10 Pin Shooting Question

[TonyInPortland]

I had to change how I shoot the 10 pin at my current bowling center. At the old one, I could stand as far left as I wanted. I used to shoot it over the 3rd arrow, but over the years, I believe I had drifted further and further left and had started to "pin bowl," instead of trying to hit a mark. Consequently I had begin to miss a lot of them.

Last summer, at the new place, where I can only stand two boards left of the last dot, because of the ball return on one lane, I plotted a new strategy, which was throwing over the 3rd arrow. Eventually I had to adjust to aiming for the right edge of the 3rd arrow, because sometimes, if I hit the arrow directly, I would still miss the pin.

It worked very well, and my percentage increased. However, lately, I have been missing them again, and I have noticed that I can miss as many as 3 1/2 boards right of 3rd arrow and still make it, but if I miss even half a board left, I generally miss. Obviously, I should be shooting for about two boards right of 3rd arrow.

The question is, is it human nature to be able to hit the arrow better, than just a single board? So should I move right on the approach and then shoot it over the 2nd arrow? This seems like it would be weird, but since I am pretty much throwing it straight anyway, it would actually make sense.

I am going to practice it tonight, but I was wondering what others think/do?

[JasonNJ]

I had to change how I shoot the 10 pin at my current bowling center. At the old one, I could stand as far left as I wanted. I used to shoot it over the 3rd arrow, but over the years, I believe I had drifted further and further left and had started to "pin bowl," instead of trying to hit a mark. Consequently I had begin to miss a lot of them.

Last summer, at the new place, where I can only stand two boards left of the last dot, because of the ball return on one lane, I plotted a new strategy, which was throwing over the 3rd arrow. Eventually I had to adjust to aiming for the right edge of the 3rd arrow, because sometimes, if I hit the arrow directly, I would still miss the pin.

It worked very well, and my percentage increased. However, lately, I have been missing them again, and I have noticed that I can miss as many as 3 1/2 boards right of 3rd arrow and still make it, but if I miss even half a board left, I generally miss. Obviously, I should be shooting for about two boards right of 3rd arrow.

The question is, is it human nature to be able to hit the arrow better, than just a single board? So should I move right on the approach and then shoot it over the 2nd arrow? This seems like it would be weird, but since I am pretty much throwing it straight anyway, it would actually make sense.

I am going to practice it tonight, but I was wondering what others think/do?

The fact that you can miss right but not left makes me wonder about your eye dominance. You may be left eye dominant and right handed. Here is an earlier discussion about it and there is a link in the thread that explains the whole eye dominance.

http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/9828-Left-eye-dominant-Right-handed-bowler?highlight=left+eye

[TonyInPortland]

But that thread said the opposite: "Left eye dominance in a right-hander usually causes a miss left of three or four boards ."

At any rate, I experimented tonight and seemed to have some success standing ten left of center and shooting just to the right of the 3rd arrow and, and then even more by standing 12 left of center. Aiming for about two boards right of the 3rd arrow seems much easier when I am standing closer to that spot.

Still would like to hear whether others throw over an arrow or a board when shooting the ten pin(seven pin for left-handed).

[RobLV1]

It shouldn't make any difference in terms of targeting once bowlers accept that where they look with their eyes is not necessarily where the ball goes. Where you look does more than just provide a "target," it also helps to create an angle. Another issue is that just like on your strike ball, where you stand and where you look will change from center to center, and even in the same center when the proprietor decides to change the oil pattern.

[Amyers]

But that thread said the opposite: "Left eye dominance in a right-hander usually causes a miss left of three or four boards ."

At any rate, I experimented tonight and seemed to have some success standing ten left of center and shooting just to the right of the 3rd arrow and, and then even more by standing 12 left of center. Aiming for about two boards right of the 3rd arrow seems much easier when I am standing closer to that spot.

Still would like to hear whether others throw over an arrow or a board when shooting the ten pin(seven pin for left-handed).

I actually just aim for the area between the 3rd and 4th arrows as long as I hit that I know I'm going to make it. The issue I've had in the past with standing farther right with my target over the third arrow or so is that I bowl some of my leagues in older wood houses and the plastic ball will hook if you get it outside to early on those lanes.

