Aslan's January Slump Video

[Aslan]

I was going to add this to the greatest video/help thread of all time….Videos for noeymc…but Bowl1820 closed it. :( So, Bowl…can you ad this to that thread and re-open it? How bout going one step further and stickying it? How bout assuming everything I post is groundbreaking…and stickying everything I post? Okay, maybe the last request is a reach. But it would be nice to move this to the other thread so people can go back and see former videos of my lack of greatness to gain perspective. 'Could' they also click on my USBC number (signature) and have access to my whole bowling video library? Of course. But we both know the average BB poster, especially the noobs, are not 100% bright. Some have had multiple head injuries from motorcycle crashes…others are from West Virginia.

So, anyways, since there's been much talk about my slump in my scores thread…I figured I was long overdue for a video post. Unfortunately, it was on a Saturday…so that means loudness, distractions, and a general lack o lighting…and annoying kids that at one point I think bumped my camera (kids are drwan to any electric screen like moths)…but I did my best to brighten it up even though that kinda hindered resolution.


http://youtu.be/BG_0Yq9Bnjs

I looked it over…can't see what I'm doing wrong…maybe the more expert eyes will see something I'm missing.

[Amyers]

Well from the WV perspective I'm sure the problem is the hat. ��. The footwork looks quite a bit better I think your first step and maybe all of them are too large but the biggest issue I see is your too far on the side of the ball at release on a lot of these shots seems to be even worse on the shots you don't loft but I'm no coach. Good luck!

[vdubtx]

Roll the ball. Too much loft.... Loft is fine when used appropriately.

[got_a_300]

I have to agree 100% with Amyers and vdubtx on the loft you
only need to loft the ball when the heads are burned bad.

That is unless you cab be as constant at it as Mika Koivuniemi
is using the loft. If you have to loft the ball to delay the hook
every time then it is time to get a ball drilled differently that
will not read the lanes so early.

Every time you loft the ball way out onto the lanes you are killing
some of the ball's energy and it will hit the pins all girly like about
like a marshmallow hitting them most of the time.

The ball needs to be able to slide with emphasis on the word slide
then hook and then roll if you are lofting all the time the ball nevers
has a chance to slide through the heads and store up energy to hit the
pins all that hard and get good carry.

[bubba809]

Open your shoulders up.

[Mark O]

I'm not a coach nor am I as experienced or accomplished as other bowlers on this site but I was experiencing a similar problem about 2 years ago and once it was corrected I have added 20 pins to my average. From your video it looks as if the ball is outside of your head to the right and this is a result of wrapping the ball around your body. You are not creating a swing slot for a straight swing and the end result is your right arm being very far away from your body which causes your hand to be in the upper-right quadrant at the release point which is a very weak position. Not only that but your arm being so far out also contributes to a lot of pulled shots as evidenced in the video you posted. I feel your release will show significant improvement once you can straighten out your swing to be more underneath your head instead of out to the side by creating a swing slot in your approach. This can be done by slightly dropping your right shoulder and having the steps you take with your right foot be crossover steps. This will give you better leverage and your hand will be in a much stronger position at the point of release as a result. I find whenever I am making poor shots now it will be because I let my arm flail out away from my head and the end result is almost always a bucket or a washout when I'm caught in that weak position. Just my two cents on the matter, keep at it and don't give up, we've all been there.

[fortheloveofbowling]

I've got to say you should be excited about the progression of your game. The first 3-4 shots (before the lofting got bigger) and especially the 1st in regards to approach/balance looks great. Your footwork, spine tilt, and balance at the line all looked good to me. I'm not talking about arm swing and release, just the approach/balance. Not to say the others are bad, just saying your base looks good. There are plenty of guys that average 200 plus that don't have near the base you have.

These to me these are the keys in order to success (house shot)

1) Approach/balance
2) Arm swing
3) Release
4) Ball speed
5) Shot Direction

Now some people might say shot direction last??? If you can't do the first 4 consistently regardless of your style making good shots direction wise becomes very tough. The approach/balance you have in the video for the first few shots getting the ball down on the lane is more than enough to average 200+. Based on just the few balls you pictured a while back i still kind of question your drillings but as i said i only saw a few. Is most of your stuff drilled with that pin a little below your fingers and to the right? Anyway, good work on your game and when those other things start to come around your game will improve quickly. Good job man!!

