For those who practice......

[fokai73]

there are those who don't practice, yet carry a high average.... lucky people lol

but, for those who say they practice, do they really practice? I know many bowlers in my area from different leagues who are at the lanes several days of the week. Yet, I've never seen these guys/gals really practice. They ALL shoot for scores. It may be the area, but compared to where I started bowling, we practiced differently.

We shadow bowled (no pins) for target practice, play low ball, one step approach, get on one knee and feel the release, put tape on the lanes, ect......granted bowling centers don't allow you to do certain things on the lane surface, or their open bowling fees are high even for league bowlers, but practice isn't just on the lanes. You can practice certain things at home too.

When I returned to the game 13 years ago, I was influenced by those around me and my coach. I did what they did for practice. I finished my first league with a 168 average before following them. But after, the next season at 3 leagues at 3 different houses with 3 different types lanes and patterns, I finished with a 189 total average. The next few years, my average increased even more and I cashed more in tourney's too. But, life took over and my family and career came first before practice/bowling. It's the reason why I am stuck at where am at in my physical game, but still above par :cool:

If you feel the need to practice to reach your goals, practice with a purpose. I used to plan my practice sessions and stick to it. I made a list of two to three things to work on and stick to that plane. Make practice a game too, like playing low ball. Lowest scores win. We have tools in our smart phones to help give us feed back instantly, something we didn't have in the past. Take advantage of the tools we have today. Practice when you get a chance, and practice with a purpose. I'm limited to 2 hours every other week, so I have to make each hour count.

Good luck and bowl well this season folks!!!!;:D

[Mike White]

I just went a practiced after not bowling for the last 3 months.

I expected to have a bit of rust, but what I didn't expect was the layer of barnacles underneath the rust.

Trying to throw the ball straight at the 10 pin, I would miss my mark left by 5 boards.

Finally when that became closer to 2 boards I tried to see how moving up to 15 lbs would feel for the strike ball.

I ran off 16 strikes out of 20 tries, but then my gas tank ran empty.

I quit before the 4 games were complete, so I wouldn't do any physical damage.

3 months of not bowling, and my legs turned to Jello.

[fokai73]

"noodle legs" is common among us older dudes.... "we're not 20 anymore charlie!" lol

[ALazySavage]

There is one teammate I really enjoy practicing with because of how we handle the practice. Essentially we switch off after each shot where the first bowler always throws spares (mainly corner pins) and then the second bowler either attempts to clear the rack or just throws another spare. There is always a focus on mechanics and very rarely do we throw games for score (may once a month we will throw one game if they are going to start cosmic early and we are just trying to finish). There are a lot of one step drills and video recording.

[ChuckR]

I take the summer off and use it for practice and saying hello to my wife. Each week and 1 or 2 games, I will work on one piece of the puzzle. Timing(First step or continuing to walk after push away). Shoulders back to reduce pull to left. Staying behind the ball till the thumb is out. ETC.

[dougb]

there are those who don't practice, yet carry a high average.... lucky people lol

but, for those who say they practice, do they really practice? I know many bowlers in my area from different leagues who are at the lanes several days of the week. Yet, I've never seen these guys/gals really practice. They ALL shoot for scores. It may be the area, but compared to where I started bowling, we practiced differently.

We shadow bowled (no pins) for target practice, play low ball, one step approach, get on one knee and feel the release, put tape on the lanes, ect......granted bowling centers don't allow you to do certain things on the lane surface, or their open bowling fees are high even for league bowlers, but practice isn't just on the lanes. You can practice certain things at home too.

When I returned to the game 13 years ago, I was influenced by those around me and my coach. I did what they did for practice. I finished my first league with a 168 average before following them. But after, the next season at 3 leagues at 3 different houses with 3 different types lanes and patterns, I finished with a 189 total average. The next few years, my average increased even more and I cashed more in tourney's too. But, life took over and my family and career came first before practice/bowling. It's the reason why I am stuck at where am at in my physical game, but still above par :cool:

If you feel the need to practice to reach your goals, practice with a purpose. I used to plan my practice sessions and stick to it. I made a list of two to three things to work on and stick to that plane. Make practice a game too, like playing low ball. Lowest scores win. We have tools in our smart phones to help give us feed back instantly, something we didn't have in the past. Take advantage of the tools we have today. Practice when you get a chance, and practice with a purpose. I'm limited to 2 hours every other week, so I have to make each hour count.

