Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[Amyers]

Looks better than it has here lately good shooting

[Aslan]

Sunday Morning Sport Shot League:
PBA Shark Pattern

720 Series: 197-165-209 (clean)-149
Game 1 would have been clean except for a chopped 3-10 baby split in the 3rd. Game 2 I missed a 1-3-6 leave in the 1st and then was clean until a chopped 2-4-5 leave in the 9th. Too many spares though and not enough strikes. Game 3 was clean. Game 4 was my "letdown game". I started off with a couple open frames, was then clean through 8, but finished by missing a couple single-pin spares for a disappointing 149.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.51 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 turkey, 2 doubles, and 6 singles)
Spares: 72% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (9/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, 9-pin, nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 66% (12/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4, 6-10, 1-2-8, 2-4-5, and 3-10 (2x each).

Splits: 66% (2/3)

Average over 4 games: 180.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 185.50.

Overall, mixed feelings. I mean:

Positives:
- Won side pot TWICE.
- Was competitive with a couple really good bowlers (170-200 sport averages) on the other team.
- Picked up a nice spare using a back-up ball.
- May have picked up a couple awards (200+ game and 50+ pins above average).
- Had a clean game.
- Reached my goal of a 700 series (4 games).
- All 4 games were above my average.

Negatives:
- Team lost all 4 points.
- Got knocked out of brackets in first game.
- Missed the last 2 single-pin spares which cost me 100% on single-pin spares.

It was fun though. I got to see Bunny's husband pick up a 6-7-10 which was awesome! It showed me that I can compete on sport patterns; even the tough Shark pattern and that I could compete with these other scratch bowlers. And to win the side pot once much less TWICE in the same morning was pretty cool. Paid for my bowling and entries into the side pot and brackets.

Next week we start bowling the PBA Wolf…so I gotta go online and figure out a plan of attack!!

[Bunny]

Sunday Morning Sport Shot League:
PBA Shark Pattern

It was fun though. I got to see Bunny's husband pick up a 6-7-10 which was awesome! It showed me that I can compete on sport patterns; even the tough Shark pattern and that I could compete with these other scratch bowlers. And to win the side pot once much less TWICE in the same morning was pretty cool. Paid for my bowling and entries into the side pot and brackets.

Next week we start bowling the PBA Wolf…so I gotta go online and figure out a plan of attack!!


You bowled well! So now we know to just make sure you have some $$$ riding!! I was thinking afterwards maybe we should have walked out with you since you came in and cleaned up on two handicap pots. It is the 909 after all! We wouldn't want you to get "Munsoned!"

Seriously though, good bowling!! :cool:

[Amyers]

Sunday Morning Sport Shot League:
PBA Shark Pattern

720 Series: 197-165-209 (clean)-149
Game 1 would have been clean except for a chopped 3-10 baby split in the 3rd. Game 2 I missed a 1-3-6 leave in the 1st and then was clean until a chopped 2-4-5 leave in the 9th. Too many spares though and not enough strikes. Game 3 was clean. Game 4 was my "letdown game". I started off with a couple open frames, was then clean through 8, but finished by missing a couple single-pin spares for a disappointing 149.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.51 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 turkey, 2 doubles, and 6 singles)
Spares: 72% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (9/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, 9-pin, nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 66% (12/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4, 6-10, 1-2-8, 2-4-5, and 3-10 (2x each).

Splits: 66% (2/3)

Average over 4 games: 180.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 185.50.

Overall, mixed feelings. I mean:

Positives:
- Won side pot TWICE.
- Was competitive with a couple really good bowlers (170-200 sport averages) on the other team.
- Picked up a nice spare using a back-up ball.
- May have picked up a couple awards (200+ game and 50+ pins above average).
- Had a clean game.
- Reached my goal of a 700 series (4 games).
- All 4 games were above my average.

Negatives:
- Team lost all 4 points.
- Got knocked out of brackets in first game.
- Missed the last 2 single-pin spares which cost me 100% on single-pin spares.

It was fun though. I got to see Bunny's husband pick up a 6-7-10 which was awesome! It showed me that I can compete on sport patterns; even the tough Shark pattern and that I could compete with these other scratch bowlers. And to win the side pot once much less TWICE in the same morning was pretty cool. Paid for my bowling and entries into the side pot and brackets.

Next week we start bowling the PBA Wolf…so I gotta go online and figure out a plan of attack!!

I haven't bowled on that pattern but I figured it would give you some problems congrats on the good scores. I think most of us would be happy with those on the first time playing a pattern.

[Aslan]

You bowled well! So now we know to just make sure you have some $$$ riding!! I was thinking afterwards maybe we should have walked out with you since you came in and cleaned up on two handicap pots. It is the 909 after all! We wouldn't want you to get "Munsoned!"

Seriously though, good bowling!! :cool:

I was kinda worried that some of the guys might get "disgruntled" that in week 1 I establish a 141 sport average, don't participate in any side pots/brackets...then in week 2 participate in side pots/brackets and average 180. But, it is what it is. I can't help that in week 1 nobody asked me to participate in side pots/brackets and it was my first time bowling a sport pattern...then in week 2 I was asked to participate and bowled better.

Is "Norco" really a "bad" area? I've been there a few times to take my daughter horseback riding (Horsetown USA) and it doesn't seem bad at all. A town has to be pretty destitute to mug a guy for $26!! I'd be way more worried they'd take my new 4-ball roller bag!!

[Hampe]

Nice shooting dude.....180 on a sport pattern is pretty good for someone who hasn't even been bowling a year :).

[Aslan]

Nice shooting dude.....180 on a sport pattern is pretty good for someone who hasn't even been bowling a year :).

Thank you sir.

[Aslan]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

391 Series: 138-120-133
Game 1; 3 missed single pin spares and a missed 6-10...only 1 strike. Game 2 even worse spare shooting, add in a few splits. Game 3 same. Worst series I've shot in a LONG time!

513 Series: 193-143-177
Game 4 I opened with a split but was then clean through 8 before chopping a 2-5. Strike rate was more respectable. Game 5 I just couldn't make very many multi-pin spares. Game 6 I was clean through 9 before chopping a 1-5 leave in the 10th.

571 Series: 235-149-187
Game 7 was one of the best scores I've shot...a LOT of strikes and I was only open in the 3rd when I missed a single 10-pin. Game 8 I came back down to Earth missing THREE single 10-pins and a single 3-pin before leaving a 6-7-10 split in the 10th. Game 9 I put on a spare shooting CLINIC and was clean through 9 before leaving a 7-10 split in the 10th.

514 Series: 157-164-193
Game 10 was splits and sub-par spare shooting but was rescued by striking out in the 10th. Game 11; more spares...only 1 strike...clean except a washout in the 8th and another 7-10 split in the 10th. Game 12; missed 2 single 10-pin spares and a washout...but struck enough to salvage a decent score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.63 pins
Strikes: 29% (5 turkeys, 6 doubles and 11 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 61% (24/39)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (20x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 43% (21/48)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 4-7 (6x).

Splits: 14% (3/15)

Average over 12 games: 165.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 177.50.

Other than a respectable spare pick-up rate, a 235 game, and a 5-7 split I picked up in Game 2....practice tonight was ABYSMAL. Remember Iceman's thread about that evil 10-pin....I was 8 for 20!!! And yes...it was about 60% mental. Sure, the lanes were drier than usual and the Slingshot was pulling ever so slightly left so I missed a LOT of them 1-2 inches to the left...BUT...even more detrimental was me seeing that pin TWENTY TIMES and I was so beaten down by it...that I was practically shaking in fear as I threw the ball.

Just, not my night. And because it wasn't "my night", I was even more aggravated at the cosmic bowlers around me...walking up while I was on the approach...making out with their ugly girlfriends ON the approach...welcome to practicing in cosmic conditions because my lanes are too ****ing cheap to give league bowlers affordable times to practice with the lights on.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Hey aslan, do you have an app for your phone or what ever to enter your shots to get the stats?

[Shaneshu87]

Hey aslan, do you have an app for your phone or what ever to enter your shots to get the stats?

i use "strike out stats" its a little cheaper than some of the other stat trackers and gives a great detailed list of all your stats, you can track pin fall, multiple leagues, and practice sessions, and apply which house your bowling at, what pattern and what ball you use for that game. the only draw back i have is not being able to apply "notes" to games like "switched balls in frame 6" or "too jumpy off the break" that would be a welcome addition to this app but overall i give it 4.5/5

[fortheloveofbowling]

Mine is similar but just tracks multi and single pin spares separately, it does not show exact pins left. There isn't a place for notes either. Just wondering. By the way, nice game with the 235 Aslan.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

402 Series: 99-150-153
In game 1 I was trying out a new ball so while I can't believe I shot a sub-100 game; I wasn't all broke up about it. Got more used to the ball in Game 2 and shot better...but still wasn't used to picking up middle-left side spares with it...so that was a work in progress. In Game 3, I switched to the more aggressively drilled version of the same ball and had a very similar game...same issue...picking up middle-left side spares...work in progress.

513 Series: 170-153-190
In game 4, I switched to the Rhythm and started doing a ball comparison experiment playing the outside line...did about what I'd expect. In game 5 I switched to the Frantic and played the outside line (which I usually don't do with that ball). No strikes, 2 chopped 3-6s away from a clean game of entirely spares...but a lot of slight adjustments to get that ball into the pocket on that line. In game 6, I tried the Slingshot on that line, which again, I never really do. Other than a washout in the 2nd, I was clean...not a ton of striking though.

497 Series: 133-194-170
In game 7, I tried the same line with the more aggressively drilled Encounter. Finished "okay" but it was very uncontrollable and I left 3 plits over the first 5 frames. In game 8, I tried the less aggressively drilled Encounter and had more success. Still had a couple splits early on; but carried better overall. In game 9; I tried the same experiment with the'"middle" line (essentially 2nd arrow, 11-12 boards, but standing a tad left of center) using the Rhythm. I was a missed single 5-pin (embarrassed) in the 5th away from a clean game...same score as playing the outside line with the Rhythm.

168-192
Only had enough time for 2 more games and was continuing my "middle" experiment. For game 10, I used the Frantic. Started off with a couple opens...again struggled to strike with that ball...but was clean frame 3 through 10. In game 11 I switched to the Slingshot, same line, and despite missing a couple single-pin spares; I struck quite a bit, including a 5-bagger to close things out.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.44 pins
Strikes: 29% (1 5-bagger, 1 turkey, 3 doubles and 22 singles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 64% (22/34)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (7x).
Never left a single 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (23/49)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 18% (2/11)

Average over 11 games: 161.09.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.55.

Very similar stats to yesterday. Sub-par spare shooting once again...lanes seemed drier (once again) which was causing the Slingshot to move a little too much left (2-3 inches).

But, it was more an "experimental" practice than anything as I tried to figure out where the 2 new Encounters fit into the arsenal.

I think I'm going to use the less aggressive Encounter to start out with in league play tomorrow (Thurs./today)...playing that outside line. Even though it seems a bit uncontrollable and I have a greater chance of leaving splits...I think it will give me a better angle to the pocket and higher strike rate. I just need to focus a little more on accuracy and forward spine tilt and not coming "over the top" of the ball on my release...which is a bad habit I've been starting to notice. And I'm actually going to use the Slingshot as my "ball down" at this point since it did so well in practice (both the outside and middle lines).

It might be that this particular lane condition has a much drier area further down...and my weak hits/low strike rate lately has been a result of using a solid and hybrid coverstock which is turining too early and taking a weaker line into the pins. Even though the Slingshot is a lesser "hooking" ball in terms of flare/diff.; it may be the better option as a "ball down" ball (than the Frantic) because it's Pearl coverstock is:

a) Allowing it to get a little further into a more ideal breakpoint.
b) Not as affected by the pattern breakdown in the first 2/3 of the lane (versus the RHythm and Frantic which are reading the lanes earlier, thus more affected by the changes).

[Aslan]

Hey aslan, do you have an app for your phone or what ever to enter your shots to get the stats?

"PinPal". It has a notes section AND gives you exactly what you left and just about every other thing you'd want to track. It was cheap, like $4-$10 for the app on iphone.

[fortheloveofbowling]

I've gotta hand it to you, you put the work in on your game.

[Aslan]

I've gotta hand it to you, you put the work in on your game.

Yeah. However, at this rate I may blow out my knee in 3 years or so. I think this year I've put in 600-800 games. I don't know what the average is. I try to do 15/week. I heard somewhere that a pro will practice about 20 games a week in the weeks leading up to a tour event.

You can't get better and acheive your goals if you don't practice. My league teammates, all very intelligent men, don't understand that and neither do most league bowlers. They think that playing 3-6 games a week during league play is going to make you better...and it won't. And it's not just the practice. It's the research, the conversations, some coaching, etc... Thats why I've ofetn lobbyed against Iceman's "gift" philosophy. Too many house bowlers have fell into the trap that they can average 150-170...throw an occasional 255 game...and they think they have it all figured out. But these players don't ever face REAL competition on REAL patterns. They don't realize that in today's game with today's lane conditions, and today's equipment...an "average" bowler on a house shot should carry a 185 average. And a "good" bowler should carry a 210 average. But to be an "excellent/pro level bowler"...you should be carrying a 240 average on a THS.

[fortheloveofbowling]

You can't get better and acheive your goals if you don't practice. My league teammates, all very intelligent men, don't understand that and neither do most league bowlers. They think that playing 3-6 games a week during league play is going to make you better...and it won't. And it's not just the practice. It's the research, the conversations, some coaching, etc... Thats why I've ofetn lobbyed against Iceman's "gift" philosophy. Too many house bowlers have fell into the trap that they can average 150-170...throw an occasional 255 game...and they think they have it all figured out. But these players don't ever face REAL competition on REAL patterns. They don't realize that in today's game with today's lane conditions, and today's equipment...an "average" bowler on a house shot should carry a 185 average. And a "good" bowler should carry a 210 average. But to be an "excellent/pro level bowler"...you should be carrying a 240 average on a THS.[/QUOTE]

I think you are right on the money with these statements. Practice levels in terms of games a week to really improve vary from bowler to bowler but what i believe to be true is that you have to practice smart. Understanding what is happening on the lane and what you are doing is something alot of guys just don't stop and think about.

[Aslan]

I think you are right on the money with these statements. Practice levels in terms of games a week to really improve vary from bowler to bowler but what i believe to be true is that you have to practice smart. Understanding what is happening on the lane and what you are doing is something alot of guys just don't stop and think about.

Agreed.

Thats why I get so frustrated when I see a 6-7 ball arsenal...and a person switching from ball to ball hap-hazardly when they aren't striking. It's not that I don't believe and arsenal can be of value. I'm lugging around 5 balls as we speak. But before you make a ball change you should KNOW...KNOW...

1) Why is THIS ball not working well?
2) What do I think the next ball will give me different from this ball?
3) What makes ball #2 better than the others in the bag?

If you can't answer these questions...then switching balls is just adding an unneeded variable to a game that requires consistency and LESS variables!!

[Amyers]

Agreed.

Thats why I get so frustrated when I see a 6-7 ball arsenal...and a person switching from ball to ball hap-hazardly when they aren't striking. It's not that I don't believe and arsenal can be of value. I'm lugging around 5 balls as we speak. But before you make a ball change you should KNOW...KNOW...

1) Why is THIS ball not working well?
2) What do I think the next ball will give me different from this ball?
3) What makes ball #2 better than the others in the bag?

If you can't answer these questions...then switching balls is just adding an unneeded variable to a game that requires consistency and LESS variables!!

I agree 100% I have a few guys on my leagues who do this switch between three balls all night long and never find what they are looking for. If you don't know why your switching balls you need to look in the mirror not the ball bag.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Any change with a ball or move of any kind has to be done with confidence though. You have to totally commit and throw it telling yourself this is the right thing to do. I have struggled over the years with not switching balls when i should or not making a big enough move. One guy i used to bowl with that was really good would tell me: man you have got to drop that ball when it tells you to! You have to have confidence in your self in regards to what a shot has just told you.

[Amyers]

I am not expert on ball switching but I can't think of why you would change and change back throwing the same line and I see guys do it all the time.

[RobLV1]

Actually, before going out on Tour, the pros practice closer to 20 games a DAY, not 20 games a WEEK. For the Senior Open this year, we bowled six games per day on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Those that made it to the finals bowled approximately 50 games by Friday. Doing simple math, that means that they bowled over thirty games between Thursday and Friday. Besides practicing fundamentals, tournament bowlers also need to build endurance. I can tell you from my own experience that bowling a ten gamer on a tough pattern feels like bowling twenty games on a house shot, for two reasons: there are fewer one-ball frames (strikes), and you have to concentrate on every single spare. Nothing can be taken for granted. To say that it is mentally exhausting is an understatement.

In terms of changing balls for a house shot, unfortunately the majority of bowlers who do it, do it so that they can stay in their comfort zone by balling down. This may work for a while, but eventually everyone has to move in. When they do, some will revert back to a more aggressive ball - not a bad idea!

[fortheloveofbowling]

Hey man, you will have to pull up the bpaa all star step ladder finals on you tube tomorrow. Your girl diana looks like she will be in the finals!

[Aslan]

Actually, before going out on Tour, the pros practice closer to 20 games a DAY, not 20 games a WEEK.
I meant 20 games a day.


Nothing can be taken for granted. To say that it is mentally exhausting is an understatement.
Well, any league bowler knows that. I can bowl 9 games of open bowling, rapid fire…no big deal. But I tried to bowl 3 league games and then immediately pre-bowl for the following week once…it was a disaster. I was way more mentally exhausted after 3 league games than I ever thought I'd be.

[Aslan]

Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

491 Series: 144-163-184
Yet another disappointing night from an individual standpoint. Tried out the new (< aggressively drilled) Encounter up the outside (7-8 boards). Nearly every frame I was coming in light. The ball just didn't seem to be making any move at all. I was used to a solid coverstock,not a pearl. And the reaction on the backend was virtually non-existent.

Game 1 I didn't strike until the 10th. Game 2 I was able to strike a few times, but also had a couple nasty splits. Game 3 I started out with 4 marks, then chopped a 2-4-5, then chopped a 2-4-10 washout, before finishing with 5 more marks.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 27% (2 doubles and 5 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (5/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 9-pin and 10-pin (2x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 56% (9/16)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 and 2-4-5 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 163.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 168.00.

Overall a good night for the team; holding onto a spot in the #2-#7 and getting 3 of 4 points. Some of the other team was NOT happy. I guess they don't like high handicap we were getting. But, hey...

1) I didn't insist on this stupid 100% of 220 handicap system...so they need to speak up at the beginning of next season rather than whine about it all season long.
2) We tied them scratch the 3rd game...so it's not like they were having a great night or anything.

That team was the perfect example of how crappy this sport has become. The majority of their bowlers threw thumbless...BIG hooks...loved to see that ball go flying off to the left...as if it's "cooler" or something. And hey...when they are "on"..VERY tough to beat! But when they can't strike...they can't make spares...they leave weird leaves...and they score < 140.

All these Thursday Night All-Stars need to start some scratch leagues so the rest of us don't have to listen to the constant whining about how good they are yet they keep getting screwed by handicap.

[RobLV1]

Using an aggressive bowling ball with an aggressive layout and playing in the dirt outside of ten, it's really no surprise that the ball wouldn't make a move to the pocket. It was probably out of energy by about 40'. The funny thing about this sport is that you don't tell the lanes how you are going to play them. They tell you!

[Aslan]

Using an aggressive bowling ball with an aggressive layout and playing in the dirt outside of ten, it's really no surprise that the ball wouldn't make a move to the pocket. It was probably out of energy by about 40'. The funny thing about this sport is that you don't tell the lanes how you are going to play them. They tell you!

Maybe...I don't know. I still need to see what the new balls can do in the middle and in the inside lines. Honestly, I don't think I have the revs to make them come back if I throw them through the heart of the oil. On the other hand, if you're right about burning up the energy...then maybe thats EXACTLY what I need to do with those 2 balls. And thats why I haven't re-surfaced the more aggressive one just yet...because if the lack of success is related to it burning up energy...then a surface change might not be the answer.

I'll have more practice time on Tuesday. Taking a couple days off to rest. Bowled about 28 games in the last 3 days so my body (and mind) needs to take a rest. Have the Wolf pattern Sunday morning so right now I have NO idea what ball to use. Gonna have to really maximize the pre-game practice time to see how the pattern is affecting the ball movement. I can't see the Encounter losing energy in that oil volume...but I have no idea what it'll do past 32 feet.

[RobLV1]

I think it may help you to try to think of the line you play as a continuum. There's no outside shot, or middle shot, or inside shot. There's only on shot you play, and you play it on the part of the lane where it needs to be played. The lanes are just like women. They tell us what they want done, and if you're smart, you'd better listen!

[MICHAEL]

I think it may help you to try to think of the line you play as a continuum. There's no outside shot, or middle shot, or inside shot. There's only on shot you play, and you play it on the part of the lane where it needs to be played. The lanes are just like women. They tell us what they want done, and if you're smart, you'd better listen!

Rob, I always listen to my wife,,, gulp!!!!! ALWAYS!!!

[Aslan]

I think it may help you to try to think of the line you play as a continuum. There's no outside shot, or middle shot, or inside shot. There's only on shot you play, and you play it on the part of the lane where it needs to be played. The lanes are just like women. They tell us what they want done, and if you're smart, you'd better listen!

Yeah, the lanes are like women alright. No matter how hard I try…no matter how much I practice, no matter what equipment I bring…they're still going to insist on being right…right of the headpin.

- I throw a hybrid cover stock, 2.53 RG, it misses right or hits weak.
- I throw a solid cover stock, 2.48 RG, it rolls earlier and hits weak.
- I go get a couple higher end balls, stronger cores, pearl cover stocks, 2.50 RG…hits right.

That leads me to believe…it's not the balls…it's the skill less guy throwing them. Balls require revs and friction to make a turn. A house shot offers friction to the outside. I need to increase revs to help utilize that friction. And that is just something I've struggled to do without increasing speed and sacrificing accuracy.

[Amyers]

Yeah, the lanes are like women alright. No matter how hard I try…no matter how much I practice, no matter what equipment I bring…they're still going to insist on being right…right of the headpin.

- I throw a hybrid cover stock, 2.53 RG, it misses right or hits weak.
- I throw a solid cover stock, 2.48 RG, it rolls earlier and hits weak.
- I go get a couple higher end balls, stronger cores, pearl cover stocks, 2.50 RG…hits right.

That leads me to believe…it's not the balls…it's the skill less guy throwing them. Balls require revs and friction to make a turn. A house shot offers friction to the outside. I need to increase revs to help utilize that friction. And that is just something I've struggled to do without increasing speed and sacrificing accuracy.

Not that I'm a better bowler than you Aslan but we've discussed this. There is a limit to how effective your going to be with your current style. All you've really done there is prove what you already knew. You're going to have to develop the rev side of your game to take the next step even if it is backwards.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Wolf Pattern

591 Series: 150-146-146-149
Really just sub-par spare shooting in game 1. In Game 2 I was coming in right…also sub-par spare shooting. Despite the score being the same, game 3 was better; just couldn't run many marks together until the last few frames. And game 4 was just more sub-par spare shooting.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.46 pins
Strikes: 24% (2 doubles and 6 singles)
Spares: 43% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (8/12)
Most common single-pin leave: 2-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 4-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 27% (5/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7, 6-10, 2-8, and 1-2-4 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 147.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 157.50.

I can't really blame the pattern on this one. I mean, to be honest, I thought the Wolf pattern was barely more difficult than a typical house shot. But you simply can't score even halfway decent if you can't make easy spares. A LOT of red up there points to just a really "off" night picking up spares.

As for how I played the pattern, I started out with the (< agg. drilled) Encounter up the 7-board. But for Game 4 I switched inside and just used the Slingshot as both the strike and spare ball…but stood a little left of center and played it up the 11-board…what I call the "middle game".

Still struggling with release and projection down the lane. Both balls are Pearl cover stocks, so if I am going to try and get any type of reaction from them..even on a very short patter like the Wolf…I need to get some revs and stored up energy down lane.

[Aslan]

Not that I'm a better bowler than you Aslan but we've discussed this. There is a limit to how effective your going to be with your current style. All you've really done there is prove what you already knew. You're going to have to develop the rev side of your game to take the next step even if it is backwards.

Other than you not being a better bowler…because after this week I am just going to concede that you are…I agree with that 100%.

[Amyers]

Other than you not being a better bowler…because after this week I am just going to concede that you are…I agree with that 100%.

Take it easy bud. Those sport patterns can get in your head quick and your throwing a reactive ball at those spares on a short pattern. I've been struggling too as you will see with my VBT scores tomorrow. Up and down and all over the place. At the moment I don't know if I should expect 250 or 130 when I bowl.

[Blacksox1]

Bowling to the best of your ability, is what really counts. Taking steps to always improve, shows real spirit. Carry on Aslan !

[Aslan]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

425 Series: 146-145-134
This was to continue the ball experiment from last Wednesday, so in game 1 I used the more aggressive Encounter up the middle, Game 2 I used the less aggressive Encounter up the middle, and in Game 3 I used the Rhythm playing the "inside" line. Game 1 I struggled with hitting the pocket AND spare shooting. Game 2 I had 4 splits! I had so many that the cosmic bowlers next to me asked me if I was doing it "on purpose". Game 3 was like Game 1, just couldn't hit the pocket and the spares were borderline "make-able".

394 Series: 117-143-134
In game 4, I switched to the Frantic and it was miserable. Game 5 I switched to the Slingshot and strung 4 marks together...but a LOT of washouts on the right side as the Slingshot just didn't have the flare to make the turn. Game 6 I tried the more aggressive Encounter but it was all over the place.

507 Series: 115-207 (clean)-185
In game 7, I used the less aggressive Encounter and it was even worse. And to make matters worse, since I use my strike ball to pick up left-side spares...but couldn't find my line...it threw off my spare shooting. Once the experiment was over (thank GOD!) I had time for a couple games of "normal" and in Game 8 threw the < aggressive Encounter up the 7-board. After a double, it was 7 straight spares before I made an adjustment and started throwing it up the 6-board and then struck out in the 10th for my 28th clean game. In Game 9, more of the same, but after leading off with a double it was 6 spares in 7 frames before opening in the 10th on a chopped 1-3-6.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.05 pins
Strikes: 21% (1 turkey, 3 doubles and 11 singles)
Spares: 49% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (14/22)
Most common single-pin leaves: 2-pin and 10-pin (4x each).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 43% (22/51)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2-9, and 3-6-10 (3x each).

Splits: 7% (1/13)

Average over 9 games: 147.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 156.00.

Can't complain too much since 7 of the 9 games were just "experiments" more than actual "games". Once I got done "fooling around", I was able to put together 9 clean frames...even got a "high-five" from one of the cosmic bowlers that was easily impressed with the 207. AND, I was able to do this despite cosmic lights, darkness, people on both sides of me constantly running up the approach when I was releasing the ball, and a girl on the lane next to me that wasn't very shy about showing off her black thong (and most of her business) every time she bent over to throw her ball. :eek:

We'll try to get some surface on one of the Encounters tomorrow evening and then finish up the experimentation tomorrow night.

[classygranny]

And to make matters worse, since I use my strike ball to pick up left-side spares...but couldn't find my line...it threw off my spare shooting.

Duh! Plastic Ball, Plastic Ball, Plastic Ball. Just sayin'

[Aslan]

Duh! Plastic Ball, Plastic Ball, Plastic Ball. Just sayin'

Well...had the inside line approach not resulted in 115-117 scores....then yes, I would have considered that option.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

460 Series: 169-174-117
During this series I was trying the more aggressively drilled Encounter on the outside, middle, and inside lines to see the effect of the surface change that I made. Had trouble striking AND picking up splits with this new ball/new surface.

498 Series: 153-144-201 (clean)
I went back to the outside line with the less aggressive Encounter but the first 2 games struggled as I continued to have to move left to find oil. A lot of splits and multi-pin spares early on as the lanes were just too dry. Finally in Game 3 I was at the 2nd arrow and despite not being able to strike much (3x total), I was able to hit 8-10 pins every frame with the first ball leaving me much better spares to shoot at and managed a clean game…the HARD way.

167-212
I had time for 2 more games and in the 1st game I did "okay"…but left a 7-10 and two 4-9 splits. In the 2nd game, despite sub-par spare shooting, I found my strike line (finally!) and managed my high score of the night striking 7 times.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.67 pins
Strikes: 31% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 4 doubles and 12 singles)
Spares: 56% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (22/25)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (10x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (11/33)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (9x).

Splits: 11% (1/9)

Average over 8 games: 167.12.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.50.

A better night than Tuesday, thats for sure. But very aggravating to have to practice during cosmic bowling. The lanes were quite a bit drier than normal; to the point that it was making me "play the hook" more than I like to with the Slingshot.

[Aslan]

Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

479 Series: 147-157-175
Yet ANOTHER disappointing night from an individual standpoint. Early on it was evident that I would need to move WAAAY right due to the oil levels. We were playing on the most interior lanes, so the oil was most recently applied and least affected by the door to the outside. And I arrived a little late, so not as much practice time as I'd have liked.

Game 1 I left a 1-2-4 twice and a 1-2 twice; obvious signs that the ball just wasn't making the turn. In Game 2, more of the same. The first two frames and the 10th frame were all washouts as the ball was still struggling to make that turn in time. Game 3 was much better. Finally the oil had broken down and been moved around enough that the ball was seeing some reaction. Still hitting right, still hitting light, only struck twice…but the spares that were left were primarily make-able.

In the 5th frame, I picked up a 4-6-10 split!! I then promptly RUINED my clean game by missing a single 9-pin the following frame.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.31 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 double and 6 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 9-pin and 10-pin (2x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (8/16)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4, 2-4-5-8, 4-7, and 6-10 (2x each).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 159.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.33.

Not a great night individually other than converting the 4-6-10 ( a first for me). But from a TEAM standpoint…a truly GREAT night as we took 4 points from the team only 2 spots back of us and "may" have moved into 1st place in the league…or at LEAST have done enough to stay in the top 4.

[Aslan]

Saturday: VBT Tour
Fountain Bowl, Fountain Valley CA
low-medium oil synthetics

I decided to get my VBT for August out of the way early since I was already planning on being there that morning for the Saturday clinic.

Practice: 152

Tried Rob's approach of trying out all 3 lines during the practice game. Middle line striked on lane as did the outside line. The other lane I hit weak with both lines. And the inside line was a failure on both sides.

*** Series: X - X - X

Scores and details after opponent (Mudpuppy) bowls.

PinPal Stats:

…stats available after opponent (Mudpuppy) bowls...

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Wolf Pattern

601 Series: 167-135-151-148
Started off with some **** poor spare shooting…but put together a 4-bagger which kept the score respectable. After that game, I put the Slingshot spare ball in "timeout" and decided I'd just flatten my wrist with the strike ball since apparently the Slingshot had a little too much movement for my liking.

Game 2, the spare shooting returned, but 3 splits and an open 10th pretty much ruined things.

Game 3 I was clean through 5 before a split and washout in the 6th/7th…then clean the rest of the way. But, the only strike was in the 1st.

Game 4 I left a split and 4 washouts, so despite my strike rate returning a bit…just couldn't stay clean with the difficult multi-pin spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.17 pins
Strikes: 28% (1 4-bagger and 8 singles)
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin (2x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 37% (9/24)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 4 games: 150.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 155.75.

Not much improvement over last week. After game 1, I just couldn't find an adjustment, line, release, vertical target change, nor ball that would help me strike.

[Bunny]

Challenging pattern today. Not many 200's. Even RPI guy with a 205 sport pattern average had a 120 game!

[Aslan]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

557 Series: 191-166-200 (clean)
Played the middle line using the less aggressive Encounter in game 1. Other than a washout in the 2nd and a 5-6 split in the 8th; I was clean. And 5 strikes to boot! In Game 2, I balled down to the Rhythm but struggled finding a line/target that would keep the more aggressive coverstock right of the headpin. A chopped 3-6 in the 2nd and and a washout in the 9th, otherwise clean...but this time I only struck twice. : ( Game 3 I continued struggling finding a good line/target combination; but was clean. Again, only 2 strikes though. : (

517 Series: 177-161-179
Game 4 was clean except for TWO (back-to-back) chopped 6-10s in the 4th and 5th frames. Left the 6-10 FOUR times that game..still coming in just a little too far left. More struggles with adjustments in Game 5 but missed a single 4-pin in the 3rd, chopped a 3-6 in the 4th, then missed a single 9-pin in the 10th. In Game 3, I started off with a 4-5 split and then a 4-7-10...but was able to pull off a turkey after that. But it seemed apparent that I might need to ball down again and go with the Frantic. Unfortunately, in the process of establishing my strike line/targets, a 4-6-7 split in the 6th followed by a 3-10 in the 7th. Then clean to finish and salvage at least a semi-resepctable score (given 4 splits).

123-166
I had time for 2 more games to get some rare work in with the Frantic. But the Frantic in Game 7 was just going in 2 straight. I left a personal high 6 splits in that game and only converted the 3-6-7-10 in the 9th. Just a really rough game to try and keep the Frantic right of the headpin. Out of frustration more than anything, in the final game I went back to my AMyers/Old Aslan style of higher speed/high loft/higher rev rate. It helped me strike more (5x), but the accuracy was erratic and I only picked up one spare in addition to the occasional weird split (like the 7-9-10) which is a result of the higher speed.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.64 pins
Strikes: 34% (2 turkeys, 6 doubles and 13 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (20/24)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (12/31)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 14% (2/14)

Average over 8 games: 170.38.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.88.

Still very aggravating that I have to practice during 9:30PM-12:00AM cosmic bowling. There was a young lady jumping up and down on the couches at one point and a lesbian couple making out in the couch on the other side. Not to mention I had to wait 20 minutes for a lane even though I was there 5 minutes before the 9:30PM bowling started.

I worked a lot on the forward and backward targeting rather than automatically moving my feet left or right. I have always targeted the arrows and moved my feet...so this idea of targeting further downlane or closer to the foul line is a new concept...but one that seems to have some merit.

Hopefully I didn't damage the Rhythm too badly in the homemade de-oiler incident last night. The Rhythm is a key ball in my new arsenal system as it is the ball I "ball down" to on middle and outside lines and it's my initial/primary ball for playing the inside line. If it is damaged, it should be an easy repair though.

[Amyers]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

557 Series: 191-166-200 (clean)
Played the middle line using the less aggressive Encounter in game 1. Other than a washout in the 2nd and a 5-6 split in the 8th; I was clean. And 5 strikes to boot! In Game 2, I balled down to the Rhythm but struggled finding a line/target that would keep the more aggressive coverstock right of the headpin. A chopped 3-6 in the 2nd and and a washout in the 9th, otherwise clean...but this time I only struck twice. : ( Game 3 I continued struggling finding a good line/target combination; but was clean. Again, only 2 strikes though. : (

517 Series: 177-161-179
Game 4 was clean except for TWO (back-to-back) chopped 6-10s in the 4th and 5th frames. Left the 6-10 FOUR times that game..still coming in just a little too far left. More struggles with adjustments in Game 5 but missed a single 4-pin in the 3rd, chopped a 3-6 in the 4th, then missed a single 9-pin in the 10th. In Game 3, I started off with a 4-5 split and then a 4-7-10...but was able to pull off a turkey after that. But it seemed apparent that I might need to ball down again and go with the Frantic. Unfortunately, in the process of establishing my strike line/targets, a 4-6-7 split in the 6th followed by a 3-10 in the 7th. Then clean to finish and salvage at least a semi-resepctable score (given 4 splits).

123-166
I had time for 2 more games to get some rare work in with the Frantic. But the Frantic in Game 7 was just going in 2 straight. I left a personal high 6 splits in that game and only converted the 3-6-7-10 in the 9th. Just a really rough game to try and keep the Frantic right of the headpin. Out of frustration more than anything, in the final game I went back to my AMyers/Old Aslan style of higher speed/high loft/higher rev rate. It helped me strike more (5x), but the accuracy was erratic and I only picked up one spare in addition to the occasional weird split (like the 7-9-10) which is a result of the higher speed.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.64 pins
Strikes: 34% (2 turkeys, 6 doubles and 13 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (20/24)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (12/31)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 14% (2/14)

Average over 8 games: 170.38.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.88.

Still very aggravating that I have to practice during 9:30PM-12:00AM cosmic bowling. There was a young lady jumping up and down on the couches at one point and a lesbian couple making out in the couch on the other side. Not to mention I had to wait 20 minutes for a lane even though I was there 5 minutes before the 9:30PM bowling started.

I worked a lot on the forward and backward targeting rather than automatically moving my feet left or right. I have always targeted the arrows and moved my feet...so this idea of targeting further downlane or closer to the foul line is a new concept...but one that seems to have some merit.

Hopefully I didn't damage the Rhythm too badly in the homemade de-oiler incident last night. The Rhythm is a key ball in my new arsenal system as it is the ball I "ball down" to on middle and outside lines and it's my initial/primary ball for playing the inside line. If it is damaged, it should be an easy repair though.

Some decent score there sounds like they were pretty dry on you from the beginning. Good to know the Amyers style is still alive and ticking. I think you loft more than I do with that though.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

AMF Carter Lanes: 129
Tried to practice earlier in the evening but my usual house was full so we tried a nearby AMF house. What a POO-hole!! It was dead, like 3 other people bowling. Our first 3 balls got stuck in the ball return so a guy had to take it apart to find them. Then my buddy threw an errant shot that richocheted out of the left gutter into the pinsetter arm...so he's gonna probably be buying a new ball tonight. And the MOST aggravating thing!?? This house...RENOWNED for being in the TOP 3 in terms of oil volume (probably 3rd behind Irvine Lanes and AMF Riverside)...had OBVIOUSLY not oiled their lanes in at LEAST 3-4 days. Either that, or the machine is broken. Because EVERY shot...EVERY line...EVERY ball...hooked into the left gutter midway down the lane. This made spare shooting nearly impossible.

I'll "count" this game...but other than "counting" it; there's no value whatsoever in analyzing it. If I end up having to play at this house for league play in Fall/Winter...I sure hope this issue is fixed...or else it'll be the last time I ever bowl there.

Wednesday Practice: Concourse Bowling Center:
low oil synthetics

507 Series: 138-166-203 (clean)
Started out playing the middle line with the less aggressive Encounter. But just kept coming in right. I should have switched to something more aggressive, but didn't. Then in Game 2 I actually balled down to the Rhythm and was still coming in right. I finally found a strike line in the 7th frame but it was still not optimal so I balled down again (should have balled up) to the Frantic for Game 3. With the Frantic, I was able to strike quite well, but when I didn't, I came in light but left make-able spares. So Game 3 was the best of the night and clean.

507 Series: 194-172-141
Talk about consistency!! TWO 507 series BACK-TO-BACK!

Since the middle wasn't "ideal", I thought maybe I'd try something much more aggressive on the outside line. I mean, at that point, with the Frantic, I had practically moved to the outside line anyways. So I switched back to the less aggressive Encounter and played the outside (8-board). This took some adjusting...the lanes were drying up and it wanted to go left...but other than a chopped 1-2-4 in the 1st; I wasn clean in Game 1. Game 2 was much of the same, struggling to keep the ball from hooking too much...but I still was weary about going with my C-Game inside. But Game 3 I was so far right that I threw the first 2 shots in the gutter and the rest of the game didn't go well...so I finally had no choice but to move to the inside.

130-194
I had time for 2 more games so I started using the less aggressive Encounter for a few frames outside...but then moved inside with the Rhythm. However, I think some of my struggles "inside" is that my line is too aggressive. The Rhythm just couldn't make the turn at the extreme angle I was playing. It wanted to turn earlier..and if it did...I'd get a split. If I tried to push it out (using target and/or speed)...couldn't make the turn. So for the 2nd game, back to the less aggressive Encounter...but moved my line from laying down at 23 and targeting 18...and went to sort of an inside/middle hybrid where I was laying down 20 and targeting 15. Same board coverage, just a line that would hopefully allow the ball to come back at a slower speed and closer target. So, in game 2 it started off rough and I had to be careful not to put too much speed into it or it was still missing right...but it gave me 5 strikes and a decent (although not clean) score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.41 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 turkey, 6 doubles and 11 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (17/21)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (8x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (18/36)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (7x).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 8 games: 167.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.88.

Another similar night in terms of results...but not "bad". I think my big learning experience tonight was that I was simply using my arsenal incorrectly. I was missing right, moving right, then balling DOWN and starting back at the starting point. I think that method works GREAT if you're striking and about to burn up your line. BUT...if you're not striking because you're coming in weak...you need to move back to the starting point and ball UP...not DOWN.

I also had a good learning experience in terms of my "C-Game"...the INSIDE line. I think I was able to figure out that a LOT of my struggles is trying to play too aggressive and inside line. I need to play more like what Rob M. plays where the "inside" is standing just left of center and throwing center. NOT the Tommy Jones or Bill O'Neill inside line...where you're standing 6 boards right of the left gutter and throwing just right of center.

And THATs what practice is for! Too many league bowlers DON'T practice. Practice isn't about scoring...but those that practice and don't keep score...then it's sometimes hard to see trends. PinPal has been a GREAT tool because it allows me to look back at every frame and see trends. And those trends lead me to re-think how I approach things.