[mc_runner]

First, I think you're looking a lot better than before. Your balance and footwork is pretty clean.

To me, what I noticed first is that it looks like you're trying to kind of... force the ball down a line that it doesn't want to naturally be in given your release. Kind of what Amyers and vdub said - it's not quite coming off cleanly to me. You're close though, your game has come far!

[Amyers]

First, I think you're looking a lot better than before. Your balance and footwork is pretty clean.

To me, what I noticed first is that it looks like you're trying to kind of... force the ball down a line that it doesn't want to naturally be in given your release. Kind of what Amyers and vdub said - it's not quite coming off cleanly to me. You're close though, your game has come far!

This is exactly what I was thinking. Thanks for putting it in better words

[Hampe]

Same thing from my side. It's hard to see your footwork very well, but you can still tell it's much better than before. Biggest issue is your hand at release. You MUST get more behind the ball and ROLL it.

It's looking much better though! You're much farther along than I was after a year that's for sure.

[Konvict1982]

A lot of great advice from everyone. The foundation looks great and you should be able to build upon it nicely. Biggest thing I see is hand position being on the side of the ball at release. It is hard to see but it also looks like on some of the shots your fingers and thumb are clearing the ball at almost the same time instead of the thumb coming out first followed by the lifting of the fingers out of the ball causing your ball to skid almost all the way to the pins.

Anyways I am no coach and also working on improving my game but definitely looks like a solid foundation for improving on.

[Aslan]

Roll the ball. Too much loft.... Loft is fine when used appropriately.
Vdub receives 2 gold stars. My coach agrees. So "why" am I doing that? Because I'm trying to pick a target and hit it. During my lesson, one thing we worked on was picking out a target and focusing on it...but NOT trying to land the ball on it. The ball still might loft a bit if my target is further out...but it is "good loft" not "bad loft".


it looks as if the ball is outside of your head to the right and this is a result of wrapping the ball around your body...Not only that but your arm being so far out also contributes to a lot of pulled shots as evidenced in the video you posted...This can be done by slightly dropping your right shoulder....
5 Gold stars!! And...a reputation bump! My coach said a nearly identical thing. It's the result of a miscommunication from my last lesson. We were trying to generate more revs and a better release without wearing the wrist brace...so my instructions were to start in the stance with my right hand more on the outside of the ball than under it. BUT...during my push away I was supposed to bring my hand underneath the ball before letting it swing...not keep it on the outside. And what was noticed when I didn't get under the ball in the downswing?? Mr. O got it right...my swing started going to the outside.

We also talked about getting lower (like dropping the shoulder). When I'm straighter...standing tall...I loft because quite plainly I'm too far from the lay down area. But as I get lower..."bad loft" goes away.

Well done new guy!


To me, what I noticed first is that it looks like you're trying to kind of... force the ball
Gold star to mc_runner as well. As Rob has mentioned...as Barry Asher told me during some clinic time...I have to transition AWAY from thinking of bowling as a sport and start thinking of it more as a graceful performance. I had the same problem in golf. I played golf like I'd play softball...get your whole body into the swing and the harder you swing the farther it goes. Not so much. Same thing with bowling. I have to do one of the HARDEST things to tell a bowler to do..."RELAX". I have to let the swing happen...I can't "force" it...I can't panic and grab the ball. And thats a huge problem for me...even though it sounds easy enough...is to let that ball go through the swing cycle without helping it in any way.

Great posts by everyone else as well!! You all kinda were circling the same ideas. And thanks for the positive comments.

My lesson yesterday was TOUGH. We spent a LOT of time on just the pushaway. It seems like such a minor part of the whole process...but I was doing a couple things wrong:
1) Not getting my hand under the ball as it swung down.
2) Pulling my other hand away too quickly.

Not keeping my hand under (having it off to the side) made the ball go outside of the swing plane. Pulling my other hand away too soon caused the weight of the ball to shift too quickly to my right hand...which caused me to "grab" it for fear of dropping it.

We also worked on trying to stay lower...so I don't loft it...but also not trying to hit a mark as if I'm playing horseshoes...just look where you want it to go and let it go there...not LAND there.

