New Coach - First Session Today

[classygranny]

Had my first lesson with new coach today.

Feels great to be told I'm not that far off. Just need a few tweaks...and a new ball or two.

Coach Haugen really spends his time working to find what works for each individual. And thoroughly explains what the change he is suggesting will do for your bowling and your ball motion.

We worked on stance and first step in order to improve balance at the line. Can't wait to put new things into place tomorrow on first day of summer league.

Next, new bowling balls; then next coaching session in early June.

[Judy clemons]

SUPERB! It's great to hear things went that well for you. That makes me feel a little more comfortable about trying to
get set up with a coach for my first lesson. {although, I am not quite ready to do that just yet} so, your going to be bowling
on a friday night league. right? Is it a mixed league? what is your average going into it? why do you need more than 1 strike
ball? are you just getting one lesson a month?

p.s. FYI: Today was moms 86th "b- day" she is trying to eat, talk, and sit up and stay awake today. She' done a 180* turn-a-
round in the last 12 hours. As she was flat on her back, refusing food and not socializing or talking.
I am not sure at all what to make of this at this moment in time so I am just trying to count my blessings.

[classygranny]

SUPERB! It's great to hear things went that well for you. That makes me feel a little more comfortable about trying to
get set up with a coach for my first lesson. {although, I am not quite ready to do that just yet} so, your going to be bowling
on a friday night league. right? Is it a mixed league? what is your average going into it? why do you need more than 1 strike
ball? are you just getting one lesson a month?


I bowl on Friday mornings in a mixed league. Most of the people are senior, but there are some really good bowlers - over 200 avg, and my teammate - she's close to 200. I enjoy the morning atmosphere, as it's quieter, more relaxed, not usually so "serious" - yet competitive. Then I bowl on Tues evenings in a mixed league with my hubby. That one has more distractions, mentally more challenging, and physically as it's the end of the day. But I find I need all of that in order to push through and be able to bowl better at all times. I ended the Friday morning league with a 175, but in that alley, that league, I should be pressing 190.

I am building a three ball arsenal - as I am currently only bowling leagues. One strike ball for medium-oily lanes, and one for medium-dry lanes as the lanes are usually different at the two different houses and times, and sometimes the lane gets burnt up and you need something that doesn't move as much.

I'm just going my lesson as our time coincides. I wanted to hold the next until I purchase new equipment. Also, my silver coach is also a touring pro, so we have to work around his traveling schedule. That's ok with me, as I like to take lots of time to process what he's told me and take it to leagues a few times, before returning for a session. With my old coach, he tried to do weekly, but I found I didn't (and couldn't with work schedule) do that comfortably. There were other things that just didn't work out with the old coach as well. So when you do go for the coaching...if you don't gain much from the first session or you don't like the methods or come away with any question of I wonder why, then I would suggest not going back. I stayed with mine, when I really wish I hadn't. I'm excited to be working with Coach Haugen and can't wait to get new equipment.

I'm going to start a thread and post my scores for the summer (I think) unless it's too embarrassing...lol.

[UBowling]

Good to hear about another coach making a difference. Everyone should have someone they can go to to get their game as good as it can be. A good coach will help make all the difference in the world. The top level do it, and everyone else should too as they can only get exponentially better.

Don't wait to start working with a coach, get started right away. It doesn't matter what level you are at you can always use one, from the worst bowler to the best a coach can help. When you are selecting which coach to use I recommend someone who has been keeping up to date with all of the new USBC methods of coaching as they have drastically changed in the last 4-5 years. You want a coach who will take your game and make it better, not someone who will try to make you play a different game. There is no right or wrong way to bowl, there is your way and it is a coach's job to make your way the best it can be.

[Tampabaybob]

Had my first lesson with new coach today.

Feels great to be told I'm not that far off. Just need a few tweaks...and a new ball or two.

Coach Haugen really spends his time working to find what works for each individual. And thoroughly explains what the change he is suggesting will do for your bowling and your ball motion.

We worked on stance and first step in order to improve balance at the line. Can't wait to put new things into place tomorrow on first day of summer league.

Next, new bowling balls; then next coaching session in early June.


I'm curious. What type and reaction of ball, did your new coach suggest? Every coach has a different perspective and it's good to share the information as we're all always learning.

[classygranny]

I'm curious. What type and reaction of ball, did your new coach suggest? Every coach has a different perspective and it's good to share the information as we're all always learning.

Actually he is researching it with the proshop owner as he wanted to verify 14 lb balls-reactions/RGs/cores, as he is more familiar with 15/16 lbs. He is going to send me suggestions, and of course, I will be posting a request for input on the boards as soon as I get any suggestions. He claims that my current ball is similar to play archery with a blunted arrow. And yes, I was developing some bad habits trying to "force" the ball to work for me.

[billf]

Some people laugh when I tell them I can't do something because I have a lesson with my coach. The coach has a coach they say. Well yeah. I can't see myself in real time and even if I could, I would want another set of eyes that I trust. That's also why I love doing clinics with multiple coaches. We see things differently and with more coaches there is a better chance at coming up with something that works for that bowler.