Hopefully all this work pays off because I have a VERY KEY game Thursday night against the top DAWG in our league. We win, we're in 1st or 2nd place with about 4 weeks to go before sweeps. If we lose, we're probably 4th-6th and will have little chance short of a miracle of taking the trophy. And Friday I'm subbing for my old Friday night team...so I always want to do well for them. And Sunday is I think the last week of the PBA Wolf pattern so I need to finally get a good series on that pattern after 2 weeks of sub-par performance on it.

[Amyers]

I think you may have figured a few things out. I've been trying to tell you that about your inside line for a while but maybe I wasn't explaining it well. For lower rev guys just put the ball out to wher it's just looking like it's going past the pocket and let it snap back in. I have more revs than you and I can't play that around the world line either.

[Aslan]

Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

438 Series: 154-143-141
Game 1 was pretty much just a lot of shots coming in light or right. Made all the "make-able" spares except for somehow chopping the 2-4-5 in the 10th. Game 2 was more of the same, light/right, but missed 2 "make-able" spares instead of just 1. Game 3 I started hitting more center and left, made adjustments, then started hitting right again...just couldn't find the right shot to strike.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.94 pins
Strikes: 12% (4 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 77% (7/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 44% (8/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 3 games: 146.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 153.33.

Just horrible. Worst series I've thrown in this league. In practice, none of my lines were really working, but it seemed like the outside line (8-board) was going to be the best course of action on both lanes. Used the Frantic the whole time...trying to get that midway point between the pearls going too long and not coming back...and the Rhythm (solid) that tends to read too early and go through the head. I figured if it was a bad ball choice, the lanes would tell me rather quickly and I could pull out the more aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter and perhaps that would give me the angle I was looking for. But, the Frantic seemed to be "right there"...a minor adjustment away...but no.

So, this is a bummer. I've been on a downward spiral since throwing my season high series of 575 back in week 9. Thats 7 straight weeks of decline; watching my average fall from 174 to 167 and at this rate I'll be a 158 bowler in time for Vegas and Laughlin. I practice 20 games a week...and throw in the low 170s. Then I try to bowl with the lights on, no music blaring, no drunk teenagers running around on the approach, with league oil conditions...and I'm a high 150s bowler. The oil volume or pattern is just unbearable. I spend 3-4 frames hitting right/light, make the necessary adjustments, then go through the head...adjust...then spend 3-4 more frames of hitting light/right. And I can't actually practice on these conditions...I get the fortune of practicing in the middle of the night on dry lanes...which is a BIG help (NOT!).

But from a TEAM standpoint…a truly GREAT night as we took 3 points from the team in 2nd place which will give us either a share or sole possession of 2nd place; only 1 point back of the leader with about 3-5 weeks left in the regular season.

So...I don't know what to do at this point. I sub tonight for my old team...I guess I gotta adjust all my angles. And I guess I gotta look at some more lessons from the experts. Barry Asher had me working on my elbow and shoulder at the clinic last week...maybe I gotta focus more on that. Maybe take a look at my schedule and see if I can schedule a lesson with Missy and Mark in the next couple months. Then I got the lesson with Rob in Vegas. But...at this point...I'm in one of those "places" where quitting altogether is starting to float around inside the skull as an option.

[Amyers]

Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

438 Series: 154-143-141
Game 1 was pretty much just a lot of shots coming in light or right. Made all the "make-able" spares except for somehow chopping the 2-4-5 in the 10th. Game 2 was more of the same, light/right, but missed 2 "make-able" spares instead of just 1. Game 3 I started hitting more center and left, made adjustments, then started hitting right again...just couldn't find the right shot to strike.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.94 pins
Strikes: 12% (4 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 77% (7/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 44% (8/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 3 games: 146.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 153.33.

Just horrible. Worst series I've thrown in this league. In practice, none of my lines were really working, but it seemed like the outside line (8-board) was going to be the best course of action on both lanes. Used the Frantic the whole time...trying to get that midway point between the pearls going too long and not coming back...and the Rhythm (solid) that tends to read too early and go through the head. I figured if it was a bad ball choice, the lanes would tell me rather quickly and I could pull out the more aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter and perhaps that would give me the angle I was looking for. But, the Frantic seemed to be "right there"...a minor adjustment away...but no.

So, this is a bummer. I've been on a downward spiral since throwing my season high series of 575 back in week 9. Thats 7 straight weeks of decline; watching my average fall from 174 to 167 and at this rate I'll be a 158 bowler in time for Vegas and Laughlin. I practice 20 games a week...and throw in the low 170s. Then I try to bowl with the lights on, no music blaring, no drunk teenagers running around on the approach, with league oil conditions...and I'm a high 150s bowler. The oil volume or pattern is just unbearable. I spend 3-4 frames hitting right/light, make the necessary adjustments, then go through the head...adjust...then spend 3-4 more frames of hitting light/right. And I can't actually practice on these conditions...I get the fortune of practicing in the middle of the night on dry lanes...which is a BIG help (NOT!).

But from a TEAM standpoint…a truly GREAT night as we took 3 points from the team in 2nd place which will give us either a share or sole possession of 2nd place; only 1 point back of the leader with about 3-5 weeks left in the regular season.

So...I don't know what to do at this point. I sub tonight for my old team...I guess I gotta adjust all my angles. And I guess I gotta look at some more lessons from the experts. Barry Asher had me working on my elbow and shoulder at the clinic last week...maybe I gotta focus more on that. Maybe take a look at my schedule and see if I can schedule a lesson with Missy and Mark in the next couple months. Then I got the lesson with Rob in Vegas. But...at this point...I'm in one of those "places" where quitting altogether is starting to float around inside the skull as an option.

I struggled with the same thing at the beginning of my summer leagues the coming in light bad angle thing. I added some surface to my polished Euphoria and it helped. Maybe adding a little polish or higher grit finish to the rhythm would help. I'm not sure what all helped the problem. Me getting more on the ball, a/c fixed, or the surface change.

Maybe you need to look into your local centers more and see if you can find some that have heavier patterns during open bowling.

Keep your head up the road forward is more often than not a road with many turns.

[Mike White]

Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

438 Series: 154-143-141
Game 1 was pretty much just a lot of shots coming in light or right. Made all the "make-able" spares except for somehow chopping the 2-4-5 in the 10th. Game 2 was more of the same, light/right, but missed 2 "make-able" spares instead of just 1. Game 3 I started hitting more center and left, made adjustments, then started hitting right again...just couldn't find the right shot to strike.

So, this is a bummer. I've been on a downward spiral since throwing my season high series of 575 back in week 9. Thats 7 straight weeks of decline; watching my average fall from 174 to 167 and at this rate I'll be a 158 bowler in time for Vegas and Laughlin. I practice 20 games a week...and throw in the low 170s. Then I try to bowl with the lights on, no music blaring, no drunk teenagers running around on the approach, with league oil conditions...and I'm a high 150s bowler. The oil volume or pattern is just unbearable. I spend 3-4 frames hitting right/light, make the necessary adjustments, then go through the head...adjust...then spend 3-4 more frames of hitting light/right. And I can't actually practice on these conditions...I get the fortune of practicing in the middle of the night on dry lanes...which is a BIG help (NOT!).

So...I don't know what to do at this point. I sub tonight for my old team...I guess I gotta adjust all my angles. And I guess I gotta look at some more lessons from the experts. Barry Asher had me working on my elbow and shoulder at the clinic last week...maybe I gotta focus more on that. Maybe take a look at my schedule and see if I can schedule a lesson with Missy and Mark in the next couple months. Then I got the lesson with Rob in Vegas. But...at this point...I'm in one of those "places" where quitting altogether is starting to float around inside the skull as an option.

Aslan, go back to the video of when you got those two balls drilled, and look at your hand position as you release the ball.

You are completely on top of the ball, which mean you are applying almost no roll on the ball.

Almost all of the roll on your ball comes from friction with the lane.

When the lanes are what you call "slick", you get less help from the lane.

Until you get that hand back behind, and under the ball, so you can roll it, all of the adjusting with your feet is meaningless.

As for not being able to practice on "slick" lanes. Well, if you had a plastic ball, you could practice with that to make the late night lanes feel slick to you.

I have a 16lb orphaned (undrilled) plastic ball I could let go of for just the price of drilling.

It even does a bit of glow in the dark (black light).

[Aslan]

Aslan, go back to the video of when you got those two balls drilled, and look at your hand position as you release the ball.

You are completely on top of the ball, which mean you are applying almost no roll on the ball.

Almost all of the roll on your ball comes from friction with the lane.

When the lanes are what you call "slick", you get less help from the lane.

Until you get that hand back behind, and under the ball, so you can roll it, all of the adjusting with your feet is meaningless.
That IS a possibility. Absolutely. And both Rob and Barry have been stearing me in that direction. Thus far, it just hasn't worked. If I leave my hand behind the ball, it rolls end over end over the thumb/finger holes. I just haven't been able to master that inside to outside release. I can "sort of" do it when I throw a back-up ball. Granted, my back-up ball accuracy is similar to throwing a beachball at a squirrel...but I am able to at least stay behind it without going end over end.


I have a 16lb orphaned (undrilled) plastic ball I could let go of for just the price of drilling.

That IS tempting. But I don't have room for another ball right now. I got the 4-bag roller so I could stop lugging that stupid 2-ball shoulder bag around...which was KILLING my shoulder. If I add a plastic ball, then I'd have SIX balls with me. I "could" just use it for practice on the drier lanes...but if I'm gonna get one...then I'd also want to transition to using it for spares. And I'm not ready to retire the Frantic nor Slingshot yet. We'll see. No for now...but, we'll see. Last night was so bad I can't think straight much less make more arsenal decisions.

Maybe I should get ahead of the sport and learn to bowl 2-handed.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Aslan, With you being a speed dominant bowler, why do you ever get inside 9 or 10 at the arrows? Being that you are on the lower side of rev rate the angle from the outside is your greatest asset. On some of your videos i have seen some great looking shots when you get the ball out to 5-6 and hit that friction. I would always start way out playing like 8 to 5 or 7 to 4 meaning at the arrows to the break point. Just saying.

[RobLV1]

OMG, Mike White and I agree on something! Take your four ball roller (like the one I have), and get one of those single ball bags with the velcro to attach it in front of the handle on the four ball roller, and add a plastic spare ball! Watch your average go up 10 to 20 pins in a heartbeat.

[bowl1820]

If I leave my hand behind the ball, it rolls end over end over the thumb/finger holes. I just haven't been able to master that inside to outside release. I can "sort of" do it when I throw a back-up ball.

Why not just try the simple beginners 45 degree release, it's one of the first releases you learn and it will give you a good basic roll on the ball, with some hook.

Just hold the ball with a firm straight wrist,
http://www.bowlingboards.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=683&d=1352471342

and hold the hand at a 45 degree angle
http://s19.postimage.org/426j213sz/45deghand.jpg

and hold this position through the swing and stroke it down the lane.

The will give you around 45° of rotation. With only a little tilt to start, but once you have it down you can start adding some later if needed.

[Aslan]

Friday League Night (substitute): low-medium oil synthetics

517 Series: 183-169-165
Game 1 was clean except for a 2-5-7 split in the 9th. Game 2 was even a little better, but I got a 4-7-10 in the 4th and chopped a 1-3-6 in the 7th. Game 3 was also pretty good but I "barely" missed a single 7-pin in the 3rd, got a 6-7-10 in the 7th and a 2-4-10 in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.24 pins
Strikes: 30% (2 doubles and 6 singles)
Spares: 72% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Only left a 5-pin, a couple 7-pins, and a few 10-pins.

Multiple Pin spares: 68% (11/16)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6 and 6-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 172.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.00.

So there it is….a better night than last night. I made some changes to my targeting system and switched balls on the outside line after last night's debacle. Also, we had the pair closest to the door which are usually a "tad" drier. We took 3 of 4 points, but I can't take credit for that since I decreased their handicap and only bowled just shy of my league average. But since I averaged about 25 pins per game higher than last night I'll take it.

Due to my rev limitations and the apparent "slick-ness" of the lanes as of late…I made some targeting adjustments. Like last night, the outside line seemed to be working best in practice. But, since I just recently changed my targeting system…I kinda made a mistake when it came time to start bowling and used the right ball…but played the wrong line. I used the more aggressively drilled Encounter and played the middle line instead of the outside line.

So instead of laying down on 11 and aiming up 10…I was laying down and targeting straight up 12. That explains why my struggles seemed to be more related to going through the head than the usual "missing right". I was using the ball that would be my MOST aggressive ball for the middle line…but playing the line I would use for the less aggressive Encounter. It's too bad…because I think had I played the right line, I'd have scored much better. The more aggressive Encounter up 2nd arrow was very effective in practice.

[Aslan]

Aslan, With you being a speed dominant bowler, why do you ever get inside 9 or 10 at the arrows?

I'm no longer "speed dominant". I changed my approach after working with Rob. My speed is now about 6-7mph slower and my loft is 1-6ft lesser and much closer to the lane surface (projection more than loft).

I agree, that my most successful line seems to be a solid cover stock ball up the 8-6 boards. But there's some concern that that shot is hitting weak because the ball is already "rolled out" by the time it hits the pocket. And because the lanes have become heavier in oil volume lately, anything outside the 8-board seems to be a death sentence. So more recently I've been laying it down around 11-12 and letting it go across 10 at the arrows and a little outside as it finds the break point…then it comes back into the pocket a little more flush.


OMG, Mike White and I agree on something! Take your four ball roller (like the one I have), and get one of those single ball bags with the velcro to attach it in front of the handle on the four ball roller, and add a plastic spare ball! Watch your average go up 10 to 20 pins in a heartbeat.

Thats called a "Joey" and I have one already. It holds my Slingshot. The 4-ball roller holds both Encounters, the Frantic, and the Rhythm.

I KNEW I was going to regret not just biting the bullet and getting a 6-ball roller!! Note to everyone looking for bags…just get the 6-ball roller…whatever size you get less than that you'll just wish you had bought larger.


Why not just try the simple beginners 45 degree release, it's one of the first releases you learn and it will give you a good basic roll on the ball, with some hook.

Just hold the ball with a firm straight wrist,

and hold the hand at a 45 degree angle
and hold this position through the swing and stroke it down the lane.

The will give you around 45° of rotation. With only a little tilt to start, but once you have it down you can start adding some later if needed.
I think thats sort of what I do now. I start out about 45 degrees and as I release…it becomes more of suitcase release with a follow-through up the side.

I think what Mike is talking about is…due to "trying" to add revs…I got into a bad habit of coming over-the-top of the ball. I've fixed that as of late. I also got to work a lithe with Barry Asher at a clinic recently and he had me focusing on keeping my elbow in and having a "quiet shoulder"…which kind of forces you to stay behind the ball.

I tried FTLOB's suggestion of practicing with a 7-9lb plastic house ball…thumbless…in an attempt to stay under the ball. But it hurt my wrist to cup it that way and release like that.

I'm sure in Vegas, Rob will help me with the release. He wanted me to work on my approach, speed, loft, timing, and rolling the ball first. I think those things are better now so we might get to release during lesson 2.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Just to let you know, i didn't mean anything bad saying your were speed dominant. Some people are and some people are rev dominant. Obviously a consistency between the 2 is what you are looking for.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Wolf Pattern

603 Series: 127-163-162-151
Game 1 I was constantly missing right. Same thing in Game 2 except I actually had a few strikes. More of the same in Game 3 except after the first few frames I managed to finish clean. Game 4 was more of the same except I only managed 1 strike, a lot of spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.95 pins
Strikes: 20% (1 double and 7 singles)
Spares: 52% picked up

Single Pin spares: 87% (7/8)
Most common single-pin leave: n/a (I left each pin once except below).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (11/26)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 150.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 153.75.

Well, 3 weeks on the PBA Wolf pattern and I've shot a very consistent 591, 601, and 603 (4 game series)…averaging a 150.

The pros, power players, crankers, and rev dominant folks don't like the Wolf because the pattern isn't very long and they have trouble staying right of the headpin. I have the opposite problem in that while it is a short pattern, it has significant volume of oil channel to channel. So my ball can't start making it's turn into the pocket until it gets to the end of that oil…and thats not enough time, even with this short of a pattern.

But, this morning wasn't "all" bad. I won my first bracket!! Despite not bowling "great", it was enough to get me $25 in a bracket. Next week is Beijing Pattern which I think plays similar to the Wolf…but hopefully with a little more help earlier on the outside.

[Aslan]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

515 Series: 173-170-172
Pretty much played the more aggressive Encounter up the outside line (T9). Spotty spare shooting in Game 1; but I managed to strike. Better in Game 2; but I left a couple splits. Then Game 3 was back to my "old ways" of leaving a washout, missing a single-pin spare, and only 2 strikes...but a LOT of spares.

477 Series: 161-159-157
Game 4 was back to some spotty spare shooting; but more strikes. Then Game 5 was 8 frames of spares, a 6-7-10 split in the 5th, and a missed single 10-pin in the 7th. A perfect example of my current scoring dilemma...a nearly clean game...8/10 frames where I picked up the spares...but I had to work THAT hard for < 160. In game 6, more of the same except I struck once and left an additional open as I chopped the 4-7 in the 9th.

493 Series: 169-176-148
In game 7 I managed to get some strikes; but also left a couple splits. Same thing in Game 8. And then spare shooting sort of fell apart in Game 9.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.42 pins
Strikes: 30% (2 turkeys, 4 doubles and 15 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 65% (13/20)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 54% (24/44)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 4-7 (9x).

Splits: 9% (1/11)

Average over 9 games: 165.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.44.

Stats very similar to last Wednesday's practice. Identical strike rate, nearly identical first ball average. Single pin spare shooting dropped a bit, which is troubling since I'm really focused on keeping that closer to 80% from here on out. But much of that was actually left side pins which I normally am nearly automatic at. I left the 7-pin and 4-pin 3x each and was 1/3 with each of them...which is odd. I think it is the change to the more aggressive Encounter which isn't making the predicted movement on the backend when I have to throw it through the heart of the oil pattern from further right. Something I may need to adjust for...or stop hooking my strike ball into left side leaves and start using the spare ball OR further develop a "back-up ball" shot.

Really anxious to find a "break-through" to get me back into the 170s average...and get me to start throwing 190s-200s games more consistently. 5-6 weeks left in league play and our team is 1 point back of the leader. I got sweeps in late September in Laughlin. And I got the Iceman VS. Aslan Las Vegas challenge. I need that "ah-ha" moment to happen sooner rather than later!

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: medium-low oil synthetics

495 Series: 125-201-169
Game 1 spare shooting was abysmal...but the leaves weren't very friendly. I mean, 2 washouts, a sleeper, and 2 splits...finally left a single pin in the 10th which I picked up. Other than a 1-2-7-8-10 washout in the 2nd frame, Game 2 was clean. A lot of spares..but some strikes to help things out. Game 3 was very similar except I left a 4-7-9 in the 7th and 2-7-8 in the 9th.

519 Series: 158-205-156
Game 4 I was actually clean if you take out the 1 washout and FOUR splits! I mean, I have I standards for where I want my spare shooting to be...but converting 4 splits and a washout is a rather tall order. Game 5 I missed a single 7-pin in the 1st frame but was clean the rest of the way....including converting a baby split in the 8th and a 4-9 to close out the 10th. Game 6 was sort of an experiment; trying to keep my hand more under/behind the ball. It started out okay, but was just too eratic.

520 Series: 134-217-169
Game 7 I was continuing to try and improve my release, but it was getting worse rather than better. Just couldn't seem to strike and the inaccuracy made the spare game non-existent. Finally I scrapped the whole idea after 9 frames. Game 8 I managed to put together a 4-bagger and was clean except for a missed single 4-pin in the 9th. Game 9 I was getting tired (8 games is about my limit) and in Game 9 I only struck once...but was generally clean except for a missed single 7-pin in the 4th and I left a 7-10 split in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.68 pins
Strikes: 33% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 5 doubles and 16 singles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 82% (23/28)
Most common single-pin leaves: 3-pin (6x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (12/36)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 4-7 (9x).

Splits: 16% (2/12)

Average over 9 games: 170.44.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 176.44.

Was almost perfect on single-pin spares. And it's mainly the left side guys like the 4-pin and 7-pin that are giving me trouble lately. My left side system is based solely on lateral movement from my strike line. And that seemed to work well throwing the solid coverstock Rhythm. But I think with the Encounters...the more aggresssive core and less aggressive coverstock is being more affected by the midlane oil...causing the ball to either delay too long before hooking or it's hitting the dry and making too aggressive a move into the gutter. I may have to start using my spare ball for leaves on all sides. Something I may try tommorrow during league play and see how it goes.

I was able to "sort of" get my hand more under/behind the ball by focusing on snapping my wrist as soon as the thumb comes out. The "up"side of this was more power and carry...even if it wasn't a good pocket hit. The "down"side was inaccuracy. With that emphasis on "flipping" my hand once the thumb came out...I had trouble hitting my mark AND I would sometimes come over the top of the ball. And "adding hand" is counter to what Rob was trying to get me to work on...so I went back to the basics in Games 8 and 9 and really tried to slow things down even more. It led to late timing...but almost an "intentional late" timing. I didn't pull or push any shots...it was just much more controlled and focused and casual...and it allowed me to really make repeatable shots.

Hopefully the practice can carryover into some better scoring during league play.

[Aslan]

Thursday League: medium oil synthetics

534 Series: 211-152-171
Game 1 I actually felt like maybe things had FINALLY come together. My revised approach...focus on accuracy...slowing the feet down...it just felt like I finally "got it". After a washout in the 1st, I was clean the rest of the way; including a 4-bagger. Tied the guy on our team with a 209 average.

Game 2 I had some difficulties. Seemed like the ball wanted to start moving left. Was still pretty much clean except for 3 splits and a 3-6-9-10 that I couldn't convert. But, I was doing "okay"; just needed to get a "little" more angle and project the ball a bit more...keep from getting impossible splits.

Game 3 was actually the disappointment of the evening. Everything was going quite well, but I missed a single 7-pin in the 5th and a single 9-pin in the 7th and finished with a 4-9 split in the 10th. Splits I can't help...and I made the right adjustments to get rid of them. But single-pin spare misses are unacceptable.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.81 pins
Strikes: 40% (1 4-bagger, 1 double, 7 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (6/8)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin and 10-pin (2x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, nor 5-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (4/10)

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 178.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 185.33.

The only stat that was really improved was the strike rate. But it just goes to show you how much easier, more fun, and higher scoring bowling can be if you can throw 4 strikes a game versus 1-2 strikes per game. Met my goal of 525+, but not one clean game is disappointing.

I used the aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter up the outside line (10-board). I know most people wouldn't consider the 10-board (outside)...but I've moved my targets in from 7-9 to 9-10 for the outside shot and 10-11 to 11-13 for the middle shot since I've had some real trouble hitting light as of late. Playing my inside line at the 17-board (laying down about 18) also seemed "decent" in practice...but the outside line, on both lanes, was really the one that was working. The lesser drilled/surfaced Encounter up the middle was still not moving enough. Once I decided on the line, I employed the technique of throwing sequential shots just to the right of my line to give me a "cushion". Not sure if it worked...not sure if it didn't.

Still not sure if I'm gonna stick with using the Slingshot for left side leaves. I tried it this time and it's hard to say if it was preferable or not...because it was difficult to just switch to something like that overnight...I didn't really have my targeting set up. It was the first night I was more afraid of left side leaves than right side leaves. And it goes to show the "League of Extraordinary Plastic Spare Ballers"...it ISN'T that I don't use a plastic ball PER SE. The shots that missed...were essentially straight shots and I just didn't have a good shot that went straight.

It was a team victory...all 4 points! And with only 5 more weeks left in the season and us trailing the leaders by a point...we NEED to keep this momentum going. Next week we face a team of bowlers where 2 of them average <100 and 2 others average <120. BUT...they bring to the table 526 pins of handicap. Thats a helluva hole to dig out of!

[Amyers]

Pretty decent shooting been struggling with the spares myself a little and it's been left side spares for me too which I've been seeming to leave more of. I'm going to start using my euphoria for all my spares until I get my plastic the asylum is just too unpredictable when throwing across the oil. Good luck on ending your summer season both mine are finishing up and I'm 1 or 2 in both.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: WTBA Beijing Pattern

501 Series: 117-150-118-116
Game 1, lots of washouts and a few splits. But I figured I could make the adjustments. In game 2, better, but still had 4 washouts that I couldn't convert. Game 3 was more washouts, very little conversion. Same thing in game 4 except add a couple splits to the situation.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.91 pins
Strikes: 20% (1 double and 7 singles)
Spares: 24% picked up

Single Pin spares: 28% (2/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 3-pin (2x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 23% (6/26)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 and 1-2-4-8 (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/7)

Average over 4 games: 125.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 134.50.

Well, nothing like a new sport pattern to bring your self image back down to Earth. Online, it recommended playing very far to the outside…but with my low rev rate, the middle (11-board) line seemed to be working in practice so I started with the less aggressive Encounter up that line. But my problem wasn't that the ball was going left…it was that the ball wasn't going left enough.

The "pros" will probably see the results and say that it was a result of playing a line that had too little area to miss. Moving outside of the 5-board may have given me more room to miss and still strike.

What I see when comparing the stats between this series and last week…is that I had virtually an identical first ball average and identical strike rate. Yet I had abysmal spare shooting across the board and left more than double the splits. On sport patterns, spare shooting is key because you simply don't strike as much. Last week a 603 series and this week a 501 (4 games) and the only "statistical" difference was spare shooting.

So, "why" was the spare shooting bad?
1) The Slingshot wasn't as straight as usual due to the short pattern. Early on, it just seemed to have too much hook to it to play my usual semi-straight shot.
2) I am experimenting with using the Slingshot for ALL leaves, right and left. And so far, that experiment has been a bit of a struggle as I try and figure out how to target left side leaves.
3) Since the Slingshot wasn't reliable for right side leaves, and I didn't have my urethane with me, I decided for plan C which was to flatten my release. That DID allow me to throw it straight, but I have very little practice with that shot so it wasn't very successful.

Going to try and do this sport league again in the fall. And for the shorter patterns, I'm going to bring a urethane ball for spares. I STILL am going to try and work on using a spare ball for all leaves (left and right)…and further develop that system…but we'll see how it goes. It's really hurting my left side spare shooting right now.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low-medium oil synthetics

536 Series: 198 (clean)-194-144
Game 1 I didn't strike much but left easy spares so it was a good game. Game 2 I missed a couple single-pin spares but ran some strikes together. Game 3 splits killed me.

514 Series: 162-192-160
Game 4 was okay, but couldn't strike much and spare shooting wasn't perfect. Game 5 was clean except for a missed single 5-pin in the 8th. Game 6, more of the same; couldn't strike much and spare shooting was good but not perfect.

557 Series: 182-199 (clean)-176
Game 7 I got moved to a new lane and it took a couple frames to get used to the new lane…then I was clean until the 9th when I missed a single 10-pin…but struck out in the 10th to salvage a decent score. Game 8 started out well because I picked up a 5-10 split in the 1st and was clean. Didn't strike much though. Game 9 spare shooting was a bit off. I had a turkey so the score was okay, but it wasn't great.

452 Series: 159-137-156
Game 10 I was starting to get tired. Was also starting to get too far inside to keep throwing at the 11-board laying it down 18-16 boards. Not much room for error at that angle. Too much speed/loft or not enough hand…washout. Too much hand/too low a speed…crossed over and hit Brooklyn. I decided to move a shade right and ball down to the Rhythm in Game 11, but the same problem. Thought I'd give it one more and move my target in a bit for Game 12, but was having the same problems.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.60 pins
Strikes: 30% (3 turkeys, 5 doubles and 21 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (22/31)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 56% (31/55)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (9x).

Splits: 25% (3/12)

Average over 12 games: 171.58.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 179.25.

A little disappointed that the stats aren't better. I seemed to really be doing well early on. I worked on trying to stay lower. Also tweaked my spare targeting a bit because I really struggled with single 7-pins (50%). Since trying to pick up left side leaves with the Slingshot didn't work too well, I experienced with using the strike ball, but changing the right side lateral adjustments to 3-6-9 rather than 4-8-12. Not sure if thats gonna work better or not…we'll see.

Used the less aggressive Encounter most of the night, but balled down to the Rhythm. However, the more aggressive solid cover stock was more aggressive than I thought so I think I'm gonna adjust that arsenal a bit and maybe use the Slingshot for the middle line in practice…and if the lanes are too slick, ball UP to the Rhythm. I'll use the less aggressive Encounter as a ball DOWN. The Slingshot shouldn't be more aggressive than the Encounter…but for some reason it has some "kick" on the backend. So I'll give it a try.

Gotta get my average up though. I got a team that needs me to hopefully capture 1st place…and I got a very well-publicized battle with some high average bowlers getting closer and closer...

[bubba809]

Wow, I just went and bowled 5 games and was tired. I guess I could do 12 in my younger days.

[MICHAEL]

Sunday Sport League: WTBA Beijing Pattern

501 Series: 117-150-118-116
Game 1, lots of washouts and a few splits. But I figured I could make the adjustments. In game 2, better, but still had 4 washouts that I couldn't convert. Game 3 was more washouts, very little conversion. Same thing in game 4 except add a couple splits to the situation.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.91 pins
Strikes: 20% (1 double and 7 singles)
Spares: 24% picked up

Single Pin spares: 28% (2/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 3-pin (2x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 23% (6/26)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 and 1-2-4-8 (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/7)

Average over 4 games: 125.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 134.50.

Well, nothing like a new sport pattern to bring your self image back down to Earth. Online, it recommended playing very far to the outside…but with my low rev rate, the middle (11-board) line seemed to be working in practice so I started with the less aggressive Encounter up that line. But my problem wasn't that the ball was going left…it was that the ball wasn't going left enough.

The "pros" will probably see the results and say that it was a result of playing a line that had too little area to miss. Moving outside of the 5-board may have given me more room to miss and still strike.

What I see when comparing the stats between this series and last week…is that I had virtually an identical first ball average and identical strike rate. Yet I had abysmal spare shooting across the board and left more than double the splits. On sport patterns, spare shooting is key because you simply don't strike as much. Last week a 603 series and this week a 501 (4 games) and the only "statistical" difference was spare shooting.

So, "why" was the spare shooting bad?
1) The Slingshot wasn't as straight as usual due to the short pattern. Early on, it just seemed to have too much hook to it to play my usual semi-straight shot.
2) I am experimenting with using the Slingshot for ALL leaves, right and left. And so far, that experiment has been a bit of a struggle as I try and figure out how to target left side leaves.
3) Since the Slingshot wasn't reliable for right side leaves, and I didn't have my urethane with me, I decided for plan C which was to flatten my release. That DID allow me to throw it straight, but I have very little practice with that shot so it wasn't very successful.

Going to try and do this sport league again in the fall. And for the shorter patterns, I'm going to bring a urethane ball for spares. I STILL am going to try and work on using a spare ball for all leaves (left and right)…and further develop that system…but we'll see how it goes. It's really hurting my left side spare shooting right now.


COME ON Viva Las Vegas!
Old Broken Down, Beat up Iron Worker it READY to Rumble!
I wish I had a slingshot to shoot me there quicker!!

But wait Iceman,,, Aslan has fairy dust that he brings to bowl offs, that he purchased in San Francisco! Will Fairy Dust be allowed in this meeting in Vegas??????? I don't have, nor do I want to handle the stuff! Its like selling your soul to the devil!!

When you beat Mike White, I knew MAGIC was involved!!!!
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c47/nursnmom/Fairies/fairy-dust.gif (http://media.photobucket.com/user/nursnmom/media/Fairies/fairy-dust.gif.html)

[Amyers]

Monday Practice: low-medium oil synthetics

536 Series: 198 (clean)-194-144
Game 1 I didn't strike much but left easy spares so it was a good game. Game 2 I missed a couple single-pin spares but ran some strikes together. Game 3 splits killed me.

514 Series: 162-192-160
Game 4 was okay, but couldn't strike much and spare shooting wasn't perfect. Game 5 was clean except for a missed single 5-pin in the 8th. Game 6, more of the same; couldn't strike much and spare shooting was good but not perfect.

557 Series: 182-199 (clean)-176
Game 7 I got moved to a new lane and it took a couple frames to get used to the new lane…then I was clean until the 9th when I missed a single 10-pin…but struck out in the 10th to salvage a decent score. Game 8 started out well because I picked up a 5-10 split in the 1st and was clean. Didn't strike much though. Game 9 spare shooting was a bit off. I had a turkey so the score was okay, but it wasn't great.

452 Series: 159-137-156
Game 10 I was starting to get tired. Was also starting to get too far inside to keep throwing at the 11-board laying it down 18-16 boards. Not much room for error at that angle. Too much speed/loft or not enough hand…washout. Too much hand/too low a speed…crossed over and hit Brooklyn. I decided to move a shade right and ball down to the Rhythm in Game 11, but the same problem. Thought I'd give it one more and move my target in a bit for Game 12, but was having the same problems.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.60 pins
Strikes: 30% (3 turkeys, 5 doubles and 21 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (22/31)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 56% (31/55)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (9x).

Splits: 25% (3/12)

Average over 12 games: 171.58.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 179.25.

A little disappointed that the stats aren't better. I seemed to really be doing well early on. I worked on trying to stay lower. Also tweaked my spare targeting a bit because I really struggled with single 7-pins (50%). Since trying to pick up left side leaves with the Slingshot didn't work too well, I experienced with using the strike ball, but changing the right side lateral adjustments to 3-6-9 rather than 4-8-12. Not sure if thats gonna work better or not…we'll see.

Used the less aggressive Encounter most of the night, but balled down to the Rhythm. However, the more aggressive solid cover stock was more aggressive than I thought so I think I'm gonna adjust that arsenal a bit and maybe use the Slingshot for the middle line in practice…and if the lanes are too slick, ball UP to the Rhythm. I'll use the less aggressive Encounter as a ball DOWN. The Slingshot shouldn't be more aggressive than the Encounter…but for some reason it has some "kick" on the backend. So I'll give it a try.

Gotta get my average up though. I got a team that needs me to hopefully capture 1st place…and I got a very well-publicized battle with some high average bowlers getting closer and closer...

Well it looks like you got yourself back on track on the first three series anyway. Good bowling

[Aslan]

Thursday League: low-medium oil synthetics

458 Series: 127-175-156
Game 1 sucked **ll*. I couldn't strike and my spare shooting was the worst I've seen it in quite awhile. So that helped the team lose our first point in over a month.

Game 2 I still had trouble striking but put together a double in the 10th to salvage a 175. Still couldn't strike much, but the spare shooting was better.

Game 3 was more of the same. Couldn't strike. "Okay" on spare shooting…but ya need to be perfect if ya can't strike. :(

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.85 pins
Strikes: 20% (1 double, 5 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
Only left a single 5-pin (2x), 6-pin (2x), and 10-pin (1x).

Multiple Pin spares: 57% (11/19)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 152.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 158.67.

Just miserable.

The stats paint the picture. While the single pin spare shooting was slightly off; it was mainly that my first ball average was under 8 pins and I left nearly double the multiple-pin spares that I did last week. Multi-pin spares are not "gimmees" like single-pin spares. Ya can't just say, "should get a plastic ball". A plastic ball isn't any better at picking up a 1-2-4 than my strike ball is. The root of the problem is I'm striking far less than I should be and leaving spares that simply aren't very easy to convert.

Why was the spare shooting off? Well, for the 6-10, single-6, and single-10…I practice on lanes that are drier than league conditions and I use a resin ball and thus the line I'm comfortable using changes when the lanes are more slick. So, the first couple shots at those spares I tend to gutter because I'm expecting dry area on the outside that isn't there.

As for the other 12 spares (of 19)…it had nothing to do with my choice of spare ball. It was simply a combination of 1/3 bad shots and 2/3 spare leaves that have a higher difficulty to convert. I mean, am I "expected" to pick up a 1-2-8-10?? Whats the expected conversion rate of a 1-2-4 or a 1-2-4-7??

The other culprit was me trying to play my "C-Game". Yeah, thats right…guess who played the inside line tonight? Ya know, that line that supposedly makes you the best bowler ever and gets you away from all the losers playing the 2nd arrow. Yeah…standing left foot on 28, laying down about 18, targeting 17. Seemed to work nicely in practice…so I said, "what the heck…lets give it a try!" BIG mistake. That line sucks. Instead of my usual problem of the ball not quite making it back to the pocket and hitting light…I had the added fun and pleasure of the ball not only hitting light…but pretty much washing out or going brooklyn 8 out of 10 frames a game. :mad:

From the statistics, it's hard to say where the problem is. I'm always tempted to go back to my old ways of lofting that sucker 10-15 feet with some nice revs on it…about 20mph. But looking at the data…the new approach WAS working the first half of the spring/summer season…on WOOD lanes. The drop off seemed to be when things went to synthetics. Even though I've made adjustments and arsenal changes…and am getting to the pocket…I've lost my ability to hit the pocket in the optimal way. And I've lost the room for error that used to exist on wood lanes.

In summary, Mudpuppy cliff notes, bowling sucks and I don't like it and I think I might quit and take up something board games or water painting or meditation. I have bowled a whole season…and my average started at 165…and is now down to 167. WOW! What an improvement!! How ridiculous does my goal of 190 seem now!! I must have been drunk when I posted that.

Oh yeah…and insult to injury!!

1) Our team lost all 4 points and are now in 2nd or 3rd and probably not going win diddly squat in terms of a trophy.
2) My team is lame and after all my efforts trying to arrange for fall/winter season is probably just gonna fold due to lack of interest.
3) My old Friday night team is full…so I guess I gotta go back to Friday night and find a NEW team.
4) After winning in poker the first game of the season…I haven't won since…even though tonight I had 4 of a kind…because another guy had 5 of a kind!! (we use like 3-7 decks and there's like 15-20 people playing).

[bubba809]

Hang in there Aslan. That's why bowling is so great. Next week you could go throw a 600! Just shake it off and tell yourself it's only one night. And I really do commend you for taking the time to post all your stats and being upfront and honest.

[Amyers]

Well I understand the frustration I'm on the same boat. It seems like every time I feel like I figured something out some other problem comes up and set me right back to where I was. I really thought towards the end to middle of last month I made some real progress last two weeks I'm struggling with my release and my scores are right back where they were worst thing about it is I'm about to the point I'm not sure what right even is anymore. I throw one ball nicely hooks in the pocket strike, next one I get nothing on it weak or washout, next one I turn the d*** thing clear sideways.

I practiced three games yesterday evening and may have done a little better but still wasn't great. Best of all one of my fall leagues start tonight and I have the roll off in my summer league Saturday where I will be throwing against some top notch guys and would prefer not to embarrass myself.

I don't know hopefully we will eventually figure it out. As far as "expected" pickup rates for the 1-2-8-10 or 1-2-4-7 usually I just want to kick myself in the a** after missing it for leaving that crap to begin with.

Good Luck

[Aslan]

worst thing about it is I'm about to the point I'm not sure what right even is anymore. I throw one ball nicely hooks in the pocket strike, next one I get nothing on it weak or washout, next one I turn the d*** thing clear sideways.
I was in that boat last year. I took lessons, then went to clinics, then took lessons from someone else…not to mention all the varying advice here and elsewhere…and it seemed like one guy is telling me to stand up then a guy is saying bend over then I'm trying to rev up the ball then people are saying not to rev the ball…it got so bad at the end of last season…that I could barely make it to the foul line without tripping because I was thinking of like seven different things during the approach and would forget to think about how to actually "walk".


As far as "expected" pickup rates for the 1-2-8-10 or 1-2-4-7 usually I just want to kick myself in the a** after missing it for leaving that crap to begin with.
EXACTLY! One of the ways the pros make it look SO easy is they strike 6 or 7 times and only need to pick up a few spares per game…and those spares are "usually" single-pins or a couple easy ones. You don't see pros leave 10 straight spares where 3/4 of them are various multi-pin variety. I've left the 1-2-4 '143' times. Thats almost as often as I've left the single 7-pin. I've left the 1-2-4-10 '49' times. Now, the 1-2-4-10 is not a "split"…but I pick it up 33% less than I pick up the 3-10 baby split.

I'm not asking to throw 9 strikes a game…I'd settle at this point for throwing 4 strikes a game and leaving 5 single-pin spares and 1 multi-pin spare. THEN…IF I DO MISS…at least I know it's because I need to improve my spare shooting and/or get a plastic ball or something along those lines. Not picking up a 1-2-4-7 doesn't tell me ANYTHING other than I'm SUCH a cra**y bowler that I leave a 1-2-4-7.

The only miracle last night was…only ONE split!! Playing that inside line…I'd expect a LOT through the head…and that really didn't happen. It still tended to hit light. I'm just sick of the broken record…"light hit, adjust, light hit, adjust, brooklyn, adjust….light hit, adjust, light hit, adjust, brooklyn, adjust…" over and over and over all night long.

I keep thinking back to that 256 series…how did I DO that?? Am I mentally in a worse place? Did I tweak something I shouldn't have tweaked? Is it something simple like slowing down even MORE and getting even LOWER? Is this whole thing release oriented? Is the oil pattern more extreme than just a moderate oil THS? Does my entire approach/game need to completely be re-invented?? Who knows??

[Amyers]

Well my league for Friday was still putting some teams together so they've decided to wait until the Friday after Labor Day. So at least I got some practice time in today threw three games weren't score monster 158-176-182 at least the ball was mostly going where I intended.