And I got it drilled into my head over and over and over and over (just like I did when working with Rob)...that I need to relax...not think so much. It sounds like the simplest advice and easiest to conquer...but I can tell you...for me...it is like climbing a mountain. So much of that is just sub-conscious...I'm not starting my approach and thinking, "Okay...think about 12 things!! GO!!" It doesn't work like that. I'm trying to remember the 3 IMPORTANT things while trying to drown out the chorus of other voices inside my head offering me advice and reminding me of things. It's SUCH a problem for me...I actually tried bowling after smoking marijuana once just to see if it might "relax" me enough that I can "just bowl". And no, it didn't really work. I averaged 166 over the 3 games. The only difference was I found it hard to understand people talking to me, the lights seemed way brighter, and it sorta felt like the bowling alley was floating on a lake. Maybe I'll try it again tonight...but cut it off at 1/2 a joint rather than the 1.5 joints I tried then.

Well, league night tonight! Thanks for watching my video and commenting!! My coach says I should be averaging in the 180s; not the 160s. And I agree. But, I also gotta not get too frustrated. It's only been < a year and a half since I started bowling. In addition to relaxing my mind...I need to relax my expectations. Bolwing in the 160s should be "fun"...not the end of the world.

[Amyers]

Hey sounds like you got some great advice. I know the over thinking part is true I've seen it so bad with me I had to physically make myself quit looking at bowling sites before. Just remember it takes time. I'm trying to remember that myself right now as I'm charging to change from a push away to a hinge.

[Blacksox1]

Watched the entire video Aslan. I like how you ask for comments knowing that you could get some that are brutal. In todays game, over 99% of the time loft is a drawback and should be discontinued ASAP, no excuses!:) I am in the camp of sliding into the shot, not the plant and roll style. Later on you may want to change that too. You have a solid game for someone that only recently started bowling. Think of the positives and do not grade yourself so harshly based on "statistics".

[Aslan]

Watched the entire video Aslan. I like how you ask for comments knowing that you could get some that are brutal.
1) Contrary to usual internet standards...most people on here that respond to advice videos are pretty well meaning. I can't think of anyone that has ever responded to an advice thread too negatively. Most guys/galls on here are overall pretty civil.

2) I don't really care. I'd rather have someone rip my game apart and that lead to me either to ultra motivate myself to get better OR take their advice and get better. I'd prefer that to people that just watch 20 seconds and say I'm awesome...because I'm NOT...I'm borderline awful.

I mean, my coach last week was SUPER hard on me. I didn't get punched or anything...but man...there were a couple times I thought I might cry. Maybe not THAT bad...but yeah. Thats what we pay them for...to get us to the next level. Lollipops and unicorns aren't always the way to get there...sometimes it's a swift kick in the rear.


In todays game, over 99% of the time loft is a drawback and should be discontinued ASAP, no excuses!:)
I have. If you watch my early videos you'll see a much more pronounced loft. I have only recently semi-re-introduced it...mainly because of watching Mika recently. But also, loft tends to help me keep my shot on line and my follow-through straight...and my shoulders parallel. I struggle when I lay the ball down too soon...because I tend to cut off my follow-through once the ball starts to leave my hand.

But...my coach agrees with you...loft = bad...and it's not being encouraged...thats for sure.


I am in the camp of sliding into the shot, not the plant and roll style. Later on you may want to change that too.
I'd love to...but right now...as soon as I start to slide...I lose my balance. I do slide a "little"...because if my sole is sticky...it WILL mess up my shot. But I'm over 40 years old...and my knees are healthy..with an *. Meaning...they're "holding their own". I get too "fancy" with slides...I may see a quicker deterioration than I'm hoping for. But it IS something on the back burner that I'd like to address eventually...just like opening the ball up in the back swing...not right now...but it's on the back burner.


You have a solid game for someone that only recently started bowling. Think of the positives and do not grade yourself so harshly based on "statistics".
Statistics tell the story. Everyone has been fairly complimentary...but the bottom line is the average bowler today should be able to average 175 on a THS. If they can't, throwing modern equipment, then they are a below average bowler. And at the end of the day...you could throw the ball the totally WORST way ever...WORST form in history...but if you average 225...you're GOOD. Thats how it works.

Does that **** me off?? You betcha. I can't stand watching guys throw 230-280 games and they're falling off their shots...horrible form...horrible loft...no axis tilt whatsoever...hand not staying anywhere near behind the ball...just abysmal to watch. BUT...they average in the 180s and have throw perfect games. I am barely averaging 160 and only hit the pocket 1/3 of the time.

