Looking for some tips

[fungui]

I've been lurking around the site for about a month now, and have come across some great tips. It seems like the next step for me is to post a few videos and look for input. I've been bowling fairly seriously for the last 10 years, got my first ball at 15 and am now 25. It wasn't until last year that I really got back into bowling again, however. I try to bowl twice a week, for a total of 8-10 games. My ball for the last year is an Ebonite Mission 2.0. I am not sure how it was drilled, I'm wondering if someone at my pro shop could tell by looking at it.

These videos were taken last week, right after I switched my grip up. I used to keep my pointer stretched as close to my thumb as possible, but in these clips I kept all of my fingers together. It really helped with my rotation, and I noticed a big increase in backend hook. The last thing worth mentioning is that up until this last month I had not used any type of cleaner on my ball. I recently purchased a spray that I use after every session, and I followed the bucket of water wash that I found on this site over the weekend. I did notice that my hook was fading fast prior to using the spray, so I am excited to see what it does after the wash. Any input would be appreciated. My major concern at the moment is my release point, I feel that I am not staying behind the ball. I am also working on my balance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yXI7dwzJQU&feature=youtu.be

[swingset]

Welcome!

I'll tell ya the big thing I see. When you pushaway and start your backswing, you're not dropping it straight down, instead bringing it around your body and back...making your swing plane erratic and around your body instead of back and down the lane. Because of this exaggerated motion, you're over-committing during downswing and becoming very off-balance at the finish...hence your big step to the right keep from falling down.

It also looks like you're cocking your arm at the elbow to help impart more action on the ball - but that means you're muscling when the arm should swing freely and with as little bicep & forearm as possible.

There's a lot good in your approach too, but being off-balance is a building block you would definitely be better served fixing and working up from there...balance at the line will create accuracy.

[Greenday]

I am also working on my balance.

Personally, I'd make that your main focus. It doesn't matter if you get everything else right. If you lose your balance as you throw, it'll be impossible to be consistent. You seem to be really stiff in the left knee on that fifth step. If you can get lower, that'll help with multiple things. It'll help your balance and if you are lower, it'll force you to get more behind the ball.

[billf]

Balance, balance, balance....you were balanced fairly well when you picked up the 4,7,10 split and the strike that followed. All I noticed different in your footwork then compared to the rest was a better, deeper knee bend. Work on that first and then see what doesn't fix itself after that.

Everything else is easier to fix after you have good balance.

BTW, I like the steps. Although it's not a tight rope, steps that close prevent the head from moving up and down.

After balance I would work on fixing the swing. Stop going so far behind your back, swing in towards the slide ankle and STOP bending your elbow.

[fungui]

Swingset, Greenday, billf,

Thanks for the input! Keeping my arm straight was something that I had been trying to commit to habit, but to be honest I had forgotten about it. It seems like it is easy to get overloaded with certain aspects and completely forget others. Most recently I have been really working on my approach, specifically getting my slide back. I'm due for a few games tomorrow so we will see what I can do!

[Tampabaybob]

fungul..... While basically in agreement with the above comments, let me add a couple here.

To get leverage on your release, it is most important to "remain in a balanced position" at the line. Go back and look at the video and watch how you fall to your right after almost every ball. That loss of balance can throw a monkey wrench into everything you're attempting to do with the ball. So here's what to do. First, as Bill said, drop the ball into your swing, don't push it away and to the right. All that does is make you swing it around your back. Next, look at the video and pay close attention to your left leg at the line. See how straight it is? Get that leg to bend more at the line. Then, Your right leg is your balance leg. That leg should be behind you and all the way to your left with your toes on the floor. Again, this is to get you into balance at the line. At 1:48 on the video (and probably more but I happened to stop it there) look how far away from your slide foot, your ball is.... I'm guessing about 10 -12 inches. You want to try to get it as close to your left ankle as possible (of course WITHOUT HITTING IT). Again its' about leverage. Try these things out, take a another video and see if there's an improvement. Keep working on it until you can remain "perfectly" balanced on your left foot an the line "UNTIL THE BALL DROPS OFF OF THE PIN DECK". That's called "posting your shot". It will also tell you what reaction your ball is giving you and what, if any, changes you need to make.

Let us know how you're doing, and post another video when you get a chance so we can see the improvements. If you have any questions, just fire away. We're here to help.

[BigErn32]

Work on keeping that left knee bent when you release and push it towards the pins. That will help your balance big time. I see even some pro bowlers bring the ball a little back and to the left like you... but you dont see them fall to the right after every shot. So work on that balance and heres a glimps of what im talking about with the knee.

http://www.tjhamiltonphoto.com/wp-content/gallery/sports-singles/bowl.jpg

[fungui]

On this outing I really focused on my balance, and I saw a definite improvement. This clip is our third game, we decided to play a 9-pin no tap. By the 10th frame I was definitely feeling the pressure, even though it was only 9pin the thought of a perfect game was daunting. I also noticed that I was walking to the right on most shots, so I will need to correct that as well. Being able to stand through the shot was definitely a help, I felt like I had more control and was getting more reaction that normal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3dbZRxL1A&feature=youtu.be

[Greenday]

My God, the difference (IMO) is huge in those two videos. You looked so much better in the second video. You weren't pulling shots across your body (Except for that one errant throw that left a 4-6). And good call video taping that spare shot because it would have been awesome to make that spare and get it on camera.

Keep it up!

[swingset]

Agreed, huge improvement. Well done, keep working at it.

[sprocket]

Wow, who is the guy in the second video? Is that your twin brother or something? It's hard to believe that is the same person that was in the first video. I'm just kidding of course. You have made great improvements.:)

[billf]

Good job, keep it up

[fungui]

Thanks for all the positive feedback! I'll be sure to check back with any more developments

[SmilingBowler]

Great improvement. I see you're far more consistent in your balance and your release now.

From this point, the only adjustments you'll need are when the lane conditions change. But don't be overly concerned with that. One thing a great man told me long ago was to move the direction your ball goes and keep your mark. In other words, if your ball cuts across the headpin (brooklyn/jersey) just move a few board to your left and use the same mark. You'll be fine if the lanes break down. Happy Bowling! (: .)

[BigErn32]

Awesome improvement on your balance. I second what everyone else is saying. Looks like 2 different people! Next can be to work on bringing that ball back a little more straight and not so much behind your back. Again, GREAT GREAT GREAT improvement already.

[TCJ]

The first thing I saw in your first video was the balance issue. I notice everyone else mentioned that as well and I also see you've really improved that in the second video. Balance is a major problem for me and I think is what is keeping me down at the level of "good" bowler when I should be up at "very good". Keep working on that because everything else can easily fall apart if you are falling off your shot. I should know because I do it way too often!

[Tampabaybob]

On this outing I really focused on my balance, and I saw a definite improvement. This clip is our third game, we decided to play a 9-pin no tap. By the 10th frame I was definitely feeling the pressure, even though it was only 9pin the thought of a perfect game was daunting. I also noticed that I was walking to the right on most shots, so I will need to correct that as well. Being able to stand through the shot was definitely a help, I felt like I had more control and was getting more reaction that normal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi3dbZRxL1A&feature=youtu.be


Ryan, Great improvement. That entire game you only fell off to the right one time. Doesn't it feel more comfortable to be completely balanced ?? Good job, keep up the good work.