I tried slowing down on the approach but the reason for that was to try and correct for my late timing but it doesn't help I just hold the ball longer before starting my swing so I'm currently trying to do away with the push out all together and go more with a hinge type start good thing with it seems to help my ball speed bad thing is I feel like I'm about to take flight but maybe that's just because I'm so used to the later timing. I'm pretty sure it against the laws of physics for something my size to leave the ground anyway especially toting a 15 pound anchor.

The other thing is trying to grip more with the fingers and not with the thumb. I've come to the realization that I just can't grip the ball the way I have been an be successful. Here's hoping it works my roll off is tomorrow so at least I made the top two so I'm already in the finals. I don't have to win to feel good but I need to at least show up and make some noise.

Good luck and stick with it hopefully Rob can help you some while your in Vegas. I know how frustrating it can be not being sure exactly what's wrong and the getting the advice to fix it that actually works for you.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Aslan, I know i have mentioned this before but why don't you just stay out as long as possible. With your rev rate and the ball speed you currently have along with several ball options you should be able to stay outside of 10 all night. That outside angle is your friend. Good luck with your game, hang in there it will improve.

[Aslan]

Aslan, I know i have mentioned this before but why don't you just stay out as long as possible. With your rev rate and the ball speed you currently have along with several ball options you should be able to stay outside of 10 all night. That outside angle is your friend. Good luck with your game, hang in there it will improve.

Normally…like 92%…I agree with you.

When I was scoring well…even after synthetics were installed…I was using the solid coverstock, symmetric core Hammer Rhythm (similar to an Arson) up the 6-8 board. "Generally" it would make it into the pocket and if it didn't…at least leave me rather make-able spares.

However, more recently…and especially as you get towards the center of the alley where the oil doesn't dry up as fast…it seems like there's been MORE oil on the lanes…and that shot was just not making it back without hitting light. And that was leaving spare after spare after spare.

I decided, it was time to expand my arsenal and get a ball with a stronger, asymmetric core. I got a pearl to hopefully get it to go longer before snapping into the pocket since I anticipated staying outside. And I had an identical ball drilled and surfaced more aggressively hoping it could expand my repertoire and maybe I could play an inside line more effectively.

Well, after extensive testing….the results were…at my rev rate…the ball doesn't matter much. All of the various balls tended to follow the same paths. And I was STILL consistently coming in light from the outside (6-8 boards) and even the middle (10-12 boards).

So, I knew that eventually I'd NEED to develop an inside game. I figured it'd probably be AFTER working on my release…but in the meantime I'd be "open" to the idea. Rob, my celebrity coach to the stars, swears by the inside line…and he's not a big rev guy either…so IF it's working in practice…I give it a try.

Now…it RARELY works in practice. Usually the ball just careens off into the 6-pin. Then I decided between which line (middle or outside) I'm gonna play. But Thursday night…for some reason….maybe because we were closer to the door or they oiled the lanes earlier…who knows…the inside line seemed to be working. So, I gave it a shot.

The key for me RIGHT NOW…is I'm willing to try that line….but NOT if I have to add revs to play it. Rob doesn't want me to "try" and make the ball hook. Also, if I "try" to make the ball hook…I tend to "toss" it like a horseshoe rather than "roll" it. So, I'll only try the inside line if my normal release can get the ball back into the pocket. And in order for that to happen…I've had to get more "realistic" with what an "inside" line is. I can't stand 35 and lay the ball down 25 targeting 15. I don't have Rhino Page's rev rate…so I gotta stop playing his line. For ME…"inside" is more of an "up the middle" shot where I'm simply throwing at the 17-20 boards…from a "little" left…and letting the ball go up the middle….out to the friction…then slightly back into the pocket.

[Aslan]

Thursday Pre-League Practice: low oil synthetics

135-160
Threw a couple games before league play. Game 1 spare shooting was horrible. Game 2 things got much better but I was still consistently coming in light and sometimes right of the headpin.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.50 pins
Strikes: 22% (5 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 7-pin (2x each).
Also left a single 3-pin and 5-pin (1x each)

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (4/10)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 2 games: 147.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 156.50.

Sunday Morning Practice: low oil synthetics

206-128
Took the daughter and a couple of her friends bowling in the mid-morning. My outside shot seemed to be working well. Game 1 was clean except for a chopped 1-3-6-9 in the 5th. Game 2 wasn't as bad as the score indicates. I had splits in the 1st and 3rd frames and in the 2nd frame I was teaching the kids so I wasn't worried about the pins that frame. And I missed a couple single pins..then missed a 6-10…but probably would at "least" chopped if the bumpers weren't up. It's hard for me to pick up 10s and 6-10s with the bumpers up since I hug that 1-2 board.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.18 pins
Strikes: 40% (1 turkey and 6 singles)
Spares: 38% picked up

Single Pin spares: 25% (1/4)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (2x).
Also left a single 7-pin and 9-pin (1x each)

Multiple Pin spares: 44% (4/9)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: n/a (all 9 1x).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 2 games: 167.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.50.

Didn't have much time to really concentrate and 'practice'. But my main focus here and tomorrow during practice will be on timing and staying low. I feel like I've made some progress slowing down my footwork and staying low when I release…but in the process I've lost my timing a bit. So now I gotta bring it all together…footwork, low release, AND timing and see if that brings things to where they need to be.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: dry-low oil synthetics

428 Series: 125-154-149
Games 1 and 2 were miserable. The lanes were very dry. I switched from the outside to the middle line for Game 3 and actually only had 3 open frames, but I didn't throw ONE strike!

499 Series: 215 (clean)-157-127
Game 4 I switched from the Slingshot to the Frantic and it went pretty well. But, by the end of the game, it was obvious that I needed to move right and ball up…so I switched to the less aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter. Game 5 was better than the score indicates…I only had 3 open frames and they were all splits. Game 6 was more of the same but with worse spare shooting.

486 Series: 163-146-177
Game 7 I moved a little right and started throwing the Rhythm but still had huge problems with the ball going left. 4 splits and I only picked up one. Game 8 more of the same. Game 9 I moved right again and started throwing the more aggressive Encounter. But it was erratic and the spare shooting was bad.

429 Series: 151-143-135
Game 10 was more of the same. Finally, since things were just not going well and the lanes were just excessively dry…I figured I'd try the inside line. I used the Frantic…but…despite the dryness of the lanes…I still couldn't get the ball to come back into the pocket consistently. If I had more games, I could have balled up the the more aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter…but by game 11 I was physically and mentally "done".

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.31 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey, 8 doubles and 15 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 74% (20/27)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 32% (21/64)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 8% (2/24)

Average over 12 games: 153.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 158.75.

A very disappointing night. I used to love drier lanes; but with my lower speed now, I just can't play them anymore. I was tempted to, and even threw some higher loft balls and it worked "okay"…but it wasn't accurate nor consistent.

I was surprised that single-pin spare shooting was as good as it was. Especially near the end, I had real problems keeping the ball from bouncing left off the dry area. I started just using the strike ball with a flattened wrist…but that wasn't working either…it takes some time to get that shot dialed in.

I am still trying to work on slowing things down, getting lower, and staying focused. If I can get a consistent line to the pocket, I'd like to start watching the ball through the pins to start getting a better idea of whats happening. The only 'good' news is league play will be on slicker conditions as will Vegas so maybe I still have a chance at bowling well when it matters.

[Amyers]

Who would have thought Aslan wishing for more oil.

[Aslan]

Thursday Post Lesson Practice: low-oil synthetics

474 Series: 152-129-193
Game 1 was okay. Game 2 I couldn't seem to make spares. Game 3 was clean except for a missed 1-5 in the 4th and a 1-2-4-10 washout in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.68 pins
Strikes: 41% (1 turkey and 10 singles)
Spares: 33% picked up

Single Pin spares: 20% (1/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 2-pin and 7-pin (1x each)

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (5/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 158.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.67.

Had a lesson this afternoon with a silver level coach. Worked on getting my thumb out of the ball in a cleaner fashion. It was difficult but interesting.

Thursday League Night: moderate-low oil synthetics

436 Series: 158-147-131
Game 1 I actually only had two opens and one was a 4-7-10 split. Went 3 for 3 on single-pin spares. Game 2 was much worse. Left 2 single-pin spares and missed one of them. Missed all 4 of the multi-pin spares; a 4-5 split and a 1-2-4-10 washout amongst them. And game 3 was just horrible. Only left a single-pin spare once (made it). Five open frames. Only made 2 multi-pin spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.00 pins
Strikes: 28% (1 double, 7 singles)
Spares: 43% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, and 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 25% (4/16)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-5 split and 4-7-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 145.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.33.

Well, worst series of the season. Average now only 1-pin higher than it was at the end of Fall/Winter.

The day started off early (5:00AM) so I might have been tired. It's also been a rough day emotionally due to some disagreements with a friend (now former friend). I was really excited about my lesson. And it was interesting to get a totally different perspective on my game. Normally I wouldn't incorporate a new concept into my league performance, but this was a relatively simple change and it seemed to be working in post lesson practice…so I did.

So…long story long…I'm now in a bit of a pickle. Our team was once happy and fun…1 point out of first place…trophy in sight. Now, we're somewhere in the top 2-4…and likely not in contention for first place. And the team isn't having as much fun now that they are bowling poorly. One guy bowled a sub-70 tonight. And we just don't have the interest to field a team for Fall/Winter so looks like I'll have to join a random team, probably back in my old Friday league. I was looking forward to Sweeps in Laughlin, but now it just seems like a long way to drive to get out ***es kicked.

I was excited about the new sport league season starting next weekend…but now with this whole "disagreement"…that team is probably not gonna happen…so I'll have to just go solo and try to find a person or a team that needs a person or something. I was also excited about the Vegas challenge…but at this point…whats the point?? I'm struggling to bowl in the 150s-160s and I'm in a scratch tournament against 4 200+ average bowlers?? Seems pretty stupid wouldn't ya say???

Oh well. Maybe it was just a rough day. Maybe I was tired from being up for 12.5 hours before league started. Maybe I just wasn't "mentally sharp" for tonight. A lot of this game is mental so maybe...

[Amyers]

Thursday Post Lesson Practice: low-oil synthetics

474 Series: 152-129-193
Game 1 was okay. Game 2 I couldn't seem to make spares. Game 3 was clean except for a missed 1-5 in the 4th and a 1-2-4-10 washout in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.68 pins
Strikes: 41% (1 turkey and 10 singles)
Spares: 33% picked up

Single Pin spares: 20% (1/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x).
Also left a single 2-pin and 7-pin (1x each)

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (5/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 158.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.67.

Had a lesson this afternoon with a silver level coach. Worked on getting my thumb out of the ball in a cleaner fashion. It was difficult but interesting.

Thursday League Night: moderate-low oil synthetics

436 Series: 158-147-131
Game 1 I actually only had two opens and one was a 4-7-10 split. Went 3 for 3 on single-pin spares. Game 2 was much worse. Left 2 single-pin spares and missed one of them. Missed all 4 of the multi-pin spares; a 4-5 split and a 1-2-4-10 washout amongst them. And game 3 was just horrible. Only left a single-pin spare once (made it). Five open frames. Only made 2 multi-pin spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.00 pins
Strikes: 28% (1 double, 7 singles)
Spares: 43% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, and 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 25% (4/16)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-5 split and 4-7-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 145.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.33.

Well, worst series of the season. Average now only 1-pin higher than it was at the end of Fall/Winter.

The day started off early (5:00AM) so I might have been tired. It's also been a rough day emotionally due to some disagreements with a friend (now former friend). I was really excited about my lesson. And it was interesting to get a totally different perspective on my game. Normally I wouldn't incorporate a new concept into my league performance, but this was a relatively simple change and it seemed to be working in post lesson practice…so I did.

So…long story long…I'm now in a bit of a pickle. Our team was once happy and fun…1 point out of first place…trophy in sight. Now, we're somewhere in the top 2-4…and likely not in contention for first place. And the team isn't having as much fun now that they are bowling poorly. One guy bowled a sub-70 tonight. And we just don't have the interest to field a team for Fall/Winter so looks like I'll have to join a random team, probably back in my old Friday league. I was looking forward to Sweeps in Laughlin, but now it just seems like a long way to drive to get out ***es kicked.

I was excited about the new sport league season starting next weekend…but now with this whole "disagreement"…that team is probably not gonna happen…so I'll have to just go solo and try to find a person or a team that needs a person or something. I was also excited about the Vegas challenge…but at this point…whats the point?? I'm struggling to bowl in the 150s-160s and I'm in a scratch tournament against 4 200+ average bowlers?? Seems pretty stupid wouldn't ya say???

Oh well. Maybe it was just a rough day. Maybe I was tired from being up for 12.5 hours before league started. Maybe I just wasn't "mentally sharp" for tonight. A lot of this game is mental so maybe...


Being tired can definitely take a toll on you. You've been in a bit of a slump for a couple of weeks now I go through periods like that myself just had one a couple of weeks ago seems like nothing is right and your not sure what right even is anymore. Best I can tell you I have had quite a few of those periods and usually the light bulb goes off and I change something usually something small and it comes back most of the time better than before. So keep your head up keep working you'll get through it and yes I know its easier to say that from the outside looking in.

[RobLV1]

I also took a lesson last Friday, just before bowling in position round. I bowled horribly. The next day in competitive practice with friends I bowled horribly. The next day in post games, things started getting better. I didn't bowl Monday, and on Tuesday night I bowled really well in sweeps coming in fourth in Men's Singles in a 22 team league, first in Men's Doubles, and my team came in first in Team Sweeps. My point is that it takes a while to assimilate what we learn in a lesson. Many bowlers are looking for a magical quick fix that will immediately transform their game. It doesn't exist. It takes practice to get it right, and make it work for you.

As for your team, the beginning of a new season is often a tough time for bowlers as old relationships fade and new teammates emerge out of necessity. For me, this season has already seen one league that I was intending to bowl (Travel League) where two of our players didn't show up, so the other one filled a spot on another team, and I decided not to bowl in the league at all. Another league is a four man scratch league where several PBA Tour bowlers and Team USA members bowl that I have long wanted to bowl in, but it's in a house where I have never bowled league, so I'm doing a lot of practice there and lugging in numerous bowling balls to see what works. Wednesday and Thursday I'm bowling in leagues where I bowled the last couple of years, but I am bowling with a new doubles partner, and two new trios partners. The only team that is the same as it was this summer is on Fridays, but it's at a different bowling center. My point is that this time of year is often pretty chaotic, but it usually works out pretty well once the dust settles. I count myself to be in much better shape than my friend who is returning to the trios league with the same team that has been together for the past eight years. They are no longer competitive and he knows it, but he doesn't want to hurt their feelings by moving to a different team. Personally, I think you and I are in a much better situation at the start of the year.

[Aslan]

@Amyers- Thanks for the encouragement man. This sub-500 nonsense is getting real old real fast though. I was really looking forward to bowling the sport league with MWhite on Sundays…but after the recent issues with the one friend and with my bowling game being what it is…I mean, it's a SCRATCH league. Now yes, I did "okay" at the end of last season. I even won a couple side pots and a bracket (both handicap). But an open spot gets a 180 average…and I'll be lucky to hit 180 2-4 times during the season. I'm a detriment to whatever team is willing to take me at this point.


I also took a lesson last Friday...My point is that it takes a while to assimilate what we learn in a lesson. Many bowlers are looking for a magical quick fix that will immediately transform their game. It doesn't exist. It takes practice to get it right, and make it work for you.
Absolutely Rob. Thats why I usually don't incorporate ANY new things into my league play until I had time to practice it. Even after working with you in Vegas, I didn't use those teachings during sweeps that next day…because I hadn't had enough time to practice what I learned. It just seemed that with this ONE change…very specific, and sort of small…that I'd be able to quickly assimilate it into my game. But, no. The problem with getting my thumb out faster and cleaner…is I tend to drop the ball once in awhile. I had to do a LOT of tape work on my thumb holes to get this new release to work properly. As much as I don't "want" to…I may even have to have the thumb holes plugged and re-drilled smaller. Hard to bowl well when each shot you're going back and stuffing more tape in the holes. : (


As for your team,...My point is that this time of year is often pretty chaotic, but it usually works out pretty well once the dust settles...Personally, I think you and I are in a much better situation at the start of the year.
It's just disappointing because at the start of the year, I had 5 regulars and 2 subs. The team was having so much fun and was generating such "buzz" around the workplace…that our vice president actually showed up to watch us bowl once or twice. And we actually gained two more subs over the course of the season.

We had 5 guys all buy new balls. 4 guys all got new shoes. A couple got new bags. One took a lesson. Another was online researching bowling techniques. Not to mention, we were almost unbeatable. We've only lost all 4 points twice the entire season. Most nights we easily took all 4. We have the team handicap records for high score and high series and have held them most of the season.

But…one of the subs has other leagues in the Fall/Winter. Another sub is a former 5-7 time 300-game bowler who tried to come back this season…but his knees drove him away to begin with and are still just very unmanageable. And I know he's struggled being such a good bowler in the past and now bowling in the 150s. And the other main sub is only interesting in being a sub…one of those very non-committal types. Of our regulars, there are 2 guys plus me interested in continuing..but both want to stay at the current center. However, one of them is taking a college course on Wednesdays, the only time a 4-person team is available. The other regular only started bowling because he was getting divorced and figured he'd have tons of lonely free time…but got himself a girlfriend relatively quickly so now bowling is more of a time burden…not to mention he throws in the 70-110 range. The other regular likes it…but he was only interested in staying a regular if we switched to a center closer to him since he's the only one that has to drive a ways. I've tried to find other people at work, but no interest. I've tried to find females from work…to give us more mixed league options…no success. And just when I need our guys to be motivated and having fun and deciding they definitely want to bowl again next season…our team is completely floundering losing 7 of 8 points over the last 2 weeks and watching 1st place all but slip away. They "say" they're still having fun…but you can see it in their faces (and I'm sure mine) that this "losing c**p" is NOT fun.

I miss my old friday team. We had fun, we were competitive, the league was made up of teams that were less annoying..I think I'll go back to Fridays…of course, now I have to find a different team because my old team is full. I don't "mind" joining a new team…and Rob, you could very well be right..it's just when you get "placed" on a team…it's a c**P shoot. You could find a team and think, "God…I LOVE this team!!" Or…you could get 7 weeks in and dread league night because your team is a bunch of jerks or complainers or cheaters or whatever.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Aslan, You should get one of the switch grip systems for your thumb. I resisted that for years and finally did it 2 years ago and it made a huge difference in my game. Once you get a thumb slug or 2 that feel good you don't have to worry about the grip feeling different. Just have them large enough so 2-4 pieces of tape is the max on your thumb size and then you can adjust and not have to worry about adjusting each ball. Just a suggestion.

[Aslan]

@ftlob- Thats a great idea. I think if I end up getting them plugged, I might do that.

This thumb issue has been an ongoing problem.

My first ball- The thumb hole felt too tight so I tried to have it enlarged. But the ball driller claimed it was because I was gripping it too tightly. Finally he agreed to widen it a small bit and it seemed fine.

Then I had MWhite drill up the Rhythm and the thumb seemed fine.

Then he drilled the Slingshot tri-grip and made the thumb hole bigger…and thats when it started to be too loose so I was using 3-6 pieces of tape.

Then MWhite drilled the two Encounters, the thumbhole was drilled a little larger, again the thumb hole seemed too big and I needed to use tape.

Now, it wasn't MWhite's fault because each time he did a great job of fitting me…and the thumbhole size chosen seemed like a good fit.

But I think I was pinching during the fitting. And to MWhite's credit, he diagnosed my pinching problem before the coach ever did. Even the first guy I had drill my first ball was probably correct that the hole size was fine and it was just me "gripping/pinching".

It's weird. It made me think about an article I recently read in "Bowling This Month". And I started thinking about "why" I listened to this coach and NOT the first coach. And what it came to is; that first coach was a 200+ average bowler…but I didn't see him at the same level of a PBA pro. So while I listened to him and tried to do what he taught me…it was easy to give up on his recommendations and just say to my self; "Oh well. That guy doesn't really know what he's talking about." Yet with the PBA pro coach…no matter what they say, you're thinking, "Yes! I HAVE to do this. This is coming from a truly elite bowler." Like when I go to the Saturday clinic and get advice from Barry Asher, or Mark Baker, or John Gaines. No matter what they tell you…you feel like you MUST listen to them.

But it's more than that. With that first coach…I felt like he was trying to make me and everyone else he coached a replica of him. It felt like he didn't care what was best for me…he was only interested in getting me to do what HE does. The new coach looked at my game…and took ONE thing…ONE thing that stood out…and offered advice on how to fix it. THAT is powerful coaching…because;

1) It's coming from someone with "street cred"…somebody who's been at the top of the mountain. If a person climbs Mt. Everest…and then offers you a tip on mountain climbing…you TAKE it. And if you later take a community class on mountain climbing and the instructor counters that advice…you're less likely to change your mind because you know that instructor has never climbed Mt. Everest. May be a GREAT teacher…but those that can do, those that can't teach right?? Whether you agree or disagree (and I actually sort of disagree to some extent because I think there is an art to teaching)…it's prevalent with many people either consciously or sub-consciously.

2) There was good back and forth. I don't think you can be a truly effective teacher if you aren't willing to listen at least 10% of a lesson. It's hard sometimes when you're at a high level and the student seems to be arguing or resisting. But in that 10% you spend listening…sometimes you can learn a great deal about what you should be teaching, how to teach it, and what might actually "stick" or won't "stick".

Thats my take anyways.

E.T.A.: Realize that I credited the new coach with working on just ONE thing yet with Rob he had multiple suggestions. Realize with Rob, the lesson was a 1-2x per year thing…so he had to give me many things to work on. If he lived closer, and I was getting 2 lessons a month…I can assure you (since he specifically stated it) there wouldn't have been a page of 4-9 things to work on before the next lesson.

[MICHAEL]

@ftlob- Thats a great idea. I think if I end up getting them plugged, I might do that.

YOU better do something Quick,,,, sept 24th is not far off!!!

[Mike White]

@ftlob- Thats a great idea. I think if I end up getting them plugged, I might do that.

You don't need to plug the ball to convert to a Vise It, as long as the thumb isn't drilled extra deep.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Obviously, if someone made a change like that you wouldn't do every ball you had until you knew it worked for you.

[Aslan]

Sunday Morning Practice: low-oil synthetics

505 Series: 154-177-174
Game 2 and Game 3 were "okay". Both games were 1 frame away from being clean. In game 2 I chopped a 2-4-10 split in the 5th. In game 3 it was it was a chopped 1-2-4-10 washout in the 7th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey and 5 singles)
Spares: 69% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (7/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 168.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.67.

Wasn't happy with how things went on Thursday so I really wanted to get some more practice in.

On the one hand, I'm always happy when I'm close to bowling clean games and when my single-pin spare shooting is 80% or higher.

On the other hand, my hope is with this new release I would get more power, naturally, yet my strike rate remained low. 2 games, 2 frames from being clean, yet I struck a total of 5 times. Thats 5 strikes, 13 spares, a split, and a washout. Hard to raise my average into the 190s if I'm throwing the ball 18 times per game.

[MICHAEL]

Sunday Morning Practice: low-oil synthetics

505 Series: 154-177-174
Game 2 and Game 3 were "okay". Both games were 1 frame away from being clean. In game 2 I chopped a 2-4-10 split in the 5th. In game 3 it was it was a chopped 1-2-4-10 washout in the 7th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey and 5 singles)
Spares: 69% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (7/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 168.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.67.

Wasn't happy with how things went on Thursday so I really wanted to get some more practice in.

On the one hand, I'm always happy when I'm close to bowling clean games and when my single-pin spare shooting is 80% or higher.

On the other hand, my hope is with this new release I would get more power, naturally, yet my strike rate remained low. 2 games, 2 frames from being clean, yet I struck a total of 5 times. Thats 5 strikes, 13 spares, a split, and a washout. Hard to raise my average into the 190s if I'm throwing the ball 18 times per game.

yes, Iceman has been going DOWN HILL here lately,,,, had a 3 game practice yesterday, and averaged 167.22! Vegas has us at EVEN NOW!!

I ask the local Pro Shop guy to come watch me bowl, wanted to know what's going on with my game!!! He said after watching, Ice,,,, your just getting old and you game is going to hell! Wow,,, what a time to be getting old!!!!

He said, after watching me for 30 seconds or so,,, and seeing you on line, the odds are even at best!!

I found out yesterday, he put some big bucks on you Aslan with his bookie!!! Iceman the underdog!!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/underdog_zpsefbe8d6e.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/underdog_zpsefbe8d6e.jpg.html)

[Aslan]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

446 Series: 161-143-142
Game 1 lots of spares. Only 2 opens and both were tough multi-pin leaves/splits. More of the same in Game 2 except it was 4 tough leaves instead of 2. Same in game 3 except add in 2 make-able single-pin spares to add insult to injury.

389 Series: 115-149-125
Game 4 I had 5 frames where I hit 8 pins and left 2..but chopped them. 2 were splits, but still...unacceptable. Game 5 was more of the same except I had 4 splits. I picked up the two baby splits at least. Game 6 was more of the same. Leave 2-3 pins and chop them.

526 Series: 199-144-183
Game 7 was my best game of the night. Only 1 open frame in the 5th when I left a 1-2-8-9 washout that I chopped. Broke up what would have been a 5-bagger into 2 doubles. Game 8 more splits and a couple single-pin misses. Game 9 I was a chopped 6-10 and a 7-8 split away from a clean game.


444 Series: 160-158-126
Game 10 and 11 were more of the same. Multi-pin spare leaves and chopping with some single-pin misses thrown in the mix. Game 12 I was sort of mentally and physically "done" so 3 splits and only 1 strike and the miserable night was over.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.28 pins
Strikes: 23% (5 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 68% (20/29)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (26/67)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (14x).

Splits: 15% (3/19)

Average over 12 games: 150.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 157.42.

Spent much of the night working on getting my thumb cleanly out of the ball while also trying to keep working on slowing the approach down and getting lower. Played most of the night up the outside (6-7 boards) with the less aggressive Encounter. Changed to the Rhythm in games 11 and 12 but it was biting like a madman.

Quite disappointed in the scores/stats. It seemed like I was making some quick progress post-lesson and it was not only helping my swing/release, but also my spare shooting. Then I come out and just can't seem to find a consistent shot into the pocket. Afterwards, I figured I might want to look at my timing. I was spending so much effort concentrating on the approach and release, I think my timing was varying...and that would explain the inconsistent results.

I want to start hitting the pocket consistently so I can get to the next level of actually watching the ball hit the pins. I'm suspicious that my striking problem isn't what I thought it was. I thought it was coming in light...not getting back to the pocket. There is some evidence to support that..which would suggest the ball is deflecting a bit right and thats how I end up with single 10-pins and 6-10s so often.

However, as I tried to watch the ball make contact with the pins...I noticed that it might be an "angle" issue. If instead of hitting the pocket more"straight" and exiting through the middle of the 8-9...you are going in too angular and hitting the 8-pin more directly...that could explain why I never leave 8-pins...rarely leave 5-pins and also can explain the 6-10s and single 10s as well as the occasional 7-pin I tend to leave. I might be coming in the "back" of the headpin also explaining the 1-2 and 1-2-4 leaves.

So could the answer be "more speed" rather than "less speed"? Is my new lower speed approach causing the ball to go too far out and behind the 1-pin? Versus a more straight shot, higher speed, that makes a slight break at the end and hits the pocket more flush?? Something to think about.

[Mike White]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

446 Series: 161-143-142
Game 1 lots of spares. Only 2 opens and both were tough multi-pin leaves/splits. More of the same in Game 2 except it was 4 tough leaves instead of 2. Same in game 3 except add in 2 make-able single-pin spares to add insult to injury.

389 Series: 115-149-125
Game 4 I had 5 frames where I hit 8 pins and left 2..but chopped them. 2 were splits, but still...unacceptable. Game 5 was more of the same except I had 4 splits. I picked up the two baby splits at least. Game 6 was more of the same. Leave 2-3 pins and chop them.

526 Series: 199-144-183
Game 7 was my best game of the night. Only 1 open frame in the 5th when I left a 1-2-8-9 washout that I chopped. Broke up what would have been a 5-bagger into 2 doubles. Game 8 more splits and a couple single-pin misses. Game 9 I was a chopped 6-10 and a 7-8 split away from a clean game.


444 Series: 160-158-126
Game 10 and 11 were more of the same. Multi-pin spare leaves and chopping with some single-pin misses thrown in the mix. Game 12 I was sort of mentally and physically "done" so 3 splits and only 1 strike and the miserable night was over.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.28 pins
Strikes: 23% (5 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 68% (20/29)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (26/67)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (14x).

Splits: 15% (3/19)

Average over 12 games: 150.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 157.42.

Spent much of the night working on getting my thumb cleanly out of the ball while also trying to keep working on slowing the approach down and getting lower. Played most of the night up the outside (6-7 boards) with the less aggressive Encounter. Changed to the Rhythm in games 11 and 12 but it was biting like a madman.

Quite disappointed in the scores/stats. It seemed like I was making some quick progress post-lesson and it was not only helping my swing/release, but also my spare shooting. Then I come out and just can't seem to find a consistent shot into the pocket. Afterwards, I figured I might want to look at my timing. I was spending so much effort concentrating on the approach and release, I think my timing was varying...and that would explain the inconsistent results.

I want to start hitting the pocket consistently so I can get to the next level of actually watching the ball hit the pins. I'm suspicious that my striking problem isn't what I thought it was. I thought it was coming in light...not getting back to the pocket. There is some evidence to support that..which would suggest the ball is deflecting a bit right and thats how I end up with single 10-pins and 6-10s so often.

However, as I tried to watch the ball make contact with the pins...I noticed that it might be an "angle" issue. If instead of hitting the pocket more"straight" and exiting through the middle of the 8-9...you are going in too angular and hitting the 8-pin more directly...that could explain why I never leave 8-pins...rarely leave 5-pins and also can explain the 6-10s and single 10s as well as the occasional 7-pin I tend to leave. I might be coming in the "back" of the headpin also explaining the 1-2 and 1-2-4 leaves.

So could the answer be "more speed" rather than "less speed"? Is my new lower speed approach causing the ball to go too far out and behind the 1-pin? Versus a more straight shot, higher speed, that makes a slight break at the end and hits the pocket more flush?? Something to think about.

If you're 6-10 leaves are due to deflection, you may be the only person on the planet with that problem.

Most 6-10 leaves are caused by hitting too high on the headpin and almost chopping the headpin off the 3 pin.

The 3 pin lays in the right gutter.

You can also leave 6-10's on weak brooklyn shots.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

441 Series: 123-154-164
Some really bad spare shooting in Game 1 and Game 2 but I managed to strike a bit in Game 2. In game 3 things started coming around and I only opened in the 1st frame (2-5-8) and 10th frame (5-6 split).

502 Series: 174-194-134
More of the same in Game 4 with only 2 opens; a missed single 7-pin in the 3rd and a 5-10 split in the 6th. Game 5 I was clean except for a missed single 10-pin in the 6th and a washout in the 7th but I managed to strike a bit. Game 6 I started having a real problem with splits. 4 splits in 8 frames...and only 1 strike through 10.

487 Series: 158-158-171
Game 7 and 8 were more of the same. 4 splits in Game 7 and only a couple strikes. Then 2 splits and 3 strikes in Game 8. Spare shooting was good, but too many splits and no running of strikes together. Game 9 I got only 1 split but missed a couple multi-pin spares. Fortunately I struck out in the 10th to salvage a decent score.

192-225
I had time for another game or two and changed up my technique a bit. First game I was clean except for a missed single 7-pin in the 2nd frame. And I struck a fair amount. I hurried up to do another game to see if this new technique was "just a fluke" and unfortunately started by missing a single 4-pin in the 1st frame. Then 5 strikes over the next 6 frames and then struck out in the 10th.

Since my shots were varying so much and one minute hitting right and the next minute leaving me splits...I moved a little right and started lofting the ball about 15ft. NOT my old loft where it goes up and then down. This is more of a "projection" further down the lane. There was an interesting article in "Bowling This Month" recently talking about different types of "loft" and how it is used by different pro players to get different reactions. Much of the content on there is pretty "advanced" so I only can hope that I interpret it the right way. But he seemed to be making the point that what is often missing in a mid-level player's game is the ability to make adjustments that DON'T involve lateral movement OR a ball change. In other words, "loft". And all loft is not the same. My OLD style of loft would be considered a "bounce loft" or a "steep loft" or an "arc loft". I was very straight up and down at the foul line and the ball would take a path as if it was being thrown "over" a barricade in front of me. The "loft" I use now is much more "straight"; more like trying to throw a frisbee...straighter...but further out.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.40 pins
Strikes: 31% (1 4-bagger, 4 turkeys, 3 doubles and 17 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 77% (21/27)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin (8x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (27/54)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2-4, 1-2-8, and 2-4-5-8 (4x each).

Splits: 12% (2/16)

Average over 11 games: 167.91.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 173.82.

The new release seems to be working a little better now. Still trying to stay low and keep my approach speed down. Not sure what I'm gonna do about the loft. The more lengthy projection (12-15ft) really had good results and it was noticeable in the pin action. The ball was faster and hitting the pins with more power. But I'm still a bit weary of getting back into that "loft game". Yes, when it's "on", I strike more and carry more. But...when it's "off"...I miss. And this was on the tail end of the night...the lanes a little drier than usual. On fresh oil that projection shot will often hit light and/or right. But....a tool in the "toolbox". I like the idea of having that extra "tool" for when I can't seem to find the "sweet spot" laterally and don't think a ball change will necessarily help.

Now the real trick...performing well on league night tomorrow when it COUNTS!

[Aslan]

Thursday Lunchtime Practice: low-oil synthetics

194-158
Went with a teammate to practice at lunchtime. First game went very well using the more aggressive Encounter up the middle. Would have been even better had I not pulled the spare shot at the 9-pin in the 10th frame. In game 2 we got moved over one lane and I made a ball change to the less aggressive (and more polished) Encounter. Still did well, but was pulling it and left, missed a couple spares, and had a split in the 8th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.62 pins
Strikes: 38% (2 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 61% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: n/a.
Only left a single 3-pin, 6-pin, 7-pin, 9- pin, and 10-pin (1x each).

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (4/8)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: n/a (all different).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 2 games: 176.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 182.00.

Finally a good practice. Things seemed to be working. I was spending more time coaching my teammate than really paying much attention to my game...but still.

Thursday League Night: medium oil synthetics

522 Series: 193-161-168
Game 1 I got off to a horrid start. I arrived late so I didn't get much practice time. Frame 1 was a 2-4-10 split. Then frames 3 and 4 I missed single-pin leaves. But striking 6 times over the last 5 frames tends to make up for bad spare shooting. Game 2, an even WORSE start! Missed a single 6-pin, chopped the 4-7, then a chopped 1-3-6-8. Frames 4 through 8 were clean including a turkey...but then choked on a single 10-pin and left a 4-6-7 in the 10th. Game 3 I started with a couple spares before chopping a 3-10 in the 3rd. But, despite a nice run in the middle...missed a 6-10 then a couple washouts to end on a sour note.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.81 pins
Strikes: 40% (4 turkeys and 1 single)
Spares: 36% picked up

Single Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 10-pin (2x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (4/12)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 split (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 174.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.67.

Striking more is certainly more fun. The night isn't quite as long when you don't have to throw the ball 19x per game. Disappointed that our team only got 1 of 4 points. Even though we gained a point on first place (lost all 4 points), the team behind us in 3rd passed us by taking 4 from their opponent. We may even have fallen to 4th. We still got a shot at the league championship, but we need a LOT of help over the next 2 weeks.

Disappointed in my spare shooting obviously. I'd much rather score lower and bowl clean than score high and leave 2-3 open frames. But with my recent work on my release, it seems to be adding more power with less effort...but my spare targeting is now a bit "off" so I need to fix that. It doesn't seem like a "plastic ball" issue because my shots were mostly missing well right into the gutter on 6 and 10 pins. But it "may" be needing a plastic ball if those misses are the result of me practicing on drier lanes...playing the hook...then getting to slicker conditions and it doesn't hold. We'll see. If the single-pin spare shooting continues to be like this...a plastic ball is an easy and affordable fix. But for now I'll just chalk this up to a bad performance.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Scorpion Pattern

562 Series: 137-118-150-157
Not a lot of difference in games 1 through 4 other than spare shooting. I didn't strike much so in the games I made spares I scored in the 150s and in the games I struggled to make spares it was in the 115-140s.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.77 pins
Strikes: 16% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (9/12)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 31% (7/22)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4-7 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 4 games: 140.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 148.00.

Tough first morning of Sunday morning sport shot league. The Scorpion was the first pattern and with my rev rate…longer/heavier oil patterns like this one and the Shark tend to be tough. I just couldn't seem to get the ball to make it back into the pocket…and when I did it was a light hit. Statistically things weren't horrible. Just needed some more practice on this longer pattern. So…I stayed and bowled a few games with a few other league players….

523 Series: 192-146-185
Game 1 was clean until I chopped a 3-6 in the 10th. I even managed to strike some as the pattern was starting to break down just enough for the ball to get back to the pocket. We all decided to bet .25 cents each for Game 2 and I would have had a 169 had I not missed 3 single-pin spares. In Game 3 I teamed up with one of the guys to play a game of doubles. The other team gave us 15 pins since my average was about 15 pins lower than their lower average bowler. Missed a single 5-pin in the 3rd frame or otherwise would have had 8 straight spares to start and a clean game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.47 pins
Strikes: 28% (2 doubles and 5 singles)
Spares: 72% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (6/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 3-pin and 5-pin (2x each).
Never left a single 8-pin nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 83% (10/12)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 174.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.00.

Obviously I felt better about these scores. But, it's still worrying…with Vegas on the horizon, that with fresh oil, long oil, and/or heavy oil…I have little chance of scoring well.

[Aslan]

Pre-Lesson Practice: medium oil synthetics

134-133
A couple washouts and a split in game 1. But missed 2 single-pin spares. In game 2 my foot slipped over the foul line in the 2nd frame and it sort of messed with me. Strange how a weird thing like that will mentally mess with you but it did.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.77 pins
Strikes: 18% (1 double and 2 singles)
Spares: 35% picked up

Single Pin spares: 40% (2/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (4x).
Also left a single 4-pin (1x)

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (4/12)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 2 games: 133.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 147.00.

Had another lesson this afternoon. Wanted to get in one more lesson before the final two weeks of league play, the ASLAN/ICEMAN tournament, and Sweeps.

Lesson 1 focused almost entirely on getting my thumb out of the ball without "pinching/gripping" it.

Lesson 2 focused on my set-up/approach and my trail leg.

First 2 lessons have been very interesting. It hasn't been "comfortable". The new approach is going to take some time to master or get comfortable with. But it's interesting to look at something like your trail leg, make a small change, and then see results. It's like, "wow. normally I don't even think of THAT."

[Aslan]

Thursday League Night: medium oil synthetics

471 Series: 120-216 (clean)-135
Game 1 I started out with a spare and then opened every frame until the 8th. 4 splits and 2 missed single-pins. Just terrible. Game 2 was clean, things seemed to be "clicking". Thought I turned the "corner". But game 3 I didn't strike until the 8th frame and spare shooting was just "off".

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.59 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 70% (7/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 3-pin and 7-pin (2x each)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 30% (4/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 and 3-10 split (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 3 games: 157.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 166.33.

Kind of a "good and bad" night. Good because I threw a 216 clean; my best score since late May/mid-June. Good because our team took 3 of 4 points. Good because we played a nice team. But…on the other hand, I averaged about 10 pins under my average due to the other horrible games. And the 2 teams ahead of us both swept so we're out of contention for a 1st place finish.

I can't feel too bad about it. It's a very new approach and release and I haven't had a chance to practice it. At times, it felt great. Hand came off the ball, seemed to stay behind it, and was getting good revs with more power and less energy. It's just going to take to time to get everything working. I wasn't focused on my timing much so I'm sure that wasn't perfect.

The new release generates more revs and more movement…so it appears yes, I will finally give in to Rob's advice, criticism, and article(s) and get a plastic spare ball. Also kinda bummed that I tried to make a ball change on one of the lanes and it didn't work very well. Ended up making 2 ball changes and then went back to the 1st one throwing it middle instead of outside.

So, tonight was a "glimpse" of a possible outcome where I actually might be a respectable bowler. It's gonna take some work to see if that was a glimpse into the future or a misleading mirage.

[Amyers]

Well nice to see something clicked for you for a little bit although usually I find that more frustrating when I prove I can do it and then screw the rest of it up. What's up with leaving the three pins? I noticed you left 2 single three pins and 2 3-10's I can't remember ever leaving a single three pin. Good Luck.

[Aslan]

Well nice to see something clicked for you for a little bit although usually I find that more frustrating when I prove I can do it and then screw the rest of it up. What's up with leaving the three pins? I noticed you left 2 single three pins and 2 3-10's I can't remember ever leaving a single three pin. Good Luck.

It could have been worse. I mean, my approach and release and everything looked a lot better to the point that people were kinda asking "where did this guy come from?" So I know when I get the practice in that it'll come together.