Good luck and bowl well this season folks!!!!;:D

I had a coach that used to make me do one step, put tape on the lanes, etc. I really improved with him . Reading this thread makes me think it's time to call him again!

[foreverincamo]

I don't watch my score when I practice. Unfortunately, the only way to get the lanes to work is to have the auto-score working. I have spent an hour straight on one knee working on my thumb clearing the ball. I've done one-step approach shots for an hour.
I also work with coaches. Right now I'm working on my hand position to increase my revs. Always working on something!

[bobforsaken]

When the lanes are rough I'll often shoot corners and then try to clear the rack with my second ball. But, honestly my biggest issue is with knowing what adjustments to make and when to make them. I most often bowl for score in practice because that is the only way I know of to start recognizing when Its time to move and what move to make.

When I get to the point that I'm throwing 8 baggers every game and my biggest issue is missing spares I'll focus on that... right now, however.. I get plenty of spare practice from my missed strikes.. :)

[J Anderson]

When the lanes are rough I'll often shoot corners and then try to clear the rack with my second ball. But, honestly my biggest issue is with knowing what adjustments to make and when to make them. I most often bowl for score in practice because that is the only way I know of to start recognizing when Its time to move and what move to make.

When I get to the point that I'm throwing 8 baggers every game and my biggest issue is missing spares I'll focus on that... right now, however.. I get plenty of spare practice from my missed strikes.. :)

I used to not move unless had thrown the ball on target. I now realize that if I'm a little off and don't hold pocket I need to make an adjustment.

[GeoLes]

That is a big hot issue between my wife and myself. If she does not bowl a high game, it was an unsucessful session. While higher pinfall is the result of good practice, it does not always indicate good practice, I believe. I practice when I can and keep a single ball and shoes in the car for such sessions. If the ball does not match the lane coditions, forget the score. have been satisfied with an average game as long as I accomplished my goal in the process. If I hit my mark consistently, or was able to perform a good inside release and can feel it becoming a habit, it is a good practice session.

[billf]

All new coaching staff for the high school team this year. Our first practice was Thursday. On three lanes we had the "targeting tool" set up at 40'. Another three lanes had a dime placed at the arrows (12 board). This was to help with targeting AND not becoming fixated on having to hit an arrow but a board. Three more lanes with a towel at the foul line, edge at the 30 board. This was to keep them from starting deep and drifting back to their comfort level. The last three lanes were for the new bowlers that we didn't know as much about.

The previous coaching team had no coaching experience and only one of them had ever bowled a league before. All these kids knew was what I could teach them at youth league and clinics I held PLUS parental help. Our center manager (owner's son) is the head coach and I'm an assistant. The kids know us yet they still had culture shock seeing what we were going to have them do. All they had done the previous three years was shoot for score. I expect to have more than the four that went to State last season qualify this season.

[fokai73]

All new coaching staff for the high school team this year. Our first practice was Thursday. On three lanes we had the "targeting tool" set up at 40'. Another three lanes had a dime placed at the arrows (12 board). This was to help with targeting AND not becoming fixated on having to hit an arrow but a board. Three more lanes with a towel at the foul line, edge at the 30 board. This was to keep them from starting deep and drifting back to their comfort level. The last three lanes were for the new bowlers that we didn't know as much about.

The previous coaching team had no coaching experience and only one of them had ever bowled a league before. All these kids knew was what I could teach them at youth league and clinics I held PLUS parental help. Our center manager (owner's son) is the head coach and I'm an assistant. The kids know us yet they still had culture shock seeing what we were going to have them do. All they had done the previous three years was shoot for score. I expect to have more than the four that went to State last season qualify this season.

Coaching should have a structure for each day of practice. Your coaching staff and team are doing a good job and these kids can benifit from the drills you provide.