All of this doesn't matter anyway if the GIFT philosophy is true. :rolleyes: :p

[Aslan]

...NO...Iceman has not returned.

But..

Aslan's Annual January Slump Video hath Returned!!

Okay, BEFORE YOU WATCH IT...a couple things to go over:

1) I am better at editing than I am at filming; and I'm not that good at editing. The "issue" last time was the center had the lights off for zeon glo bowling or something. THIS time...the camera was WAY TOO CLOSE.

2) That last part is important (importante in Italian). This, on a scale of 1-10 in risqué with a Sunday School Christmas Play at 1 and the Amsterdam Red Light District at about 8.5....this video would rate about a "2". 1.5 or lower....I don't warn people....so it's right at the cutoff....but lets just say there is entirely TOO MUCH booty in this video.

3) Rather than torture people with "Baby Got Back" or something of that nature for 4-5 minutes, I decided to play a couple country songs that sort of 'poke fun' at my "Winter Body". See, I'm like a Bear or a Chipmunk or some other animal of that nature. I fatten up in the winter...and then really push it in the Spring so I can achieve that speedo body by mid-June. This is NOT mid-June!!


https://youtu.be/JHFyQ2B-4pU

[JasonNJ]

Unfortunately, your music choice has violated some copyrights and the video is blocked. At least it was for me.

[Aslan]

Unfortunately, your music choice has violated some copyrights and the video is blocked. At least it was for me.

*#(@ those Nazis!!!

Now I gotta go in there and click a bunch of junk!

[Aslan]

Seems to work for me. No messages or anything. Anybody else??

[Amyers]

Blocked for me too

[vdubtx]

Blocked. Message says "This video contains content from SME, who has blocked it in your country on copyright grounds."

[Tony]

I was able to watch the first video although it wasn't the best image. As you know I'm not a coach but having had some lessons from a gold coach and having some similar issues I can refer to some of the things I was told.
First of all considering the length of time you've been bowling your overall approach is quite good, with out a doubt you can improve more if you stay with it.

Your starting arm position is similar to how mine was except I held the ball a little lower, the coach suggested I get my elbows more in front of my body with them more tucked into my chest at the starting position.

Another item he noted and suggested I work on is one you also do on some shots and that's bending your upper body more forward, instead of ending up with your head over your knee you are leaned forward from the waist, sort of a lunge type motion.

As you have talked extensively about not having a good handle on your release it appears in most of the shots you are sort of coming around the side of the ball and it looks like the ball comes off your thumb and fingers at almost the same time, it actually looks a bit closer to a suitcase release than a behind the ball release where your thumb releases first.

Another item that looks a little different that I would have expected is the total lack of slide, not that you have to change it but it's something that I usually only notice in the much older bowlers.

The last item is you appear a little tight like your focus is more on aiming to hit an exact spot rather than a looser swing aiming at an area.

I am sure some of the others noticed some same or different things but overall there is not reason you can't average higher without changing anything other than doing things the same every time.

[mc_runner]

Blocked here too

[Aslan]

UPDATE!!!

Due to SME, Columbia Records, and Julio Iglesias being complete $&^#%ers...I will be switching out the song "To All the Girls I Loved Before" which was actually the duet version with Willie Nelson on HIS album....but whatever. If Columbia feels so strongly that me using a song on a 6 minute YouTube video is going to damage their album sales on an album from 1985 that I bought in a bargain bin....well, thats why Columbia House is such an epic failure...stupid policies like this.

So...rant over...I'm in the process of replacing the song with a song I know I can use in every country but Germany. Sorry Germany, you suck. Not my fault.

It's really hard to edit a video like this and try to make it more watchable. The "Aslan vs. Iceman Challenge" video was actually not viewable in certain countries because there was some stupid Taylor Swift song or something playing over the speakers at the bowling alley and you could here a snippet of it in the background. I didn't add it, I didn't want it in the video, it was just part of the atmosphere. The bowling alley doesn't have to deal with copyright issues...even though technically it's illegal to play an artist's music without their permission...even if you bought it...even if it's just a recording from the radio....but they don't go after bowling alleys or bars...because they WANT their music "out there".

