getting over the hump

[shadlikefish]

I Started Bowling last year in a beginners league and now and bowling in a regular league. when i started i was pretty bad and now have a 143 average. still not very good but getting better. i have a hard time picking up spares at times and am very inconsistent with picking them up. For my first ball i throw a 14lb DV8 Misfit and use it for any other pin combination other than like 4,7 or 8 pin. by the way i'm left handed. i have a 15lb plastic ball that i had re-drilled and put fingertip grips in and use it for the 4,7 and 8 pins. is this how i should be using this or should i try and use the plastic ball for any single pin spares? also was putting the fingertip grips on the plastic ball a bad idea? i still have a little movement with it which hurts me at times. any suggestions would be very helpful.

[ecub]

It's always a good measure to have all your bowling balls (strike & spare balls) to be drilled the same. This way, you just concentrate on where to throw the ball, rather than how the ball will come out of your hand. Spare balls can be used for whatever purpose you think it's going to benefit using it. Spare balls does not mean you have to use them on spares only. I used an urethane ball when the lanes were bone dry. So basically, you can use them to pick up 4,7, 8 splits, 10 or 7 pin spares, or whatever.

[shadlikefish]

thanks. ya both balls were drilled exactly the same because i was told i can throw the balls exactly the same and the plastic ball would not curve but it still curves enough to mess me up on picking up the 7 pin.

[Flyer41]

I'd recommend just working on practicing your accuracy first and foremost, as nothing else matters if you can't put the ball where you want. Also, in regards to your corner pin issues, you might want to try putting your thumb in first and having all your fingers together like your shaking someone's hand. Those things tends to help straighten out the hook and make single pins easier to make.

[J Anderson]

It also helps to have a system for all your spares so you don't re-invent the wheel for every leave. Mine when bowling lefty is based on targeting the third arrow and throwing the ball straight. I have figured out where I have to stand to throw straight down the 15th board to get the two pin. For the four I move three boards right, and six boards right for the seven pin. For the one or five I move 3 left, the three and nine pins - 6 left, and so on.

[Tampabaybob]

John has a good system. I teach to throw all of your left hand spares somewhere between the third arrow and the middle arrow. This is where the heaviest oil is and the ball should hook less and probably not at all. You can use the sam scenario for the right side if you don't want to hook the ball for those. None of the pros (as far as I know) hook the ball for any of their spares...they all throw hard and straight and use a plastic (polyester) ball. Keeping the ball between the 2 third arrows on the lane gives you an op shot at any spare sot on the lane without having to deal with the dry areas. Try it and let us know if it worked for you.

[J Anderson]

For my first ball i throw a 14lb DV8 Misfit and use it for any other pin combination other than like 4,7 or 8 pin. by the way i'm left handed. i have a 15lb plastic ball that i had re-drilled and put fingertip grips in and use it for the 4,7 and 8 pins. is this how i should be using this or should i try and use the plastic ball for any single pin spares? also was putting the fingertip grips on the plastic ball a bad idea? i still have a little movement with it which hurts me at times. any suggestions would be very helpful.

I just realized I didn't read or at least respond to your entire post. Most bowlers prefer their spare ball to be the same weight or maybe a pound lighter than their strike ball. Just a thought for next time you're getting a new ball. 15# will still deflect enough to make the 2-7 split so you don't have to worry that the ball is too heavy.

The only negative thing I've heard about putting grips in a plastic ball is that if they use the wrong glue it will make the cover more prone to cracking and chipping around the finger holes. As for the little bit of hook that you're getting, having the ball polished should help.

[Mike White]

John has a good system. I teach to throw all of your left hand spares somewhere between the third arrow and the middle arrow. This is where the heaviest oil is and the ball should hook less and probably not at all. You can use the sam scenario for the right side if you don't want to hook the ball for those. None of the pros (as far as I know) hook the ball for any of their spares...they all throw hard and straight and use a plastic (polyester) ball. Keeping the ball between the 2 third arrows on the lane gives you an op shot at any spare sot on the lane without having to deal with the dry areas. Try it and let us know if it worked for you.

Rather than use the 3rd arrow for spares, it might be better to use the 5th arrow.

The reasoning is that spare balls will pick up oil, and streak it down towards the pins.