Is your coach by chance touring pro Michael Haugen Jr.?

[classygranny]

Some people laugh when I tell them I can't do something because I have a lesson with my coach. The coach has a coach they say. Well yeah. I can't see myself in real time and even if I could, I would want another set of eyes that I trust. That's also why I love doing clinics with multiple coaches. We see things differently and with more coaches there is a better chance at coming up with something that works for that bowler.

Is your coach by chance touring pro Michael Haugen Jr.?

uhm Yes. Truthfully, I was leery of using a pro - but he is Silver certified (same as last one). It just seems like he realizes not everyone will have perfect mechanics, but that's the great thing about this sport of bowling...you can be great without being perfect. He is much more in tune with my bowling than my previous coach and communicates in a way I understand. Altho, I will say, that I believe my husband would fend better going to my old coach than with Michael. It's just how we learn and listen vs the way the coach teaches.

And yes, I have friends and family that think if I bowl 180s why do I need a coach. I just tell them that the Pro's have coaches, why wouldn't I need one. They backoff when they realize they can't answer anything but...ok.

[J Anderson]

Some people laugh when I tell them I can't do something because I have a lesson with my coach. The coach has a coach they say. Well yeah. I can't see myself in real time and even if I could, I would want another set of eyes that I trust. That's also why I love doing clinics with multiple coaches. We see things differently and with more coaches there is a better chance at coming up with something that works for that bowler.

Is your coach by chance touring pro Michael Haugen Jr.?

In addition to your reason there is another. Back during my brief career as a high school math teacher, the employment contract, as well as the state rules for certification and tenure, were structured to encourage teachers to continue their education. You had to have at least started on a masters degree to get tenure and every six credit hours put you a step higher on the pay scale. I'm sure that the board of education did this in the belief that teachers who stopped learning would become less effective.

[billf]

uhm Yes. Truthfully, I was leery of using a pro - but he is Silver certified (same as last one). It just seems like he realizes not everyone will have perfect mechanics, but that's the great thing about this sport of bowling...you can be great without being perfect. He is much more in tune with my bowling than my previous coach and communicates in a way I understand. Altho, I will say, that I believe my husband would fend better going to my old coach than with Michael. It's just how we learn and listen vs the way the coach teaches.

And yes, I have friends and family that think if I bowl 180s why do I need a coach. I just tell them that the Pro's have coaches, why wouldn't I need one. They backoff when they realize they can't answer anything but...ok.

Coaching as of late (last 4-5 years or so) have been stressing improving a bowler's game with what works for them and a ton less of changing a bowler to fit an image of what that coach thinks a bowler should look like. Unfortunately a certain certification or time being a coach doesn't always translate to this method. Nor does it help to match how a coach teaches their best with how the student learns the best. That's why one coach is great for a certain bowler but not another. It's great that you found a match for you.

[Tampabaybob]

Actually he is researching it with the proshop owner as he wanted to verify 14 lb balls-reactions/RGs/cores, as he is more familiar with 15/16 lbs. He is going to send me suggestions, and of course, I will be posting a request for input on the boards as soon as I get any suggestions. He claims that my current ball is similar to play archery with a blunted arrow. And yes, I was developing some bad habits trying to "force" the ball to work for me.

Playing Archery with a blunted arrow....that's funny ! I'll have to remember that one.

On a different note of sorts, just received a call from a lady I have helped over the last few weeks. Her son bowls in the league on Saturday morning as well, and I've been working with him. Last week he shot his first 600, so that was a big milestone. Saturday, she asked me about a tournament she was bowling in on Sunday. The pattern was unique and developed by the tournament owner. Went over the pattern with her, suggested she put a little polish on one of her balls and worked a bit with her after the league. Long story short...she won the tournament today and won $1000.00 !! So she called to thank me and said she was so glad I put the polish on the ball. It worked perfectly.

So stick with your coach, "regardless" of what your average is, you can always use an extra pair of eyes.

[classygranny]

Had my second lesson today with Coach Michael Haugen, Jr. First time with him after getting my new RG Defiant Soul drilled. (Threw 3 horrible games on Monday practice with it, then on Tues league shot a 155, 201, 218, so it was beginning to feel comfortable. I so enjoy working with him as he explains things in a way I understand, pushes enough, praises enough, and lets me learn at my own pace. Very patient, very knowledgeable, and can communicate well. I leave my lessons strutting like a rooster!

We worked on hand positioning today. More on footwork - mostly posting shot on the foul line with balance foot in position. Getting much better at that and not pulling up and out of my shots as much. I feel good about the progress he felt I had accomplished. Tomorrow we will see if what I learned today takes hold as I bowl in the morning. Then afterwards I am off to the proshop to get the Meanstreak Brawler I won, drilled. Can't wait to see what it does later on in my games.

I like the way the Soul reacts. I carried a lot of strikes that would have been ringing 10s with my Revolver. And I'm learning to pick my spares up with a straight ball. Doing ok with that, so far.

[billf]

Awesome! The practice will show in leagues very soon.