Usually when I leave a 3-pin or the 3-10 it's when I go through the head. I also left 4 splits over 6 frames in game 1 as I adjusted to having a bit more revs on the ball than what I was used to. And I missed the single-10 pin because even though the new release is smoother and more accuracte...the additional revs make hitting the 10-pin even with my lower than average rev rate very difficult. And the other single pin I missed that game was a 5-pin. Reason? Because the downside to this "easier", "smoother", getting your thumb out clean release is once every 20-30 shots I simply drop it and get very little on it. And when you're playing your spare shot to hook...you just missed your spare shot. : (

[Amyers]

It could have been worse. I mean, my approach and release and everything looked a lot better to the point that people were kinda asking "where did this guy come from?" So I know when I get the practice in that it'll come together.

Usually when I leave a 3-pin or the 3-10 it's when I go through the head. I also left 4 splits over 6 frames in game 1 as I adjusted to having a bit more revs on the ball than what I was used to. And I missed the single-10 pin because even though the new release is smoother and more accuracte...the additional revs make hitting the 10-pin even with my lower than average rev rate very difficult. And the other single pin I missed that game was a 5-pin. Reason? Because the downside to this "easier", "smoother", getting your thumb out clean release is once every 20-30 shots I simply drop it and get very little on it. And when you're playing your spare shot to hook...you just missed your spare shot. : (

Well I definitely understand the get nothing on it when your working on the release. I can't say as when I'm working on mine I actually drop it but I get those that make you think where did that straight ball come from usually followed by one I rip the cover off the ball and it heads straight left as soon as it catches some friction. Eventually I get it sorted back out but man is it ugly when its not working right.

[Aslan]

Saturday Practice: low oil synthetics

134-169-166-149

Game 1 I didn't throw a strike. Of the spares I missed, it was a couple splits, a couple 1-2-8 washouts, and a single 9-pin. Game 2 I also missed a 1-2-8 but also missed a 6-10 and a couple single-pin spares. But I struck 5 times to salvage a decent score. Game 3 was clean through 5 and then another 1-2-4-8 washout n the 6th. Then a missed 6-10 in the 8th and a missed single-pin in the 9th before striking out in the 10th to salvage a decent score. More of the same in Game 4. A washout, a couple splits, a couple missed easy spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.52 pins
Strikes: 34% (1 turkey, 3 doubles and 6 singles)
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 28% (2/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin, 7-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).
Also left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 6-pin, and 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (10/22)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (7x).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 154.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 168.00.

Tough practice. Seems like I was either coming in light and leaving the 1-2-8 washout or I was coming in just a bit high and leaving the 6-10. My timing seemed better as I was focusing on it more. But the release was still ranging from dropping it to perfect. And if I dropped it, obviously it would miss right…and if the release was perfect it would hook left of the headpin. Going to have to work on consistency with the new release.

The lanes were a bit dry since it was a Saturday so I got a chance to ball down from the polished Encounter to the Frantic playing the 10-12 boards. I even got a chance to ball down to the Slingshot which is the weakest ball I have for that line.

And I reinforced my opinion to move to a plastic spare ball. 2-3 really good shots with good releases and I missed by < inch left. It won't solve every problem. A lot of those single-pin misses were left side leaves like 7-pins and 4-pins. So maybe I gotta use the plastic ball for left side leaves as well as right side leaves. Or maybe I need to do a better job of trusting my spot and hitting my target…which I struggled with on left side leaves today.

But hopefully tomorrow will be the debut of the plastic ball for spares on the PBA Scorpion. We'll see how it goes. 2 weeks of PBA experience, one position round in my Thursday league, probably a couple Mondays for practice. Thats how much time I have left to prepare for Vegas on the 24th.

[classygranny]

I admire you for all the practice you're putting in! Keep it up.

Sometimes when I don't feel "confident" on my strike line, I know I am tentative when shooting my left hand spares off that strike line. That's what made me decide that I really need to shoot all spares with plastic - altho, truth be told, sometimes I get lazy and shoot with my strike ball and occasionally live to regret that laziness.

One last thing...get your confidence back. I'm trusting you to put Iceman away in Vegas. I believe you can do it...just get that attitude we use to see back and use it to your advantage.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Scorpion Pattern

607 Series: 164-148-143-152
Started out with a couple washouts trying to find an aggressive enough line to the pocket. Spare shooting with the new plastic ball was problematic as the thumbhole was a bit tight, but other than that it actually did well. Game 2 wasn't as good as I missed a couple single-pins with the plastic ball because I was worried about the thumb not coming out. Game 3 was more of the same; some tough washout spares that I couldn't pick up. Game 4 I started out clean through 5 when I then chopped a 1-2-5-8-9 in the 6th. Other than that and a couple splits (5-7 and 4-7-10), I was clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 26% (11 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (6/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (9/20)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7, 4-5, 3-6, and 1-2-4-10 (2x each).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 151.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.00.

Not as tough as the first week on this pattern, but still a challenge. I get almost no reaction and end up just throwing a straight ball over the 7-10 boards directly into the pocket. With my rev rate this pattern just has too much volume of oil in the heads and it's too long for me to get any help in the backend. The plastic ball seemed like a great fix for right side leaves but I have to fix the thumb-hole or else I tend to pull the shot worried that my thumb will stick.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

444 Series: 147-128-169
Tried working on getting my release consistent, keeping my foot down on the lane, and getting my thumb out clean. Game 2 spare shooting was abysmal. But Game 3 spare shooting improved with only 2 open frames…but not much striking either.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.94 pins
Strikes: 22% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 80% (4/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 7-pin (2x each).
Only left single 5-pin, 6-pins, and 7-pins.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (7/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-8 and 1-2 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 148.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.67.

Glad to finish with a respectable 169. But lots of work left to do over the next 10 days!!

The struggles today were not only related to my inconsistent release that I'm still learning, and the plastic spare ball that needs some thumbhole modification, but also to ball selection. I quickly balled up to the more aggressive cover stock of the Frantic to try and get some reaction. During practice I balled up to the solid cover stock Rhythm. The problem with these balls is they are my non-tri-grip drilled balls so I was using a grip that I was wasn't quite used to. A 15lb with a different layout then a 16lb with a different layout.

[Amyers]

For sport shots that don't really fit your game not bad. I know it's expensive but pick a weight and drill get the balls fixed man you've got enough to think about without worrying about different feels

[Aslan]

I admire you for all the practice you're putting in! Keep it up.
Well,
1) I love to bowl. Even when I'm bowling badly I enjoy to bowl.
2) If I want to reach my goals, I need to work at it. Far too many bowlers bowl 1-4 times a week in beer leagues and regret that they never became a 200-average bowler. They think that by bowling leagues a few times a week it'll just naturally "click".

My team is the most annoying because they use pre-league practice to actually practice. I have to wait in a huge line while they "practice" in order to figure out my strike line.


Sometimes when I don't feel "confident" on my strike line, I know I am tentative when shooting my left hand spares off that strike line. That's what made me decide that I really need to shoot all spares with plastic - altho, truth be told, sometimes I get lazy and shoot with my strike ball and occasionally live to regret that laziness.
I think as you bowl in different houses and on different patterns, thats when you start to need a plastic ball and need to shoot left side spares with plastic. I mean, on a THS, I could probably pick up well over 75% of single-pin leaves on the left side with my strike ball…maybe 95% eventually with practice. But what about a short sport pattern like the Cheetah? What about a heavy oil or flat USBC pattern? Any pattern that really throws off that strike line…and suddenly you're struggling.

Like I said, I haven't ruled out using plastic for left side spares. I just need to get used to the new plastic ball shooting the right side and then EVENTUALLY adapt a left-side system. But it's playing different conditions that helped me see the need.



One last thing...get your confidence back. I'm trusting you to put Iceman away in Vegas. I believe you can do it...just get that attitude we use to see back and use it to your advantage.
Unfortunately, learning the "right" way to throw the ball has set me back a bit on my fast track to domination. I have to have faith that in the long run I'll be a better bowler because of it. But yes, I must regain the "magic" in the next 10 days, or you can look forward to the next 12 months of hearing about how the "gift" is more powerful than coaching.

Thank you for the encouragement.

[Aslan]

For sport shots that don't really fit your game not bad. I know it's expensive but pick a weight and drill get the balls fixed man you've got enough to think about without worrying about different feels

That ball will be replaced by the end of the year. It's not a ball I use very often, but it just seemed to do a bit better on that particular pattern. And then switching to the Rhythm in practice…already struggling with my thumb fit in the plastic ball…it was just a lot of variation I wasn't used to.

Like I told MWhite. I have a problem when something happens on a shot to let it mess with me.

Last Monday I was practicing and my toe crossed the foul line causing the buzzer to go off. I had never had that happen (I think it's turned off where I bowl leagues)…so for the rest of the practice…I was completely out of my element worried about that dang foul line. Today in practice, the first 2 times I threw the plastic ball…it stuck on my hand and nearly carried me down the lane. After that…completely messed with me.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

521 Series: 218-145-158
Game 1 I was clean except for a missed single 3-pin in the 6th and I struck a fair amount. Game 2 I was still working on spare shooting and got a couple splits to boot. More of the same in Game 3.

480 Series: 184-144-152
Game 4 was good; only a few open frames. Game 5 spare shooting was hit and miss; not so much because of the new plastic spare ball, because only 1 spare was a right side spare. Game 6 I struggled early and on one of the lanes I had to ball "up" to the polished Encounter and play a bit further outside…but once I got settled in, I was clean 6th through 10.

528 Series: 181-211-136
Game 7 I was a couple missed single-pin spares (both left side) away from a clean game. Game 8 I was clean through 9 until a 4-6-7 split in the 10th. 4 splits in Game 9 and some washouts led to a bit of a disappointment.

493 Series: 207-149-137
I was able to keep using the polished Encounter along the 6-board on the right lane…but needed to ball down to the Frantic on the left lane and was a missed single 10-pin in the 3rd away from a clean game in Game 10. Game 11 was only a few frames shy of a clean game but not much striking. Game 12 would have been all spares but I missed some easy ones. I think I was mentally and physically done after Game 11.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.54 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 4-bagger, 2 turkeys, 10 doubles, and 10 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 62% (20/32)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 51% (28/54)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 and 4-7 (5x each).

Splits: 16% (2/12)

Average over 11 games: 168.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.58.

Statistically it wasn't great. Consistency was poor in terms of scoring. Worked a lot on my trail leg, not rising up on my shot, and not pinching the ball. Also got a chance, with a widened thumbhole, to use the new plastic spare ball. And early results are good in terms of the plastic spare ball. Took a little getting used to; not having to aim a little right and hook it into the pin. I even picked up a 5-7 using the plastic spare ball.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Lunchtime Practice: low oil synthetics

158-128

Decided to go and bowl a couple games at lunchtime. Results weren't good. Finished the last 5 frames of Game 1 clean; but a couple splits, a pulled shot, and a missed single 10-pin kinda ruined things. Game 2 was even worse. No strikes and lots of missed spares.

Wednesday Practice: medium-heavy oil synthetics

407 Series: 182-122-103
Started off well but had a couple frames where I didn't get square to the foul line and the ball went straight into the 10-pin. Then chopped a 2-5 in the 10th to ruin things. Game 2 was a huge disaster; washouts and missed spares 1 through 5…then able to make some spares and finally threw a strike in the 10th. Game 3 was even worse. FIVE splits!! A few spares and no strikes.

394 Series: 124-105-165
More horrible leaves and lack of ability to pick up the spares for the first 2 games. Still was struggling to strike in Game 3 but started making more spares once they FINALLY turned the lights on. Clean game except for a missed single 7-pin in the 1st and a chopped 1-2-4-7 in the 3rd.

235 (clean)
Had time for one more game and glad I did!! A 5-bagger and good spare shooting for my 5th highest score ever.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.49 pins
Strikes: 24% (1 5-bagger, 1 4-bagger, and 9 singles)
Spares: 41% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (8/9)
Most common single-pin leaves: 3-pin (4x).
Also left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 31% (14/44)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 16% (1/6)

Average over 4 games: 148.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 149.14.

Tough practice because the first 5 games the lights were off and it was excessively dark. It's a completely garbage AMF center that has put a LOT into remodeling their lanes and scoring systems. The rest of the place is a dump though. Kinda hard to work on accuracy when you can't see the boards or arrows until you're about at the foul line.

Pushed a lot of shots right and into the gutter. Was working on my sweep leg; trying to "sweep" it rather than "kick" it to the side. That unfortunately left me facing right on a fair amount of shots. Also tried to continue working on my release and timing.

And, of course, still practicing with the new plastic spare ball. Since these lanes were heavier oil than what I'm used to, I even attempted many of the left side leaves with the plastic ball. Still hit or miss for left side spares. But I DID go 88% on single pins tonight and that is encouraging.

Gonna try and practice this center again on Monday to get used to the heavier oil. It seemed like either a long sport shot or a flat pattern. I was playing mostly the 7-8 boards with the Frantic and even if you got out to the 4-5 boards, there was virtually no movement. You see as the lanes dried out…especially with the crazy hot temperatures outside…my game started to improve. Mostly due to the lights coming on…but probably a little due to the oil breakdown.

Need to work on Monday and figure out how to bowl the fresh pattern since having a couple near 400 series to start with is NOT going to help me in Vegas nor at sweeps in Laughlin.

As of tonight, I hit EXACTLY 190,000 pins since I began tracking many, many years ago.

[Amyers]

Congrats on the 235 an 88% The rest not so much. What is up with the multi-pin leaves? You average of those has always seemed high and seems to have crept higher. I'm pretty sure I'm in the twenty's or below. I don't track mine the way you do but usually it's 7,10, 8, with some others mixed in for me. I'm not saying I don't throw the occasional bad shot and even miss the head pin I do but it seems either your missing the pocket a lot or your getting very poor reactions when you get there. something you might want to look at is multi-pin spare percentage vs. single pin percentage as in break down between the two.

[Aslan]

The rest not so much. What is up with the multi-pin leaves?

Normally, my reason is that when I miss the pocket or even hit the pocket...and these 4 things seems to happen:

1) Hit the pocket, but LIGHT, and leave something like a 2-4-8.
2) Ball up or move right and the ball goes through the headpin and leaves me with something like a 4-7-10.
3) Over-correct and miss the headpin completely (right) and get a 1-2-4-10 washout.
3) Over-correct again, miss brooklyn side, and leave something like a 2-5.

So I'm AROUND the pocket all night...rarely ever going in the gutter...but it seems like my margin of error is SO small that if I hit just a 'shade' light I leave a 9-pin or 7-pin or 6-pin. It needs to be PERFECT to strike. A variation of a couple boards...not enough hand, too much hand, etc... and I leave multi-pin spares. And multi-pin spares are the biggest difference between us and the pros. They don't leave multi-pin spares (generally). They strike or they leave a 9-pin (7-pin for lefties). Thats it. Pocket hit after pocket hit and when they do miss the pocket, it's because their line dries up and they go through the nose and get a split. But you don't see PDW or Mika or Parker Bohn leaving a 2-5 and then a 2-4-9 and then a 1-2-4-10 washout. It's very rare.

Right now I just really need to work on getting a consistent release. I'm still fighting with my hand...wanting to "grip" the ball...worried that if I don't "grip" it...I'll drop it. And when I grip it, it makes it's move too early...and loses power. Where as, when stay behind it and go nice and easy...good motion and good power. But...when it falls off my hand (a little TOO relaxed)...it goes straight into the 3-pin.

I'm also (simultaneously) trying to experiment with a plastic ball for left side spares. Not something I'll mess with at leagues tonight where I know the lanes will be dry enough and predictable enough to throw my strike ball. But throwing plastic straight at left side leaves is a HUGE change. Going to plastic for right side leaves is no big deal...just a minor targeting change. But left side leaves...it's a whole new set of targets and line adjustments...taking some time to figure that out.

[Aslan]

Thursday League Night: medium oil synthetics
Position Round

540 Series: 211 (clean)-176-153
Game 1 I was clean, feeling great. Everything was clicking. 4 spares on the left side I picked up with my strike ball and 2 spares on the right side picked up with the plastic ball. Looked like it was going to be a good series.

Game 2 I missed on a shot in the 4th frame and left a 2-4-5-7-8 which I chopped for my first open frame. Then missed a single 7-pin in the 8th. Only 2 opens and both were just bad shots. I'd have picked up the single 7-pin but I lost focus (drinks kicking in) and aimed 2 boards right of where I was supposed to. Still over my average and went 3 for 3 with the plastic ball on right side spares so I was still feeling "okay".

Game 3 I started out with a 1-2-8-10 washout but was otherwise clean through 5. And thats when my spare shooting fell apart. Missed 3 of 4 spares, all with the plastic ball...just bad shots...and finished with a disappointing 153.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.66 pins
Strikes: 37% (4 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 65% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (5/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 7-pin (3x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 61% (8/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 100% (1/1)

Average over 3 games: 180.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 187.33.

Another "good" and "bad" night. Bad for the team in that we lost 3 of 4 points and fell from 3rd place to probably 4th-7th. But good for the team because one of our beginners shot his first game above 200 and ended up with a 304 handicap game. After a bad first game, he asked if he should just go home...thinking he might be hurting the team...and I told him it didn't matter because 1st was out of reach...so if he felt okay he should just stay, no pressure. Next game; a 201!

And "good/bad" for me personally because once again I get one good score, but can't turn that into a quality series. Spare shooting "improved", but still came up a little short. Strike rate was UP...but I couldn't run more than 2 together. See "glimpses" of quality bowling...but not of the "greatness" I'll need to be victorious in Vegas and Laughlin next week.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Scorpion Pattern

625 Series: 155-169-155-146
Game 1 my spare shooting was on until a tough stretch in frames 5-7 then finished clean. Of the 3 opens, (2) 1-2-4s and a 1-2 that were chopped. Game 2 was clean except for an errant shot in the 3rd frame when I hit the 6-9-10 and then guttered. Even managed to throw a few strikes. Game 3 was very similar to Game 1, a few open frames, a lot of spares, not much striking. The 8th frame; a 3-9 leave, was the first miss with the plastic ball. Game 4 I ran into problem with splits. Three splits in the first 6 frames. Chopped a 2-5 in the 8th but was otherwise clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 15% (7 singles)
Spares: 67% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (10/10)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 54% (13/24)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2 and 1-2-4 (4x each).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 156.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: n/a.

This was a perfect illustration of my bowling struggles that I call "good and bad". "Good" because I've greatly improved my spare shooting and had better scores the the previous week and showed consistent improvement each week on this tough PBA pattern. I actually won 2nd place in 3 of the 5 brackets I was in. Then comes the BAD news. I struck 7 times on 44 shots. And I still struggled making it back to the pocket, leaving things like 1-2s and 1-2-4s. And I chopped multi-pin spares I shouldn't have.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

633 Series: 171-142-159-151
Game 1 was pretty good. A couple opens. Struck a few times. Game 2 I finally missed a couple single-pin spares. Game 3 was ok, but chopped some spares I should have made. Game 4 I missed a left side bucket and had a couple splits but was otherwise clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.29 pins
Strikes: 21% (2 doubles and 5 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (6/9)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin and 6-pin (2x each).
Only left a single 3-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 56% (13/23)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 4 games: 158.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 166.25.

I feel good that our team (Me and MWhite) took all 5 points. It's nice to get back to being at least a little competitive on this PBA pattern. And I look forward to next week when it's the shorter Cheetah pattern which I think I'll do better on. But still frustrated that I can't strike more. Makes for a very long morning when you have to throw 84 shots.

But PBA patterns are now put aside. It's now time t focus on Vegas. ONE more practice session left!!!

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

486 Series: 148-154-184
First series was strictly practice. The point was to practice on medium-heavy oil but since this was an AMF house; it sucked. No Monday evening leagues so apparently they decided not to oil the lanes. At least the lights were on; but still. The first game was spent trying to find the right line and right ball. Game 2 was better than the score dictates; 3 spares ruined the clean game. Game 3 was clean except for a 2-5-7 split in the 4th and a missed single 10-pin in the 6th.

535 Series: 176-179-180
Games 4 through 6 I tried to mentally prepare for the upcoming Vegas challenge by simulating that these games were the qualifying round. Lots of spares in Game 4 but a couple splits kept it from being clean. Game 5 I missed a single 6-pin in the 4th and then had a split in the 10th. Game 6 I was throwing pretty good but missed a single 9-pin in the 5th and then chopped a 3-6-10 in the 10th.

Figured the 535 series would be only good enough to get me in the 3rd or 4th (out of 4..didn't know mudpuppy was back in) in the stepladder. So then I tried to simulate (mentally) what the one game elimination would be like.

140-193
First game I had 5 opens…so I decided to take a mulligan since there's no way a 140 would win. In the 2nd try, I chopped a 3-10 split in the 1st and then missed a single 3-pin in the 4th; otherwise clean.

149-172-170-186
Then I tried to simulate the second ladder. Took me 4 tries to get a score that "might" advance me. Finally in game 4 I managed to strike a bit and was clean except for a 3-10 split in the 1st and then a missed single 10-pin in the 3rd.

186-135
To simulate the finals, I played another game and it was very similar to game 12…clean except for 2 opens; a 2-10 split in the 5th and chopped a 1-2-4 leave in the 10th. Tried to play another game but after 4 clean frames my plastic ball started hooking so much that it made playing/practicing rather difficult.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.50 pins
Strikes: 31% (3 turkeys, 9 doubles, and 20 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (23/36)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (33/62)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 1-2-4 and 6-10 (7x each).

Splits: 14% (2/14)

Average over 4 games: 168.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 176.79.

Disappointed that the lanes were so dry. I mean, just a typical AMF disaster. But I wasn't gonna take my chances and drive to the college lanes which are always hit or miss and I wasn't going to drive to Irvine in rush hour traffic to bowl their heaver oil lanes.

Worked on my release and form. Tried to work on focus and timing as well. Gonna need some 'luck' in Vegas if I'm gonna take on that field. I don't think 186 to 193 is gonna get me the win.

Played the inside; which is rare for me. Throwing over the 16-18 boards to start; ended up targeting the 21 board. Still fighting with the release though. Had to throw it thinking, "Is it gonna stick? Or slip off my hand?"

Work tomorrow then a brief nap before taking the trip to Vegas!!!

[Amyers]

Well some decent ones mixed in there. I know your struggling with the release some and this may be difficult but the biggest thing you can do is believe in it. If you go up there thinking I don't know if this is going to work or not more often than not it won't. Have confidence in what your doing believe your going to strike or pick up the spare. Good Luck in Vegas

[Aslan]

Practice for 1st Annual Aslan vs. Iceman Challenge in Las Vegas: synthetic lanes/low oil

I wanted to get some practice in before just diving into this shindig so I played a few games (on different lanes) before this thing started:

585 Series: 214 (clean)-169-202
I was shocked out of the gate how much bite I was getting. This was NOTHING like the last time I was in Vegas. First game everything was clicking. Didn't strike a "ton", but "enough". Game 2 I struggled with some single pin spares but struck out in the 9th and 10th to make the score look better than it was. Game 3 was a couple missed single 10-pins away from being clean…struck a decent amount.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.20 pins
Strikes: 48% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 4 doubles and 2 singles)
Spares: 56% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (5/10)
Most common single pin leave: 10-pin (3x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 195.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 213.33.

Obvious improvement over my last trip to Vegas at the end of March 2013. I was feeling pretty good before the challenge began. I mean, if these lanes were even close to this dry on fresh oil as they were in practice…I was gonna be able to compete! The only "issue" was that I went 2 for 7 with my plastic spare ball (right side leaves). I was 3 for 3 on the left side with my strike ball.

[Aslan]

1st Annual Aslan vs. Iceman Challenge in Las Vegas: synthetic lanes/low oil

The long awaited event was finally here! It wasn't going to be easy. Every competitor was throwing strikes in practice with ease. Looked like the conditions weren't exactly "difficult". So I had to hope that as the lanes dried out even further, it would interfere with the higher rev rates of Mudpuppy, Iceman, and MWhite and I was gonna just have to rely on RobM either fading physically or mentally.

Qualifying Round:

474 Series: 150-159-165
Having a qualifying round where you're guaranteed an entry into a stepladder is a double edged sword. It takes the pressure off, but it also makes you a little less focused. Game 1 was "okay". A couple missed spares I should have made and a couple splits. Game 2 I just couldn't strike. 8 or 9 pins on every first ball except a strike in the 8th. All it took was 3 missed single-pins and suddenly you're in the 150s. Game 3 was a mirror image, a few missed single-pin spares, except I managed to strike periodically to raise the score a little.

It looked like my hopes were tied to my ability to pick up EVERY spare and not leave a single split. It's the only way I'd have a chance of advancing past Rob M. in the stepladder finals.

Stepladder Game 1: #5 Aslan vs. #4 Rob M.

158

Same as qualifying. Missed a couple spares and had a split…otherwise "okay"…struck a few times.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.80 pins
Strikes: 25% (11 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (12/19)
Most common single pin leave: 10-pin (6x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (7/13)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (3x).

Splits: 25% (1/4)

Average over 4 games: 158.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 176.00.

THIS is why you should have a bowling APP for your phone! The stats tell you everything you need to know. My spare shooting wasn't "tremendous"; but it wasn't "bad". But when you only strike 25% of the time…thats 30 frames where you get tested to pick up spares. And unless you're Norm Duke, you will probably miss some. And I'm not Norm Duke.

I can't compete with guys like MWhite, Mudpuppy, Iceman, and even RobM who are routinely running 4 strikes together. I struck 11 times and NOT ONCE did I double. Thats not going to win you a no-tap booby prize much less advance you against this group.

My only hope at that point was that the guys had fun, Rob M. did well against Iceman and the others, and maybe MWhite and I could salvage a win in the doubles match later on.

[Aslan]

Post Tournament Lesson w/Rob M. at Red Rock in Las Vegas: synthetic lanes/low oil

Rob gave me and Iceman some pointers the morning following the epic tournament of tournaments and afterwards we all bowled a couple games as Rob warmed up for his Thursday AM league:

234 (clean)-179

Started out with a few spares and then strung 4 strikes together. Striking and picking up single corner-pin spares makes things simple! Game 2 brought me back to reality. Started out with 6 straight frames leaving a single-pin spare; unfortunately missed the single 10-pin in the 4th. Then a couple washouts…but strung 3 strikes together in the 9th/10th to salvage something "okay".

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.09 pins
Strikes: 39% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, and 1 double)
Spares: 76% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single pin leave: 10-pin (5x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 4-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (1/3)
Only left a 3-6-10, 1-2-8-9, and 2-5-8.

Splits: n/a

Average over 2 games: 206.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 212.00.

Much needed confidence boost after getting trounced in the Aslan/Iceman Challenge. And beat Iceman in both games! Where was this awesomeness when it counted!!?

[Aslan]

Practice for Sweeps in Laughlin, NV: synthetic lanes/medium oil

I got a chance to bowl on a pair of lanes that hadn't been touched by the evening leagues so I took advantage of it.

497 Series: 158-147-192
Game 1 I was missing right. Game 2 I was making spares but not striking much. Game 3 would have been clean except for a 4-6 split in the 1st frame.

538 Series: 155-203-180
Game 4 I was doing okay and made a ball change. Then I did well with spares but couldn't seem to strike. Finally started striking in game 5. From the 6th frame in game 5 through the 4th frame of game 6 I struck 9 times. Then I started leaving sleepers and couldn't pick them up and was barely able to salvage the 180.

139-158
Game 7 I couldn't strike. Made 6 spares. Then decided to switch to the Frantic for the final game. Suddenly was able to strike again; but missed every single-pin spare. ???? Go figure.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.48 pins
Strikes: 34% (2 4-baggers, 4 doubles and 14 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 55% (11/20)
Most common single pin leave: Single 5-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 9-pin, nor 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (16/34)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 (7x).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 8 games: 166.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.88.

Was troubled that my spare shooting seemed to be falling apart….but this practice went better than when I practiced in Vegas for Sweeps back in March. And more practices were yet to come. I had an entire free day before sweeps and planned to do an AM and PM practice. Nothing else to do in Laughlin but feed slot machines and spontaneously combust in the heat.

[Aslan]

AM Practice for Sweeps in Laughlin, NV: synthetic lanes/medium oil

Bowled the following morning on fresh oil.

491 Series: 164-180-147
Rocky start in game 1 but found my groove about midway through. Game 2 was a washout in the 6th away from being a clean game. Game 3 I only struck once. Back to the drawing board I guess!

444 Series: 144-128-172
Games 4, 5, & 6 were all repeats…low strike ability…varying levels of spare shooting.

540 Series: 195 (clean)-193-152
Game 7 and 8 were lots of spares. Game 8 was almost clean except for a 8-10 split in the 2nd frame. In game 9 I switched to the Frantic with mixed results.

185
Had time for one more game and was a 2-7 split in the 8th away from another clean game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 28% (1 turkey, 3 doubles, and the rest singles)
Spares: 64% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (15/20)
Most common single pin leave: Single 5-pin and 9-pin (4x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 60% (33/55)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10 (8x).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 10 games: 166.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 171.20.

So now my spare shooting recovered, but my strike rate is back in the toilet. Great.

[Aslan]

PM Practice for Sweeps in Laughlin, NV: synthetic lanes/medium oil

Bowled later in the evening. Not fresh oil, but I wanted to get some more practice in and work on my release, approach, etc...

442 Series: 152-155-135
Not so good. Rarely struck and spare shooting was hit or miss.

435 Series: 154-126-155
More of the same in games 4 and 5. In game 6 I shot spares a bit better and threw a few strikes…but also had a couple splits.

474 Series: 188-131-153
Game 7 I was a couple washouts and a split away from a clean game and even managed to string some strikes together. Then game 8 and 9 I went back to 1-2 strikes and hit or miss spares.

183
Game 10 was okay. Some strikes, a couple missed spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.14 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 4-bagger, 5 doubles, and 14 singles)
Spares: 48% picked up

Single Pin spares: 73% (17/23)
Most common single pin leave: Single 6-pin and 7-pin (4x each).
Never left a single 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (21/55)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5 (8x).

Splits: 9% (1/11)

Average over 10 games: 153.40.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 159.50.

Single pin spare shooting was okay. But everything else was in the toilet. Not the encouragement I needed the night before sweeps. : (

[Aslan]

Sweeps in Laughlin: medium oil synthetics

481 Series: 167-157-157
Game 1 went well. I only had a couple opens; both washouts. But, only struck twice. Game 2 I had 3 washouts and a split…but struck out in the 10th to salvage a 157. Game 3 was just average…some strikes…but other misses.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.03 pins
Strikes: 33% (1 turkey, 2 doubles, and 4 singles)
Spares: 52% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (3/4)
Most common single pin leave: Single 5-pin (2x)
Only left the 5-pin, 6-pin, and 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (8/17)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4-7, 3-10, and 1-2-4 (2x each).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 160.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.33.

Well…3 lessons...a 4-hour ride to the middle of the desert…28 games of practice…having to carry 6 bowling balls back and forth from one hotel to another….and I rolled 2 games under my average and won $24. Absolutely depressing. Add in the loss of about $150 in slot machines that apparently are set at such a laughably low payout level as to not even "slightly" encourage you…I mean, wow…what a **** vacation!!

Only bright side…I guess it was an improvement over my sweeps in Vegas last March. Yup…thats all I can come up with.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Cheetah Pattern

621 Series: 153-148-129-191
I got up at 2:15AM and drove from Laughlin, NV to Norco, CA to participate in the Sunday sport league.

Game 1 some missed multi-pin spares…only a couple strikes. Game 2 I had a split and missed 4 multi-pin spares including three 3-6-10 leaves. Game 3 was just a disaster. No strikes…bad spare shooting…embarrassing. Game 4 I left a washout and missed a couple single-pin spares but managed to finally strike enough to salvage a decent score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.17 pins
Strikes: 23% (1 turkey, 2 doubles, and 3 singles)
Spares: 48% picked up

Single Pin spares: 54% (6/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 4-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (9/20)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-8 and 3-6-10 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 155.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 168.50.

Struck a little more but the spare shooting wasn't that great.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

398 Series: 128-131-139

Bowled out of frustration more than anything. I was bowling so fast and so hard that sweat was dripping off of me. Having trouble getting my release consistent. Having trouble with my trail leg…"sweeping" it versus "kicking" it. Having trouble squaring my shoulders to the foul line. Half the time I don't focus enough on my timing.

But mostly I just need to get a system for spare shooting. The plastic ball is helping but I need "targets" to aim for. Up until now I've been sort of guestimating what the straight line to the pin would be…but it's hard to do that consistently when your shoulder is throwing the ball and your shoulder doesn't have eyes.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.42 pins
Strikes: 9% (3 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (3x each).
Only left a single 3-pin, 6-pin, and 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (10/21)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 132.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 138.00.

Well, MWhite was absent…but we added another member…so it'll be fun to have a full team.

But yeah, with the Challenge, the Sweeps debacle, and now another sub-standard league performance…this is one of those times where ya gotta take inventory and wonder if maybe bowling isn't the sport "for me". I mean, I've bowled nearly 45 games in 5 days…and it woulda been a whole lot more fun if I could see some level of improvement. But I'm still a 160s bowler that is getting slightly better at spare shooting but can't seem to strike. Whatever. More practice tomorrow while I wait to hear what Fall/Winter league has room for me.

[MICHAEL]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Cheetah Pattern

621 Series: 153-148-129-191
I got up at 2:15AM and drove from Laughlin, NV to Norco, CA to participate in the Sunday sport league.

Game 1 some missed multi-pin spares…only a couple strikes. Game 2 I had a split and missed 4 multi-pin spares including three 3-6-10 leaves. Game 3 was just a disaster. No strikes…bad spare shooting…embarrassing. Game 4 I left a washout and missed a couple single-pin spares but managed to finally strike enough to salvage a decent score.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.17 pins
Strikes: 23% (1 turkey, 2 doubles, and 3 singles)
Spares: 48% picked up

Single Pin spares: 54% (6/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 4-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (9/20)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-8 and 3-6-10 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 155.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 168.50.

Struck a little more but the spare shooting wasn't that great.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

398 Series: 128-131-139

Bowled out of frustration more than anything. I was bowling so fast and so hard that sweat was dripping off of me. Having trouble getting my release consistent. Having trouble with my trail leg…"sweeping" it versus "kicking" it. Having trouble squaring my shoulders to the foul line. Half the time I don't focus enough on my timing.

But mostly I just need to get a system for spare shooting. The plastic ball is helping but I need "targets" to aim for. Up until now I've been sort of guestimating what the straight line to the pin would be…but it's hard to do that consistently when your shoulder is throwing the ball and your shoulder doesn't have eyes.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.42 pins
Strikes: 9% (3 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (4/6)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (3x each).
Only left a single 3-pin, 6-pin, and 10-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (10/21)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 132.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 138.00.

Well, MWhite was absent…but we added another member…so it'll be fun to have a full team.

But yeah, with the Challenge, the Sweeps debacle, and now another sub-standard league performance…this is one of those times where ya gotta take inventory and wonder if maybe bowling isn't the sport "for me". I mean, I've bowled nearly 45 games in 5 days…and it woulda been a whole lot more fun if I could see some level of improvement. But I'm still a 160s bowler that is getting slightly better at spare shooting but can't seem to strike. Whatever. More practice tomorrow while I wait to hear what Fall/Winter league has room for me.


ICEMAN dosen's want to hear this cry baby stuff! YOU ARE the reason that your team, the surfers, won the damn team event!!! The event I wanted to win the most!! Your spare shooting is what MADE the Difference!!!!
Keep this in your thoughts:

Good Better Best, never let it REST, Till YOUR GOOD is BETTER, Till your Better is BEST!! You will get there buddy!!! NEVER GIVE UP!! You don't want me to jump on my bike and ride out there and give you an attitude adjustment!!! Again,,, thanks for making my 66th B day fantastic!

[Amyers]

Don't lose your confidence half of what you do in this game is mental. You've got to believe in yourself. This is one of those sports that you have light bulb moments when for no apparent reason the things you work on just kind of click and you get better. Keep after it this is also a sport that you can try to hard at maybe you need to relax, drink a beer, and have some fun with it. I have a tendcy to get too serious sometimes and tighten up luckily I bowl with some great teammates who are pretty good at figuring out when I'm working myself up to that and sit me down and hand me a beer even though I usually don't drink when I'm bowling leagues.

This is a competition but its supposed to be fun too. My wife has been sidelined with carpel tunnel in her right wrist for 2 months now she's bowling lefty just to keep active and because she loves it. Average has went from 130 to 69 she has been back up in the 90-100 level here lately I think I would lose my mind doing that. she has done it with a smile bowl for the love of the game not the scores and you may find the scores follow.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

438 Series: 136-150-152
Game 1 wasn't great…but I was trying to find my line and which ball to use and I gave myself a break since it's been a couple weeks since I bowled in the ole house. Despite the early struggles, it was good to be home. Game 2 was inexcusable. A missed 10-pin, a missed 6-10, and two missed 1-2s as I continued to struggle adapting to this plastic ball. Game 3 was a "little" better but still struggled with washouts.

532 Series: 163-169-200
Game 4 started off a little rough…but I settled into things. Game 5 was a mirror image as I started off with 7 clean before a 4-6 split and a couple washouts to finish things up. Game 6 wasn't a 'ton' better in terms of my overall game…but my spare shooting started to settle in. Was only 1 frame shy of a clean game.

573 Series: 166-221-186
Game 7 was similar to game 6…not great…missed a 10-pin I shouldn't have…but similar. Game 8 I kinda figured things out. Suddenly, all the things I had been working on with my new approach and release…just kinda came together. It wasn't clean as I chopped a 3-5 in the 3rd frame…but it was a very respectable score and I struck 7 times. Game 9 wasn't nearly as good…but my spare shooting allowed me to stay nearly clean…just a chopped 1-2-8 in the 1st as an open.

527 Series: 152-187-188
Game 10 was disappointing as I left some difficult multi-pin spares…but I was still feeling good…just needed to remind myself not to forget about "timing". Game 11 and 12 were pretty close to each other…just a split here and there…a missed multi-pin spare here and there…but otherwise clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.39 pins
Strikes: 32% (1 4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 6 doubles, and 17 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (23/27)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (7x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 43% (24/55)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2-4 (5x).

Splits: 10% (1/10)

Average over 12 games: 172.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.25.

Statistically it wasn't a huge improvement over last time I practiced, a couple weeks ago. But there were two things that I hope are a sign of things to come:
1) The 85% single-pin pick-up rate. That was with a plastic ball…shooting the spare ball at both left and right side leaves. Now, of the 4 I missed…1 was a single 4-pin and 3 were single 10-pins…so once I get a better handle on that 10-pin target…I think my single-pin statistics will be dramatically improved.
2) Things finally "clicked". Once I started gently laying the ball down rather than try to generate some "pro release"…my hand was naturally behind the ball. I didn't need to "try" and get my hand behind the ball or under the ball. It was just there. And surprisingly, once I started gently laying it down…my thumb started coming out clean without me "thinking about it". The ball was hooking…and it was hitting with more power…even though I was just "gently" laying it down. And my sweep leg…once I started concentrating on just staying low…and reducing the spine tilt just a "little bit"…being a "little" more upright…I didn't have to FOCUS on keeping the sweep foot down…it just naturally stayed down.

I talked to the league lady tonight and I HAVE A TEAM for Fall/Winter!!! Friday night got canceled due to only having like 6 teams…so she was going to either put me in a small 10-team Wednesday league or a new Thursday league that was starting in a couple weeks…but checked the rosters and found me a spot on a team on Tuesdays…which is the biggest league night at that house and the only league that is a bit more competitive AND the league that is difficult to get a team into because it's so large.

So…I feel better now. Hopefully I can keep things going in a positive direction. I have another lesson with my coach on Monday and I would prefer to have her notice my improvement and start giving me additional items to "tweak" it…rather than what I WAS facing which was to go to her and pretty much start from scratch.

[Amyers]

Congrats on the better bowling especially towards the middle and end. Hopefully your turning a corner. Just don't be surprised I have always found it to be at best 3 steps forward 2 steps back. Good Luck glad to hear about the league are you only doing 1 this fall or does your PBA league go through the fall also?

[Aslan]

Congrats on the better bowling especially towards the middle and end. Hopefully your turning a corner. Just don't be surprised I have always found it to be at best 3 steps forward 2 steps back. Good Luck glad to hear about the league are you only doing 1 this fall or does your PBA league go through the fall also?

Thats true. The good news, however, is that if I do poo the bed tonight...I'll be establishing handicap so it's a win either way. But yeah, far too many times I've had some epiphany at practice only to show up on league night and bowl a series in the low 400s.

I'll still be in the sport shot league. It goes most of the fall/winter. And that'll be enough for me. I don't plan on subbing in the Fall/Winter...don't plan on doing any tournaments...just work on my game and take lessons and hopefully at least come close to that goal of 193+.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Cheetah Pattern

543 Series: 134-114-154-141
Game 1, 4 washouts and a missed single 10-pin. Game 2, 4 splits and a washout and a couple missed easy spares. Game 3, I had a few more washouts. Game 4, 3 more washouts.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.00 pins
Strikes: 24% (1 turkey and 8 singles)
Spares: 38% picked up

Single Pin spares: 57% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 2-pin and 10-pin (2x each).
Never left a single 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (9/27)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5, 1-2-8 and 1-2 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 4 games: 135.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 140.25.

