Lesson with Mark Baker

[Bunny]

I had a 1/2 hour lesson with Mark last week.

I've been inconsistent lately and it was driving me nuts. I know I haven't been bowling for years and years, (1 and 1/2) had surgery last year, and have a herniated disk in my neck but still. I was seeing 80 year olds that were throwing more strikes than me!


So we worked on three things...

1. Keeping my center more square to the line. I was clearing my hips too much. (Ok to open the hips a little as I move inside and when shooting corner spares.) It was killing my consistency! There you have it!!

2. Walking a straighter line. I wasn't drifting but my walk was a little casual. He had me be a little more deliberate and straight. It helps keeps my head still and my eyes on target.

3. Rotation on release. He put his fist in my hand and me swing as he mimicked the movement. It's such a small movement. I have to remember that! Less is more!! (Rob M's mantra for good reason.)


I've bowled four times since. The first couple times, ouch! The next two were better. I'm finally stringing some strikes together. I love it when it feels so easy. Not like it's easy to score, just like the feeling of a freer, easier swing.

:cool:

[Amyers]

That great Bunny we all need to get our heads screwed back on straight every now and then.

[zdawg]

I had a 1/2 hour lesson with Mark last week.

I've been inconsistent lately and it was driving me nuts. I know I haven't been bowling for years and years, (1 and 1/2) had surgery last year, and have a herniated disk in my neck but still. I was seeing 80 year olds that were throwing more strikes than me!


So we worked on three things...

1. Keeping my center more square to the line. I was clearing my hips too much. (Ok to open the hips a little as I move inside and when shooting corner spares.) It was killing my consistency! There you have it!!

2. Walking a straighter line. I wasn't drifting but my walk was a little casual. He had me be a little more deliberate and straight. It helps keeps my head still and my eyes on target.

3. Rotation on release. He put his fist in my hand and me swing as he mimicked the movement. It's such a small movement. I have to remember that! Less is more!! (Rob M's mantra for good reason.)


I've bowled four times since. The first couple times, ouch! The next two were better. I'm finally stringing some strikes together. I love it when it feels so easy. Not like it's easy to score, just like the feeling of a freer, easier swing.

:cool:

SO envious right now Bunny! I haven't seen Mark in a few months, and unfortunately it was right after I tore a tendon in my forearm so we weren't able to do much. About to embark on my third interview with a company here in San Diego, fingers crossed, if I get it Mark will be one of the first calls I make to schedule a lesson as my footwork/timing has been all over the place lately :cool:

[dnhoffman]

There's absolutely no good coaches anywhere near his caliber here in STL, you're lucky...

[Bunny]

That great Bunny we all need to get our heads screwed back on straight every now and then.

Yes! It doesn't take much to get away from your best technique. Mark got me right back on track.



SO envious right now Bunny! I haven't seen Mark in a few months, and unfortunately it was right after I tore a tendon in my forearm so we weren't able to do much. About to embark on my third interview with a company here in San Diego, fingers crossed, if I get it Mark will be one of the first calls I make to schedule a lesson as my footwork/timing has been all over the place lately :cool:

Good Luck!! Fingers, arms, toes, and eyes all crossed! :eek: I have a feeling you'll get it!



There's absolutely no good coaches anywhere near his caliber here in STL, you're lucky...

That's a bummer man. -El Duderino

I know it's crazy. Mark is so cool too. He reminds a lot of my brother and husband, and a lot of the guys I grew up with Orange County. Laid back but successful with a good sense of humor.

:cool:

[sara2117]

I've heard a lot about Mark Baker and exited to say I get to attend a seminar he will be hosting next month. Can't wait after all the good things I hear.

[Bunny]

I've heard a lot about Mark Baker and exited to say I get to attend a seminar he will be hosting next month. Can't wait after all the good things I hear.

That's awesome Sara. Enjoy!

[Bunny]

Had another 1/2 hour with Mark yesterday. It went well.

He did a thing where he lightly held my swing shoulder back on the first two steps of my approach. I guess it slows your first two steps down to match swing speed and it keeps the upper body from dipping down too early.

I threw two great shots when he did it and Mark goes, "Chris Barnes says he wants me to be there for him every time he bowls to do that!"

"Wait. What?? Chris Barnes and I are doing the same drills?" That's awesome!!!!!"

We also worked on not clearing my hips too early. It was making my arm swing out rather than straight because it turns the upper body.

So basically all timing. :eek:

Hampe-I told him that he was huge in Sweden (we laughed) and passed on your thanks. Mark told me about a few trips he took over there with Thomas Leandersson. He had a lot of very good things to say about him and his game. He said that he would love to have him as an instructor at Camp Bakes.