I remember seeing high school kids practice (overseas) and before they rolled one ball, their warm ups was walking to the foul line and posting without the ball. After their arm stopped swinging, they all looked down to see where their foot were. No ball used for this drill.

[Kokomo Kid]

Talking the late 70s here...

Think when I was a youth player, what benefited my game the most was bowling under a mirror positioned over the arrows.
Seeing my shoulders, arm swing, what my other arm was doing and how I finished in real time was an eye opener and this enabled me to make adjustments fairly quickly.

Did use video, and practice a lot (lots)

[billf]

I like the mirror idea. Gonna have to try it.

[Aslan]

Whats the point of practicing when you virtually never get freshly oiled conditions???

I try to practice at the center I live right next to...1.5 minute walk from my apartment...yet they only oil the lanes before leagues in the morning and before leagues at night and only oil the lanes the league is using. So I can just show up and bowl on dry...which shows me nothing other than I can't really play left of about the 12-board. OR...I can try to get there as soon as leagues are done...hope there's no waiting list of casual bowlers...and bowl on burnt league conditions.

My only real option is to show up on Saturdays for a little $20 tournament...which there's no way to actually re-coup the $20 unless you make a really tough split or something...which I do mainly just to practice on league-like conditions.

It's insane. We wonder why the sport is fading into the background...we want people to actually practice and not just show up for league nights each week...yet the lanes are so dry during practice that my spare ball hooks left of the 7-pin I'm lined up to hit.

[NewToBowling]

At my alley can't even practice weeknights as they are full with leagues (which is a good thing I guess for long term viability) Only options are weekends which many times I want to do other things than bowl.

[Amyers]

Whats the point of practicing when you virtually never get freshly oiled conditions???

I try to practice at the center I live right next to...1.5 minute walk from my apartment...yet they only oil the lanes before leagues in the morning and before leagues at night and only oil the lanes the league is using. So I can just show up and bowl on dry...which shows me nothing other than I can't really play left of about the 12-board. OR...I can try to get there as soon as leagues are done...hope there's no waiting list of casual bowlers...and bowl on burnt league conditions.

My only real option is to show up on Saturdays for a little $20 tournament...which there's no way to actually re-coup the $20 unless you make a really tough split or something...which I do mainly just to practice on league-like conditions.

It's insane. We wonder why the sport is fading into the background...we want people to actually practice and not just show up for league nights each week...yet the lanes are so dry during practice that my spare ball hooks left of the 7-pin I'm lined up to hit.

Depends on what you are calling dry. If I can play from 10-17 I'm fine with that. I don't mind practicing on the leftovers from league play or even yesterdays oil on most synthetics. Now on the wood it can be more difficult for me if I'm trying to bowl on them I have to move to 20 or more it forces me to make changes that I don't like in my approach and delivery and I think it harms my game more than helps it on those conditions. It doesn't require fresh oil to work on your footwork or timing.

[Kokomo Kid]

Whats the point of practicing when you virtually never get freshly oiled conditions???

I try to practice at the center I live right next to...1.5 minute walk from my apartment...yet they only oil the lanes before leagues in the morning and before leagues at night and only oil the lanes the league is using. So I can just show up and bowl on dry...which shows me nothing other than I can't really play left of about the 12-board. OR...I can try to get there as soon as leagues are done...hope there's no waiting list of casual bowlers...and bowl on burnt league conditions.

My only real option is to show up on Saturdays for a little $20 tournament...which there's no way to actually re-coup the $20 unless you make a really tough split or something...which I do mainly just to practice on league-like conditions.

It's insane. We wonder why the sport is fading into the background...we want people to actually practice and not just show up for league nights each week...yet the lanes are so dry during practice that my spare ball hooks left of the 7-pin I'm lined up to hit.


It eludes as to why a center would only condition lanes needed for a league. What happens if a pair breaks down? The two teams get moved to a pair that was not conditioned the same. Wow

[Mike White]

Whats the point of practicing when you virtually never get freshly oiled conditions???

