball after the league is over. When I got my new ball drilled a bit ago I learned a lot just from the driller. He watched me bowl and set my ball up but also gave me a few pointers that really helped. There is nothing like a set of eyes at the lane watching you to really help. In my league I bowl with a guy who I have known for years, a family friend, who I grew up with his kids. Well anyway he is like my bowling dad, kind of funny to say but he is always there to congratulate me, as well as talk to me on what I am doing wrong. Some people hate this, but I like having the guy in my ear telling me what he sees me doing. It does suck he won't be there tonight and we will have a sub. I will probably bowl my best games and he won't be there to see it.

Bowling is definitely a team sport, it just depends on who you have on your team.

If you get lessons for your son, definitely sit there with a notepad and take notes and soak in as much as you can for yourself while he works with him. Your son definitely is on the right track though. He looks to be throwing the ball straight and that is probably the biggest thing with kids.

[jbeck]

jbeck are you in a league yourself? If not you should ask around and see if they have practice leagues. Usually they will give you a new ball after the league is over. When I got my new ball drilled a bit ago I learned a lot just from the driller. He watched me bowl and set my ball up but also gave me a few pointers that really helped. There is nothing like a set of eyes at the lane watching you to really help. In my league I bowl with a guy who I have known for years, a family friend, who I grew up with his kids. Well anyway he is like my bowling dad, kind of funny to say but he is always there to congratulate me, as well as talk to me on what I am doing wrong. Some people hate this, but I like having the guy in my ear telling me what he sees me doing. It does suck he won't be there tonight and we will have a sub. I will probably bowl my best games and he won't be there to see it.

Bowling is definitely a team sport, it just depends on who you have on your team.

If you get lessons for your son, definitely sit there with a notepad and take notes and soak in as much as you can for yourself while he works with him. Your son definitely is on the right track though. He looks to be throwing the ball straight and that is probably the biggest thing with kids.

I wish I was in league...I didn't think about it at the time I signed my son up. After a month and me getting my first ball I wanted to join a league, but they were all full unless I could've provided an entire team and no one I knew was willing to commit, so I'll have to wait til the summer. Since my son is in a league til next summer it gives me plenty of times to practice with him before his league day and also during after I watch his first game. After the New Year I'm going to find a coach to see if I can get that person to teach us both. I definitely don't mind criticism if it'll help. I get pointers from a guy who is a league coach at the bowling alley I go to a lot, plus pointers from my son's league coach. I know I'll need some one on one to really evaluate my game.

[Tampabaybob]

Ask the lane manager what days the beginner leagues bowl and if he/she thinks they ever need subs. The managers know all of the league secretaries and can ask the next league day. Most times when you substitute on a league, you won't have to pay, because it's the responsibility of the person you're subbing for to pay those fees. So you could get some free practice and get to meet people in the bowling community that also may be able to help you out.

As far as your son is concerned, he's looking real good for just starting. I would have him try to keep his slide foot as straight as possible as he releases the ball. Sliding on the side of his foot makes him face too far to the right as he's releasing the ball and pulling the ball across the front of his body. His right leg being behind him and to his left with his toe on the floor is good. You want him to do that. Work with him and instill that this is a game to be enjoyed that he can do for many, many years to come.

As Bill does, I also coach kids on Saturdays, and usually stay after to practice and end up with a few of the kids (sometimes their parents [also looking for help] ) joining me to practice. In the past I have charged for individual coaching but now I do it for free. I'm giving back to the game that has been so good to me for over 50 years and I love helping new bowlers work toward achieving their goals. Good luck, and let us know how you're doing.

Bob