video of my approach, comments appreciated!

[mrbean]

Hi bowlers!

I am very new to bowling and still try to get fundamentals correct, so please feel free to comment on any mistakes on my approach :)

1. my shots have been very inconsistent and i think my 4 step approach timing is way off.
2. im unable to balance on my left foot during release
3. im also unable to get any side revs with wristguard due to my release, im starting to think that my 13lbs ball might be too heavy for my body weight. i weigh only 127lbs.
May have to look for real personal coaching to get my fundamentals corrected.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7bK2DdFRvM

[mrbean]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HogU7lz3mzw

[mrbean]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZv8yNTzS4k

[mc_runner]

First thing I notice is your timing is really late for a 4 step approach. Your ball should be moving along with your first step - by going late with it, it affects everything else throughout your release.

[noeymc]

think kick the ball when ur ball is right above the spot where your toes meet your foot id start moving my feet

[J-Dilly]

I agree with the previous posts. Your biggest issue is that you start your ball motion after you start moving forward. Kick your ball out when you start your backswing at the same time you start your first step. I don't think your ball weight is a factor. You seem to have control and decent speed without looking like it is much of a struggle. It would be better to get a few frames worth of video to have a real idea of your mechanics IMO

[Mudpuppy]

Yes I agree video was too quick to really gauge too much.

It appears to me your release is flat and therefore the ball just goes straight. Start out by holding palm to the ceiling when holding the ball before starting your approach. When you release the ball reach out like you are shaking someone's hand. That will start you out with a small hook. You probably need to move a little left if your ball starts to hook - not a whole lot though - 1/2 a board maybe 1 board. Not a ton - talking a couple of inches not steps, etc.

[Blacksox1]

Good coaching is often worth the money. Meeting with a coach once a week, for 30 minutes, for like 6-8 lessons. should help a lot. All bowlers should have a tune-up now and then. I like videos, post another that is longer in length, say one or two minutes long.

[J Anderson]

Hi bowlers!

I am very new to bowling and still try to get fundamentals correct, so please feel free to comment on any mistakes on my approach :)

1. my shots have been very inconsistent and i think my 4 step approach timing is way off.
2. im unable to balance on my left foot during release
3. im also unable to get any side revs with wristguard due to my release, im starting to think that my 13lbs ball might be too heavy for my body weight. i weigh only 127lbs.
May have to look for real personal coaching to get my fundamentals corrected.



Fixing the timing may fix the other problems. Being off balance at the line is often a symptom of poor timing.
When the swing starts late, the tendency is to pull the ball down from the top of the backswing. For people who aren't built like professional wrestlers, the wrist isn't strong enough to overcome the inertia of the ball and breaks backward.

13lbs shouldn't be too much for someone who weighs almost 130. I weighed about 120lbs when I started bowling and my first ball was 15#. Back then the average recreational bowler bought one ball and used it for years. The guy in the sport shop refused to sell me anything lighter on the grounds that I would out grow it too fast.

[mrbean]

thanks for the feedback fellow bowlers!

this video which i captured with a higher fps has my slow mo approach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzGgMqAUpvA

and i think the reason why i wasnt able to get any revs is because my finger knuckles were too stiff, they can only bend like 30degrees with my fingers straight. And my current finger holes are drilled with 0 pitch. therefore during my release, i wasnt able to put the ball weight on my fingers and lift them for revving.
I've sent my ball for replugging the finger holes and redrilling them with 1/2" reverse on them. hopefully it will help

[Bunny]

I see a big last step into your slide. You're pretty stretched out. Maybe move up a bit on the approach. It may help with the timing thing too. Moving up may kind of "force" you into getting the ball started earlier.

Just my thoughts. I'm not a bowling coach. Best to get some lessons from a qualified coach. The earlier the better!!

Good Luck and Good Bowling!!

[mrbean]

Sorry for the slow motion, I think my release and timing improved significantly without using wrist guard.
But still working on my balance at the foul line. i feel kinda falling off to the left.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw76UIUq118

[richard]

Timing is everything in sports! your pushaway is late.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofED4FPLAGg

Your pushaway moves outside of your hips. This type of swing will make the ball wrap around your back ( your does too) and most likely the direction of the ball path will be inside ( as you do). The ball should be dropped over your right foot this will promote a inside out swing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxLvpxOP0Kg&list=UU2Qo4SrSRi952gPiJM3dIxQ
http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/swing_slot_btm_july_08.pdf

After the release don't try to bring your swing up to the ceiling think long and low.

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/why_long_low_follow.pdf

[mrbean]

Timing is everything in sports! your pushaway is late.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ofED4FPLAGg

Your pushaway moves outside of your hips. This type of swing will make the ball wrap around your back ( your does too) and most likely the direction of the ball path will be inside ( as you do). The ball should be dropped over your right foot this will promote a inside out swing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxLvpxOP0Kg&list=UU2Qo4SrSRi952gPiJM3dIxQ
http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/swing_slot_btm_july_08.pdf

After the release don't try to bring your swing up to the ceiling think long and low.

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/why_long_low_follow.pdf

thanks richard, i totally agree with u and i'll be working on them next.

[vdubtx]

Great video for footwork on approach is one I refer back to from time to time.

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

[Shaneshu87]

i wouldn't worry to much about your weight vs ball weight look at EJ Tackett on the PBA tour couldn't be much bigger than you chucking 15lbs and killer performance. i had to teach myself how to bowl there were no coaches around here so i had to pick a bowler and just try to mimic their approach, i picked Chris Barnes, don't know why just did. i have watched so much of his game i have his steps memorized lol thats the best tip i can give watch slow motion release vids on youtube of your favorite bowler or someone you feel is close to your style and just try to mimic it. there is way more stuff out there nowadays then there was 18 years ago lol