But dumb ****s on the internet...have decided to make YouTube videos...that are essentially just an artist's album cover with their song playing...which is just giving away their music for free. Granted, you have to watch it on Youtube...but kids these days don't care. But thats NOT what I'm doing. My music has background bowling noise. Nobody is going to love the songs, but NOT buy the CD or song on ITunes...because they prefer to listen to the music with bowling alley noise in the background.

Stupid companies. A simple bowling video...you add some "ambiance"...and now I gotta change the music, finalize it again, and upload it to YouTube...again. I will repost it with the appropriate link shortly. :mad:

[Aslan]

REPOSTED

I apologize in advance if I am "irritable"...but I was bowling i a tournament all day and haven't had any weed whatsoever and I've found irritability to be a side affect of going >5 hours with no smoking. Probably the same for cigarette smokers I presume.

Hopefully the video is now viewable for everyone not in Germany. Let me know.

I'll post a status update on the tournament shortly.

[AlexNC]

Looks like you have made a lot of progress in comparison to your older videos, even if it isn't currently reflected in your scores.

[RobLV1]

I would like you to look at the following video of Chris Barnes; particularly his feet, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd7BwBMZobs. Barnes' footwork is like a dance with the bowling ball. He is leading, but he is coordinating his feet with the ball. Now look at your slump video. Your feet are operating independently of the bowling ball. It's like, it better keep up, or else! At the risk of sounding corny, become one with the ball and do the dance. You can't dictate, but you can lead!

[Amyers]

I'm no expert I agree with rob that the ball and the feet seem to be working independently of each other with you muscling it through to get it down lane.

I also see no effort to realize any kind of cup or cock in the release of any kind on some of the shots you are somewhat behind the ball on others you've rotated to the side more. Combined with higher speed and some of the loft your using it doesn't surprise me that your playing a game where your just throwing the ball into the pocket or not.

I've used some loft in the past but it's in conjunction with a very cupped release that would allow the ball still to react with the lane. I would suggest talking with your coach to add some cock or cup to that release at a minimum and work on trying to be a little more inside the ball.

[JasonNJ]

I think you look much improved from the video from last year. I will agree with Rob and Amyers about your feet. I think your pushaway is just a hair late which I think is causing a timing issue. I think this Norm Duke video could be really helpful to you if you haven't seen it already.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30LbYLINJNs

[Tony]

UPDATE!!!

The bowling alley doesn't have to deal with copyright issues...even though technically it's illegal to play an artist's music without their permission...even if you bought it...even if it's just a recording from the radio....but they don't go after bowling alleys or bars...because they WANT their music "out there".



Wrong. Bowling centers as well as sports arena's and other venue's that play music typically pay BMI or ASCAP fee's.


http://www.ascap.com/~/media/files/pdf/licensing/classes/bowlingind.pdf


A growing number of small businesses are being unpleasantly surprised with letters from performing rights organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), with indirect or direct threats of copyright infringement. The performing rights organizations, or PROs, which manage musical copyrights on behalf of their owners, request that businesses pay a licensing fee for playing in their shops musical recordings from the PROs repertoires.

I have seen companies get these letters from playing the radio for customers on hold over their telephone system

[vdubtx]

Just watched the video.

You have come a long way and getting much better form. Seems though, that you are forcing everything. You are very rigid in your approach and in your delivery. Ball speed is too fast for your equipment and the way you bowl.

Keep at it Aslan. You have certainly made some great strides with your game since you came here several years ago.

[Timmyb]

REPOSTED

I apologize in advance if I am "irritable"...but I was bowling i a tournament all day and haven't had any weed whatsoever and I've found irritability to be a side affect of going >5 hours with no smoking. Probably the same for cigarette smokers I presume.

Hopefully the video is now viewable for everyone not in Germany. Let me know.




I'll post a status update on the tournament shortly.


I have GOT to come out and bowl with you sometime!

[Aslan]

Another item he noted and suggested I work on is one you also do on some shots and that's bending your upper body more forward, instead of ending up with your head over your knee you are leaned forward from the waist, sort of a lunge type motion.
Forward spine tilt has been a constant struggle for awhile. I started out very upright with a great deal of loft (about 15ft). That shot worked well on wood lanes but was useless on heavy-oil synthetics.

As I progressed from "throwing the ball" to "rolling the ball", I was much lower and much more spine tilt. I went to a clinic and John Gaines pointed out that I had too much spine tilt and needed to be more upright. So, I've been trying to sort of find that magic amount of knee bend and spine tilt and it's been a back and forth thing. Ideally, the nose should be over the knee.