The stats are pretty descriptive in terms of what went wrong. I can't expect to do well if I keep missing right of the headpin. Of 27 multi-pin leaves; 15 of them involved a combination of at least TWO of the 1, 2 and 8 pins. While most players struggle on the Cheetah keeping the ball from hooking into or across the headpin…I still struggle to get it back to the pocket.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

511 Series: 167-193 (clean)-151

Game 1 I was a split, washout, and a missed single 6-pin away from a clean game. Game 2 was 2 strikes and 8 spares…but the first ball average was up which left me much more make-able spares like the 4-7, 6-10, 2-4-5, etc… as well as single pins. Game 3 saw only 2 additional strikes but again the spare shooting was decent. It would have been another clean game except I chopped a couple make-able spares and left a washout.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.52 pins
Strikes: 21% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 73% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 5-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 4-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 61% (8/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 170.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 173.67.

Why the difference? Well, I think the time off between Monday practice and Sunday league messed me up a little. I didn't start to really feel comfortable during league and then kinda felt relaxed/comfortable during practice. A more relaxed swing, shorter steps in my approach, trying to keep my sweep foot on the floor, and trying to get a little more upright.

Still couldn't strike though…and thats both problematic and getting old.

Got a lesson tomorrow with my coach. It's been a few weeks so hopefully she can see things that have improved and things that are still not quite right. Then my first night with the new team/league on Tuesday. Last time on the Cheetah is next week, then I gotta wait till early December to see another short pattern (Sydney). The week after next we switch to the Mexico City 45' pattern which is the 2nd longest one we'll see so I'm not looking forward to that.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low-medium oil synthetics

386 Series: 138-115-133
A few bad games trying to figure out my post-lesson game (or lack there of)...

473 Series: 178-137-158
Game 4 went better. Missed a single 7-pin in the 1st and an 8-10 split in the 6th…otherwise clean. Game 5 was poo. Game 6 was fine early on and then poo.

578 Series: 174-178-226
Game 7 was okay but I was still struggling with spare shooting. Game 8 was better, but I got a split, chopped a 2-4-5, and missed a single 10-pin. Game 9 went very, very well. Only DIDN'T strike TWICE! Unfortunately one of those was a 4-7-10 split in the 9th so there goes a clean game.

510 Series: 178-171-161
Games 10 through 12 were all pretty solid. A missed single pin here or there, a split here or there, or a washout.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.50 pins
Strikes: 34% (1 4-bagger, 3 turkeys, 6 doubles, and 20 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (14/23)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin, 7-pin, and 10-pin (5x each).
Never left a single 1-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 40% (24/60)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 2-4-5 (7x).

Splits: 0% (0/11)

Average over 12 games: 162.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.00.

Mainly this was just a chance to work on some things I got out of my lesson this afternoon.

1) I worked on my new stance and approach. Less bent over, more upright.
2) Worked on actually thinking of less "stuff" while in my approach. And trying to relax a bit.
3) A change to my first step to try and resolve an early timing issue.
4) And working on my new spare shooting system/targets.

It wasn't an overwhelming success. Disappointed that I've lost some of the ground and am back to a more upright stance with higher speed and loft…but I think it's a temporary situation while I fix my timing. And disappointed that the new spare targets weren't 90-100%…but it's to be expected. My accuracy is actually quite good…I just have a problem with how I'm lining up initially. So I'm hitting my target but missing…because of some unintentional squaring of my shoulders at the foul line.

But…I gotta stick with it. I can't take a lesson and then when I don't see immediate results go back to what I used to do…kinda defeats the purpose of lessons.

But I don't know what is different now than before…but physically I'm BEAT after this practice. I was limping in from the car…my foot is sore, my knee is aching, my hip is sore, the back is tight, and the thumb is sore. Normally I'm more mentally worn out than physically…so this new approach must be adding a physical element (or I'm doing it wrong). We'll see. First league night of Fall/Winter is tomorrow. Hopefully my car doesn't break down this week!

[Amyers]

Too be honest I have always wondered how you can throw these long sets and not be sore I'm okay for 6 or maybe 9 games but after that I'm trashed. Looks like you were improving as the night moves on good luck bud. How much loft are we talking about? a few feet or are you back to pitch it to the arrows?

[Aslan]

Too be honest I have always wondered how you can throw these long sets and not be sore I'm okay for 6 or maybe 9 games but after that I'm trashed. Looks like you were improving as the night moves on good luck bud. How much loft are we talking about? a few feet or are you back to pitch it to the arrows?

In the beginning, I'd get to 9 to 11 games and be physically (and mentally) spent. But with conditioning, now I can do 11 or more before physically getting tired. I still struggle mentally at after about 11 games though.

I'd say back in my "Amyers days" I was lofting 8-12ft...essentially landing the ball ON the arrows. I have gotten that down to maybe 7-9ft. Now, with the new changes, it's back to maybe 10ft. The distance isn't as noticeably different as the trajectory. In the AVI challenge there were some good shots where the ball made virtually no sound as it was laid gently onto the lane surface. As I get more "straight up and down", given my height, the ball trajectory goes from a "plane landing" to a "plane crashing". Maybe a difference of 30 degrees in terms of launch angle.

I talked about it with my coach and she said that while, yes, we gotta keep the lofting under control...from what she was seeing....the early timing was causing far more negative issues so we need to sacrafice a little "bad loft" in order to get the timing right.

The key issue...and I think this is shared by MANY amateur bowlers...is KNEE BEND. If you watch the pros you will see them have a MASSIVE knee bend that allows them to get very, very low and thats why they tend to not to loft. Amateurs tend to be straighter up and down OR they tend to bend over the foul line at the waist rather than with their knees. MWhite actually gets impressively low (yet still bounces the ball for some reason...???).

- My inital instruction was to be very straight up and down (hand to the ceiling) and loft the ball. That worked okay on wood lanes where speed played well. That became a very bad problem as oil volume increased and I bowled on slicker synthetic lanes where speed didn't play so well.

- I then got some instruction from Rob where we tried to "roll" the ball rather than "toss" the ball. We slowed the approach and moved it closer to the foul line. I also started watching a lot of Earl Anthony videos and tried to adapt the part of his game where he seemed to bend over the foul line signifcantly and lay the ball down with accuracy and precision. Sure, it's "old days bowling", but it's a bowler that is still considered the #2 bowler of all time.

- I then got some instruction at a clinic from John Gaines. He's a taller guy, like myself (except WAY taller) and he suggested straightening up and not leaning over the foul line so much. I had just met the guy and even then not knowing who he was I just got the feeling he was rather important...so I didn't want to come off as "disagreeing" with him...but I mentioned that I watched a lot of Earl Anthony video and it seemed like he leaned over the foul line quite a bit. Mr. Gaines agreed but said that if you watch Earl's knee you'll see that he also has a very, very significant knee bend.

- Then as I started getting lessons from the new coach, she has been working on me keeping my trail/sweep foot on the ground. She wants to get me straighter and not so bent over the foul line...but not standing straight up. By keeping my trail foot on it's side on the approach surface (not just the toe)...I physically can't "stand up" when releasing the ball.

And that was sort of working. I was able to stay low and found that my thumb came out of the ball easier and I was able to stay more under/behind the ball...just naturally because I was low and more upright. Still had some forward spine tilt...but I wasn't "bent over" the foul line. The 'problem' I was encountering...and Rob has told me this and mentioned it about 20 times in our lessons and conversations...I was focusing on too many things during the approach. "Bend over, not that much, get low, get lower, short first step, focus on target, keep sweep foot down, 'sweep' the foot don't 'kick' it, thumb out clean, DON'T GRIP!, Don't DROP it!!, hit your mark, trust your mark, don't forget to bring your hand up the side of the ball, but not over the top of it!" ALL of that was going through my head on just about every shot. And that is WAY too much info for a non-robot bowler.

So the NEW strategy...is just to focus on getting set up right (but comfortably), focus on one little step issue (to address the early timing)...then just stay low and focus on the target but just relax and throw the ball. If I can get lower and keep my trail foot on the ground...GREAT. But I'm not going to be approaching the foul line with a head full of what appears to be those '1's and '0's like in the Matrix movie. If I loft it too much or I'm still gripping it too much or my release isn't perfect...those are things I can work on later after I've fixed my early timing. I can't keep trying to fix EVERYTHING at one time. By trying to fix EVERYTHING, I've accomplished fixing very little. Yes, Rob did notice a big improvement versus when he saw me last. But when viewing that video of myself at the AVI...all I saw was a guy that looked very uncomfortable in his approach...very NON-RELAXED...and everything seemed "forced". As hard as it is to accomplish...it's actually an oxymoron...I need to "try" to relax. If I just relax and throw the damn ball...I can throw strikes.

I averaged 165 doing that in my first season despite not being a very good spare shooter. Last season, I averaged only 166/167...as a better spare shooter. Thats not the improvement I was hoping for.

[Amyers]

I have issues with my knees which makes more than 6 games a chore also leads to my lack of knee bend. I don't know I went back and forth on the loft had it down to about 5-6 feet for a while but I didn't bowl as well that way I try to keep it 6-8 anymore but I've talked with my proshop owner about it and he basically told me as long as its loft toward the pins and not up in the air their are worse problems to have. We have one guy that bowls in a league I sub in that does loft the ball up and I mean way up (terribly distracting to bowl near but the guy averages 220+).

I think some of the improvement I've had hear lately has been due to a couple of things 1. I've improved my timing (still late but not as bad) 2. I'm gripping less 3. I've realized that I bowl the way I bowl I may never be able to get that straight up the back with no loft release some of these guys have but that doesn't mean that I can't be effective too. I spent way too much time worrying about how things were different and trying to change and not enough time figuring out what can make me successful. I've been there too thinking about the release, when to start the ball, speed at the line, keep the elbow in, by the time I got to the release I couldn't even remember what my target was anymore.

Maybe some of this will come back to bite me if I start bowling sport conditions. Maybe I will reach a top that I can't exceed with out making changes to my release but right now I'm concentrating on my timing and the lines I'm playing.

It was funny 2 weeks ago one of the guys who good naturedly ribs me was going against my team in leagues and was joking about my style the guy who runs the proshop in my house walks by and told him he'd better watch it that my scores had improved he laughed. He was a little off shot 621 I shot 634 that night scratch he wasn't laughing so much after the end of the night just shook my hand and walked away.

I've got enough ball speed to strike, I have enough revs that I can play pretty much any line I need to, it may be different but its working at the moment. I just mainly need to keep my timing in line and my speed down. Will see if it holds up this weekend.

[Aslan]

There are a few women in my former Thursday league that were HORRIBLE lofters. And they weren't GOOD!! They were throwing balls that were obviously WAY too light...and it almost looked like an underhand softball pitch. Very loud...very annoying. And their "I just don't care" just made it worse and more annoying.

As to guys talking trash...some bowlers it works well on...some it has the opposite effect. For me, it's motivational more so than anything.

Earlier this year I was subbing on my Friday team and shot a decent 168. The one guy on the opposing team tried to get in my head by commenting to me that "a guy wearing a shirt like that, I'd have expected you'd be better." I was wearing a shiny black/white bowling shirt. So the next two games I bowled a 193 and a 190. Would have been two straight clean games but in the 1st game of the two I guttered on the first shot in the 10th and could only pick up 9 on the second shot. I think we took 3 out of 4 points and I remember their team wasn't very happy.

For me...and don't tell Iceman for AVI II....I AM my worst critic. If I'm bowling sub-par...just let me self destruct...because I will. Don't try to make it worse...because usually all that does is distract me from how bad I'm doing and cause me to focus on doing better...and then you're in trouble!

[Amyers]

I have that issue too I throw a couple bad balls just stand and watch me implode

[MICHAEL]

There are a few women in my former Thursday league that were HORRIBLE lofters. And they weren't GOOD!! They were throwing balls that were obviously WAY too light...and it almost looked like an underhand softball pitch. Very loud...very annoying. And their "I just don't care" just made it worse and more annoying.

Sounds like someone I KNOW,, the ANNOYING part!!

As to guys talking trash...some bowlers it works well on...some it has the opposite effect. For me, it's motivational more so than anything.

And thus WHAT??? YOU start bowling 200 games???? You hide the motivational stuff well!! :rolleyes:

Earlier this year I was subbing on my Friday team and shot a decent 168. The one guy on the opposing team tried to get in my head by commenting to me that "a guy wearing a shirt like that, I'd have expected you'd be better." I was wearing a shiny black/white bowling shirt.

Was that the shirt that had glitter, and diamond dust forming a Kitty Cat on the front??? Cool shirt for maybe San Francisco Go giants! Pence is my favorite player on that team! If St Louis doesn't make it, they are my second choice. Getting back to the shirt, its a bit over-stated!!

So the next two games I bowled a 193 and a 190. Would have been two straight clean games but in the 1st game of the two I guttered on the first shot in the 10th and could only pick up 9 on the second shot. I think we took 3 out of 4 points and I remember their team wasn't very happy.

With you handicap, I wound WHY? Hey a 190 game for you is like Ice or Rob throwing a 220!!

For me...and don't tell Iceman for AVI II....I AM my worst critic. If I'm bowling sub-par...just let me self destruct...because I will. Don't try to make it worse...because usually all that does is distract me from how bad I'm doing and cause me to focus on doing better...and then you're in trouble!


THANKS FOR THE TIP!!! I would hate to see that explosive side of you when your game gets better due to TRASH TALK! OOOOO ,,,, ICE man is shacking in his recliner while typing TRASH!!

We shall met again,,, I will bring the original poster that your friend made for you, but I fear the out come will still be the same!

ROB, and Ice might be in their 60's, but WE have THE GIFT, grasshopper! (And in Rob's case, he has the Gift, and Knowledge)!

Rob deserved to win this last meeting, but now that I have had a lesson, and do have the gift, I will return with a vengeance!!!!

Losing to Rob was a learning experience! All I really needed was that ONE LESSON HE GAVE ME, that put me DOWN!! When I fell, it was one
of those eureka moments, that changed my bowling life forever, it swept me OFF MY FEET!!

Not sure if you looked closely at ICEMAN's face after the fall, but there were tears going down my face!!! NOT from the fall, or pain, I felt NOTHING in that regard, but from that ONE SIMPLE LESSON that ROB gave me, everything became SO CLEAR!

Thank you Rob,,, for the FALL, it has changed my life!!!

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium oil synthetics

467 Series: 138-169-160
First night in the new league. First game I did pretty well, but missed a single 2-pin and had a couple splits and a couple washouts…disappointing start. Game 2 was decent except out of 5 single pin leaves; I only picked up two. Lots of spares in Game 2 and very few strikes. Game 3 very similar except I only made 1 of 3 single pin spare opportunities and also had a split.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.71 pins
Strikes: 32% (1 double and 8 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 33% (3/9)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (2x)
Never left a single 1-pin nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 58% (7/12)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 and 3-10 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 155.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 179.00.

The stats tell the story. I just couldn't make spares. Right side or left…the new plastic ball and new targets…just wasn't lined up right. Hit my target on nearly every shot but missed. One thing I'm working on is to line up more left (since the ball is on my right). Sometimes, I wouldn't trust that and square up to the foul line….other times I'd remain true to that philosophy and miss left.

I'm not super bummed since the team took all 4 points and my team is a kinda cool bunch so I think it'll be a fun season. But the league is much more competitive than previous leagues…so it really makes me feel inadequate when you're bowling against guys that have 0 handicap and 220+ averages and so many 300-games that they don't care if they roll one. And it's hard being the 3rd best bowler on the team when I'm used to being #1 or #2.

As far as the new technique…I miss the accuracy of the old approach/release. But I was successful if I just relaxed and threw the ball. This new approach/release I'm more upright and that makes it harder to hit a part of a board like before. And it makes me want to add a little "umpff" to the release. But when I focused on just relaxing and letting the ball go…accuracy increased and I made my 2-3 best shots. I have to keep reminding myself that I don't need the "umpff"…I get plenty of speed and carry just letting it go relaxed.

Work in progress. Might as well have nights like tonight EARLY on in the season where it'll help my handicap.

[Amyers]

Like anything else it will take time with both the release and the plastic. I'm going to go practice tonight Glad you found a cool team to bowl with. I have been the best on the team and in the middle I find I learn more bowling with people who are better than me so there is that although I do feel more pressured to perform bowling with the better bowlers sometimes more by myself than them.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Cheetah Pattern

584 Series: 134-160-114-176
Game 1, I only made 1 of 4 single-pin spares. Game 2 I made 7 straight spares and a strike…but opened with a 1-2-4-10 washout in the 1st frame and closed the game out with a missed single 5-pin in the 10th. Game 3 was an absolute embarrassment and made me wonder if there was any way to get out of this league where I clearly don't belong. Then Game 4 I did better. I struck a little, made my single-pin spares, and was only a couple frames (a pulled shot and a washout) away from a clean game.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.76 pins
Strikes: 16% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 36% (4/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 6-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 59% (13/22)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 4 games: 146.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 164.00.

Again, the stats tell the story. I couldn't strike. I couldn't make my single-pin leaves. And my only saving grace was that my multiple-pin spare conversion rate was strong and I didn't leave many splits.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards...

456 Series: 169-132-155
Game 1 I managed to strike a bit which masked the sub-par spare shooting. Game 2 the spare shooting fell apart and the strikes stopped coming. Game 3 was "okay" except for a few open frames where I couldn't pick up the multi-pin spares. Only 3 open frames; but only 1 strike.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.09 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 double and 6 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 40% (2/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (3x).
Only left single 3, 7, and 10-pins.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (9/18)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 152.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 159.00.

Still some difference; but not as much as last week.

Really struggled with timing. Tried to relax more but that was hit or miss. Started out trying to get low, but that was messing me up, so I started getting very upright and almost "chucking" the ball again. That wasn't working either. As far as the spares go, thats still a work in progress. In defense of the system; I left my cheat sheet at home and I think for some of the left side leaves I was standing too far left…which explains why I seemed to struggle more than usual. I also don't have a target/system for 2-pins and 3-pins…so those were more difficult than usual.

I also think I have to figure out my thumb situation. After reading a recent article on Bowling This Month and the feedback I've gotten from my coach…and recent performance observations…thumb fit seems almost vital to performance. It seems like when I have a snug fit…and I don't pinch…the ball comes off clean and I get a very good release and good ball motion. When I "grip" and/or the thumb sticks…it's usually a very bad shot. I MUST get that figured out. I'm gonna have my Frantic replaced soon and I think I'll try the VISE IT grips just to give them a try. And I think before my next lesson I'm gonna have the Slingshot thumb-hole plugged and re-drilled. That ball has the best fit in terms of span…but I can't get my thumb all the way in…and my coach has been commenting on that.

Next week is the WTBA Mexico City pattern so we're back to a LONG pattern. That means I'll have to tighten up my line a bit and go more direct at the pocket.

[Amyers]

Thumb fit is the most important to well balanced bowling. When I'm struggling I have figured out its my thumb 90% of the time. The hardest thing about it is that it took me almost a year to be able to feel when I'm screwing it up by gripping or over rotating the hand both of which will mess my release up.

Those sport patterns can be rough. I know how you tend to over think make sure it's not getting in your head

[Aslan]

Those sport patterns can be rough. I know how you tend to over think make sure it's not getting in your head

I tried not to think too much.

Originally I was concentrating on the footwork and getting low…

Then I just focused on the footwork…and if I lofted it; oh well…

Then I tried to focus on the footwork and my sweep leg…

Just tried to keep it to 2 things. 4 things was too much. 7 things was way too much. So we're down to 2.

I also try to stay alert about my release/getting thumb out/etc… but it happens so fast it doesn't do me any good to think about it.

I'm not AS nervous in the sport shot league. I'm just in it for the experience and we have ZERO shot of winning. So if I do well, it's a bonus. I mean, Mike pointed out this morning that I had the lowest score (114) of the team and the highest score (176) of the team…so I just have to keep things in perspective. I actually did better THIS week than last week. My biggest challenge on Sunday mornings is to stay positive so I'm not a downer to my teammates. Mike was nice enough to play…we have this nice older lady on the team now as well. And I don't want to get so frustrated that they think, "geez…bowling with this guy is a nightmare." I mean, if they think, "this guy sucks."…I'm okay with that. But I don't want it to be my attitude.

[Aslan]

Also, not to be an alarmist, but I also "may" have an injury to deal with in the near future. Having moderate pain when lifting my arm sideways. Tell tale sign of supraspinatus inflammation. Doesn't seem bad enough to require surgery at this point. But the only way to reverse the symptoms are rest which means either stopping bowling or learning to bowl left handed.

IDK. Maybe it'll feel better tomorrow. But tomorrow is practice…which I desperately need…so we'll see how it goes. Did the same thing when I started running and doing 5Ks. Ended up with a bad case of plantar fasciiitis. Ended up having to stop running for 1-3 weeks and it never really went away. If I do a 2-10 mile run…I'll be limping that night and probably the next morning. This supraspinatus inflammation may be similar, something that won't require surgery but will keep me from as much bowling as I'd like or from the level I want to get to.

[MICHAEL]

Also, not to be an alarmist, but I also "may" have an injury to deal with in the near future. Having moderate pain when lifting my arm sideways. Tell tale sign of supraspinatus inflammation. Doesn't seem bad enough to require surgery at this point. But the only way to reverse the symptoms are rest which means either stopping bowling or learning to bowl left handed.

IDK. Maybe it'll feel better tomorrow. But tomorrow is practice…which I desperately need…so we'll see how it goes. Did the same thing when I started running and doing 5Ks. Ended up with a bad case of plantar fasciiitis. Ended up having to stop running for 1-3 weeks and it never really went away. If I do a 2-10 mile run…I'll be limping that night and probably the next morning. This supraspinatus inflammation may be similar, something that won't require surgery but will keep me from as much bowling as I'd like or from the level I want to get to.

READ ABOUT DMSO,,, and MSM,,, I have used both for YEARS! DMSO, can be ordered on like from several places,,, just make sure its 70 percent, mixed with purified water. AMAZING healing properties, BUT MAKE sure you read ALL about it from many blogs on line. Many of my friends also SWEAR by its healing properties, and is less toxic to the body then a common aspirin! Good LUCK! Take it easy for a while!

60 minutes did a show on it many years ago that you can find on U-Tube!

[Amyers]

Also, not to be an alarmist, but I also "may" have an injury to deal with in the near future. Having moderate pain when lifting my arm sideways. Tell tale sign of supraspinatus inflammation. Doesn't seem bad enough to require surgery at this point. But the only way to reverse the symptoms are rest which means either stopping bowling or learning to bowl left handed.

IDK. Maybe it'll feel better tomorrow. But tomorrow is practice…which I desperately need…so we'll see how it goes. Did the same thing when I started running and doing 5Ks. Ended up with a bad case of plantar fasciiitis. Ended up having to stop running for 1-3 weeks and it never really went away. If I do a 2-10 mile run…I'll be limping that night and probably the next morning. This supraspinatus inflammation may be similar, something that won't require surgery but will keep me from as much bowling as I'd like or from the level I want to get to.

First off quit lifting your arm sideways

Second my wife had to start bowling leftie due to carpel tunnel problems her average went from 140 to 68 upto 89 now

Third we know what causes your arm pain there's another mental picture none of us wanted

Lastly get better

[MICHAEL]

First off quit lifting your arm sideways

Second my wife had to start bowling leftie due to carpel tunnel problems her average went from 140 to 68 upto 89 now

Third we know what causes your arm pain there's another mental picture none of us wanted

Lastly get better

YES ICEMAN way ahead of you!!! That's why I suggested him finding a WOMAN!!!

[Aslan]

READ ABOUT DMSO,,, and MSM,,, I have used both for YEARS! DMSO, can be ordered on like from several places,,, just make sure its 70 percent, mixed with purified water. AMAZING healing properties, BUT MAKE sure you read ALL about it from many blogs on line. Many of my friends also SWEAR by its healing properties, and is less toxic to the body then a common aspirin! Good LUCK!

Normally I wouldn't consider hippie medications...but given this may threaten my run to future bowling greatness...I may get drastic and get some of that.

It's better today, but I can still feel pain if I extend my arm out to the side and move it up and down (like a bird flapping it's wing). Pain right in the front of the shoulder. Pretty sure it's inflammation/tendonitis...but sometimes the ball sticks on my thumb and when that happens...that could be enough of an acute trauma to cause a tiny tear...which would then require rotator cuff surgery. Which would be a bummer. Especially since it may cause me to have to throw girlie weight 14lb balls like the women and old men...which means I'll have to sell the 11 undrilled 15-16# balls in my closet collection.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: medium oil synthetics

455 Series: 151-166-138
Game 1 I opened with 5 straight spares. Game 2 ended with a wonderful miss of the single 5-pin in the 10th. Game 3 was just embarrassing.

471 Series: 177-161-133
Game 4 was clean except for back-to-back chopped multi-pin leaves. Games 5 and 6 were typical disasters.

395 Series: 128-135-132
Games 7 through 9 weren't worth even mentioning.

448 Series: 132-145-171
Game 10 was stupid. Game 11 I actually did quite well on spares…but just couldn't strike. I switched from the Slingshot to the polished Encounter midway through game 11. Game 12 wasn't great, but I struck in 3 of the first 4 frames and other than a 4-6-7 split I was clean through 8.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.93 pins
Strikes: 25% (4 doubles and 24 singles)
Spares: 46% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (15/20)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (8x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (27/70)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 2-4-5 (6x).

Splits: 7% (1/13)

Average over 12 games: 147.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 151.75.

Disappointing night. I felt better about the single-pin spare shooting but that was about it. Still can't seem to strike and I'm still leaving far, far too many multi-pin spares. A lot of weak hits leaving single 5-pins. A lot of moving around laterally and changing my target vertically trying to get the Slingshot to strike. I even had the polish taken off of it.

The shoulder held up okay…so maybe I was worried for nothing. But the left knee acted up for a few games…so I gotta keep an eye on that. Old Little League issue that has always caused a bit of an issue.

Had more thumb fit issues…the first shot with the Encounter carried me onto the lane. It'll be interesting when I have the Slingshot thumb-hole plugged and re-drilled to see if there's a noticeable difference. It just feels like I'm swimming upstream with this thumbhole stuff.

Been thinking a lot about bowling and where my future is going.

I looked at last season's stats compared to my first season. A whole season and my average only increased 1 pin. And if you look at the linear trend line…I actually improved the first season. About 6-7 pins (per series) over the course of the season. But then last season I lost 14-15 pins (per series) over the course of the season. I was much more consistent than in season 1…not sure if thats good or bad.

And my recent struggles…despite the knowledge and the coaching and the practice…just makes me wonder if these are just growing pains as I adapt to a new style/technique or if this is a sign that perhaps a 155-170 below average bowler is the best I can aspire to. Maybe there is something to the "gift" and I just don't have it. I realize bowling should be fun regardless of the score…but as golfers will attest to…sometimes being really bad at something causes it to not be "as fun".

It's just weird that bowling has become so much easier over the years…yet I can't seem to benefit from it other than being a 155-170 average bowler that on harsher conditions would probably be 145-155.

[Amyers]

A few things bud. When your having them drill the thumb holes make sure they are oversized enough to hold at least three pieces of tape that way you can add or subtract due to the thumb size changing. This is a must if your using a correct tight fit. Believe me I know more about thumb issues than I care too. You can also stick your thumb in your ball and remove over and over for a couple of minutes before starting to bowl at least with me it helps my thumb seems to go down in size after a few balls rolled. usually when I first pick the ball up I can't hardly get my thumb out after a couple minutes it's fine.

I don't get your continual weak hit problem. I can't say it never happens to me but its rare. If you don't have enough revs, angle, hook whatever we want to call it move right until you do. if you have to just throw the damn ball in the pocket I know your pretty accurate you couldn't pick spare up the way you do if you weren't. you may not be able to stand left and throw right you may have to stand right and throw left if that is what it takes do it. We all know what Albert Einstein says about people that continue to repeat the same action and expect different results.

Iceman not withstanding all of this gift crap is just that. There maybe a few with superior hand eye coordination that have an inherent advantage but I've met very few people who just pick up a ball and average over 150 and most of them that do as they learn how to play properly they move backward before moving on forward. I started this game in 1982 at 8 years old I don't know what I averaged that year but I can tell you it wasn't good by about 13 I was up to 150 or so and at 16 I was at 180-190 my high average was at 17 at 192 this was back in the days of urethane when 200 would get you close to the PBA. I may beat that this year but I can tell you I'm still not the bowler I was then and I've been back bowling somewhat regularly for almost a year now although this is my first fall league back.

I get where your coming from I work with the kids on my daughter youth league some with making lane adjustments and things like that because a lot of bowlers don't know how to do this anymore they just get a different ball. It's painful sometimes to watch these kids that are better than me now throwing the ball with speed, power, and revs like none of us dreamed of when I was coming up. The moral of the story is keep your chin up you'll get there as I've told you before many times I've had to go backward to get better and often when I improve it's a light bulb thing and something just clicks usually when I least expect it and I get better by 20 pins or so. Keep at it.

P.S. Why the slingshot you've got better balls in your bag?

[Aslan]

I don't get your continual weak hit problem. I can't say it never happens to me but its rare. If you don't have enough revs, angle, hook whatever we want to call it move right until you do. if you have to just throw the damn ball in the pocket I know your pretty accurate you couldn't pick spare up the way you do if you weren't. you may not be able to stand left and throw right you may have to stand right and throw left if that is what it takes do it. We all know what Albert Einstein says about people that continue to repeat the same action and expect different results.

Well, there's a few issues that are making it more complicated:

1) Inconsistent release. As I've tried to release the ball better and more behind the ball or under the ball...if I do it correctly; I get a good reaction. If I don't, well, I don't. That makes lateral movement rather difficult because if I hit Brooklyn...I would normally adjust a couple boards left to compensate. But if I then have a poor release...I may miss way right...then I'm trying to figure out if I missed right doe to the release and should just stay where I'm at or if I should move back a couple boards right.

2) My best came is outside in. Throw a ball with some surface up the 6-9 boards and have it go into the pocket. However, the further outside you go and further inside you aim...the more likely you are to leave a split and then you simply can't spare your way out of it. I threw 13 splits in practice. Thats ALOT for me. Generally I only throw 1-3 per league night. Watching a lot of Earl Anthony I realized that one thing that made him so much better than the competition...same can be said for WRW and other straight players...if they miss...they have make-able spares. They may hit weak and leave 10-pins (7 for Earl)...but then power players/high rev players miss..they leave horrible spares or splits. So I TRY to move a little right if I'm hitting weak...but too far right and you're in trouble.

3) Many players have said the key is to find a ball and line that gives you the most miss room where you can still strike. For some reason, I have NO miss room...even on a house shot. Back when I played on wood lanes I had 2 boards left and 6 boards right. That was a BIG target. So my inaccuracy with the loft wasn't a huge deal. Now, on the new synthetics...I'm down to having to hit 1 board or else. Not even 1 board left or right of miss room. Accuracy isn't an issue for me...but timing is. So if my timing is so much as slightly off...I'm pulling or pushing that shot and I miss my small target and bad things happen.

So it's a combination of a lot of things happening all at once. Wood to Synthetics....Loft to No Loft...Timing inconsistencies....Release inconsistencies...and trying to avoid splits.


P.S. Why the slingshot you've got better balls in your bag?
This will result in a very boring dissertation that will likely offend Mudpuppy's Cliff Notes nature...BUT...

My arsenal system is based on using a Benchmark ball on 3 different lines in practice. The ball that hits the best and cleanest...thats the line I choose to play.

Now, to determine the benchmark ball involves what I call "overall hook" and is a calculation based on the target board and where my left foot is. So a target further outside...with my foot further left...is the more aggressive versus where I might be standing further right and the target a little left. The Benchmark ball is simply the ball that falls in the #3 slot on that list (the middle of the pack). That allows me to have two balls to ball UP to and two balls to ball DOWN to should I need.

Now, before I explain "why the Slingshot"...which should be the weakest ball according to specs and PerfectScale...I just want to remind readers that my recent testing of all 5 balls in my arsenal (see the other thread) showed that the difference between bowling balls, with a low rev release, is relatively nothing. With higher revs...sport patterns...maybe then you can see a noticeabe difference. But in general, the idea that some balls are SO much stronger than others as far as I'm concerned has been proven to be nonsense. And really surface has more to do with it than anything else. Even the USBC has stated that. In general, if you measure the span between your left foot and right shoulder (opposite for lefties), that gives you the differnce between where to place your foot and where to target. For me it's about 10 boards. So not surprisingly...my overall hook score for my arsenal...all numbers around 10 (average = 10.27) with the weakest being a 7.5 (which indicates a ball I am throwing a bit "in" and the strongest being a 12 (which indicates throwing it a little "out"). There are two sheets...practice and league. For practice (because you don't always have fresh oil), the numbers are considerably higher as the ball hooks more on the drier surface ranging from 12-18.

So, "why the Slingshot"?

For the MIDDLE (2nd arrow"ish") and OUTSIDE (1-7 area)...the Slingshot is the middle ball of the 5. Why? How can this be!? It's specs show it to be straight and it's a Pearl and it has a PerfectScale score of < 160 and a Diff. of virtually nothing!!

Well, in the middle, the Encounters are stronger as expected. But the Rhythm I have to throw more inside...because of it's coverstock. And the Frantic is rather "dead" on the middle line but also requires it to be throw a little more in due to it's coverstock. Now, the Slingshot, Frantic, and Rhythm all have scores of 9.0...it's just the Slingshot allows me to start targeting the 11-board rather than the 12 or 13 boards.

The outside is a little trickier because it tends to be more erratic. The lesser aggressive/polished Encounter will react too strongly if it gets too far outside and not very much at all of I get too far inside. It's just not a good ball for that line. And the more aggressive Encounter (drilled/surfaced) I can't throw outside of the 12-board or it grabs too early. The Rhythm is the most aggressive ball on the outside because of it's coverstock so I can't really use it unless the outside is rather slick. The Frantic works "okay" out there...but is kinda dead so it's more of a "ball down" option on that line. Again, the Slingshot is the middle, reliable ball on that line to start with.

The INSIDE line (throwing more up the middle) is at best experimental right now. I rarely mess with it given my rev rate. And the benchmark ball is the more aggressive Encounter.

But these change from time to time. I used to use the less aggressive Encounter as the Benchmark ball. For awhile I was using the Frantic on the outside as the benchmark ball and the Rhythm inside. Depending on how the balls perform...I may bump them around a bit and change things up accordingly.

Now, this may be massive OVERKILL in terms of choosing balls to use...but one of the BIGGEST problems I've seen with people that have "arsenals"...and one of the rare points Rob might agree with me about although I imagine he hates my overthinking of this....is that many people switch balls for either no real reason...or because they simply missed on a couple shots. I'd say relatively few house league bowlers really take the time to get to know their arsenals. They have some $200 ball that they use and if it's hooking too much they ball down to a Tropical Breeze or Punch Out ot Strike King. If things aren't hooking enough...then they just grab another $200 ball that is sanded and aggressively drilled and try that. They assume that each ball performs according to it's specs on every line on every lane. They don't bother to let the lanes dictate what line to play...they always play the same line. I feel that if you're going to make the investment in 3-9 balls and roller bags...you should know what ball does what on which line and you should always know WHY you changed balls...and that "why" cannot be "because I missed".

But the system I developed and am experimenting with...it's based on using the MIDDLE ball in your arsenal (for the line you are playing) so you have the MOST ability to either ball UP or ball DOWN. Too many people use the most aggressive ball to start with and then spend all night complaining that the lanes are too slick and there's nothing they can do. They have no ball to "ball up" to. Most people when setting this up would just assume that the aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter is the MOST aggressive and the Slingshot the LEAST aggressive...and keep the lines/targets consistent. But that kinda ignores the fact that balls don't hook MORE or LESS...they hook SOONER or LATER. For example;

Aggressive Encounter has a PerfectScale of 209; Hammer Rhythm a PerfectScale of 211. Both have virtually identical RGs. Both OOB had the same 2000 finish but I've brought the Encounter (A) down to 500 and scuffed it with 1000 grit sandpaper. However, the Rhythm is a SOLID coverstock and the Encounter a PEARL. One would expect the Encounter with that amount of surfacing and the stronger assymetric core to be the most aggressive. But on the OUTSIDE LINE...it IS or ISN'T most aggressive depending on your definition. On the one hand, the Encounter (A) with it's surface hooks so soon that I can't play it right of the 12-board. So in that regard, it IS the most aggressive. However, the Rhythm I can throw up the 7-board and get it to hook smoothly into the pocket...covering a total of 11 boards where as the Encounter (A) also only covers a total of 11 boards when thrown up the 12-board. It's the difference between the slightly more angular snap of the Encounter (A) versus the "big sweeping hook" of the symmetric core Rhythm.

[Amyers]

Well I get what you are saying with the small target area. I felt that way and struggled with the Euphoria when I first started my summer league this year. Playing on the fresh oil with the euphoria with its original finish just didn't work for me and I was having issues with weak hits and feeling like the ball was coming in behind the head pin. Some additional surface and the Asylum helped with that. There are still nights that I feel like my pocket area is 3 boards wide and I have night as long as I get the ball right of the second arrow at some point its going to be in the pocket.

Inconsistency is the hardest thing to work on I have that problem sometimes myself although mine is usually the opposite of getting too much hook on the ball. The release is the one thing it can be wrong and still bowl ok but if it's inconsistent it's darn near impossible to do anything.

On the balls I haven't seen enough of some of your balls to really speak a whole lot don't see much Brunswick stuff around here at all (some DV8 occasional Radical) but I do see some guys using the sling shot as a spare ball. Worry less about papers and maintaining multiple step down balls and throw what works where it works. On a league night I know which ball I'm starting off with and I know within 5 boards of where my feet and target are going to be my main concern is figuring out far to the right I can get it angle at the break point than target without it losing so much energy it hits weak and does something stupid like leave a pocket 7-10. I can pretty much move no more than a couple of boards with the feet and maybe a board or two at the arrow and just tighten my line up as it gets drier outside this is with 4 man teams over a three game set but we do have a pretty heavy pattern. I don't know anyone who uses more than a step up or down unless they are just changing to be changing. Pick two you really want to work with get the drills identical on them and concentrate on those two would be my advice for whatever it's worth.

[Aslan]

I've been tempted to go back throwing the Rhythm up the 6-7 board like I used to. That shot was what got me my 256 game and 575 series last season.

And the longer these struggles continue, the more tempted I am to just start lofting the Frantic 15-20ft and say "screw it".

BUT...I've put too much time and work into becoming a better bowler to essentially go back to what I did when I started. The plastic ball WILL work for spares...I just need time to get my stance and approach lined up right. And eventually my timing and release will be working and I'll start getting consistent shots to work with. I just gotta stay the course and not get overly discouraged. Easier said than done.

But I've went through this before. I tried to pick up Joe Slowinski's DYDS method and it felt like I had taken a few huge steps backwards. After going out to Vegas and working with Rob...same thing...I got all discouraged as sweeps didn't go well and then I didn't get off to a hot start in Spring/Summer. But, improvement is there. It's not easy to see right now in terms of average...but if you look at things like spare shooting or # of gutter balls...a remarkable improvement. Now I got another coach...and we're working on things I've never much paid attention to....and I got a new spare shooting system...it's just going to take some time.

Orange County BVL Tournament is in January or February so I'm just hopeful I can get things straightened out in time for that. I did well last year but I'd like to win the < 170 division before my average creeps any higher.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium oil synthetics

444 Series: 151-144-149
Game 1 I chopped a couple 2-4-5s. Game 2 I chopped another 2-4-5 as well as a couple single pins. Game 3 some more chops and another missed single-pin.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.22 pins
Strikes: 21% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 57% (4/7)
Most common single-pin leave: 9-pin (2x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 43% (7/16)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (4x).

Splits: 50% (1/2)

Average over 3 games: 148.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 157.67.

Another bad night. Single-pin spare shooting was slightly improved but still well below average. And strikes were at a premium so I had to shoot at a lot of multi-pin spares.

Was trying to continue to focus on improving my timing and to stay level in my approach…even if I was a bit taller and more straight up and down than I am used to. But being that straight up and down affected my accuracy. Timing still off, shoulders not always getting square to the foul line…just rough. The only thing that did seem to work is trying to release the ball more naturally and not "force" it. Those ended up being good shots.

Team took 3 of 4 though so I guess it wasn't a complete failure. I just need to get this new style/technique nailed down so I can start seeing some improvement, thats all.

[Aslan]

Virtual Bowling Tour: Round of 8

442 Series: 125-132-185

I had not gotten scores from classy granny nor noeymc by the 15th so the pressure was off a bit since I knew I'd advance to the Final Four regardless. But it was still tough to bowl in Temecula. I never should have picked that center for my list of six. The lighting totally sucks and the music/video screens were distracting not to mention it was $5.25/game and that alley is HOT and HUMID as hell(o).

Game 1 was a disaster. Just a ton of multi-pin spares I couldn't convert. Game 2 wasn't much better. Game 3 I settled down and started to focus and try not to get frustrated. And with the exception of a 2-5-7 split in the 4th frame; I was clean.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.83 pins
Strikes: 16% (7 singles)
Spares: 44% picked up

Single Pin spares: 42% (3/7)
Most common single pin leave: 5-pin and 7-pin (2x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 44% (12/27)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 2-4-5 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 4 games: 138.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 148.75.