I try to practice at the center I live right next to...1.5 minute walk from my apartment...yet they only oil the lanes before leagues in the morning and before leagues at night and only oil the lanes the league is using. So I can just show up and bowl on dry...which shows me nothing other than I can't really play left of about the 12-board. OR...I can try to get there as soon as leagues are done...hope there's no waiting list of casual bowlers...and bowl on burnt league conditions.

My only real option is to show up on Saturdays for a little $20 tournament...which there's no way to actually re-coup the $20 unless you make a really tough split or something...which I do mainly just to practice on league-like conditions.

It's insane. We wonder why the sport is fading into the background...we want people to actually practice and not just show up for league nights each week...yet the lanes are so dry during practice that my spare ball hooks left of the 7-pin I'm lined up to hit.

It sounds like you've become to reliant on oil keeping for ball off the nose.

If your spare ball hooks that much, try increasing your launch angle (left to right release) to bring the destination from the 7 pin to the pocket.

[Aslan]

It eludes as to why a center would only condition lanes needed for a league. What happens if a pair breaks down? The two teams get moved to a pair that was not conditioned the same. Wow

It allows them to always have people bowling. They don't have leagues that take up the entire house all at once...so they oil 1-20 pre-league while open/casual bowlers are on 21-40. Then they clear out 21-30 and oil those for the next small league. By the time that league is bowling, the first league is done.

The PROBLEM is...lanes 31-40 haven't been oiled in 36 hours because no leagues were ever using them...and lanes 1-20 are burnt.

And it affects my game negatively because I'll practice and end up throwing over the 18 board...standing 29...then I show up for league play on fresh conditions and I'm throwing over 13 and standing on 21 and missing way right. I spend the entire practice trying to move right and trying to figure out where the poo the oil pattern actually ends.

Bowling is the only sport that does this. Figure skaters aren't forced to practice on cement because the ice is only present for competitions. Football players don't practice on gravel because they only put in the turf for games. They don't make golfers practice at a 9-hole executive municipal course the day before a PGA event. They don't change the Formula 1 track the day of the race.

In the old days...it didn't matter. The lanes were what they were and they were all about the same and the ball movement was mostly dependent on the bowler. Now you got balls and lane conditions that are almost as important as the skill of the bowler. Don't believe that?? Watch the FORM of some of the high average bowlers in your leagues. I've seen 190-210 average bowlers that fall off nearly every shot, they don't come through the ball, their footwork is insanely horrible...yet these guys strike and they score well. How many other sports can a person's form be below average yet they are still able to compete at a high level? Boxing? Bean Bag throwing? I don't know.

[Aslan]

It sounds like you've become to reliant on oil keeping for ball off the nose.

If your spare ball hooks that much, try increasing your launch angle (left to right release) to bring the destination from the 7 pin to the pocket.

The point is, I'm trying to work on my spare shooting to improve my league performance. Sure, I can move my target inside a board because the ball is going to hook...but a plastic ball ISN'T going to hook on league night...so I shouldn't have to practice a shot and a target that when league night comes around I have to change. It defeats the whole point.

People say to practice smart and effectively and not just bowl to score...yet when we try to do that (like practice left side spares)...we can't.

Oh, and I forgot...this is actually funny!!:

So, I'm practicing my left side spares. First shot at the 7-pin (usually hooked into the gutter). Second shot at the 4-pin (which usually hooked into the 7-pin).

So I do this for like 5 frames. There are 2 other guys there practicing. One kid comes over...energetic kid, you could tell he really likes to bowl...he comes walking over and says, "Hey man. Umm...if you don't mind....I see you're consistently missing left and I could give you some pointers."

I tried not to laugh...but he started telling me how not to miss left and I had to stop him and said;

Me: "I'm trying to hit left."
Him: "Well, you should try....what?"
Me: "I'm trying to hit left. I'm practicing left side spares...left side corner-pins."

The poor kid looked at me with a look of absolute dumbfoundment. He simply couldn't comprehend why I wasn't trying to strike.

That's how bad the state of affairs are with bowling. If a person is actually caught ACTUALLY PRACTICING....people will come by and ask to help them stop.