As you have talked extensively about not having a good handle on your release it appears in most of the shots you are sort of coming around the side of the ball and it looks like the ball comes off your thumb and fingers at almost the same time, it actually looks a bit closer to a suitcase release than a behind the ball release where your thumb releases first.

This has also been back and forth. As I began using a fingertip ball drilled for my hand in 2013, I transitioned from a suitcase style release to a more "up the outside" type of release. After working with RobM, I started trying to roll the ball more versus throwing it. And I never really understood "behind the ball" because to me "behind the ball" would make the ball go straight. So I've been struggling trying to figure out what "behind the ball" meant. Also, "inside the ball". Whenever I've tried to work the inside of the ball, I've always dumped it into the right gutter.

Recently I've been trying to get more "under the ball". When I work with one coach, she tries to get me lower so I'll naturally be under the ball. With the other coach, it's more of a "cupping under the ball" as Amyers sort of described. But as I've wrote about, I've been experiencing some elbow pain and it appears that perhaps that pain was a result of me trying to flip my fingers through the ball rather than just let it come off my hand. Only recently I've started to feel what the release should feel like. And not "trying" as hard with my fingers seems to help with the elbow pain.


Another item that looks a little different that I would have expected is the total lack of slide, not that you have to change it but it's something that I usually only notice in the much older bowlers.
I used to 'plant', end in a "statue of liberty pose". Recently I've been sliding as I've been improving my timing and footwork. However, during this recent slump I've found that the sliding is increasing my speed and making me off balance. It also risks "sticking" which isn't an issue when you 'plant'. I'd like to go back to the slide...but as we've talked about recently...it may be that I simply cannot slide. Maybe I'm a bowler that needs to plant. If it makes me more consistent and balanced, it may be worth it.


The last item is you appear a little tight like your focus is more on aiming to hit an exact spot rather than a looser swing aiming at an area.
True. Thats by design. Since my style is straighter and higher speed, I can't open up the lanes as much so I'm not a "breakpoint" bowler. I still believe a target closer to the bowler outweighs the advantage of having the bigger target further away. I kinda follow the policy of "aim small, miss small" (from the movie The Patriot). If you can hit a 3-board area, learn to hit a 2-board area. Then a board, then half a board, etc... At some point, even if you miss...you're more accurate than everyone else. And then you're WRW with the most PBA titles in history.


I would like you to look at the following video of Chris Barnes; particularly his feet, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd7BwBMZobs. Barnes' footwork is like a dance with the bowling ball. He is leading, but he is coordinating his feet with the ball. Now look at your slump video. Your feet are operating independently of the bowling ball. It's like, it better keep up, or else! At the risk of sounding corny, become one with the ball and do the dance. You can't dictate, but you can lead!
I don't know. I kinda get what you're saying...and I wish I could get a better release timed with my slide foot. I've just had a bit of an issue with balance and speed when trying to swing and slide simultaneously.


I also see no effort to realize any kind of cup or cock in the release of any kind on some of the shots you are somewhat behind the ball on others you've rotated to the side more. Combined with higher speed and some of the loft your using it doesn't surprise me that your playing a game where your just throwing the ball into the pocket or not.

I've used some loft in the past but it's in conjunction with a very cupped release that would allow the ball still to react with the lane. I would suggest talking with your coach to add some cock or cup to that release at a minimum and work on trying to be a little more inside the ball.
I'm not sure cupping does anything. Think of it like this. You cup your ball in your hand, your wrist brace 100% cocked forward. This will help you get more axis rotation because your fingers are in the ball slightly longer in addition to keeping you from breaking your wrist back.

But to truly "cock" your wrist, you will now need to take the wrist brace off and allow your wrist to 'break' so it can get truly "cocked". Then the 'uncocking' is what generates the additional rpms.

So the cupping part of that process is rather unnecessary; unless....1) You're using the weight/momentum of the ball to cock your wrist.

Now, the UNCOCKING of the wrist has been something I've been struggling with recently. As I've tried to get more "under" the ball, I've been trying to use my wrist and fingers more to "uncock". I think this is what was causing the tendon/ligament stress and pain.