The closer to parallel your strike line is to that spare shot streak, the more the strike line will be effected.

[shadlikefish]

i have been able to pick up the 7 pin consistently by starting with my left foot on the 30 board and throwing across the lane. I missed too many other spares last night though. when picking up spares do most people try to start their feet at the same place and aim to the pins or do most people move their feet and their aim?

[shadlikefish]

i need to read better. after re-reading your post it sounds like you move your feet and keep an aim point to base your throw off of.

[J Anderson]

i need to read better. after re-reading your post it sounds like you move your feet and keep an aim point to base your throw off of.

You've got it. Most self taught beginners will stand in the middle of the approach for every shot and change their target depending on what pin or pins they need to hit. I've also seen a few who try to throw every shot parallel to the gutter, i.e. they'll move right and try to throw straight down the 5 board to get the ten.

[Tampabaybob]

For right now, John probably has the best system for you to try because he throws left handed (and right handed if I remember correctly !).

I have a spare shooting system I developed many, many years ago and have taught to hundreds of people. Because it would take up so much room here to explain it, I am going to be doing a video (hopefully this month) in great detail on how this system works. It's basic, easy, and very quick to learn. I've been using it for probably 40 years and my spare percentage is always well above 90%. It's also very useful for picking up "makable" splits. When I get it done, I'll upload it to You Tube and share it here on the boards.

[shadlikefish]

A video would be pretty awesome. You should let me know when you get it up. Can't wait to work on these things too bad we got snowed out this week.

[mxjosh]

A little helpful tip to take some revs out of the spare ball is to spread your pinky and pointer finger apart as wide as they go comfortably. This will slow the spin down and prevent your hand from rotating the ball so much. think hang loose. \ ii /

[shadlikefish]

picking up my spares are getting a ton better. I have gotten where my plastic ball is not curving at all.

[billf]

With all the suggestions about finger position to help reduce revs (spread, together, etc.) remember to try them all and see what works best for you. The will feel odd at first but will definitely change how the ball reacts. The problem is, it reacts differently for all of us. For me, the closer my index finger is to my hand the less rotation I get. It really doesn't matter how many revs you have if they are all going in a straight line.

[SmilingBowler]

A little helpful tip to take some revs out of the spare ball is to spread your pinky and pointer finger apart as wide as they go comfortably. This will slow the spin down and prevent your hand from rotating the ball so much. think hang loose. \ ii /

I often think like this:

"Hang Loose" for strikes: \ ii /
"Rock On" for spares: |ii|

I don't use a spare ball. I throw my strike ball straight with my finger position like that for every spare shot.
The first thing I like to ask myself when I don't make a spare is - Was I "hanging loose" or "rocking on"?
Chances are I was hanging loose and the ball tended to trail away from the lead pin at the last moment.

[Tampabaybob]

Let me clarify my last statement. When you shoot spares, IF you roll the ball between the third and FIFTH arrows you should encounter heavier oil, meaning the ball should slide more and hook less. Always shoot your corner shots cross lane to give your ball the most room on the lane. Another common error is you need to point your feet towards the pins you're aiming for and walk TOWARD the target. Hopefully that makes better sense.

[SmilingBowler]

Let me clarify my last statement. When you shoot spares, IF you roll the ball between the third and FIFTH arrows you should encounter heavier oil, meaning the ball should slide more and hook less. Always shoot your corner shots cross lane to give your ball the most room on the lane. Another common error is you need to point your feet towards the pins you're aiming for and walk TOWARD the target. Hopefully that makes better sense.

Makes perfect sense, Bob, at least to me.

I watched Norm Duke make spares this way and that is what has boosted my spare conversion rate. Its all about direct aim with your toes pointing at your target, your throwing shoulder lined up with the pin you intend to hit, focusing on your mark making that invisible line to the pin and the follow-through. Do all that, and you'll "Rock On!" |ii| (: .)

[Tampabaybob]

Makes perfect sense, Bob, at least to me.

I watched Norm Duke make spares this way and that is what has boosted my spare conversion rate. Its all about direct aim with your toes pointing at your target, your throwing shoulder lined up with the pin you intend to hit, focusing on your mark making that invisible line to the pin and the follow-through. Do all that, and you'll "Rock On!" |ii| (: .)

100% Correct !