That moment...

[jab5325]

Had an interesting night on the lanes last night.

Practice goes well. Left lane seems to be a bit different and ball coming in heavy, so I adjust my target and feet 2 boards right (I'm lefty).

Start out with a missed 7-pin followed up by 3 strikes. Frame 5 my ball comes up real heavy, resulting in a 2-4 which I also somehow missed, so I decided to make a ball change from the Bad Intentions to the Rocket.

The result of the change was a 625, including a 6-bagger in the second game for a (clean) 242. Sure, I missed a couple of spares I shouldn't, and threw a couple of bad shots resulting in splits. In game 3, I even dumped the Rocket in the gutter because my timing was off (picked up the spare though). So, it wasn't all roses because I left a lot of pins out there.....but being able to understand when to switch balls, having a ball to switch to, and knowing how to throw/target said ball made me feel good. Overall, a good night.

First ball average: 8.97
Strikes: 62%
Single-pin pares: 3/4 (7-pin miss)
Multi-pin spares: 7/12 (a miss on a 2-4-7, miss on a 2-4, plus two misses on 6-7-10s)
All Picked Up Average: 212

[RobLV1]

A good exercise is to keep track of the percentage of strikes you can get on the first ball when you have changed mid-game. This will help your concentration, and build your confidence as you watch your percentage rise. I once told one of my students (an elite bowler) that you will know your bowling balls when you can change balls in the tenth frame to beat your man by striking out. I'll never forget his excitment when he called me at 10 pm one Thursday night to tell me that he had done it!

[jab5325]

A good exercise is to keep track of the percentage of strikes you can get on the first ball when you have changed mid-game. This will help your concentration, and build your confidence as you watch your percentage rise. I once told one of my students (an elite bowler) that you will know your bowling balls when you can change balls in the tenth frame to beat your man by striking out. I'll never forget his excitment when he called me at 10 pm one Thursday night to tell me that he had done it!

Thanks Rob! I'm a "Pinpal-er", so I do have similar stats available if I dig.

I've scored higher than 625 and have had my share of games north of 242, but you're absolutely right in the example you gave from one of your students: It's a great feeling to understand your arsenal. Although I didn't change in the 10th to strike out and beat my man.....my team did manage to sweep the 2nd place team, and I was high series for my team.

My lines were also very different.

On the left lane, I was playing tight--stood at the second dot from the right, targeting over 3rd arrow with the Rocket. The length/backend of the Rocket helped it get back to the pocket with energy left to trip the corner pins.

On the right lane, I was standing 3 boards right of the last dot, targeting just inside the second arrow--a sweeping shot where the Bad Intentions truly excels.

[ChuckR]

Many of us have had similar experiences when we can get the mind and body to work together, almost. In my case it was a change in the 3rd game of a 4 game league. I changed balls in the middle of the 3rd which is bowled on a different pair. After 3 frames of my UpRoar not doing what I expected, I went back to the Mastermind and changed the delivery. Good results. The willingness to change and the work needed to know when and what to change makes bowling more challenging than a lot of people give the sport credit.