During the recent tournament, I finally understood a couple things I've been confused about:
1) "Coming Through the Ball"
It never made much sense to me. Truly coming through the ball would result in it going straight forward...like a basketball. Your shot must be "behind the ball" or you will miss. Same with hockey or golf. So maybe it's best compared to a football or softball. But now, after watching some guys throw it and some close -up looks at releases online...the ball just comes off the hand and the fingers provide rotation direction.

What have people been saying all along? Today's technology works on it's own. Let the ball do the work. "Try not to Try". Like VDub mentioned in this thread or another....one of the more epiphany moments is when you just swing the ball and let it do it's thing without "trying to help it".

2) It started to make sense what M. Baker was saying. He was trying to show me how the ball feel coming off my hand and it seemed like he was trying to tell me to break my wrist back and just drop it. But near the end of that video and lately during the tournament...I think he (Mark) was trying to show me that it's not about "flipping" the ball with my fingers and/or wrist, and/or elbow.

Now, how that fits in with "cocking"/"uncocking" I will have to ask him about at my February lesson.

Gotta go update the Madman Diary and my scores. I started answering this last night, fell asleep, and was at the tournament all day.

[Aslan]

I have GOT to come out and bowl with you sometime!

A) Of course. Who wouldn't?
B) People from Milwaukee will look for any excuse to not be in Milwaukee in February.
C) You better hurry because I imagine by June/July I will possibly be back to the land of fat women, cold temperatures, lower gas prices, no smog, insects, and traffic that actually moves on a regular basis.

I'll miss California though. Parts of it. Other parts not so much. And each list is extensive. But strictly speaking of bowling related items...it's definitely one of the better areas to live in if you're a bowler. Not sure if it's better or worse than metropolitan New York/New England or the Detroit area...but I'd say it's top 3 along with those areas. I'd put Las Vegas at 4th because of the number of centers there given the city size. But people on the site talk about having 2 centers, each 45 minutes away. I have nearly 25 centers within 25 minutes of me. Granted, that depends greatly on traffic...which is the problem. In my last apartment I was technically closest to a center just East of me in Chino/Chino Hills. But to drive there, even though it was maybe 2 miles closer than the center to the West of me...would have taken well over an hour in the evening...just to go maybe 12 miles tops.

The downside of living in a State with Mountains is sometimes they need to be driven around. The upside is you get a cool looking State with awesome scenary and the ability to go an hour and get to the beach or go an hour and get to a ski hill...versus the last state I lived in...Illinois...which was just flat and infested with corn. And the climate is great. In the Winter it gets in the upper 50s and everyone acts like their gonna freeze to death. Then in the summer it gets up in the low 100s and everyone acts like they're gonna die of heat stroke. But the truth of the matter is, in Southeast Michigan where I grew up...there were winters where it got down to -17 and then the next summer there were 2-3 weekends where it was just over 100. And to make matters worse...California is 104 with virtually no humidity so it just feels "hot". Detroit at 102 is like 38% humidity and it feels like a sauna.

[Grouperdawg]

i know I am no bowling expert and haven't been bowling long but Imho, to make it perfect, just work on the release. You look athletic and balanced to me with nice rhythm, maybe there are little nick picky things that instructor would pick up on, but pretty awesome to me.

I was lucky enough to have a highly accomplished bowler on my team the first year that only taught me how to release the ball. Now, almost a year half later, my wrist is finally strong enough where it is second nature. My ball revs hard and hits hard and it doesn't deflect much unless I make a bad throw or miss the pocket. Everything else might be wrong and I would like to get up to 17.5/18 mph but I seem to get more strikes in different lane conditions and venues than my teammates and opponents, and using just one ball. I went pretty quick from a lower end bowler in the wrong competitive league to the second highest average under tough conditions and rotating oil patterns.

I'm trying to post a pic of your release, your hands are pointing straight down and to the side. Maybe There are some pros that bowl this way, but everyone I have seen is more behind the ball. I took some screen shots of some pros too for comparison but it's not posting for some reason. Some are off a little to the side one way or other but none are straight down. If so, I don't think you can generate enough forward rotation, the harder you rev the more side to side spin I think u would you get unless you change your arm motion. I might be wrong on why, but I think most of the pros are more behind with strong wrists.