Really tough day on the lanes. Had it not been for noeymc being grounded by his mommy and classyG being too busy being classy and a granny…I'd have likely been knocked out in round 1 despite being the top seed. Something is SERIOUSLY wrong with my bowling lately. Ever since my last lesson, I've been virtually unable to bowl. The ball isn't even close to where I'm trying to put it.

I left there hoping that working with MWhite prior to the Sunday league would maybe snap my game back into shape.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: WTBA Mexico City 45' Pattern

587 Series: 154-167-106-160

Game 1 was okay except I went 2 for 5 on single-pin spares. Most of the time I hit my targets, but still having trouble lining up properly. Game 2 was okay, just chopped a couple multi-pin leaves and left a split. Game 3 was horrible. 3 splits and numerous multi-pin spares. Only single-pin spare I left I picked up. Other than that just one strike. Game 4 was 2 splits and going 1 for 3 on single-pin spares…kinda like Game 1 except I managed to strike out in the 10th to salvage a decent score and help the team take at least 1 point for the morning.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.51 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 double and 5 singles)
Spares: 36% picked up

Single Pin spares: 58% (7/12)
Most common single-pin leave: 7-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 22% (4/18)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 4 games: 146.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 158.75.

Exact opposite of last week with almost identical results. Last week I couldn't strike and couldn't pick up single-pin spares. This week I was okay (not great) with those but couldn't seem to pick up multi-pin spares and left more splits.

Mike worked with me on where to line up and some spots to hit…but other than helping me with 2-pins and 3-pins…it didn't really help much because I struggled hitting my spots. There's something off with my timing. I think with the attempts to make it later; we've made it "too late" and I'm getting to the line and the ball is still up in the air and one minute I'm trying to slow down and send it right…the next minute I'm trying to pull it down quickly and missing left. It doesn't do any good to have someone give you proper marks to aim at if you can't hit them.

I stuck around and practiced on a regular THS shot just to try and get some confidence back…more on that in a moment.

[Aslan]

Sunday Morning Practice: low oil synthetics

683 Series: 201-180-153-149

Got to leagues early to get some guidance from MWhite before the Sunday Sport League and then bowled a few practice games after league play…but they were all on house shots since I am going to be gone for a few weeks and there's no need to get practice on the Mexico City pattern.

Game 1 actually went quite well. Other than not converting a 5-10 split in the 3rd; a clean game. And I struck a fair amount. Game 2 I also did quite well. Missed a 9-10 split in the 7th and then opened in the 10th due to a 1-2-4-10 washout. Otherwise clean and quite a few strike frames.

Then, Game 3 I got 3 splits and missed a couple single pins…so I was back to square 1. Then Game 4 I got 3 splits, chopped a 2-4-5, and only struck once. Again; square 1.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.73 pins
Strikes: 31% (3 doubles and 8 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 84% (11/13)
Most common single-pin leaves: 7-pin and 10-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 6-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 33% (5/15)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/8)

Average over 2 games: 170.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.50.

I actually wasn't too disappointed given my recent epic struggles…shooting over 30% strikes and 84% at single-pin spares. And really, the multi-pin % is much higher if you take out the splits. Even better if you take out the less make-able washouts. Of matter of fact, the only non-split/non-washout was ONE 2-4-5 that I chopped. So I'll take that.

This is a house that is much more in line with my game. I had a TON of miss room to the right playing primarily the 8-board. And I was focusing on getting low in my approach. Not the uncomfortable way I was before; just slowly getting lower as I approached the foul line. The lower I can get, the more accurate I can be. The timing still wasn't perfect…but it was better.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: medium oil synthetics

478 Series: 153-169-156
Started off Game 1 with 5 straight spares and a strike. Then I opened 3 of the last 4 frames. Game 2 was more of the same, mostly clean but a few frames of spare issues. Still couldn't strike in Game 3 so I switched to the Frantic in the 4th frame and was clean except for a 4-6-10 split in the 8th.

499 Series: 164-169-166
All 3 games were virtually identical…7 clean frames and a few splits/chopped or missed spares. Switched to the less aggressive Encounter near the start of Game 6.

451 Series: 129-156-166
Game 7 was 5 splits. Game 8 spare shooting was a little off…but I did pick up a 6-7 split…which was cool. And Game 9 was clean except for 3 splits.

491 Series: 168-158-165
Games 10 through 12 were more of the same…mostly clean but 3-4 open frames of splits or missed spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.45 pins
Strikes: 28% (7 doubles and 22 singles)
Spares: 53% picked up

Single Pin spares: 67% (21/31)
Most common single-pin leaves: 2-pin and 10-pin (6x each).
Never left a single 1-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (27/58)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 10% (2/19)

Average over 12 games: 159.92.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 168.58.

Actually…this practice wasn't so bad. It wasn't good. 12 games with nothing 170 or higher is NOT good. Being virtually unable to pick up a corner pin spare is NOT good. BUT…the overall stats were encouraging. And, I seemed to have a bit of an "aha moment" in Game 12 when I took off my wrist positioner and started getting a feel for keeping my hand behind the ball. Still a work in progress, but I saw some encouraging things.

I'm also going to post a bit of a ball comparison in the Stats Part II thread which is sort of inspired by Amyers questioning whether perhaps using the weaker Slingshot could be a reason for the struggles as of late…so go check it out!!

[Amyers]

looking a little better bud the spares will come back in time. I have got my right side stuff down pretty well with the spare ball but I am still struggling with the 7 and 4 pins. Can't seem to find a line I'm comfortable with on those two with the plastic but everything else is way up percentage wise for me. Keep working on it and remember don't try to do too much at one time work on one thing until your comfortable with it then move on to the next thing. It takes longer that way but too many changes at once is too hard and can shake your confidence. Keep at it I know you have it in you. I'll take a look at your post on the slingshot.

[Aslan]

I have got my right side stuff down pretty well with the spare ball but I am still struggling with the 7 and 4 pins. Can't seem to find a line I'm comfortable with on those two with the plastic but everything else is way up percentage wise for me. Keep working on it..

I am having a similar problem. I am hitting my mark...I am lining up consistently...and the plastic ball isgoing straight no matter how I release it. But I'm still missing by a tiny bit. It has to do with my allignment when I start and my allignment when I finish. I am trying to aim slightly left to compensate for my shoulder throwing the ball (not my eyes)...but sometimes I throw it perfectly and miss...over rotating just slightly. Other times I square up to the foul line rather than my target.

I know I need to be patient...but it is very, very frustrating when you hit your mark and the ball misses. And it's not a miss ONLY one way...it'll miss slightly right...then miss slightly left. That tells me its not the target...it's something I'm doing in my approach/release.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium oil synthetics

426 Series: 133-144-149
Wow! Talk about consistency!! Last week's scores were 151-144-149. Awesome.

Game 1 I struck a few times but struggled with spares. Game 2 I struck less but was a little better with spares. In Game 3...and THIS REALLY PISSES ME OFF...<calm...chill...go to happy place..>...do you know that my First Ball average was about 9.4 if you correct for the - / that should have been a "10" but I dropped it and it went in the gutter on the first shot. That means, for the non-numberish folks...that in every frame...after correction...I hit either 9 or 10 pins. But I scored a 149!!! How you ask?? Ummm...2 for 6 on single pin spares. Mad a 7-pin and a 5-pin. Missed a 9-pin, 7-pin, and both 10-pins.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.06 pins
Strikes: 25% (8 singles)
Spares: 43% picked up

Single Pin spares: 50% (5/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 7-pin and 10-pin (3x each)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, nor 6-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (5/13)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 142.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 160.33.

Even though my average was down, my average if I picked up 100% of single-pin spares was slightly up. My league average is now about 148. My sanctioned average has fallen to 162. I actually average only 1 pin higher in this THS league than I do in the sport pattern league. This idea of getting a plastic ball to improve my spare shooting has been an absolute farse and disaster. I'm hitting my mark...and I'm missing.

Despite the recent data I posted in Part II of the "nerd thread", I used the Slingshot all night. The reason is that since I changed my release, took off the old wrist positioner...my release is less consistent...and with the stronger balls (especially the assymetric Encounters) I just felt in practice that I was too "all over the place". I also don't like the thumb fit in the Encounters. The span on the Slingshot is almost perfect...but the thumbhole is too small to get my 2nd knuckle in. The downside to that is I tend to grip or I drop it. The upside to it is by thumb can't really get stuck...which relaxes me in my approach not having to worry about that. The Encounters have larger, more taped up thumb holes...and my thumb will sometimes stick. That messes with me.

I know I have to be patient...but my patience is running thin. I'll practice a bit on Saturday...then again on Monday...then league on Tuesday. Not doing sport shot league for a few weeks due to a conflict. Then in early November I'm thinking I might play with the thumbhole on the slingshot to see if I can get my 2nd knuckle in. Which means I won't use it for the league night that Tuesday. And then I'll have my lesson that Wednesday where I might need quite a bit of work. Gotta get this spare shooting thing fixed. Need to figure out the wrist positioner/no wrist positioner/ new brace situation. Need to find an ANSWER to this timing problem.

And I might retire the Frantic and get the Bullet Train drilled up. Maybe even do the VISE IT grips just to try them out...even though the cost sucks. Probably have the pro shop there do it....just to get another option. I like Mike's drilling...and he has done the best job at getting my span right. And I think the thumbhole he originally drilled non-tri-grip on my Rhythm is the best fitting thumb-hole. But I wanna try another driller and see what they think about just doing the standard drill (no tri-grip) and do the VISE IT in the ball. I have to find the sweet spot with this thumb issue. Reading Suzie's article on BTM...thumb fit is just so important...and I'm struggling BADLY with trying to get that perfect thumb fit where it's not sticking and I'm not dropping it. And I NEED to fix that if I'm gonna fix my stupid release (behind the ball) issue and my stupid timing problems. If the guy drills it and it isn't any good (like the driller before I started using Mike)...lesson learned. If the VISE IT grips provide no advantage over tape other than costing my a buttload of money...lesson learned.

But I gotta get this worked out...or I gotta switch coaches...or something. Because if this season doesn't turn around...and I'm averaging sub-150 at Sweeps time...I'm not even gonna go...not even gonna bother Rob for another lesson...because the bowling experiment will be OVER. R.I.P. Aslan. It's just NOT fun. I'm watching clowns on league night...throw with horrible form...throw entry level equipment...half drunk...and they're outscoring me. Some by a LOT. It's just embarrassing. I had fun last night. We're in first place as a team and we bowled a really fun team last night...but I'm borderline clinically depressed with this bowling crap...and I don't need that. I'll find another hobby or get caught up reading some of my books I bought and never read. Something. But not bowling. Not at < 150 average. I'll spare myself the eventual shoulder and knee surgeries and take up something else.

[Amyers]

I will tell you now Aslan figure the thumb thing out right now not two weeks or two months. Pick out something out of that exalted closet (Symmetrical decent strength) of yours take it to Mike or someone else who know how to drill and get something that fits right. Your just wasting time trying to bowl with equipment that doesn't fit properly. I spent six months trying to get my thumb hole to fit correctly (some of it self inflicted) on one ball. Pick out one that you can use get it right then switch the rest. Going back and forth between different grips, pitches, spans, and feels is a recipe for madness. Some people it effects more than others I went to a Demo day at a local lanes a few weeks ago wanted to try some stuff out with the generic drills and pitches I couldn't get anything off my hand right the only thing I did was manage to embarrass myself. You might be in that camp that has to have it correct but if your having issues getting your thumb all of the way into the ball and dropping it something isn't right.

[bubba809]

Awwww Aslan, don't beat yourself up. You got 3 choices what you can do right now:

1. Continue to be all-consuming over every pin stat, bowling graph, keep taking lessons and see what happens.

2. Stop taking bowling so serious, get VERY DRUNK with your friends, lower all your expectations and see what happens.

3. Meet a girl--get married--have a couple kids. This will AUTOMATICALLY end your time for bowling obsession.


Good Luck!

[Aslan]

Awwww Aslan, don't beat yourself up. You got 3 choices what you can do right now:
I'd contend more than 3...but, I'm listening.


1. Continue to be all-consuming over every pin stat, bowling graph, keep taking lessons and see what happens.
Okay. Thats a logical choice.


2. Stop taking bowling so serious, get VERY DRUNK with your friends, lower all your expectations and see what happens.
1. I don't have any friends. Well, I have like "3". But two live in Michigan and one I tried to get involved in bowling but he's too busy having sex with some lady he met.
2. "Getting drunk" isn't necessarily a good idea EVERY time. There are lots of different kind of drunks. I'm the kind that just gets mad when I drink. Horny...then mad (because the horny thing aint workin out)..then tired. In that order. And since this league has some bowlers that are at least "semi-serious"...I doubt I'd be welcomed to stay if I just got poo-faced and started lofting an 8lb ball 45ft down the lane because when you're drunk that's entertaining.


3. Meet a girl--get married--have a couple kids. This will AUTOMATICALLY end your time for bowling obsession.

Awww...bubba. You must be young. I remember that. Yeah...but see...AFTER Marriage and the kid...comes the desire to by anywhere but in the same place as the wife and the kid. Not so much the kid...although the 2-year old through 5-year old stage can be rough...but definitely the wife. That leads to DIVORCE. That leaves a TON of time to bowl...because you don't have the money to do anything else and by then you're 50lbs overweight and so old that going to "college night" to meet girls is "mega-creepy". That leaves bowling and online dating. But once you're past targeting women in their low 30s and get into the upper 30s through 50s....no matter what attributes they have...there is some reason why the last guy ditched them. And you will eventually find out what it was....and also want to ditch them for said reason.

[bubba809]

Awww...bubba. You must be young. I remember that. Yeah...but see...AFTER Marriage and the kid...comes the desire to by anywhere but in the same place as the wife and the kid. Not so much the kid...although the 2-year old through 5-year old stage can be rough



Actually Aslan, I'm 3 years older than you. I have a 3 year old and an 8 month old and have seen my bowling time decrease dramatically. This is a definite, providing you want to spend a lot of time with your kids. But I'm unclear...you DO have kids??

[MICHAEL]

Actually Aslan, I'm 3 years older than you. I have a 3 year old and an 8 month old and have seen my bowling time decrease dramatically. This is a definite, providing you want to spend a lot of time with your kids. But I'm unclear...you DO have kids??

YES, he does have kids, but they are all over this wonderful country. It all happened 8 years ago when he went on a drunken tour on his 50cc moped!
Making love to every biker chick he could AFFORD and at last count over one hundred chicks! But his low sperm count, and now penniless, he has but one love child, looking desperately for his father! http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj34/jake_e_lee/bikerchicksug6.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/jake_e_lee/media/bikerchicksug6.jpg.html)

A lonely boy looking for his father! A father that could teach him all that is missing in his life, like how to write wordy thoughts on computers, make charts, and graphs, and maybe even how to bowl! Yes Aslan has reproductions of himself,, but at this point in his life, the riddle of bowling is his priority!

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn104/Rian22s_Photos/ugly_baby.jpg (http://media.photobucket.com/user/Rian22s_Photos/media/ugly_baby.jpg.html)

daddy,,, where are you????

[manke]

That is awsome michael!!

[bubba809]

That may be the best post I've ever seen on here Iceman!

[Aslan]

That may be the best post I've ever seen on here Iceman!

Thats troubling. In multiple ways.

[Aslan]

Saturday Open Bowling: low-medium oil synthetics

511 Series: 137-177-197
Game 1 I was struggling to figure out what ball I wanted to use…and wasn't hitting my targets early. Didn't strike much and spare shooting was very sub-par. Early on it looked like my struggles were going to continue. Game 2 I was clean through 5 before a washout in the 6th. Then a 6-7-10 in the 9th to reduce what was otherwise pretty good. Game 3 was actually quite bad early on…but a 5-bagger tends to fix a sub-par beginning.

535 Series: 176-202-157
Had it not been for a split on the final ball in Game 3, would have been a 6-bagger to end Game 3 and then 3 straight to start Game 4. Ended up with 3 splits and a missed 10-pin but struck enough to stay respectable. Game 5 was respectable, just got a 7-10 split and missed a single 10-pin…otherwise clean. Game 6 was just frustrating. Two splits and two single-pin spares that I couldn't pick up. Just poor spare shooting.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.70 pins
Strikes: 42% (1 5-bagger, 2 triples, 4 doubles, and 9 singles)
Spares: 40% picked up

Single Pin spares: 45% (5/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 6-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 37% (9/24)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 and 4-6-7 (3x each).

Splits: 0% (0/8)

Average over 6 games: 174.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 184.67.

I was excited for this chance to practice since I won't have my usual sport shot league tomorrow morning. This is a house that on their THS I do fairly well. A couple boards of miss room.

The real change I made to my game for this practice set was from what I saw in the WSOB qualifying rounds. Not even the power players…but the women bowlers. I noticed them with some of the easiest, smoothest, effortless swings and they scored very well. Also, the preview of Mark Baker's new DVD gave me some form hints as well. I decided I needed to "quiet my shoulder" and just focus on my form. Hopefully, if I focused on form and accuracy, some of the other irregularities I have been struggling with (timing, balance, getting lower) would resolve themselves.

The results were positive. Even though I'm struggling a GREAT deal to make spares using the plastic ball using the lines my coach gave me…my strike rate was up considerably and I'm finding it easier to stay the behind the ball which is giving me a better ball motion and axis of rotation than previously. I'm hoping the wrist brace that I bought online will aide me further, for at least the learning stage until it becomes more natural.

[Amyers]

hey much better scores and a better strike rate good bowling Aslan.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: medium oil synthetics

495 Series: 169-172-154
A lot of washouts. Still struggling to get that Slingshot to make a good turn into the pocket with my rev rate.

490 Series: 161-149-180
More of the same in games 4 and 5. Even Game 6 was similar…I just happened to make more spares in Game 6.

452 Series: 146-151-155
Switched to the more aggressive Encounter. Left 4 single-pin spares in Game 7 and made 3 of the 4…but couldn't strike and couldn't make the multi-pin spares. Game 8 was similar. Made most of the make-able leaves, didn't strike much, missed some of the garbage multi-pin leaves. Game 9, only had a few opens, but only struck twice.

429 Series: 135-151-143
Game 10 was a lot of single-pin spares and a lot of splits. Only struck twice. Game 11 was only a few opens…and struck a little more. Game 12 was either a strike or a multi-pin spare and I think I only made a couple spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.21 pins
Strikes: 29% (1 turkey, 3 doubles and 30 singles)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (14/21)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (7x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 4-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 44% (29/65)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2 and 1-2-4 (6x each).

Splits: 0% (0/11)

Average over 12 games: 155.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 161.50.

The reason there's not a lot of RED nor GREEN is the stats were virtually identical to last week. No improvement, no regression.

My focus this week was to build on some recent success with trying to quiet my shoulder and create a more relaxed swing with better form and hopefully better balance at the foul line. All this while trying to stay behind the ball….and continuing to try and correct my early timing.

Disappointing to say the least. Even though it was similar to last week…I just couldn't find my "groove". A lot of those strikes were Brooklyn or even through the nose. The Slingshot seemed to working better than the Encounter; but the thumb fit is an issue. I'll be resolving that next week. The Encounter thumbhole was also an issue in that I had to worry about getting "stuck". That makes me want to "squeeze"…which leads me to getting "stuck". Kind've a chicken and egg situation.

Still struggling with the plastic ball. I can't wait for my lesson in just over a week because I HAVE to figure this out! If this continues…as much as I hate to be a quitter…the plastic ball is going "bye bye". I missed most of my corner pin spares…but not a big majority. And I missed 3 of 5 6-10s. The plastic ball is KILLING my spare game right now and I NEED to fix that given a sub 30% strike rate.

Gonna still give the Slingshot a try for league night tomorrow playing the 11-board. But I'm going to try the Rhythm up the 7-board as well. I've had some success recently with the Frantic up the 7-board in practice and I want to see what the Rhythm looks like up that line. It'd be nice to develop enough revs to open the lanes up a little and start playing inside…but I'm just not there yet.

The good news is my average is no longer the book 166 and will be my established 148. Hopefully I don't get accused of sandbagging when I finally get my game straightened out and hopefully start throwing back in the 160s or higher.

I'll post today's ball comparison in the Nerd/Part II thread since I already was having the discussion there. Kinda different results tonight.

[Mike White]

Well there is a bit of good news.

On your week off we managed to win 4 of 5 points.

[Aslan]

Well there is a bit of good news.

On your week off we managed to win 4 of 5 points.

Yes!!!

At this rate....by the time I return...we'll be in the hunt for a Championship!!!

Of course...then I'll return and crush those dreams...but thats beside the point....

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium oil synthetics

477 Series: 137-174-166

Game 1 I made 2 straight single 10-pins but then it was multi-pin leaves, splits, and a couple strikes. I obviously wasn't feeling very good that my more relaxed approach, more comfortable outside line, and more powerful ball was giving me similar results.

Game 2 I started out with a turkey before leaving a 4-9 split. Struck one more time in the 5th and then a an open, a few spares, and a split. Disappointing score after 4 strikes in the first 5 frames.

Game 3 I started off again, well, with a double. Then missed a 6-10 badly. Missed a washout 1-2-7-8 in the 5th. And a rare single-pin miss in the 9th to ruin the foundation frame.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.42 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 turkey, 1 double, and 5 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x)
Only left the 10-pin (3x), the 3-pin (2x), and the 9-pin (1x).

Multiple Pin spares: 31% (5/16)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-10 split (4x).

Splits: 16% (1/6)

Average over 3 games: 159.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.00.

No clean games. Couldn't hit a 525+ series. And the strike rate was sub-32%.

BUT…the strike rate was up. The single-pin spare shooting was very good, including the single 10-pin which I picked up 3/3 with the plastic ball. And really, the multi-pin spare rate was deceptively low because I actually left the baby split 4x…that was my most common multi-pin spare leave. With my average so low, after the first few weeks…I helped the team a bit. And the team took 3 of 4 and is at LEAST remaining tied for 1st place.

Switched from the Slingshot up the 11-board to the Rhythm up the 7-9 boards. The Rhythm sometimes moved too much…release is still inconsistent. But it had better hitting power and carry than the Slingshot. Nowhere near the miss room to the outside that I had on wood lanes…but it felt better off my hand than the Slingshot and the Encounters.

Worked on my form, my balance, and my focus. I think those 3 things are what I need to work on…but we'll see what happens next Monday when I practice. Gonna possibly try out the new ball Monday…if not I should have the new ball and the modified Slingshot ready to try out next Wednesday at my lesson. The Slingshot thumbhole just needs to be widened a bit. The span is excellent, probably the best span of any of the 6 balls in my arsenal. But I can't get my top knuckle in far enough which is causing some release issues. The coach has been commenting on it at nearly every lesson.

The new ball is the 900Global Bullet Train which will replace the Frantic in my arsenal. It has very similar to the numbers to the Frantic, maybe slightly more aggressive overall. I'm going to try the VISE IT system since thumb fit has really been an issue with me for some time. If I hate it…it's only one ball and some $$$…lesson learned. If I love it…I can have my 15lb arsenal drilled for IT in late 2015.

The Frantic will go into retirement after about 14 months of use…roughly 250-350 games on it…145+ since I got the PinPal app to keep track. It was damaged in a 7-pin shot where it bounced up and hit the pin setter. It was repaired well though and certainly is still useable. The finger inserts have worn quite a bit and have went from a good fit/lift style to a looser oval.

PinPal Stats for Frantic:

Average: 167.93
High Game: 235
First Ball Average: 8.42
Strike Rate: 32%

More importantly it was my first real ball, first ball drilled for my hand, first fingertip grip. It's really the ball I "learned" to bowl with…so it'll always have a special place in my arsenal history. And maybe when I switch to a 15lb arsenal it makes an occasional guest/celebrity appearance. But for right now, I want to stay focused on bowling 16lbs across the board. When I switch from 16lb to the Frantic I tend to over-power the shot. It comes off my hand well and I get more revs naturally…but the speed is up and difficult to control. I just don't need the added variable right now of varying weights.

[Hampe]

Hey Aslan, just a tip for the plastic spare ball struggles you're having lately:

Find your own lines. What your coach tells you works for him, and probably numerous other people, but doesn't mean it will work for you. Find your own lines for each single pin that are comfortable for you to play. My coach told me to stand at X board and shoot at the middle arrow for the 10 pin, which kind of worked, but had me way closer to the ball return than I was comfortable with. Take the time to find your own lines (took me about 6 months to get all my spare lines sorted out and consitent)..... it's worth it.

[Amyers]

Hey Aslan, just a tip for the plastic spare ball struggles you're having lately:

Find your own lines. What your coach tells you works for him, and probably numerous other people, but doesn't mean it will work for you. Find your own lines for each single pin that are comfortable for you to play. My coach told me to stand at X board and shoot at the middle arrow for the 10 pin, which kind of worked, but had me way closer to the ball return than I was comfortable with. Take the time to find your own lines (took me about 6 months to get all my spare lines sorted out and consitent)..... it's worth it.

I agree with this 100%. Everybody is different and what works for one may not work for another. I had been throwing my left side spares all the way across the lanes almost lofting the gutter cap on 7 pins. A few people kind of made fun of it and my coach said I should try a different line tried a few different things nothing worked couldn't hit them at all finally went back to what worked I'm at about 80% since going back may look weird but its effective.

[MICHAEL]

Hey Aslan, just a tip for the plastic spare ball struggles you're having lately:

Find your own lines. What your coach tells you works for him, and probably numerous other people, but doesn't mean it will work for you. Find your own lines for each single pin that are comfortable for you to play. My coach told me to stand at X board and shoot at the middle arrow for the 10 pin, which kind of worked, but had me way closer to the ball return than I was comfortable with. Take the time to find your own lines (took me about 6 months to get all my spare lines sorted out and consitent)..... it's worth it.

I agree 100 percent with Hampe! I hate to repeat myself, but its fun! Coaches and coaching can vary a heck of a lot. I know a few coaches at the new lanes where I bowl, ,,,,, , that give opposite views on such fundamental things as BALL release!

MAYBE, just maybe you have been to so many different coaches, (each with their own unique coaching views), that you are confused! Sort of like Robbie The Robot in "Forbidden Planet", when he is ask to destroy a human!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/658ea8cdf04115018ff691c35733026a_zps5e65d250.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/658ea8cdf04115018ff691c35733026a_zps5e65d250.jpg.h tml)


Iceman is not a Coach, but one thing I am good at is seeing potential! YOU GOT IT! Stick with ONE ,,, ONE coach and see if it doesn't help your game. Conflicting VIEWS, in your analytical mind causes nerd conflicts!!!

NERD CONFLICTS can lead to more serious problems, STOP, seeing so many Coaches and stick WITH ONE! Before its too late!!!
Nerd Conflicts can lead to more serious problems such as erectile dysfunction!

If that coach can't bring YOU up to a 200 average, SUE HIM/HER, for breach of Coaching!!

Hope this helps.... good luck! :rolleyes:

[Mike White]

Well there is a bit of good news.

On your week off we managed to win 4 of 5 points.

On your 2nd week off we managed to win 3 of 5 points.

They said next week they are using some pattern related to Dick Weber.

They didn't have a picture of a pattern, just one of DW..

Someone said they found it online, and it looks like a heap of oil.

[RobLV1]

I agree 100 percent with Hampe! I hate to repeat myself, but its fun! Coaches and coaching can vary a heck of a lot. I know a few coaches at the new lanes where I bowl, ,,,,, , that give opposite views on such fundamental things as BALL release!

MAYBE, just maybe you have been to so many different coaches, (each with their own unique coaching views), that you are confused! Sort of like Robbie The Robot in "Forbidden Planet", when he is ask to destroy a human!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/658ea8cdf04115018ff691c35733026a_zps5e65d250.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/658ea8cdf04115018ff691c35733026a_zps5e65d250.jpg.h tml)


Iceman is not a Coach, but one thing I am good at is seeing potential! YOU GOT IT! Stick with ONE ,,, ONE coach and see if it doesn't help your game. Conflicting VIEWS, in your analytical mind causes nerd conflicts!!!

NERD CONFLICTS can lead to more serious problems, STOP, seeing so many Coaches and stick WITH ONE! Before its too late!!!
Nerd Conflicts can lead to more serious problems such as erectile dysfunction!

If that coach can't bring YOU up to a 200 average, SUE HIM/HER, for breach of Coaching!!

Hope this helps.... good luck! :rolleyes:

Unfortunately, there is not one cure for anyone's problems. That's the beauty of going to clinics. Coaches may tell bowlers five different things in five different ways, but one of them will sink in. The others aren't wrong, they just didn't get through to the bowler. When I told you that it's a good idea to notice where you are lining up with your left foot, it could have been said, like "line up with your left foot here," or "notice where your left foot starts because that's the foot you slide with", or "what the hell are you doing, not looking down at the approach when you start?" All said the same thing in several different ways. You're right... stick with one coach. The one that makes sense to you. It doesn't make everyone else wrong, just different.

[Aslan]

On your 2nd week off we managed to win 3 of 5 points.

They said next week they are using some pattern related to Dick Weber.

They didn't have a picture of a pattern, just one of DW..

Someone said they found it online, and it looks like a heap of oil.

Yeah, it was supposed to be the USBC 39'but the mechanic there said he couldn't find that particular pattern for the machine or something like that so he recommended the Dick Weber pattern which I guess is close. If it's like that USBC pattern...it's a LOT of oil in the middle and fronts. Still looked like some dry to the outside though. Kinda like the Cheetah...it's deceptive because it's so short you figure your ball is going to dart left...but the oil is so heavy in the fronts that it doesn't start biting till way late. And if it does bite early...it's out of energy by the time it gets to the dry.

Should be interesting. Glad to hear you guys are taking advantage of the lack of Aslan to get some points!!! Did Rita's son sub for me? Or is my spot just been blank/blind?

Hopefully I've work some of my kinks out in the next couple weeks and be a bit more productive when I return on the 16th.

[Aslan]

Unfortunately, there is not one cure for anyone's problems. That's the beauty of going to clinics. Coaches may tell bowlers five different things in five different ways, but one of them will sink in. The others aren't wrong, they just didn't get through to the bowler. When I told you that it's a good idea to notice where you are lining up with your left foot, it could have been said, like "line up with your left foot here," or "notice where your left foot starts because that's the foot you slide with", or "what the hell are you doing, not looking down at the approach when you start?" All said the same thing in several different ways. You're right... stick with one coach. The one that makes sense to you. It doesn't make everyone else wrong, just different.

Yeah...it's always a work in progress. Until you get to that highest level where you can zero in on just ONE thing.

Like simple examples:

1) Being vertical at the foul line vs. forward spine tilt.
Coach A: Hand to the ceiling.
Coach B: Hand towards the pins
Coach C: Hand toward the pins
Coach D: Be straight up and down but low (knee bend)
Coach E: Slight tilt forward...stay level during approach

2) How close do I stand to the foul line in my initial stance?
Coach A: Move closer so you're not running.
Coach B: Same
Coach C: Move even closer.
Coach D: Move back a foot so you're not crowded at the line.
Coach E: Move back another foot...take advantage of your height.

The list could go on and on. Are any of these coaches "wrong"? Well...with the exception of Coach A...all of these are either high level coaches, USBC Hall of Famers, former PBA pros, or current PBA pros...so I doubt it. But you have to remember...sometimes they teach you something to fix Problem A...because thats the biggest problem (not the ONLY problem) you have. That fix may need to be fixed or adjusted later when the bowler is at that next level.

Example:
I NEEDED to slow down...move up in the approach...because early on I was "running" to the foul line. On video, there was a point where both my feet were off the lane. So moving me up in the approach and shortening steps...was absolutely necessary. As I perfected that approach and not "rushing the foul line", I started getting to the point where I was getting "crunched" up against the foul line and in some cases setting off the buzzer. So I moved back 2ft. Well, then I was a little too far away again and starting to take long steps...so I move 1 foot closer. I'm essentially back to starting where I was in the beginning...but I NEEDED to make those adjustments to fix some of the issues I was having with the approach and timing.

Coaches only fix the most important 1-3 issues at a time. And then work their way down to the less important ones. Sometimes they'll tell you to do something that later they take away...because it serves a purpose in the interim. And sometimes fixes don't work well for that particular bowler.

Example:
For me, I tend to "kick" my sweep league. This causes some movements in my shoulders during the release that aren't "great". So my coach tried to get me to think of the sweep leg more in terms of "sweeping" and not "kicking". In theory, that was a good fix. But in practice, the way my mind works, I wasn't getting square to the foul line because I was concentrating on moving my sweep leg very, very slowly...and was thus never getting square and releasing the ball way right. So after 2-3 weeks of trying that...we took that out and tried something else. Some coaches teach beginners to just kick the sweep leg "back" instead of to the side...because they want to focus on something and not worry about the sweep leg just yet.

Even my goofy crossover step...multiple coaches have tried to "fix" that...only to just instead decide to focus on something else because trying to "fix" it messes up the approach/timing too much. Sometimes it's better to just leave those things alone and work "around" them. And thats done ALL the time...especially with those of us with physical limitations. Does Rob have the prototypical PBA release? No. Why not? Because Rob is the same age as Iceman and his knees wouldn't last 6 frames if he had to get that low at the foul line in terms of knee bend. But he's able to continue to bowl at a high level...despite that limitation...by working on other compensating factors. ANd he's not alone. I love watching the PBA50 because you'll see guys like Amaletto that have the body/condition of a teenager...and then you'll see some guys that can't get that low...and are relying on accurately hitting their spots and other things to compensate. Mike Edwards and Jack Jurek look entirely different than Monticelli...yet still compete with him.

[Mike White]

Yeah, it was supposed to be the USBC 39'but the mechanic there said he couldn't find that particular pattern for the machine or something like that so he recommended the Dick Weber pattern which I guess is close. If it's like that USBC pattern...it's a LOT of oil in the middle and fronts. Still looked like some dry to the outside though. Kinda like the Cheetah...it's deceptive because it's so short you figure your ball is going to dart left...but the oil is so heavy in the fronts that it doesn't start biting till way late. And if it does bite early...it's out of energy by the time it gets to the dry.

Should be interesting. Glad to hear you guys are taking advantage of the lack of Aslan to get some points!!! Did Rita's son sub for me? Or is my spot just been blank/blind?

Hopefully I've work some of my kinks out in the next couple weeks and be a bit more productive when I return on the 16th.

I don't know who Rita is, so I don't know if that is the person who subbed for you.

[MICHAEL]

Unfortunately, there is not one cure for anyone's problems. That's the beauty of going to clinics. Coaches may tell bowlers five different things in five different ways, but one of them will sink in. The others aren't wrong, they just didn't get through to the bowler. When I told you that it's a good idea to notice where you are lining up with your left foot, it could have been said, like "line up with your left foot here," or "notice where your left foot starts because that's the foot you slide with", or "what the hell are you doing, not looking down at the approach when you start?" All said the same thing in several different ways. You're right... stick with one coach. The one that makes sense to you. It doesn't make everyone else wrong, just different.


MY god,,,FOR THE LOVE OF GOD Rob, Who is "The One!" There must be a ONE TURE Coach that knows all!! Aslan is searching for TRUTHS!! How do you know what makes sense, if your don't know SQUAT, like Aslan????? You type with riddles, and what Aslan needs are solutions, answers!

I will ask you ONE MORE TIME ROB,,, ARE YOU THE ONE!!!???

http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae233/ElveeKaye/Jesusy%20goodness/God.png (http://media.photobucket.com/user/ElveeKaye/media/Jesusy%20goodness/God.png.html)

[Aslan]

I don't know who Rita is, so I don't know if that is the person who subbed for you.

Our only other teammate!! Wait. It starts with an "R"! Rona? You KNOW who I mean…out teammate!! It's 3 people!! Me, you, and HER!!

I might have the name mixed up. I don't have my scoresheet with me that has the names on it and I'm not going out in the car to get it.

[Mike White]

Our only other teammate!! Wait. It starts with an "R"! Rona? You KNOW who I mean…out teammate!! It's 3 people!! Me, you, and HER!!

I might have the name mixed up. I don't have my scoresheet with me that has the names on it and I'm not going out in the car to get it.

No, I didn't think of Rona when you said Rita.

And No, the person who subbed was not her son.

[Aslan]

Let's get back to posting scores before Iceman drives everyone crazy…

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

457 Series: 170-139-148
Struggled getting used to the new wrist brace and the lanes seemed drier than usual. Had to make a ball change to the Rhythm in Game 2 and then to the new Bullet Train in Game 3. Lots of changes in a short amount of time while trying to figure out the wrist brace.

494 Series: 194-124-176
Six strikes in Game 4. Then switched to the less aggressive Encounter and tried to play a little more aggressive of a line. But the Encounter was all over the map. A lot harder to control with the added revs the wrist brace was putting out.

453 Series: 151-126-176
In Game 9 I switched to the Bullet Train.

147 Game
Used the Slingshot in the final game because the Bullet Train was just too strong.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.10 pins
Strikes: 28% (3 turkeys, 6 doubles and 13 singles)
Spares: 46% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (14/22)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 10-pin (5x each).
Never left a single 1-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 39% (20/51)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-3-6 and 6-10 (7x each).

Splits: 0% (0/8)

Average over 10 games: 155.10.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 162.90.

Virtually no difference from last week's stats. Just a minor drop in spare shooting.

This was a tough practice! The wrist brace is amazingly effective at getting the hand in the right position and increasing revs. Even my plastic spare ball was hooking a bit. Also adding to that issue was the lanes seemed to be drier than usual. I think they didn't oil all the way down before leagues and I was playing on lanes that hadn't been oiled in some time.

Got to try out the new Bullet Train. It was supposed to be a replacement for the Frantic with similar stats and overstock…but it seems way more aggressive. The guy in the pro shop said the same thing, that even though the Frantic and Bullet Train are both Hybrids…not every hybrid is the same and the Bullet Train would not only out hook the Frantic…but probably the rest of my arsenal as well…even the Encounters which have stronger, asymmetric cores.

Spare shooting still is a problem. Still missing way, way too many single-pin spares despite hitting my targets. Gonna be the focus, I think, of the lesson on Wednesday. I gotta get this ship righted.

[Amyers]

Wow is the combo of the new ball and wrist brace going to allow Aslan to develop at least some inside game. Stay tuned.

[MICHAEL]

Wow is the combo of the new ball and wrist brace going to allow Aslan to develop at least some inside game. Stay tuned.
One Gif is worth 1000 words!! LOLhttp://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/ghf_zpsimghweim.gif (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/ghf_zpsimghweim.gif.html)

[Aslan]

One Gif is worth 1000 words!! LOLhttp://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/ghf_zpsimghweim.gif (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/ghf_zpsimghweim.gif.html)

Fortunately I can't see said "GIF"s at work. I suppose the one nice thing about our work's Nazi-esque internet security.


Wow is the combo of the new ball and wrist brace going to allow Aslan to develop at least some inside game. Stay tuned.

Well, the brace is in the bag for league play tonight. And the Bullet Train has been pushed to an extreme back-up role until I have more time to figure it out. It only had a 32% strike rate so it wasn't just absolutely hammering the pins. And the aggression might have had something to do with it being new and/or the lanes being drier than usual.

I also got the VISE IT thumb-slugs installed on that ball so part of the reason could also be how effortlessly it comes off my hand.

Just too many variables right now to trust it. I'm gonna go back to the basics for league...try the Slingshot up the 11-board (standing 23) and the aggressively drilled/surfaced Encounter up the 12-board (standing 24) and go from there. I probably still can't play truly inside with fresh oil and without my brace on. Someday though! Someday. Until then, I gotta stick with what I'm used to and that is around 2nd arrow.

I had a good deal of success with the Rhythm further outside (7-8 board) last week but that ball tends to give me more splits...both last week and yesterday in practice. I can counter that by trying to move further inside...but I tend to run out of angle rather quickly...and my other way of combating it is to add loft...which I'm trying to avoid. The advantage the Rhythm gave me last week was an extra board of miss room on either side. Normally I have about ONE board to work with and with the Rhythm up the outside I had about TWO boards on either side where it would still find the pocket. I lose that as I go to the Pearl balls and move in to the middle.

But it's still really early in the season and the team is doing fine without me contributing a great deal...so struggling early is probably not that terrible of a strategy.

It's interesting that the Bullet Train and Frantic are so different when you look at their specs:

Storm Frantic: RG = 2.53, Diff. = 0.45, Hybrid coverstock, 1500 abralon
900Global Bullet Train: RG = 2.539, Diff. = 0.43, Hybrid coverstock, 2500 abralon

I mean, those numbers BY THEMSELVES...point to a Bullet Train that will go slightly longer and flare slightly less...especially with the surface differences. Both have symmetric cores so there should be no impact of a "stronger core".

BUT...when you look at bowlingball.com's "PerfectScale" rating system:

Storm Frantic: 189.5
900Global Bullet Train: 222.8

Thats HUGE!! Thats the EXACT same PerfectScale score as the Storm Zero Gravity (in terms of newer balls)!!! Putting just ahead of the Hammer First Blood and just behind the Radical Reaxx!! So if this preliminary data holds true...it really lends credit to BB.com's PerfectScale system rather than looking at all the individual ball numbers. Purely on PAPER...the Frantic should hook slightly more...but it's not even close based on initial testing and the PerfectScale system.