Luckily I was just practicing my left side spares. Usually I practice corner-pins by playing "low-ball". He'd have seen that and thought, "this guy is all OVER the place!" ;)

[Amyers]

,
The point is, I'm trying to work on my spare shooting to improve my league performance. Sure, I can move my target inside a board because the ball is going to hook...but a plastic ball ISN'T going to hook on league night...so I shouldn't have to practice a shot and a target that when league night comes around I have to change. It defeats the whole point.

People say to practice smart and effectively and not just bowl to score...yet when we try to do that (like practice left side spares)...we can't.

Oh, and I forgot...this is actually funny!!:

So, I'm practicing my left side spares. First shot at the 7-pin (usually hooked into the gutter). Second shot at the 4-pin (which usually hooked into the 7-pin).

So I do this for like 5 frames. There are 2 other guys there practicing. One kid comes over...energetic kid, you could tell he really likes to bowl...he comes walking over and says, "Hey man. Umm...if you don't mind....I see you're consistently missing left and I could give you some pointers."

I tried not to laugh...but he started telling me how not to miss left and I had to stop him and said;

Me: "I'm trying to hit left."
Him: "Well, you should try....what?"
Me: "I'm trying to hit left. I'm practicing left side spares...left side corner-pins."

The poor kid looked at me with a look of absolute dumbfoundment. He simply couldn't comprehend why I wasn't trying to strike.

That's how bad the state of affairs are with bowling. If a person is actually caught ACTUALLY PRACTICING....people will come by and ask to help them stop.

Luckily I was just practicing my left side spares. Usually I practice corner-pins by playing "low-ball". He'd have seen that and thought, "this guy is all OVER the place!" ;)

I've actually had that happen. I was playing low ball and a guy comes over and tells me if I'd roll the ball down the middle I would have better luck.

[Aslan]

,

I've actually had that happen. I was playing low ball and a guy comes over and tells me if I'd roll the ball down the middle I would have better luck.

It's like seeing a guy on a bicycle and suggesting that he purchase a car.

[billf]

Your plastic ball hooks when shooting spares. Wood lanes? Low ball speed? Extremely rev dominant?
I've seen many post stating plastic hooking when going for spares. I've never really seen it myself. I bowl on wood but have a high ball speed for spares.

[billf]

Also, one-step, foul line and release drills don't require oil

[J Anderson]

Your plastic ball hooks when shooting spares. Wood lanes? Low ball speed? Extremely rev dominant?
I've seen many post stating plastic hooking when going for spares. I've never really seen it myself. I bowl on wood but have a high ball speed for spares.

In my experience, at my local center, it's possible to throw straight down the 8 board and make a polyester ball hook into the pocket. And no, the lanes aren't wood, ball speed is around 15mph according to the monitor and I don't think I'm anywhere near rev dominant.

[billf]

In my experience, at my local center, it's possible to throw straight down the 8 board and make a polyester ball hook into the pocket. And no, the lanes aren't wood, ball speed is around 15mph according to the monitor and I don't think I'm anywhere near rev dominant.

That's a seriously worn in track. Guardian overlays?

[Aslan]

Your plastic ball hooks when shooting spares. Wood lanes? Low ball speed? Extremely rev dominant?
I've seen many post stating plastic hooking when going for spares. I've never really seen it myself. I bowl on wood but have a high ball speed for spares.

My ball speed for spares is between 17-19 at the pins. And my rev rate is probably just a bit higher now than the 258 in my signature...I haven't checked it since switching arsenals but I know it's went up.

I switched to plastic after losing a VBT game because my "spare ball" (Slingshot) hit the outside and then hooked left of the 10-pin. And 99.7% of the time...my plastic ball doesn't hook either (not with a lower than average rev rate and 18mph). But that's how DRY the lanes were. It's California, it's hot, oil evaporates...they don't oil the lanes for 2 days...believe me...your plastic ball can and WILL hook. Coverstocks are important...but they can't overpower the physical laws of the universe.

[Amyers]

On wood lanes I can hook my plastic spare ball if the lanes are dry with ease. If their is much dry at all I have to physically try not to hook the ball and still have it hook sometimes. It's not as much of an issue on the synthetics here but I've still seen it happen. This is playing across the lane too not just throwing it down the right side. I do have lower ball speed though.