When I want to really rev one if I'm in major oil on a seven pin or something, I cup my wrist a little more

[Grouperdawg]

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z242/grouperdawgdawg/image_5.png (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/grouperdawgdawg/media/image_5.png.html)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z242/grouperdawgdawg/image_2.jpeg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/grouperdawgdawg/media/image_2.jpeg.html)

http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z242/grouperdawgdawg/image.png (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/grouperdawgdawg/media/image.png.html)


http://i193.photobucket.com/albums/z242/grouperdawgdawg/image_3.png (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/grouperdawgdawg/media/image_3.png.html)

[Amyers]

i know I am no bowling expert and haven't been bowling long but Imho, to make it perfect, just work on the release. You look athletic and balanced to me with nice rhythm, maybe there are little nick picky things that instructor would pick up on, but pretty awesome to me.

I was lucky enough to have a highly accomplished bowler on my team the first year that only taught me how to release the ball. Now, almost a year half later, my wrist is finally strong enough where it is second nature. My ball revs hard and hits hard and it doesn't deflect much unless I make a bad throw or miss the pocket. Everything else might be wrong and I would like to get up to 17.5/18 mph but I seem to get more strikes in different lane conditions and venues than my teammates and opponents, and using just one ball. I went pretty quick from a lower end bowler in the wrong competitive league to the second highest average under tough conditions and rotating oil patterns.

I'm trying to post a pic of your release, your hands are pointing straight down and to the side. Maybe There are some pros that bowl this way, but everyone I have seen is more behind the ball. I took some screen shots of some pros too for comparison but it's not posting for some reason. Some are off a little to the side one way or other but none are straight down. If so, I don't think you can generate enough forward rotation, the harder you rev the more side to side spin I think u would you get unless you change your arm motion. I might be wrong on why, but I think most of the pros are more behind with strong wrists.

When I want to really rev one if I'm in major oil on a seven pin or something, I cup my wrist a little more

Exactly what I was talking about. There in no way to produce any rotation on the ball from that position.

[bowl1820]

Exactly what I was talking about. There in no way to produce any rotation on the ball from that position.

Yes the fingers need to be below the balls equator, when your releasing the ball way above the equator of the ball. For the most part your just spinning the ball instead of getting any significant rotation.

Watch your video see where your hand around the point of release. Draw an imaginary line across the middle of the ball, like the equator on a globe, you will notice you're way above that line. The further below that line you can get, the more hook potential you will have.

[Aslan]

I wonder if I can set up a camera that is sitting to right of my feet to get that view of the hand. That would be interesting.

Thanks all. But I think the slump is over. I'm knocking on wood....or at least knocking on some type of Chinese particle board...but after a decent tournament showing my Monday league scores were decent.

And a LOT of it is what many of you have been saying all along. Quieting the shoulder, not trying so hard, just throwing the ball, confidence, etc...

Or maybe I just finally hit Bowling God status and have been blessed with "The Gift"?

And I guarantee this release conversation will be continued in a couple weeks when I have my next lesson. And the week before that, I'll be out in Vegas on a work thing...might as well get some practice in where my league sweeps.

But I'll need to make sure this slump is truly ended when I roll on Wednesday when it counts.

[BrianG]

From watching some of your older videos I can say that you have made a ton of improvements. I agree with Mark O that it looks like your arm is getting out too far from your body which looks like its making you come around the ball. You have made a lot of progress and you have to keep your head up and keep going.

[AlexNC]

I wonder if I can set up a camera that is sitting to right of my feet to get that view of the hand. That would be interesting.

Thanks all. But I think the slump is over. I'm knocking on wood....or at least knocking on some type of Chinese particle board...but after a decent tournament showing my Monday league scores were decent.

And a LOT of it is what many of you have been saying all along. Quieting the shoulder, not trying so hard, just throwing the ball, confidence, etc...

Or maybe I just finally hit Bowling God status and have been blessed with "The Gift"?

And I guarantee this release conversation will be continued in a couple weeks when I have my next lesson. And the week before that, I'll be out in Vegas on a work thing...might as well get some practice in where my league sweeps.

But I'll need to make sure this slump is truly ended when I roll on Wednesday when it counts.

If you want to get a good camera view of your feet or lower body, take a look at the Gorilla pod or other miniature tripod camera mounts. They are really inexpensive and are great for recording yourself when you don't have anyone else to hold. I have a few, but one in particular also has a velcro ring that allows it to be mounted to seats etc. The small height would allow you to set it on or behind the approach.

[NewToBowling]

Any newer smartphone has slow motion video. I think that feature is great to see how your release is