[Amyers]

The numbers your looking at only consider the core not the cover stock. The frantic has an old version of the RDS cover stock which is what storm uses on their entry level balls (if you don't count the breeze line). The 900 Global Bullet train has S79 which is one of the strongest cover stocks 900 Global has used. Core numbers are important but cover stock strength still make a big difference.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium-low oil synthetics

542 Seriesq: 211-177-154

Game 1 I started out with a 6-7-10 split and I chopped a 6-10 in the 5th, otherwise clean, including a 5-bagger. Game 2, another 6-7-10 in the 4th and a missed single 10-pin in the 7th...otherwise clean. Game 3 I got not one, but TWO 6-7-10s...which along with a missed 4-7...were my only non-clean frames.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.56 pins
Strikes: 38% (1 5-bagger, 1 double, and 6 singles)
Spares: 65% picked up

Single Pin spares: 83% (5/6)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 57% (8/14)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-7-10 split (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/4)

Average over 3 games: 180.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 183.33.

In terms of meeting my goals:
1) 525+ Series; check.
2) Clean Games; nope.
3) > 35% strike rate; check.
4) > 80% single-pin spare pick-up %; check.
5) Team takes 3 or more points each week; check.

SO...statistically speaking it was a GOOD night. I'm disappointed that my score seemed to fall off over the course of the night...but looking at the games, I only had 2-3 open frames per game...4 of them just happened to be the 6-7-10.

Still gotta work on the plastic ball spare shooting...that will be priority #1 at my lesson tonight (if I make it...I have a killer headache and need to have a wisdom tooth removed in an hour so we'll see). Even though I was 83%, I missed a crucial single 10-pin AND I went 2 for 4 on the 4-7s/6-10s. Once the strike rate fell off after game 1, I really can't afford to miss make-able spares.

I used the Encounter (A) (A= more aggressively drilled/surfaced) for all 3 games playing up the 12-13 boards. So the strike rate increased, but splits became an issue. That seems to be the trade-off of using a more aggressively surfaced ball (Rhythm last week, Encounter (A) this week) compared to the Slingshot.

My ability to fly under the radar may come to an end. I went from an average of 148 to a 151 after last week and now am at 157. My sandbagging days are about to come to an end I'm afraid.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Pre-Lesson Practice: low oil synthetics

198

So I spend the last 5 weeks…the first 3 pretty much stinking up the universe. 16-26% strike rate and 50-57% single-pin spare shooting. Averaged around the low 150s. So I can't wait for my lesson with single-pin spare shooting being at the forefront of my mind.

But, I get there a little early…and throw a practice game. What happens? I go 2 for 2 on multi-pin spares and 3 for 5 on single-pin spares and strike at 36%. And thats with the Slingshot! So, the coach comes over…I explain the struggles…and I didn't miss ONE single-pin spare! For crying out loud!

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.00 pins
Strikes: 36% (2 doubles)
Spares: 71% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 100% (2/2)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2-8 and 2-4-5 (1x each).

Splits: N/A

Average over 1 game: 198.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 211.00.

The practice was interesting. A lot more talking and strategy than the physical stuff. I got a footwork thing to work on but other than that I am going to change my arsenal progression. Rather than start with my benchmark ball and try out a couple lines, I'm gonna start with the earliest hooking ball and work my way to the ball that goes the longest. I'm still going to experiment with different lines in practice too; but now it'll be the exact same line for the two strongest balls…then Line #2, then Line #3.

[MICHAEL]

Wednesday Pre-Lesson Practice: low oil synthetics

198

So I spend the last 5 weeks…the first 3 pretty much stinking up the universe. 16-26% strike rate and 50-57% single-pin spare shooting. Averaged around the low 150s. So I can't wait for my lesson with single-pin spare shooting being at the forefront of my mind.

But, I get there a little early…and throw a practice game. What happens? I go 2 for 2 on multi-pin spares and 3 for 5 on single-pin spares and strike at 36%. And thats with the Slingshot! So, the coach comes over…I explain the struggles…and I didn't miss ONE single-pin spare! For crying out loud!

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 9.00 pins
Strikes: 36% (2 doubles)
Spares: 71% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 100% (2/2)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2-8 and 2-4-5 (1x each).

Splits: N/A

Average over 1 game: 198.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 211.00.

The practice was interesting. A lot more talking and strategy than the physical stuff. I got a footwork thing to work on but other than that I am going to change my arsenal progression. Rather than start with my benchmark ball and try out a couple lines, I'm gonna start with the earliest hooking ball and work my way to the ball that goes the longest. I'm still going to experiment with different lines in practice too; but now it'll be the exact same line for the two strongest balls…then Line #2, then Line #3.

Your not stinking up anything,,, SNAP OUT of IT!! Keep working on that game,, it will happen so says the wizard as long as you THINK POSITIVE!

I could give you a pint of Ice blood, when you come to bowl in the Real Men Bowl on Wood in Small Towns Tournament? A GIFT of GIFTED Blood, in your much younger but polluted, (living in CA), body,,,,,, might just do the trick!! A little gift and lots of knowledge goes a LONG WAY!

[Konvict1982]

Your not stinking up anything,,, SNAP OUT of IT!! Keep working on that game,, it will happen so says the wizard as long as you THINK POSITIVE!

I could give you a pint of Ice blood, when you come to bowl in the Real Men Bowl on Wood in Small Towns Tournament? A GIFT of GIFTED Blood, in your much younger but polluted, (living in CA), body,,,,,, might just do the trick!! A little gift and lots of knowledge goes a LONG WAY!

I have to agree with thinking positive. It is one of the main things I changed recently that has improved my bowling 10 fold. Before when I would throw a bad shot it would radiate for frames basically keeping me frustrated and over thinking every shot. Now when I leave a split or miss my mark instead of getting frustrated I just brush it off and tell myself "You're good! You know you can pick this up (splits I have converted in the past)! Don't think it just do it!" If you have made a shot in the past you know you can do it all you have to do is quit thinking about it being a bad shot and remember this is nothing new you have done it before you can do it again! Any athletes worst enemy is self doubt. Keep practicing and improving!

[Mike White]

Ok three weeks away from the Sport League..

We won 4 of 5, 3 of 5, and 4 of 5.

You better hold up your end when you come back next Sunday.

How is that for applying pressure?

[Aslan]

Ok three weeks away from the Sport League..

We won 4 of 5, 3 of 5, and 4 of 5.

You better hold up your end when you come back next Sunday.

How is that for applying pressure?

Don't you worry. My Tuesday league paniced at first as well when I started with a nice 148 average. But now that the timing is back....I'm sure to be as dominant as Chris Barnes...or maybe just a half step below.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

419 Series: 120-134-165
Was trying out the new system, starting with the Bullet Train. But just wasn't having any luck. Finally by Game 3 I started to strike more but was only so-so on spares.

481 Series: 149-163-169
The striking and so-so spare shooting continued in Game 4. So in Game 5 I switched to the Rhythm but still wasn't doing that great. Game 6 I tried the Encounter (A) and that wasn't much better.

517 Series: 148-173-196
Game 7 I switched to the Encounter (N) and it still wasn't working. I tried the Slingshot at the beginning of Game 8 but was still struggling. So, I switched lines from the 8-9 boards to the 10-13 boards. I had already tried the Bullet Train on that line and it didn't work well so I started with the Rhythm. After switching to the Rhythm in the 5th frame, it was 3 single-pin leaves followed by a 4-bagger to salvage a 173. In Game 9, I used the Rhythm on one lane and the Encounter (A) on the other. Other than a chopped 5-9 in the 3rd and a chopped 1-2-5-8-9 in the 9th; it was clean.

641 Series: 189-200-252 (clean)
In the final series, everything finally came together. Game 10 was clean except for a missed single 10-pin in the first frame and a chopped 1-2-3-4-5 in the 8th. But it started to FEEL RIGHT. I started to feel like a REAL BOWLER. Game 11 was clean except for a 6-7 split in the 8th. And Game 12 was my 3rd highest score ever AND was clean AND was my highest game in nearly 2 months since I put up a 235 on 9/17 and a 234 on 9/25. A 6-bagger to start…haven't seen more than a turkey in awhile! 6 strikes, a few spares, and a couple strikes in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.75 pins
Strikes: 41% (1 6-bagger, 1 5-bagger, 4 turkeys, 8 doubles and 18 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (20/28)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 29% (14/47)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/9)

Average over 12 games: 171.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.67.

SO…WHY? HOW?

Well, here are the reasons (I think) for the turn-around:

- Started using my balance arm more. It kept me balanced at the foul line.
- Improved release. Much more behind the ball. Much softer.
- Once I moved from 8-9 to 11-13 (boards); I had 'miss room'. 2-3 inches left and 4-7 boards right. Much easier to score well when you have a little 'miss room'.

The reason I think I got off to a rough start was the thumb insert in the Bullet Train is still a little big. I'm gonna have the next side down drilled the beginning of December. Also, I forgot under this new arsenal based system, needed to try the most aggressive AND the next one down. I forgot to do that and probably would have been more successful had a started with the Rhythm instead of the Bullet Train.

The lanes appeared drier than usual I think the Monday league was on a bye week this week Do my stronger ball were going brooklyn a lot. I don't think they oiled the lanes as frequently as usual. And tough conditions because there were two hot gals bowling next to me and 2 lanes from them on either side were kid group parties. Some just seemed to scream non-stop.

Now the trick is getting this skill to show up on Tuesdays when it counts.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Nice bowling man! You were working on your game and as the scores show you improved as you went along. I'm sure there were some things that started to fall in to place physically throughout the session. As you said, your balance and release felt really good and you will draw on that experience in the future. A very important thing that most people don't do though is take away a mental picture from good bowling. On the site we always talk about the mental aspect being a certain percentage of the game but it is not just about the game your bowling at the time. In the future draw on that series and big game by remembering certain shots and try putting yourself back in that mental place. We all at times tend to be negative and remember a bad feeling in our game thinking i'm doing that same thing again! Instead take this opportunity and future good performances and retain that mental image and feeling of that day. Picture yourself throwing some of the great shots that helped you bowl well and try to put yourself back in that frame of mind when you need to in the future. That positive picture can sometimes put you right back to that confidence in your game you felt. Good job Aslan, keep it up!!

[MICHAEL]

Nice bowling man! You were working on your game and as the scores show you improved as you went along. I'm sure there were some things that started to fall in to place physically throughout the session. As you said, your balance and release felt really good and you will draw on that experience in the future. A very important thing that most people don't do though is take away a mental picture from good bowling. On the site we always talk about the mental aspect being a certain percentage of the game but it is not just about the game your bowling at the time. In the future draw on that series and big game by remembering certain shots and try putting yourself back in that mental place. We all at times tend to be negative and remember a bad feeling in our game thinking i'm doing that same thing again! Instead take this opportunity and future good performances and retain that mental image and feeling of that day. Picture yourself throwing some of the great shots that helped you bowl well and try to put yourself back in that frame of mind when you need to in the future. That positive picture can sometimes put you right back to that confidence in your game you felt. Good job Aslan, keep it up!!

Bowing is in huge part is a HEAD game! Good points fortheloveofbowling! Please Aslan put those thoughts of Vegas OUT OF OU MIND! Forget get about it! I will remember for the both of us! Forget about that old broken down Iron worker that using his mental game, defeated the Great Lion! LOL LOL

But in my Victory, Ice was merciful,,,, remember that my lion friend,,, I gave you what I think will be a good representation of the FUTURE Aslan, not the present one!

MAN UP!!! start saving you money,,,, (I am serious for the: "Real Men Bowl on Wood in Small Town U.S.A" tournament)



Remember ICEMAN is paying for all the bowling, YOU JUST NEED to ride your motorcycle out,,, or if your not up to that, take a cushy plane!

Iceman sometimes wonders where you would be today if when you were young your mom would have given you what most of the farm boys around here got at a very early age.http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/farmbowling_zpsede3b870.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/farmbowling_zpsede3b870.jpg.html)
There is JUST NO GOING BACK Bud!!!! That void will never be filled!
http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/small-violin_zpssfk0u5wn.gif (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/small-violin_zpssfk0u5wn.gif.html)

[Aslan]

As you said, your balance and release felt really good
The balance was key. MWhite has actually mentioned it during Sunday league the last couple weeks and has mentioned it here in the forums. Much of my struggling was a balance issue. And until last night, I was so inside my own head trying to correct my timing that I'd forget all about balance. It felt weird sticking that arm out there...it's been awhile since I really, really used it...but mand did it make a difference.



We all at times tend to be negative and remember a bad feeling in our game thinking i'm doing that same thing again! Instead take this opportunity and future good performances and retain that mental image and feeling of that day...That positive picture can sometimes put you right back to that confidence in your game you felt. Good job Aslan, keep it up!!

Unfortunately, it'll all depend on Game 1 of league play and spare shooting. I have a tendency to have a really bad 1st game and I just can't snap out of it...especially if my spare shooting is sub-par. But, if I can get off to a decent start...or have a good rebound game 2...I can generally keep it going.


Bowing is in huge part is a HEAD game!
Well, it's also a foot, knee, and shoulder game...because all 3 of those are sore today. The foot should be fine and the knee is shot but good enough to last 3 games. The shoulder on the other hand...it's only a matter of time before that is going to need some doctoring. Switching to 15lbs late next year should help it or at least extend it's life a bit. It might also be a matter of building strength. Throwing 16lb may actually help it build up some strength. We'll see.

Still 97% sure I can't make the Plattsburg thing. But I admit....if the game has turned a corner and I'm suddenly competitive...that % may move down to about 82.5%.

Things are by no way "fixed". I was bowling on drier conditions, which favor my game. My footwork was faster than I would like. And my shoulder tended to 'drop' a bit rather than stay quiet. When I tried to NOT drop it...I was too vertical and the ball would loft more than I want it to. The extra loft tended to make it hook earlier.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: low-medium oil synthetics

Pre-Game Practice/Warm-up: 160
It was okay. I was 3 frames short of a clean game but one was a split. The other 2 were missed single-pins; a 2-pin and a 4-pin…so I was feeling "so-so" about my spare shooting.

471 Series: 171-183-117

In Game 1 I started out with the Rhythm up the 8-board; but was struggling. It was either not strong enough to make the turn or it was burning up on the outside too quickly. I had a few spares and a few opens and made the change to the Bullet Train. I made 2 spares and finished with a 4-bagger to salvage a 171 and get some confidence back for Game 2.

In Game 2 I was clean through 7 and every shot was either a strike or knocked down 9 pins so I was really feeling like a bowler! Then an errant shot in the 8th and a big 4 split in the 10th knocked my clean 200+ game down to a 183. But it was still encouraging. Only two frames where I didn't knock down 9 or 10 pins on the first ball.

Then came Game 3. I was over the map. Pretty much bad releases couple with bad spare shooting. I switched back to the Rhythm in the 7th but it was more of the same.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.91 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, and 1 single)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 35% (6/17)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 157.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 160.00.

Back to the drawing board I guess. Release was off. Timing was late. Balance was off. The thumb felt too loose in the Bullet Train. And our team lost 3 of 4 for the first time since my first game. Granted, that wasn't really all my fault…I bowled my average. I mean, we lost by ONE pin in Game 1 because our best bowler was late so there's -10 pins. And the 2nd game I had the highest score on our team with a 183. But a 117 is just unacceptable.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Dick Weber 39' Pattern

637 Series: 153-174-149-161

Game 1 was clean except for a washout in the 2nd and a 2-4-10 split in the 5th; but I only struck twice. Game 2 was similar, only two open frames. I chopped a bucket in the 5th and missed a single 2-pin in the 9th. Game 3 was just generally a disaster. A washout, a 5-10 split, and a couple missed easy spares. Game 4 I chopped a 2-8 in the 3rd, got a 6-7 split in the 5th, then missed an easy 4-7 in the 8th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.18 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 double and 9 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (9/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (10/21)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 159.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 164.75.

The scores didn't change much from when I was last bowling in the Sunday league 4 weeks ago on the WTBA Mexico City pattern. I mean, 3 of the 4 games were within 7 pins of the games the last time I bowled. The only real difference was game 3 where I had a "bad" game but not a DISASTER. But this series definitely FELT better…and the stats tell the tale of why. I didn't strike as well, but my spare shooting was much, much better. And it would have been even BETTER but there were couple times I got confused by the 5-dot approach (I'm used to the 7-dot approach) so I lined up wrong.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards and since I haven't had much practice on it and we have it for one more week…I took advantage.

443 Series: 142-169-132
The Dick Weber pattern has a reputation for breaking down rather quickly and that seemed to be the case. Game 1 and Game 2 I was using primarily the two Encounters. Game 1 was a lot of bad spare shooting and washouts. Game 2 things settled in a little bit. By Game 3 I was down to my Slingshot on 1 lane but may have made the ball change too early.

584 Series: 210-214-160
Game 4 was clean except for a chopped 1-2 leave in the 1st frame. And Game 5 was clean until the 10th when I bounced the ball off my ankle into the gutter. Game 6 it took me a few frames on the left lane to get that ankle incident out of my mind. Then picked up 3 straight single 10-pins in the 7th-9th frames but chopped a 5-9 in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.33 pins
Strikes: 34% (2 4-baggers, 1 double, and 12 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 69% (9/13)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1, 4, nor 5-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (12/28)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 6 games: 171.17.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 177.50.

Again, statistically solid. Spare shooting is improving. The difference between the first series and 2nd series is really slowing my feet down. It was the main takeaway from working with Rob in Vegas after the AVI Challenge. I need to try to slow my feet down a bit without "stopping/starting" during my approach. Staying more behind the ball. A more relaxed swing. Just lots of stuff all sort of "in progress".

The PBA Dick Weber pattern seems rather easy compared to the other sport patterns we've tackled. Got a very short WTBA Sydney coming up in December.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

521 Series: 155-191-175
Took about 8 frames to get warmed up and find my line. Game 2 I was clean except for a chopped 6-10 in the 1st and a 4-9 split in the 10th. Game 3 was also only 2 frames away from being clean but I did manage to pick up a 6-7 split in the 10th which was kinda cool.

495 Series: 174-149-172
Game 4 I was two splits away from a clean game. Game 5 I thought I was off to a pretty good start when I picked up my first ever 6-7-10 in the 2nd frame. But then I missed a few much easier frames, throw in another split, and it was just blah. Game 6 I switched down to the Slingshot but it was more of the same.

617 Series: 156-238 (clean)-223
Game 7 I had a couple washouts and a missed single 10-pin; otherwise clean. Then things just started to come together. Struck a bunch and made a few spares. Game 9 was almost as good, but I chopped a 3-6-10 in the first frame.

508 Series: 176-183-149
In Game 10, things were good but I went 1 for 4 on single-pin spares. Game 11 I went 2 for 4 on single-pin spares…but had a couple other opens. Then 4 more open frames in Game 12…not a strong finish.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.76 pins
Strikes: 39% (1 4-bagger, 5 turkeys, 7 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 67% (23/34)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (19/42)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (7x).

Splits: 22% (2/9)

Average over 12 games: 178.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 187.25.

Well…another strong practice. Spare shooting was better. Strike rate was strong again. The only "downside" was the single 7-pin. Went 1 for 6 on that pin tonight and thats not acceptable. The good news is I missed left every time…and not by much. So it looks like a slight alignment issue.

The big change tonight was:
1) Slower footwork
2) More effortless swing
3) A more effortless release

Now I just need to get this to carryover to tomorrow for league play…and thats the trick.

[Amyers]

Well it looks like there were some good scores scattered in there. Have you been using the wrist brace in practice? I was struggling with 7 pins adjusted around now I'm getting them at a good clip but seem to be missing left on my 10 pins now :mad:. Good Luck bud

[Konvict1982]

Great bowling man!

[Mike White]

Aslan, I found a candidate for your girlfriend.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgOUpHHKVRg

[Aslan]

Have you been using the wrist brace in practice?
Yup. My teammates want me to wear it during league play. But, I can't. I look at it as a training tool only and it's not even USBC approved.


Aslan, I found a candidate for your girlfriend.
That was horrifying.

[MICHAEL]

horrifying,,, a little strong there bud!! Mike an X girlfriend maybe???? LOL LOL If she is an X girlfriend, your ruined her!!!

Aslan,,,, she loves to bowl,,,, picture the two of you,,, collecting undrilled bowling balls, and a HUGE closet full of them?? hummmm

Maybe,,, just maybe: "A Wounder Life"

she does have a nice voice!!

[bubba809]

Aslan, I found a candidate for your girlfriend.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgOUpHHKVRg


That was awesome!!! I honestly could picture the two of you guys together. Her with the signs of "Pin up Pin Down," and "Rev Rates" and you with your PinPal stats, it really is a match made in Heaven!!

[Aslan]

Mike and Mike and Bubba finding ugly, obese women with videos online ASIDE...I figure I'll actually post a score update...

Tuesday League Night: low-medium oil synthetics

490 Series: 172-127-191

In Game 1 I was still trying to figure out what ball I wanted to ues and what line...one of the drawbacks to my new system...not enough time in practice to figure things out quickly. Was clean through 5 but then missed a SINGLE 7-PIN and then dropped the ball and missed way right...then finished clean; but only 2 strikes the whole game.

In Game 2 I was an absolute disaster. It took me 3 more frames to figure out the ball/arsenal situation and once I did...it didn't help much. If I wasn't missinge a 4-pin or 6-pin, I was leaving difficult multi-pin spares like the 1-3-5-6 or 2-8 sleeper. Only 1 strike.

Game 3 I finally settled in. I missed a 7-PIN again in the 3rd frame but was otherwise clean. Only 3 strikes though.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.31 pins
Strikes: 18% (1 double and 4 singles)
Spares: 64% picked up

Single Pin spares: 73% (11/15)
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (5/10)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 3 games: 163.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 175.00.

A disappointing night, but more disappointing because of my expectations than the actual performance. I actually improved over last week and helped our team salvage a point. It just felt like a huge disappointment because:

- a 127 is just unacceptable
- I have a goal to try and get the strike rate up to 35% or higher by the end of the season and then tonight; < 20%.
- I have really focused a LOT on improving my single-pin spare shooting and getting to 80% or higher by the end of the season...and I just really struggled again. The stats look better than the actual situation because 3 of the made single-pin spares were 5-pins. I DID go 2 for 2 with 10-pins...but the 7-pin is giving me fits lately. I changed my allignment for it...didn't work...I may have to slightly change my target as well.
- 2 straight weeks we lost 3 of 4 points. We're still at the top of the standings...but if our anchor doesn't snap out of his 2-week funk...thats gonna push me out of my comfy #3 position and add pressure for me to put the team on my shoulders...which I don't think I'm ready for.


As to the help in finding me a woman...I'll try to help you guys out a little just so you can find a cab that at least takes you to the same NEIGHBORHOOD of the general area...

THIS....would be ideal in terms of physical appearance:

http://www.geekcrusade.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Naomi-Watts.jpg

In terms of a bowler...aim more towards this:

http://www.bowl.com/uploadedImages/News/Tournaments/ISC/DZ-465.jpg

Now, obviously those are HIGH targets. But see, you aim HIGH...and then if you miss, you're still in a good situation. You guys are aiming more at like a Rosanne Barr/Cathy Bates level...which is FINE for you guys...I don't judge...much...but Aslan is YOUNG, EDUCATED, FUNNY, man with a job. Lets now give away the BMW just because it has a few scratches.

[Mike White]

Now, obviously those are HIGH targets. But see, you aim HIGH...and then if you miss, you're still in a good situation. You guys are aiming more at like a Rosanne Barr/Cathy Bates level...which is FINE for you guys...I don't judge...much...but Aslan is YOUNG, EDUCATED, FUNNY, man with a job. Lets now give away the BMW just because it has a few scratches.

Yeah, shoot for the moon, and when you miss... you're lost in space.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5IVuN1N6-Y

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Dick Weber 39' Pattern

643 Series: 150-212-146-135

Game 1 I was all over the place. I went 4 for 6 on single-pin spare opportunities. Didn't pick up one multi-pin spare and only struck twice. Game 2 started out similar, but I put a turkey together in 4,5,6, then an open frame, then struck out. The Game 3 was back to reality with washouts. And Game 4 I just couldn't strike to save my *$$. The 135 doesn't really do it justice since I went 4 for 5 on single-pin spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.56 pins
Strikes: 32% (1 5-bagger, 2 turkeys, 1 double and 1 single)
Spares: 34% picked up

Single Pin spares: 64% (9/14)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin and 7-pin (3x each).
Never left a single 8-pin nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 6% (1/15)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 1-2-4-8 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 160.75.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 169.75.

Not sure if I'm improving or if I just have an easier time with this pattern. Second week in a row where I set a new season high in both single game and series. And my 212 game helped our team take a point. Obviously the multi-pin spare pick-up rate was horrible…but I can't beat myself up too much about it when only about 1/3 of those were truly "make-able" spares.

Definitely kept my target "out" further than usual. I wouldn't say I was up to my old "lofting" ways…but I was certainly getting the ball further down the lane than I have been recently.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards (w/MWhite) so I took advantage.

681 Series: 155-160-164-202
Game 1 was more of the same. 3 for 3 on single-pin spares…only a few opens…just couldn't strike. Game 2 it was a 5-man challenge (.25 per man)…won by the highest average (190+) guy. I only had 2 open frames…but again only 1 strike. Game 3 it was just me, Mike, and the high average guy again playing for $0.25 each. Mike gave him a run for his money…but ultimately he won again. I only had a few open frames and 2 of the 3 were splits. In Game 4 it was just me versus Mike…no money on the line. Once again, had a few opens, but this time I ran 5 strikes together in frames 5 through 9 to barely beat MWhite.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.33 pins
Strikes: 30% (1 5-bagger, 1 double, and 6 singles)
Spares: 60% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Most common single-pin leaves: 5-pin, 6-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).
Other single-pin leave was a 3-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 52% (11/21)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 170.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 173.25.

Midway through the 2nd game I put my wrist brace on. I figured it was practice so I should put it on. Still trying to "train" my wrist to stay more cupped and under the ball.

[Amyers]

Aslan looks to me like the scores were higher with the wrist brace the d*** things are legal if it helps you use it. Congrats on the high scores there anything 200+ on a sport patterns is some darn good bowling.

[Aslan]

Aslan looks to me like the scores were higher with the wrist brace the d*** things are legal if it helps you use it. Congrats on the high scores there anything 200+ on a sport patterns is some darn good bowling.

My wrist brace is NOT USBC approved. That is why it is merely a "training aid"...and stays quiet in the bag during league play.

[Amyers]

I wasn't aware that there was an approval process for wrist braces for USBC Sanctioned League play? This isn't the PBA where they think they need to make a mint off of every product anyone tries to use. Don't give those morons any ideas or well be required to buy shirts from them for $45 bucks that have ads for KMART on the back.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: AMF Carter Lanes: low oil synthetics

I got to my center a tad late so of course the whole place was full and there was a 45min- 1hr wait for lanes. So I took my chances and went to the most garbagy lanes on the planet hoping that this time the ball return would at least "sort of" work and they have applied oil at least once since the weekend.

520 Series: 165-172-183
Took some time to get used to the lanes. They were very dry...but still bowlable. Definitely not the flooded lanes I experienced in the Cheap-O league back in 2013. Game 1 my spare shooting was a disaster but I struck enough to make up the difference. Game 2 I only had 3 open frames (1 split). Game 3 I switched to the Rhythm and after missing a 6-10 was clean the rest of the way.

513 Series: 169-180-164
Game 4 I was a chopped 5-9 and 2 splits away from clean. Switched to the Encounter (A) for Game 5 and was a 1-10 washout and a chopped 2-4-5-7 away from clean. Game 6 I balled down to the Encounter (N) and was a chopped 3-6 and 2 splits away from clean.

182-196
Game 7 I switched to the Slingshot. Mad a bad shot in the 4th and had a couple washouts but was otherwise clean and struck a fair amount. Game 8 was my best game. The only frame I didn't knock over either 9 or 10 pins with the first ball was in the 7th when I left a 5-7 split.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.63 pins
Strikes: 43% (4 turkeys, 5 doubles, and 17 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (15/17)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 36% (11/30)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (4x).

Splits: 0% (0/8)

Average over 8 games: 176.38.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.75.

Another strong practice. Strike rate was strong again and single-pin spare shooting was much improved over last week. And while I didn't have any clean games nor 200+ games...I also eliminated the sub-160 games. The multi-pin spare shooting number was lower than I would like, but I once again had more splits than what I'm used to and that impacted it. It's the tradeoff of striking...more likely to split.

I continued to work on having an easy swing, a quiet shoulder, and an effortless release. But right about Game 7 I also started to really focus on staying behind the ball through the entire swing. I've been getting better at staying "more" behind the ball...but am still following through off to the side (like a impoverished man's PDW). So I worked on getting that follow-through more in line with my head/ear...and staying balanced.

The key will be tonight during league, minus the wrist brace, to see if I can repeat that swing and follow-through and not break that wrist. If I can't maintain a good bent, wrist angle...then the shots is going to be much flatter. Might still be manageable with a stronger ball...but we'll see.

The practice was also more difficult because I was out of "my element". I was coaching my daughter at the same time. There was a young, drunk couple next to us that was constantly talking to me and acting all drunken. The ball return was completely trashed and made a ton of noise. And it's an old AMF circular style and didn't send the ball to the proper side...so I had to keep bending over it to pick up my ball. And the scoring counsel was in an odd place (compared to what I was used to) so I kept bumping into it between shots.

League night Tuesday. Then no bowling until practice Monday next week. I might go through "withdrawls".

[Amyers]

I've been wandering what I'm going to do also. No league Friday due to holiday and then no league Sunday due to traveling league coming in to our lanes am I really going to survive with no competitive bowling until Dec. 7th?

[Mudpuppy]

I'm still waiting for the thread that is titled - Aslan's Scores of the lady kind

[Amyers]

I'm still waiting for the thread that is titled - Aslan's Scores of the lady kind

I think are enough horror movies out already we do not need any more info on that front.

[Mike White]

I'm still waiting for the thread that is titled - Aslan's Scores of the lady kind

I've seen his daughter, so it has happened in the past.

I haven't seen the mother, but based on the daughter, she's probably not bad looking.

She sure didn't get her looks from Aslan.

So I'm left to conclude there must have been a serious amount of alcohol involved.

And based on his current situation, it sounds like there was a flag on the play.

[Aslan]

I'm still waiting for the thread that is titled - Aslan's Scores of the lady kind

We can hope. Although, I have to think classygranny would probably complain about that thread and Bowl1820 would not approve.

This is a family website...and my X-rated excapades...all be it rare recently...and all be it, I think somewhat entertaining...are not for the eyes of children.

Right now...I'm in a bit of "limbo" on the "lady front". "Technically" still married...which puts a damper on dating. Living with said future X-Wife (puts a REAL damper on dating!). And until she finds a suitable employment opportunity...I am forced with a decision of having a rommate and living in an akward situation and not really having any dating prospects in the meantime...or pushing through with a divorce preceeding that at this time would likely result in neither of us being able to afford to live in California.

But, with Mudpuppy being an experienced married man I'm sure he understands...after 15 years of marriage...living with someone akwardly and not having sex (nor really wanting to given the options) is pretty much what marriage is about. The only difference between NOW and 2011 is in 2011 I got to have sub-par "relations" every couple weeks or so. Now I get to have "more exciting" relations once every 6 months or so but only if I'm willing to spend the $200.

But...I'm just a good lotto ticket away from bursting from this situational cacoon...and emerging as a hot, player butterfly...entertaining the ladies of LA and Orange county with my wit and humor and bowling prowess. Just gotta hit that jackpot...and troubles will be in the rear view mirror!

[MICHAEL]

But...I'm just a good lotto ticket away from bursting from this situational cacoon...and emerging as a hot, player butterfly...entertaining the ladies of LA and Orange county with my wit and humor and bowling prowess. Just gotta hit that jackpot...and troubles will be in the rear view mirror!

Good luck with winning the lotto! YOUR odds are approximately 1,000000000000000000000000000 to 1! You are much more likely to get hit with a frozen turd, being flushed from an airplane toilet, by some hot movie star chick then winning! So beware,,, when walking around airports! Not trying to bust your bubble, but, HELLO,,, Aslan,,, reality CHECK!!!

[Aslan]

Reality is over-rated.

[Mike White]

But...I'm just a good lotto ticket away from bursting from this situational cacoon...and emerging as a hot, player butterfly...entertaining the ladies of LA and Orange county with my wit and humor and bowling prowess. Just gotta hit that jackpot...and troubles will be in the rear view mirror!

Good luck with winning the lotto! YOUR odds are approximately 1,000000000000000000000000000 to 1! You are much more likely to get hit with a frozen turd, being flushed from an airplane toilet, by some hot movie star chick then winning! So beware,,, when walking around airports! Not trying to bust your bubble, but, HELLO,,, Aslan,,, reality CHECK!!!

I thought for legal reasons, airplanes only dumped toilet tanks over the mid-west.

Something about any Lawyer worth a damn was either on the east, or west coasts.

[Aslan]

I thought for legal reasons, airplanes only dumped toilet tanks over the mid-west.

Something about any Lawyer worth a damn was either on the east, or west coasts.

That would explain Missouri.

[Aslan]

I wasn't aware that there was an approval process for wrist braces for USBC Sanctioned League play? This isn't the PBA where they think they need to make a mint off of every product anyone tries to use. Don't give those morons any ideas or well be required to buy shirts from them for $45 bucks that have ads for KMART on the back.

It's my understanding that any bowling ball or product used during a sanctioned league or tournament must be USBC approved. That includes obviously the ball but also the ball cleaners, shoes, wrist braces, etc...

This should not be confused with the "PBA approved" process. For example, I was talking about this with Mike on Sunday...900Global is no longer paying to be part of the PBA. So 900Global no longer has their sponsored folks competing...and their balls can't be thrown. However, 900Global bowling balls ARE still USBC approved as are AMF, Lane #1, Seismic, and Lord Field.

As long as the bowling product has a USBC stamp on it...it's legal for sanctioned play. And nearly everything in bowling has that stamp. HOWEVER...the company must then pay a SIGNIFICANT amount of money if they want their stuff used during PBA events.

My wrist brace is a "chinese special" and doesn't have the USBC stamp. If I used it and bowled a 300-game...would anyone care? Doubt it. The lady pretty much just copies the USBC number off the ball and thats that. BUT...do I really want to chance it that by some stroke of genuis and dumb luck I throw a 300-game only to have it nullified by a technicality? And even if it wasn't...I WOULD KNOW that it wasn't TECHNICALLY legitimate...and that would bug me.

If I really NEED the wrist brace...if I determine I MUST HAVE IT to perform...I'll just buy a Storm Gizmo or something and make it official. If I win the VBT, thats probably what I'll use the gift certificate on....or maybe a ball. I could use a 16lb skid/flip for arsenal #3. Or even something long/straight...like a Track 300A. I could use a 16lb solid/symmetric like the Rotogrip Rumble. Or I could use a 15lb hybrid like the Hy Road for Arsenal #4. But...I'm leaning towards the Gizmo. Gotta WIN this thing first...and thats a TALL order facing the great Mwhite and likely facing VDub in the finals. VDub farts out 221 games with as little effort as it takes to put on his bowling shoes.

[Aslan]

My tragic love life aside...I figure I'll actually post a score update...

Tuesday League Night: medium oil synthetics

519 Series: 164-135-220

Got to the center LATE...due to Thanksgiving traffic nightmares. So my practice was relatively limited. I therefore didn't finish figuring out my line/ball situation until after the 1st game of the series. In Game 1 I chopped a 2-4-5 in the 4th and completely missed a 2-8 (which I simply can't pick up)...other than that it was a clean game....I just didn't have a good strike line established because I was still trying to figure that out in the 9th frame.

In Game 2, yet anolther "Game 2 disaster"! Missed a 7-pin in the 3rd...then chopped two STRAIGHT 2-4-8s. Managed to pick up a 5-pin before completely MISSING on another 2-4-8 in the 7th. Add to that a miss on a 4-7 in the 9th and then unable to pick up a 10-pin on the 3rd ball of the 10th...just was a really bad, bad game.

Game 3, "looks" impressive...but I can honestly say it was NOT. I started out with 3 straight spares and got lucky on the 1-2-7-8. I missed another 4-7 in the 6th. And even though I ended with a 5-bagger and a 9 count on the last ball...2 of those strikes were Brooklyn...and one was through the headpin. I deserved maybe 2 of th 5 at most. :mad:

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.53 pins
Strikes: 32% (1 5-bagger and 6 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
1 for 3 on corner pins.

Multiple Pin spares: 56% (9/16)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 and 4-7 (3x each).

Splits: N/A

Average over 3 games: 173.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 176.33.

Another disappointing night.

- 519 is good...I like seeing 500+...but it's not the 525 goal I have each night.
- The 220 game was a farse. It took me FAR too long to figure out that the lanes were too slick and my release too weak to play the line I was playing. It shouldn't take leaving a 2-4-8 THREE TIMES in a game to figure out that the ball ain't moving. The 220 game was luck with a tiny bit of lane breakdown as assistance.
- The strike rate was better...but I'd say well over 1/3 of those were brooklyn strikes. So, I wasn't hitting what I wanted to hit...I was just carrying.
- Single-pin spare shooting and shooting at the 4-7 or 6-10...essentially the shots where the plastic ball comes out...STILL horrible. I can't let a bad night derail my progress...but thus far this plastic ball thing is sort of for the birds.

Good News?
- 220 is my high game thus far this season. I think it gave me a 277-279 handicap which is either my highest or second highest this season.
- The team still took 3 out of 4 so we should still be on top of the standings or at worst tied atop the standings.

The team struggles as of late are more due to our anchor. He's a high 180s bowler and the last couple weeks has bowled just awful. I think he had a 195 game to start but then bowled really, really bad. 120s/140s. Our low 190s guys has been on a terror...and almost threw a 700+ series scratch last night. I'm slowly getting better and have a nice cushion of handicap to work with right now...but I wasn't planning on being one of the top 2 guys on this team...certainly not this early in the season. So if our anchor doesn't snap out of his funk...I'm gonna have to put on my big boy pants and start anchoring from the #2 position. And thats gonna ruin my handicap situation...and probably cost me at sweeps in Vegas. :(

Last night the lanes seemed "slick". I had trouble, even with the Bullet Train of getting the ball back to the pocket playing the 10-board or the 8-board..so I moved inside a little playing about 13. The problem with that is, I had to be very EXACT. One board right...missed the headpin. One board left...it would hit some dry and miss the headpin on the other side. I blame their new "oil a ton in the morning and not for the rest of the day" strategy...so now there's carry down from house balls...mostly RH bowlers...so the whole right side has a slightly longer pattern. But the left side...a shorter pattern since there's less carrydown. Our lefty nearly shot a 300 last week and a 700 series this week. His ball is moving fine. But us rightys are throwing straight at the friggin headpin.

As MWhite would say, "the ball has to find some dry to move". Well, me throwing it straight up the 13...it doesn't find dry until probably 42ft...and then it's experiencing carry-down...so it doesn't actually encounter much friction until probably <10ft in front of the headpin. So for rightys...we're essentially bowling a long PBA pattern while the leftys are on a slightly longer THS.

And still trying to figure out what to focus on. Lord knows I can't focus on EVERYTHING all at once. I must limit myself. So, I either focus on:

1) Slow but continuous feet, easy/effortless swing, effortless release (almost just dropping it), FOCUS on the mark.

OR

2) Continuous feet, form/balance, stay behind and under the ball, FOCUS on the mark, and keep that hand facing up through the follow-through.

[Mike White]

It's my understanding that any bowling ball or product used during a sanctioned league or tournament must be USBC approved. That includes obviously the ball but also the ball cleaners, shoes, wrist braces, etc...

This should not be confused with the "PBA approved" process. For example, I was talking about this with Mike on Sunday...900Global is no longer paying to be part of the PBA. So 900Global no longer has their sponsored folks competing...and their balls can't be thrown. However, 900Global bowling balls ARE still USBC approved as are AMF, Lane #1, Seismic, and Lord Field.

As long as the bowling product has a USBC stamp on it...it's legal for sanctioned play. And nearly everything in bowling has that stamp. HOWEVER...the company must then pay a SIGNIFICANT amount of money if they want their stuff used during PBA events.

My wrist brace is a "chinese special" and doesn't have the USBC stamp. If I used it and bowled a 300-game...would anyone care? Doubt it. The lady pretty much just copies the USBC number off the ball and thats that. BUT...do I really want to chance it that by some stroke of genuis and dumb luck I throw a 300-game only to have it nullified by a technicality? And even if it wasn't...I WOULD KNOW that it wasn't TECHNICALLY legitimate...and that would bug me.

If I really NEED the wrist brace...if I determine I MUST HAVE IT to perform...I'll just buy a Storm Gizmo or something and make it official. If I win the VBT, thats probably what I'll use the gift certificate on....or maybe a ball. I could use a 16lb skid/flip for arsenal #3. Or even something long/straight...like a Track 300A. I could use a 16lb solid/symmetric like the Rotogrip Rumble. Or I could use a 15lb hybrid like the Hy Road for Arsenal #4. But...I'm leaning towards the Gizmo. Gotta WIN this thing first...and thats a TALL order facing the great Mwhite and likely facing VDub in the finals. VDub farts out 221 games with as little effort as it takes to put on his bowling shoes.

You really need to read the USBC rules once in a while.

Bowling balls are required by rule to have the USBC stamp on them.

Not everything is required.

Simple Green is allowed to be used on the ball while bowling, and last time I looked, there is nothing on a Simple Green bottle indicating that the USBC even exists.