Towards the end of the lesson I asked Mark if he could do the shoulder drill again. He replied, "You sound like Chris!"

Really? That's so cool!!

[Hampe]

Hampe-I told him that he was huge in Sweden (we laughed) and passed on your thanks. Mark told me about a few trips he took over there with Thomas Leandersson. He had a lot of very good things to say about him and his game. He said that he would love to have him as an instructor at Camp Bakes. Lol.....well, um, Switzerland and Sweden aren't exactly the same place :D. But thanks for telling him "thanks" from me :).

That shoulder thing sounds pretty cool......I have similar tendencies (going down too early).

[Bunny]

Lol.....well, um, Switzerland and Sweden aren't exactly the same place :D. But thanks for telling him "thanks" from me :).

That shoulder thing sounds pretty cool......I have similar tendencies (going down too early).


OMG! That's hilarious! I sound like your wife!! :o

[Hampe]

LOL.....yea, a little bit :D

[Bunny]

I had a 1/2 hour with Mark yesterday. I got to preview parts of the new dvd. Neener, neener. :p It looks awesome!!!

We worked on...

Keeping my swing shoulder quiet and level on pushaway.

Keeping my first two steps (5 step approach) smooth and effortless. (Explained in the dvd.)


Good Lesson!

[Hammer]

On your approach with your slide foot arch on board 20 and your target arrow on board 10 does Mark have your downswing swing straight or does he have your ball arm swing towards your target arrow? I am guessing that if you don't have an inside out downswing that you won't be able to swing straight on your approach and then have your downswing hit the target arrow on the 10 board. I personally can swing straight lined up on board 20 and then swing out to the 10 board target with an inside out swing.

[foreverincamo]

Finding good coaching isn't easy. I just got lucky by geography that I have three top-notch coaches all in the same house. I worked with Jeri Edwards today on some release drills. Been hanging up in my thumb hole and I know it's me. She changed a few things and after a half hour of working with her I threw games of 287 and 245. Unfortunately I split my thumb open on an old blister and had to quit again just like last week.

[Amyers]

Finding good coaching isn't easy. I just got lucky by geography that I have three top-notch coaches all in the same house. I worked with Jeri Edwards today on some release drills. Been hanging up in my thumb hole and I know it's me. She changed a few things and after a half hour of working with her I threw games of 287 and 245. Unfortunately I split my thumb open on an old blister and had to quit again just like last week.

I've had a lot of problems with that myself. One I'm starting to understand I grip the ball even though I didn't think I did. Two Roby's skin patch is a life saver if you get them in similar spots put it on before bowling it's the one thing I've found that helps and believe me I've tried a lot

[Bunny]

On your approach with your slide foot arch on board 20 and your target arrow on board 10 does Mark have your downswing swing straight or does he have your ball arm swing towards your target arrow? I am guessing that if you don't have an inside out downswing that you won't be able to swing straight on your approach and then have your downswing hit the target arrow on the 10 board. I personally can swing straight lined up on board 20 and then swing out to the 10 board target with an inside out swing.

Arm swing towards target. I think he wants the arm swing to stay the same but open up the shoulder/hip angle.

Like the diagram on Rob's home page. http://www.modern-bowling.com/

[Bunny]

Feeling pretty good after Mark's last lesson. It seems like something clicked.

Keeping my swing shoulder from "collapsing" has really helped. The shoulder tilt is ok just need to keep it quiet and level. (Not necessarily perpendicular to the floor, just keep it where it's at.) It has helped my consistency. I seem to be in and around the pocket a lot more and stringing more strikes together. I won third place at sweeps last week and won $71!

Getting the ball out right with the second step. (I have a 5 step approach.) It's giving me time to stay behind the ball (even a little inside, which is very cool) and turn it at the bottom for some really nice rotation. I'm seeing a lot more power on my hits too! Quite a few times I thought, "Damn, that was pretty awesome!!

Expending minimal effort on the first two steps. There can only be 100% effort (a la John Wooden) on your, in this case, approach/swing/release. Upper body = 70% effort, lower body = 30% per Mark. If too much effort is expended on the lower body then it's taken away from the upper body. (It's in the yet-to-be-released DVD!) It's helping me stay super smooth. It keeps my head still and eyes on target. I feel like I'm seeing the whole lane "clearer" if that makes sense.

My approach/swing/release is feeling easy and effortless. I love that!!

[Hammer]

Hey Bunny, looks like these lessons from Mark will give you more confidence in your games. Good luck.

[Bunny]

Thanks Hammer. Yes! Exactly! I'm definitely feeling more confident. I think it comes from feeling like I have more "control" on the ball.