As for as "aids", the rule lays out the criteria of what can be used.

If you're device falls within those rules, it can be used. Made in China, or your own garage doesn't matter.

[Aslan]

You really need to read the USBC rules once in a while.

Bowling balls are required by rule to have the USBC stamp on them.

Not everything is required.

Simple Green is allowed to be used on the ball while bowling, and last time I looked, there is nothing on a Simple Green bottle indicating that the USBC even exists.

As for as "aids", the rule lays out the criteria of what can be used.

If you're device falls within those rules, it can be used. Made in China, or your own garage doesn't matter.

I was told a 50/50 mix of simple green and ethyl alcohol would be considered illegal because it's not a USBC approved cleaner.

I'm not aware of a specific rule on wrist braces. Mike is probably correct. But I don't understand why they'd bother to have an "approved equipment list" if you could simply just use anything not spcifically spelled out on the "Non-approved" list.

[Mudpuppy]

We can hope. Although, I have to think classygranny would probably complain about that thread and Bowl1820 would not approve.

This is a family website...and my X-rated excapades...all be it rare recently...and all be it, I think somewhat entertaining...are not for the eyes of children.

Right now...I'm in a bit of "limbo" on the "lady front". "Technically" still married...which puts a damper on dating. Living with said future X-Wife (puts a REAL damper on dating!). And until she finds a suitable employment opportunity...I am forced with a decision of having a rommate and living in an akward situation and not really having any dating prospects in the meantime...or pushing through with a divorce preceeding that at this time would likely result in neither of us being able to afford to live in California.

But, with Mudpuppy being an experienced married man I'm sure he understands...after 15 years of marriage...living with someone akwardly and not having sex (nor really wanting to given the options) is pretty much what marriage is about. The only difference between NOW and 2011 is in 2011 I got to have sub-par "relations" every couple weeks or so. Now I get to have "more exciting" relations once every 6 months or so but only if I'm willing to spend the $200.

But...I'm just a good lotto ticket away from bursting from this situational cacoon...and emerging as a hot, player butterfly...entertaining the ladies of LA and Orange county with my wit and humor and bowling prowess. Just gotta hit that jackpot...and troubles will be in the rear view mirror!

Understand completely and best of luck. I will look forward to you resolving your issues so that you can have a better future.

[Aslan]

Sunday Open Bowling: low-medium oil synthetics

Didn't have my sport league and had some time in the morning so I practiced for my tournament next week. The physical but also the mental.

543 Series: 182-183-178
Game 1 I got the ball situation figured out rather quickly and without too much loss of striking. Game 2 I was clean except for a 2-4-10 in the 5th and 10th frames. Game 3 I thought went well, but a chopped 2-4-5-8 in the 7th and a 1-2-4-10 washout in the 8th left me two open frames.

Mental Game: Figured after the first of 3 squads, 543 would be only good enough for 5th. Figured about a 579 if I wanted the top spot.

511 Series: 197-158-167
Started out hot in Game 4 until I left a 1-2-10 washout in the 8th. Almost salvaged a 200+ but I left a 6-9-10 in the 10th and missed it completely. Almost salvaged a respectable game in Game 2 but somehow chopped a 1-3 in the 8th. Game 6 was better than the score indicates…I had a couple splits to contend with.

Mental Game: Figured after the second squad, a 593 would probably be on top of the Division. So the goal is high 590s series and hope that nobody comes out of nowhere in Squad 3.

625 Series: 213-228 (clean)-184
A couple spares and then 5 strikes in 7 frames. Would have been clean except I again chopped a 2-4-5-8 bucket in the 10th. That left me with 213. Game 8 was a reversal of Game 7; started off with only one strike in the first 5 frames. Then I struck 6 times in the remaining 7 frames. So I figured I was on track for a 600 series. I then got a bit worried when I opened with a 4-6-7 split in the 1st and then missed a single 7-pin (my only single-pin miss of the morning) in the 2nd. But, despite the strikes not really being there, i managed to stay clean to close it out.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.66 pins
Strikes: 42% (1 5-bagger, 2 4-baggers, 2 turkeys, 2 doubles, and 19 singles)
Spares: 64% picked up

Single Pin spares: 94% (17/18)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (18/36)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 2-4-5 (7x).

Splits: 0% (0/7)

Average over 9 games: 187.78.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 188.89.

Over-all happy with the practice session. Mostly the mental and the spare shooting. I'll need to be confident at spare shooting for the tournament in a week. And mentally I was happy that with me back a ways in 6th-9th (in the imaginary tournament), I was able to go into that final squad and perform…especially after not having a good 2nd squad. And it showed me I AM capable of putting up a 600-series. I think the high 500s will take the top spot given that it's "Divisions" and the top average in my division is 169.

AND…the tournament is at Mike's stomping ground, Arlington Lanes in Riverside. Which is a GOOD thing because I average about 196 there in the 7 games I've played.

As to what went well on the physical side:

1) Still debating whether to focus on balance, a quiet shoulder, a smooth release, and FOCUS…OR…Balance/form, FOCUS, and follow-through. The quiet shoulder concept makes sense. But I seem to strike better when I'm paying more attention to the balance/follow-through. FOCUS is key in both.

2) This is with the wrist brace ON of course. I hope that slowly my hand/wrist will naturally stay flat/slightly cupped through the entire swing…but I have to be realistic in the meantime that I'm not going to get "quite" as good of ball motion and ultimately pin carry until I can get my wrist to "brace itself". BUT…I did shoot 94% on single-pin spares with the brace on. That eliminates 50% of the barrier I have to actually wearing one in competition. The other 50% is stubbornness that I can teach my hand to do it.

[Amyers]

There are some nice scores there nice to see your game is starting to come back a little. Keep it up.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Nice average over the 9 games and the single pin conversion rate is great. Keep it up.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: medium oil synthetics

433 Series: 129-177-127
First game I was just trying to figure out my line and ball to use...so I wasn't too concerned about the score. Game 2 was clean except for a washout in the 6th; just not much striking. Game 3 was 2 splits and some bad spare shooting...so I wasn't very happy during Game 3.

617 Series: 190-211-216
Game 4 I was clean except for a 3-9-10 splits in the 6th. I'm about 19% on that spare...and surprised it's even that high because I can't remember ever picking it up. Game 5 I started out with a missed single 10-pin. Also had a washout in the 8th. But I struck 6 times and picked up a 2-4-10 split in the 10th to salvage a 200+ game. Game 6 I was clean except for a single 10-pin in the 9th. There goes having a solid foundation frame.

524 Series: 179-143-202
Game 7 was better than it looks. Missed a single 7-pin in the 5th and had a couple splits...including a 4-6 in the 1st and a 4-6-10 in the 10th. Otherwise clean and from the 2nd through the 9th; first ball was either 9 or 10 pins. Game 8 I got a couple splits and then struggled with a 2-4-5-8 and 6-9-10 in the final frames for a disappointing finish. Game 9 I chopped a 3-6-10 in the 3rd and got a 2-7 split in the 4th. Otherwise I was clean including picking up a 5-7 split in the 10th to salvage a 200+ game and 500+ series.

Game 10: 178
Clean except for a chopped 2-4-8 in the 6th and a chopped 1-2-4-8 in the 7th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.64 pins
Strikes: 37% (1 5-bagger, 4 turkeys, 4 doubles and 16 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (15/20)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (8x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 48% (21/43)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 28% (4/14)

Average over 10 games: 175.20.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 180.50.

Slightly disappointing practice. After looking at the PinPal stats and comparing them to my last Monday practice at this center...actually it wasn't as bad as I thought. Pretty much the same across the board.

Last night I worked on the 3 "F"s: Form, Focus, and Follow-Through.

I find that two common things that are in place when I make a good shot are a pronounced balance arm and/or complete focus on my target. Balance and focus. I added to that "Follow-Through" because I'm trying to swing THROUGH the ball rather than release off to the side.

I actually started to do a little better in the last 7 games because I was getting tired and stopped "trying" to throw the ball and just let it come through and off my hand naturally. Sure, the led to several shots that went flat or slightly off to the right...but it also slowed the ball down a little and gave it more time to hook flush into the pocket.

I also tried to keep my steps shorter without "starting/stopping" while on the approach...but I couldn't focus on that too much...trying to keep only 3 things going on in my head at one time.

Now I just need to get this to carryover to tomorrow for league play…and thats still the trick.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium-heavy oil synthetics

522 Series: 197-157-168

Got to the center early and everyone else was late so I at least got my line/ball situation figured out before league play actually began.

Chopped a 1-2-8 washout in the 1st frame which wrecked my clean game AND a 200+ game. Game 2 I had a bad shot in the first frame then followed that with a missed single 2-pin in the 2nd. Finished strong, but was cursed with another 1-2-8 washout in the 10th, which I once again chopped. Game 3 I was clean through 5 until I missed a single 5-pin (of all things) in the 6th. Then a 6-7-10 split in the 8th which I missed. Then a 2-5-7 split in the 9th which I actually converted. Then a 3-10 baby split in the 10th which I missed.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.35 pins
Strikes: 32% (3 doubles and 4 singles)
Spares: 65% picked up

Single Pin spares: 60% (3/5)
2 for 2 on corner pins though.

Multiple Pin spares: 66% (10/15)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2 and 4-7 (2x each).

Splits: 33% (1/3)

Average over 3 games: 174.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 181.33.

Not 'terribly' disappointing…but disappointing. I mean, my goals are clean games and a 525+ series. Well, I missed a clean game by one frame…and I missed a 525 by 3 pins. We also lost our 2nd game (as a team) by < 10 points. And that little margin may leave us tied with 1-2 teams at the top next week. Also disappointed that my strike % is still in the low 30s…still disappointed that my single-pin spare % is below 80%.

I've actually been bowling better, but my home center has decided to flood the lanes at 10AM and then not strip and re-oil before leagues…even their 28-team league…which I believe has caused their THS to essentially be a poor man's long sport shot. All the right handers come out there and throw up the right side…but there's so much carry down from casual bowlers throwing plastic balls up primarily the rights side…we're not seeing much reaction. Leftys you ask? Oh, there world is still rainbows and lollipops. Our left hander has nearly thrown 2 300-games and a 700 series in the last 2 weeks. I've tried to bring the surface down on the Bullet Train…but it wasn't much help. Ended up having to move a board right and my target a board left…and essentially throw a straight shot with very little room for error.

Oh well. Hopefully I'll have better luck at my tournament, at a house that is much drier, this Sunday.

[Aslan]

Citrus Belt USBC BVL Annual Bowl-Off
Arlington Lanes: low-medium oil synthetics

Skipped sport shot league to take part in the Citrus Belt BVL. Last year I participated in the Orange County BVL, and finished 5th or 6th in my Division. I figured I'd participate in both the Citrus Belt AND Orange County BVLs…double my chances of taking the top spot in my Division and representing the local USBC at the State BVL Tournament in 2015.

Well, things didn't go well when I got there…and found out that I would be put in Division A (average 170-184) rather than Division B (average 145-169). It appears that rather than use my USBC Composite book average of 166, they would only use the Citrus Belt USBC average which was from the 21 games of the sport shot league last season…which when compared in the conversion chart was a 173. : (

SQUAD 1:
506 Series: 140-145-221

Game 1 started out with a missed single 10-pin. That set a bad tone. But, it wasn't as bad as it looks. In frames 5, 6, and 7 I left the 1-2-10 twice and the 1-2-8-10. Not "officially" splits…but c'mon. Then I missed a single 6-pin in the 8th. Game 2 also was better than it looks. I had 3-10, 8-10, and 4-5 splits. I picked up the baby split. Other than that, all I did was chop a 2-4-5-8 bucket…otherwise clean.

Game 3 things turned around. I opened with a 1-2-4-10 washout but other than another 8-10 split (in the 6th), I was clean with 9 strikes.

SQUAD 2:
535 Series: 181-198-156

Better. But the 3rd game killed me. Game 1 I was clean except for a chopped 3-6-9-10. Game 2 I was clean except for a 4-6-10 split. And Game 3 wasn't as bad as it looks. A chopped 1-3-6-7-10 washout in the 1st frame, a 7-8 split in the 5th, and a 8-10 split in the 6th…otherwise clean…but only 1 strike.

After looking at the stats before Squad 3, I realized that Squad 1 I had a good strike rate, but sub-par spare shooting. Squad 2 I was excellent at spare shooting, but the strike rate went in the toilet. So I wondered what would happen if I could combine that strike rate from Squad 1 and the spare shooting in Squad 2. And that leads to Squad 3...

SQUAD 3:
593 Series: 217 (clean)-199-177

The first game went great. Perfect spare shooting and a decent strike rate. The second game was starting off great until I threw a gutter ball first shot of the 4th…couldn't convert the spare. Then in the 6th, another 1-2-10. Clean the rest of the way including a 4-bagger.


PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.61 pins
Strikes: 38% (1 6-bagger, 1 4-bagger, 2 turkeys, 3 doubles, and 10 singles)
Spares: 63% picked up

Single Pin spares: 88% (16/18)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (5x)
Never left a single 1-pin, 5-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 52% (21/40)
Most common multi-pin leave: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 20% (2/10)

Average over 9 games: 181.56.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 184.00.

It ended up being a good tournament. It looked bleak in the beginning, but Game 3 I won the handicap side pot. And in Squad 3 I won TWO side pots AND a the men's bracket! Not sure where I finished in the tournament…I guess the results will be posted tomorrow. I doubt I finished 1st…I figured 1st in Division B would take 590-610…and I figure Division A will be more in the 650-690 range. But really this was just a warm-up for the OCUSBC BVL early next year.

It helped with my mental game for sure. I struck a fair amount, giving me confidence that I CAN strike. My single-pin spare shooting was perfect in the final 2 squads. And I was holding my own against players, most of which had 190-210 averages.

And part of me hopes I DON'T win my division…just because I'd rather bowl in the OCUSBC BVL tournament and represent Orange County USBC in Division B. I just think even if by some weird stroke of luck I WON today…I don't think I'd have a chance in Division A at the state level. It would be cool to win BOTH and then bowl for CBUSBC in Division A and for the OCUSBC in the B Division…but I don't know if thats allowed or possible.

I wish this game would translate onto slicker/heavier oil situations. Arlington Lanes are some of the driest around…so I'm obviously going to do better there. It just sucks when I bowl a near 600 series in a tournament and then in my house league I'm struggling to break 500.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: heavy oil synthetics

524 Series: 138-233-153

A washout to start Game 1, then a missed single 10-pin in the 3rd. Some more bad shots…just a real mess. The lanes were playing very heavy, very long. It was clear that the lanes had carry down extending almost to the pin rack. Everyone was missing right. I moved as far right as I could…but after a miserable Game 1 I decided I'd have to alter my speed.

Game 2 I missed ANOTHER single 10-pin in the 2nd frame…the took a walk around the center. I was VERY pissed off that Sunday I missed TWO single pins over 9 games…perfect over the last EIGHT GAMES…yet I had already missed 2 of 2. Well, the walk did me good, and with the exception of a 7 / in the 6th…all strikes until the second shot of the 10th frame when I left…yup…you guessed it..another single 10-pin. And yup…I missed it again. BUT…it was a high game of 233 and our team took the point.

Game 3…I don't know if it was the brandy kicking in or what…but a few open frames…then a missed single 6-pin the 10th to finish my 0 for 4 night on single-pin spares.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.16 pins
Strikes: 40% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 1 double, and 4 singles)
Spares: 42% picked up

Single Pin spares: 0% (0/4)
Missed 3 10-pins and a 6-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (8/15)
Most common multi-pin leave: n/a

Splits: N/A

Average over 3 games: 174.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 186.00.

Hard to feel "bad" when you roll your season high game of 233…despite challenging conditions…but tonight was really a disaster.

- 0 for 4 on single-pin spares is unacceptable.
- My bad games contributed to the loss of 3 points…and our team is no longer in 1st place.
- Still came up shy of any clean games.
- Still came up shy of a 525 series.

Not sure how to handle this ridiculous situation at this center. I mean, flooding the lanes in the morning and then letting people throw plastic balls all day…pushing the oil down the lane…it's created a condition that in all honesty is harder than a long sport pattern because it's LONG AND there's NO DRY. The best I can do is throw my MOST aggressive ball up first arrow…as slow as possible…and hope it hits the pocket with at least SOME power. That or learn how to bowl left handed.

Lesson tomorrow…we'll see how that goes. What do I tell the coach…that things are going well because up until Sunday my spare shooting was much improved and things were looking up? Or that last night I couldn't pick up a single-pin spare to save my life and was back to missing right constantly?

[MICHAEL]

Where in the hell did that 2rd game come from???? Now you know you CAN do it, 233, Icegod is convinced most of your PROBLEMS in regards to bowling is MENTAL!

Your way to mental about your game,,, turn off the brain, take a DEEP breath, and like Nike,,,, JUST DO IT!

Nice 2rd GAME!

There is NO REASON at all having seen you bowl, that your not bowling up there around 200 with todays lanes and equipment! NONE!
Relax,,,,be more Iceman, less ,,,, LESS, Aslan!!!

I am convenced that with all your coaching, and knowledge, there is NO REASON for you to roll the numbers you did game one and two.... NONE!:mad:

As Mikey says ALL THE TIME,,, over and over,, its way too easy now days to bowl the 200 plus average. Many say simply PROJECT the ball, and it will find its way to the pocket!

I know your pretty damn good on spare shooting, which leaves us WHAT?

Get the ball to the POCKET!!! I mean let the ball get to the pocket, you are the only thing keeping it form doing so!!

The Ball and techonology has what it takes to get there,,, put less HEAD, and more relaxed focus into your game!


Now you know ICEGODS SECRET,,, YOU OWE me a trip to the wood lanes of Plattsburg Missouri to bowl on the spider infested lanes, with HISTORIC moped oil, just like in the old days when MEN were like Mikey?

I was really looking forward to Mikey, bowing the mopped oil with one of his ancient balls! ( I would have enjoyed seeing if that OLD TIME BOWLING really was that much harder) (:/)
I know ICEGOD, the man that had the 210 average,,,,, on strange lanes, after riding 1400 miles with his wife leaning into him, pulling a huge trailer full of crap, is looking forward to settling the QUESTION:

WAS THE OLD DAYS REALLY THAT TOUGH??? I will bowl the historic wood lanes, on mopped oil, and prove its just a matter of adjustments!! Mikey, send me an old school ball just to make it perfect, (LIKE IT WAS WHEN YOU RULED THE LANES LOL)!

I don't want to hear,,,,, " Well Icegod used a new technology ball on the moped oil" What do I need to use, a chiseled out of rock stone bowling ball like Fred Flintstone!!!http://i1243.photobucket.com/albums/gg546/imagine686868/BUCK-532_zps4e8fac17.jpg (http://s1243.photobucket.com/user/imagine686868/media/BUCK-532_zps4e8fac17.jpg.html)

[Amyers]

Congrats on your tournament scores those are pretty nice. Congrats on the 233 shooting 220+ with three opens I'm not sure I've even done that. I don't know I have those nights I can make spare either then it comes back around again and I'm killing them all for a couple of weeks the right back to 50% or so again. If I ever figure it out I'll let you know. I don't know if I've ever seen a pattern I can't make the ball hook on so I'm kind of at a loss for advice there. Good Luck

[fortheloveofbowling]

I noticed your bowling has been better lately, for the last 7 series listed your average is 181.95. This is well above your league averages right? What do you attribute the improvement to? What you need to do now is look at your stats and determine what needs to be cleaned up in your game. Is it a certain area of spares, a transition during a normal set, or whatever. During your practice put some extra emphasis on those areas.

[Aslan]

I noticed your bowling has been better lately, for the last 7 series listed your average is 181.95. This is well above your league averages right? What do you attribute the improvement to? What you need to do now is look at your stats and determine what needs to be cleaned up in your game. Is it a certain area of spares, a transition during a normal set, or whatever. During your practice put some extra emphasis on those areas.

The last 4 weeks, since my last lesson...I've been focusing alot on form and focus. Form becuase I need to be balanced at the line and lined up in a repeatable way. Focus because I've found that if I can just stay focused on my target...I can hit that bad boy with relative ease.

Since the WSOB...I've been trying hard to work on form. Seeing those bowlers...especially the female bowlers...they have very crisp, repeatable, balanced form. I need to stop "trying" to throw the ball and just let it happen.

Also, Mark Baker's stuff online...about a "quiet shoulder". I still don't know exactly what that means...but I'm "trying not to try" as stupid as that sounds.

Same with my release. When I'm in my lesson...sometimes I'll "drop" the ball...and the coach will say, "YES! Do it like that!" And I look at them and think..."but I dropped it...you want me to "drop" it"? But it's the same thing. I have to "re-learn" what it is to be an athlete. Bowling is a finesse game...not an overly exerting powerful type of game. I think I'm not used to that. I'm trying to create power using muscles that need to be "quiet". It's one of the first things Barry Asher noticed when he watched me bowl way back when....that I was trying to bowl like I was playing another sport.

Unfortunately...there's still so many elements that I need to address...that I'm putting off because I can only concentrate on so much at one time. I need to address my footwork....it needs to me slower and less "jumpy". I need to get lower so I can stay straight up and down (not bent over the foul line) but also not loft the ball 18 feet. I have to figure out what to do with my shoulders...sometimes they are level...sometimes in complete DYDS mode.

And I HAVE to fix my release. I'm trying to do it gradually by practicing with a rather restrictive wrist brace...but I can't keep breaking my wrist in my backswing. My release is completely inconsistent from shot to shot. One minute it comes off my hand easy and with great axis tilt and great ball motion...the next shot it's almost an end over end roller and misses the 3-pin.

And single-pin spares are STILL an issue. Sometimes...I'm 80-92% and feeling confident. Then other times...I might as well close my eyes. It's not a matter of hitting my target...I'm DOING that...it's an inconsistent allignement issue. I think I fixed it for left side leaves...but I really can't get to the level I want to be at if I can't nail > 90% of the single-pin spares I leave. I don't have the power to strike 65%...my spare shooting MUST be perfect to compete with those that can.

[MICHAEL]

The last 4 weeks, since my last lesson...I've been focusing alot on form and focus. Form becuase I need to be balanced at the line and lined up in a repeatable way. Focus because I've found that if I can just stay focused on my target...I can hit that bad boy with relative ease.

Since the WSOB...I've been trying hard to work on form. Seeing those bowlers...especially the female bowlers...they have very crisp, repeatable, balanced form. I need to stop "trying" to throw the ball and just let it happen.

Also, Mark Baker's stuff online...about a "quiet shoulder". I still don't know exactly what that means...but I'm "trying not to try" as stupid as that sounds.

Same with my release. When I'm in my lesson...sometimes I'll "drop" the ball...and the coach will say, "YES! Do it like that!" And I look at them and think..."but I dropped it...you want me to "drop" it"? But it's the same thing. I have to "re-learn" what it is to be an athlete. Bowling is a finesse game...not an overly exerting powerful type of game. I think I'm not used to that. I'm trying to create power using muscles that need to be "quiet". It's one of the first things Barry Asher noticed when he watched me bowl way back when....that I was trying to bowl like I was playing another sport.

Unfortunately...there's still so many elements that I need to address...that I'm putting off because I can only concentrate on so much at one time. I need to address my footwork....it needs to me slower and less "jumpy". I need to get lower so I can stay straight up and down (not bent over the foul line) but also not loft the ball 18 feet. I have to figure out what to do with my shoulders...sometimes they are level...sometimes in complete DYDS mode.

And I HAVE to fix my release. I'm trying to do it gradually by practicing with a rather restrictive wrist brace...but I can't keep breaking my wrist in my backswing. My release is completely inconsistent from shot to shot. One minute it comes off my hand easy and with great axis tilt and great ball motion...the next shot it's almost an end over end roller and misses the 3-pin.

And single-pin spares are STILL an issue. Sometimes...I'm 80-92% and feeling confident. Then other times...I might as well close my eyes. It's not a matter of hitting my target...I'm DOING that...it's an inconsistent allignement issue. I think I fixed it for left side leaves...but I really can't get to the level I want to be at if I can't nail > 90% of the single-pin spares I leave. I don't have the power to strike 65%...my spare shooting MUST be perfect to compete with those that can.

WOW, back to YOUR MAIN problem,,, YOU THINK TOO MUCH!! Only one thing is going to get you to that 200 level, get a lobotomy!!! I am serious, your way to brainy to be bowing,,, Chess might be your best game/sport!

It wore ICEGOD out just reading your thoughts above! (why did I read it??) I have a sick sense of curiosity, for reading struggling bowlers diaries!

My average dropped 10 pins just reading it!!! WAY TO MUCH HEAD,,,, JUST Let it happen bud!!! FREE YOURSELF like a un-caged-birdy!

Spread your wings and FLY!!!!!

[Aslan]

Not everyone is GIFTED enough to THINK and BOWL at the same time IceMG.

I saw you try to do it in Vegas and it almost led to a serious injury. :cool:

You have your gifts...I have mine. :cool:

[fortheloveofbowling]

You are correct about the release and trying not to try to hard. The guys that have great releases really make it look effortless because they don't try to over hit it for the most part. As far as spare shooting, try to use some practice games to find the boards to stand on and target that consistently work to hit certain pins. Then, when you have that pin not only for a single but part of a multiple as well you are confident. If you can find those spots for the 2,3,4,6 you can adjust slightly and pick anything up.

[Aslan]

Practice:
Tustin Lanes: low oil synthetics

My coach didn't show for the lesson but I figured I'd take advantage of a few practice games…especially since I just had a new thumb insert drilled for the VISE IT in my Bullet Train.

636: 123-169-202-142
Game 1 I'm not counting since it took me the whole game to get to the right ball. The lanes there are very dry on the outside, lots of oil in the middle. So I had to ball all the way down to the less aggressive Encounter.

Game 2 was a 5-10 split and 2 missed single-pin spares away from a clean game.

Game 3 I started throwing the Slingshot…tried getting my release to go more "through" the ball than around it. And it paid off. Was clean and always knocked down at least 9 pins on the first ball…right up until the 10th frame when I left a 1-2-4-10 washout.

Given the success in Game 3…I decided to see if I could get the same release with my wrist brace off. It didn't go well. Three washouts and a chopped 5-9. I just can't seem to get a good release without the wrist brace; not yet.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.49 pins
Strikes: 34% (4 doubles and 7 singles)
Spares: 42% picked up

Single Pin spares: 75% (6/8)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 30% (6/20)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/6)

Average over 4 games: 159.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 163.50.

Just miserable. Mad because my instructor wasn't there. Mad because the center was super hot and muggy and I was sweating like a madman. Mad because games cost $4 in the late afternoon during the week. Mad about my single-pin spare performance. And mad that my release is just bad without my wrist brace. One of those "screw bowling…it just happening" feelings.

[Amyers]

Aslan

Wear the wrist brace If you aren't comfortable with that one with whatever your excuse is buy one that you are comfortable with. I bought one for my wife who has similar problems to you (weak wrist position poor finger position) and she is making remarkable progress. A wrist brace is not a sing of weakness If I needed one I would wear it in a heart beat if it improved my performance. I don't know maybe eventually the brace will train her wrist and she won't need it anymore maybe it won't but it is helping her today.

[Aslan]

Aslan

Wear the wrist brace

I'm considering it. I think I'll at least talk to my coach about it....if I still HAVE a coach since I haven't heard anything back yet after they didn't show and I sent a text about re-scheduling and nothing yet.

The only downside to the wrist brace idea is three things:

1) It does mess with my spare shot a little bit. But I'm assuming once I get more used to it; it won't.
2) It changes the fit of the ball. Not by a LOT...but it seems to shorten the span and not as much of my hand is in contact with the ball...it just doesn't "fit" as good and then I start "pinching".
3) Because my natural tendency is to flatten my wrist...and the brace is stopping/providing resistance....I think the brace will eventually fail.

Like yesterday...one ball I released, the wrist brace came off during the shot. Essentially, my hand was trying to flatten (pulling itself away from the brace) and it just over-powered the velcro.

But I AM considering it. I looked at a Storm Gizmo and it looked really nice. Much more comfortable than what I have.

We'll see. Ideally I'd like to train myself so I don't need it. I think it's a limiting device at some point since you can't alter your shots as much by maneuvering your hand if you need to do so. But if wearing it can make my shots more repeatable with more proper axis tilt and ball motion....at some point it's stubborn stupidity not to.

[Amyers]

"at some point it's stubborn stupidity not to".

There you go look at the Robby's Revs III too that's what I got my wife I guarantee that thing isn't coming off. Take it off for far right side spares. If you need a small span change your proshop can fix that with just redoing the slug $10 bucks here probably $20 there knowing So. Cal.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: WTBA Sydney 33' Pattern

589 Series: 142-163-127-157

Game 1 I had a couple washouts…I slipped over the line and fouled once, costing me a spare…and I finished with a baby split I couldn't convert.

Game 2 I was clean except for a couple splits…but then I left a 1-2-8 in the 10th and couldn't convert.

Game 3 was one of my worst games in some time. Mostly just misses right leading to washouts. It just felt like I had no revs. I'd throw up the 7-board and watch the ball go straight into the 6-pin. And that was on a 33' SHORT pattern (supposedly).

Game 4 I was pretty much clean. I had a couple washouts and didn't strike much…but it was 'okay'; until the 10th when I left a 4-6 split to put a cherry on top of the nightmare. :mad:

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.66 pins
Strikes: 17% (2 doubles and 3 singles)
Spares: 54% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (5/5)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (2x).
Also left a 4-pin, 6-pin, and 7-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (13/28)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 6-10, 1-2-4, and 3-10 (3x each).

Splits: 20% (1/5)

Average over 4 games: 147.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: N/A.

I guess the spare shooting numbers are slightly encouraging. But really it was a disappointing session. I'm trying to throw the ball "properly" by staying behind it rather than hitting it up the side…trying to throw relaxed rather than "trying" to hook the ball. But so far I'm just not seeing the results. I'm watching others throw the ball the "wrong" way…and they seem to be doing a LOT better than me.

[Aslan]

Lunchtime Practice: low oil synthetics
LaHabra 300 Bowl

662 Series: 185-152-169-156

Game 1 I did well but missed a couple make-able spares which I wasn't happy about. But I was able to play my A-Game line and the lanes seemed quite dry so I figured I'd be in for a strong series. Game 2 started off with a chopped 1-2 followed by a 2-4-10 split. Then I was clean until the 9th and 10th when I left a 1-2-8-10 washout and a 4-6-7-9 split respectively. Game 3 I switched to the Rhythm…then to the Encounter (A)…then to the Encounter (N). Obviously with 3 ball changes I just wasn't having a good game. Fortunately I was able to pick up most of the multi-pin leaves to salvage a 169. Game 4 I switched to the Slingshot. Had a washout in the 2nd followed by a 4-6-7 split in the 3rd. Then I left the pocket 7-10 split in the 6th followed by missing a 10-pin in the 7th. Everything else was clean but it wasn't enough for anything respectable.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.69 pins
Strikes: 35% (1 turkey, 4 doubles, and 5 singles)
Spares: 48% picked up

Single Pin spares: 62% (5/8)
Most common single-pin leaves: 3-pin, 6-pin, and 10-pin (2x each).
Also left a single 1-pin and 5-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (8/19)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/5)

Average over 4 games: 165.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 173.25.

An okay practice but I need to do much better over the next month. The Orange County BVL tournament is the last weekend of January at the same lanes I was practicing at. Bowling my average isn't going to help me there if I want to win my Division. The single-pin spare shooting needs to improve pronto and I can't leave so many multi-pin spares. Even the easy stuff like 4-7s, 6-10s, 1-2s, and 5-9s leave too much opportunity to be slightly off and chop. And I can't afford more than 1 open frame a game if I'm gonna have a shot at the 595 series I'l likely need to win my Division in January.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: medium oil synthetics

622 Series: 167-213-242
First game I was just trying to figure out my line and ball to use...so I wasn't too concerned about the score. It was apparent early that while the lanes still met my definition of "medium oil"...they were drier than usual...probably a bit more traffic due to the schools being on Christmas break. So I didn't even start with the Bullet Train, put it right back in the bag. Started out with the Rhythm on one lane and the Encounter (A) on the other lane. Played the 10-11 board line. Game 1 wasn't as terrible as you'd think given I only managed ONE pocket hit. Good spare shooting can do wonders! Game 2 I was a missed single 10-pin in the 5th away from a clean game. Game 3 I was just "on" and missed a clean game due to a 4-7-10 split in the 8th.

496 Series: 178-156-162
Game 4 looks worse than it was. I was only a couple splits away from a clean game...but the lanes were starting to transition and I needed to ball down on each lane. Game 5 I was doing okay, picked up a 3-6-7-10 split in the 2nd frame...but in frames 4 through 6 I opened due to a 5-6 split and a couple multi-pin spares I couldn't convert. By the end of Game 5 I was down to the Slingshot on one lane...still trying to make the Encounter (N) work on the other lane. Game 6 I had a 4-6-7 split in the 2nd and a 4-10 split in the 3rd. Chopped a 3-6-10 in the 5th and a 2-4-5-8 bucket in the 9th...but struck enough to salvage a 162. By the end of Game 6 I was down to the Slingshot on both lanes...having exhausted my arsenal.

610 Series: 174-193-243 clean
Game 7 was frustrating. I missed two single-pin spares and then chopped a 2-5 in the foundation frame. Struck out in the 10th to salvage the 174. Game 8, same thing. Missed 2 single 10-pins. Game 9 I was just "on" and made a few spares (including the pesky 10-pin) to keep it clean.

601 Series: 214-154-233
Game 10 I was still striking well, but chopped a 3-6-10 in the first frame and missed a single 10-pin in the 4th. Game 11 was my worst of the night from a scoring perspective but it really wasn't "that" bad a game. Two missed single 7-pins back to back in the 5th and 6th frames...and two splits (4-7-9 and 4-6-7) in the 2nd and 7th frames. Game 12 I would have started off with a 8-bagger (which I've never done) but left a 4-6 split in the 4th frame to ruin it and cost me a clean game.

Arguably Useful Statistics:
First Ball Average: 8.99 pins
Strikes: 49% (1 6-bagger, 3 4-baggers, 4 turkeys, 8 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (18/27)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 52% (20/38)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 3-6-10 (8x).

Splits: 9% (1/11)

Pocket Percentage: 62%
Pocket Carry: 80%
Double Percetage: 42%

Average over 12 games: 194.08.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 201.33.

Very happy with last night's practice. The fact that had I made all my single-pin spares I could have averaged over 200 for 12 games is very encouraging. A strike rate of not only over 40% but nearly 50%!? It just makes things so much easier when you can strike.

But there were some negatives. I simply can't be competitive if I continue to shoot 60-69% at single-pin spares. That MUST improve. At this point, I'd be almost as happy to throw a clean game with all spares as I would to throw an 11-in-a-row. Nothing makes me more upset than missing single-pin spares.

This was a unique game for me in that I wasn't hitting right of the headpin. I'm not sure why...maybe with the extra Holiday traffic they actually cleaned the lanes midday and got rid of the carrydown...not sure. But missing left seems to be preferable to missing right in terms of scoring at least. The downside is...way more splits than I usually leave. But, since a washout is nearly as hard to pick up as a split...maybe hitting more left isn't a bad thing.

As to what I changed? The biggest thing for me this practice was (close your eyes Rob M.!) allowing myself to "loft" a little. After watching Mika win the Viper with his natural lofting ability...and watching some old Mika footage online...I sort of changed my approach a little. Rather than focus on dipping that right should and getting that ball to smoothly glide onto the lane...I just tried to be a little more upright. The loft wasn't like what I used to do...the ball wasn't going up and down like a bell curve. I was simply just releasing the ball higher in the air...and it was landing further out. I think this helps me in a few ways:

1) It feels natural to me. Trying to lay the ball down smoothly...I'm "trying".
2) It forces my shoulders to straighten and run parallel with the foul line which helps me not push the ball right or pull the ball left.
3) It adds much needed rpms to my shot.

The "key" is (close your eyes Amyers)...the wrist brace. The wrist brace is keeping me from breaking my wrist and it's allowing me to stay behind the ball even when lofting it a bit. So, despite the loft, I'm not sacraficing axis tilt for axis rotation. I'm not able to "grab" the ball at the bottom and "lift" it. I have to push 'through' the ball just by the nature of the wrist brace.

So...am I going to wear the wrist brace in league when league starts up in January!!??? Undecided. :p I have an important lesson with my coach one week from today. At that time, I will discuss the wrist brace. I'm old skool...I look at wearing the wrist brace as an embarrassing weakness that I need to overcome. Much like a kid with a blankie or a pacifier. I don't LIKE wearing the wrist brace. And it slightly upsets my spare shooting. BUT...if I simply cannot keep from breaking that wrist...and the difference is 30 pins in average wearing it versus not wearing it...and the coach is on board...then screw it. Bite the bullet.

P.S. You'll also notice some new stats. These are not Pinpal stats, they are no stats I've begun tracking. Pocket %, Pocket Carry, and Doubles %. For those that are new to these stats, they are calculated:

Pocket % = Pocket hits/first shots
Pocket Carry = strikes/pocket hits
Double % = pocket strikes after a pocket strike

[fortheloveofbowling]

Hey! Great bowling there man! I think those are some good changes with your posture at the line. It always seemed in your videos that you were to far forward with your shoulders. That carry percentage is solid also.

[mc_runner]

Nice bowling!

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: medium oil synthetics

y Tuesday team wanted to practice so I showed up and bowled a few games. I got kinda high in the parking lot…thought it would be an interesting experiment to bowl high. For me, I thought it might actually result in me "letting go" and maybe not over-think as much. Results below.

496 Series: 155-157-186
Game 1 I just couldn't strike. Add in a split and a couple missed single-pin spares and things weren't going well early. Game 2 I managed to run at least a couple strikes together but also had one additional split…so another sub-160 game. I think in Game 3 the weed was sorta wearing off a bit. Single-pin spare shooting showed up as well as some strikes. Only one open in the 8th when I chopped the 2-8.

Arguably Useful Statistics:
First Ball Average: 8.85 pins
Strikes: 33% (1 double and 9 singles)
Spares: 57% picked up

Single Pin spares: 58% (7/12)
Most common single-pin leaves: 7-pin and 10-pin (4x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, 3-pin, 6-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 55% (5/9)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: n/a

Splits: 25% (1/4)

Pocket Percentage: 61%
Pocket Carry: 55%
Double Percetage: 0%

Average over 3 games: 166.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 180.67.

When you keep this many stats…you're bound to see information that actually starts painting a picture of what went wrong/right.

1) Bowling high DID relax me…but it also hurt my focus and technique so that little experiment failed.
2) Pocket percentage wasn't horrible, but the pocket carry was abysmal. I obviously wasn't hitting the pocket correctly because I left two single 9-pins and I rarely leave single 8 or 9 pins when I'm hitting the pocket solid.

The thumb was loose as well. With the colder weather and not bowling as often with leagues down for a week…the thumb seems small. I think I'm "chicken-winging" too…something to focus on next practice…making sure that swing is a straight pendulum.

[Aslan]

Holiday Practice: low oil synthetics
Brunswick Classic Lanes

641 Series: 171-195-125-150
Game 1 I had a split and a couple missed single-pins. Game 2 I definitely got into a groove…and was clean until the 10th when I opened on a single 10-pin. Game 3 was a disaster…3 splits, a couple chops, and another open in the 10th due to ANOTHER missed single 10-pin. Game 4 I really started coming through the ball…so I quickly exhausted my arsenal options…game wasn't as bad as the score indicates…a couple splits and a missed single 4-pin; otherwise clean.

640 Series: 133-174-173-160
By game 5 I was using my Slingshot. Game 5 I just couldn't pick up any splits. Game 6 I was clean until I ran into a couple 3-6-10 leaves in the 8th and 10th. Another damn open 10th. Game 7 was clean except for a few splits. Game 8…a good summary game as I missed 2 single-pin spares and also had 2 splits including ANOTHER open 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.70 pins
Strikes: 32% (1 turkey, 4 doubles, and 16 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 63% (14/22)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (11x).
Also left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, and 7-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 32% (10/31)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 3-6-10 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/13)

Pocket Percentage: 51%
Pocket Carry: 64%
Double Percetage: 22%

Average over 8 games: 160.12.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.38.

It's weird because as I was bowling in Game 2; I thought to myself, "These conditions are TOO easy! I mean, I'm hitting the pocket without even trying!" Then, Games 3 through 8 I just couldn't consistently stay right of the headpin. My release was just too inconsistent. Sometimes…lots of revs…sometimes a medium amount…sometimes it'd slip off and I'd drop it. Still some thumb issues with the cooler weather.

Played with my follow-through a little bit. Trying to navigate between some nice revs with an appropriate amount of loft. Lesson on Tuesday…I think I'll have at least a couple items to try and look at:

1) I'd like to get some feedback on the wrist brace. It's almost certainly helping the ball come off my hand and my hand go through the ball. And the scores are indicitive. But I don't want the use of the wrist brace to someday create a hurdle in my development and I don't want to develop any bad habits.

2) Single-pin spare shooting STILL seems to be an issue…the strike rate, first ball average, and average are all going up…but the single-pin spare shooting is trending downwards.

This lesson and hopefully one more before the BVL tournament in the end of January…so I gotta get my game to a 625 Series level bowler by then. I don't need to average 208…but I need at least one of four of the series to be in the 625 range.