[JasonNJ]

I played around with a lot of different angles and targets and the key for me was to find an angle where I can easily repeat my shot. I'm left eye dominant right hander so I find the more I increase my angles I tend to miss left. So for 10 pin, I stand with left foot on the 32 board and I stand open facing the 10 pin and I aim for the area between 2nd and 3rd arrow. At this angle I throw it my spare ball with a flat hand and it just works for me and I can easily repeat it. For the 6 or 9 and 6,10 combo I shoot exactly the same except I do more of a suitcase release.

[TonyInPortland]

It shouldn't make any difference in terms of targeting once bowlers accept that where they look with their eyes is not necessarily where the ball goes. Where you look does more than just provide a "target," it also helps to create an angle. Another issue is that just like on your strike ball, where you stand and where you look will change from center to center, and even in the same center when the proprietor decides to change the oil pattern.

Most of the time it goes where I look, not always.

Right now I am only bowling at the one center. Next year, when I go back to bowling at two separate centers, then that will become an issue, deciding if I want to shoot them both the same, even though I may be able to stand further left at the other one.

[TonyInPortland]

I played around with a lot of different angles and targets and the key for me was to find an angle where I can easily repeat my shot. I'm left eye dominant right hander so I find the more I increase my angles I tend to miss left. So for 10 pin, I stand with left foot on the 32 board and I stand open facing the 10 pin and I aim for the area between 2nd and 3rd arrow. At this angle I throw it my spare ball with a flat hand and it just works for me and I can easily repeat it. For the 6 or 9 and 6,10 combo I shoot exactly the same except I do more of a suitcase release.

Yeah that is exactly what I worked on last night, standing on 32 and throwing between 2nd and 3rd arrow. I only tried it a few times, but it seemed much more natural and comfortable.

[fokai73]

I'm trying to invision a person standing on 32 and rolling between 2nd and 3rd arrow. Maybe those that do this have a right drift. Not a bad thing if it works.

[JasonNJ]

I'm trying to invision a person standing on 32 and rolling between 2nd and 3rd arrow. Maybe those that do this have a right drift. Not a bad thing if it works.

For me it was just trying to find something I can easily repeat. I'm not square with the foul line and I'm trying to keep my arm in line with my mark.

[Amyers]

For me it was just trying to find something I can easily repeat. I'm not square with the foul line and I'm trying to keep my arm in line with my mark.

I'm pretty sure I can roll a strike standing there especially on some of the open bowling conditions.

[fokai73]

I use a spare ball majority of the time, but there are some occasions I don't have my spare ball with me. But, from the approach to the foul line, I try to keep everything the same. My release is the same. I'll use end over end roll when sparing if need be, but for the most part, I try to keep the same release for corner pins. with that said...

if I stand on 32, I'll slide to 28, my lay down point is 22 and my ball rolls just right of the 4th arrow. I look down lane at the right edge of the ten pin where I want to hit it. I'm not square to the foul line either. This is with a spare ball. If I happen to not to have a spare ball, I adjust my starting point and/or my release. Ideally, I'd like to keep the same release. but that's not always the case. Also, it depends on what I see during warm ups.

If I decide to hook the ball into my ten pin for some reason or another, I make use of the oil in the middle. Depending on the strength of the cover of the ball that I'm using and the conditions, I could be standing on 36 for example. BUT..... that's not always the case...

Last night on a condition where there was no free hook outside 7, I had to adjust my "personalized" spare system with a hooking ball. I brought two balls and no spare ball. (last minute thing) Because of what I saw during warm ups I made adjustments. I stood on 29, slid on 25, lay down on 19 and just right of the 3rd arrow. I still used my normal release on with this weaker cover strike ball and took advantage of the juice outside. (The Authority machine is broken and dumps a lot of volume on the edges - 7 x 7, lefties struggled. Also, with The pro lane surface being slicker to what I normally bowl on, I had to make adjustments unique for that evening compared to the norm.) I was able to keep the same release with 100% result, 11 of 11 on 10 pin conversion.

Everyone is unique and each of use may have a unique way of sparing, but what's not unique in my opinion, is basic fundamentals for their style - two hander, cranker tweener, stroker..... Understanding the approach is as important as understanding where the ball lands in the front part of the lane, the middle part, and where it finish off the pin deck. It may seem like a lot to soak in, but if one truly practice and work on these things, it'll be second nature. Too many bowlers practice by scoring as high as they can. Some even take pictures of their scores and post on social media.... lol Practice no matter how long or short, should be valued and not wasted.

[TonyInPortland]

I'm trying to invision a person standing on 32 and rolling between 2nd and 3rd arrow. Maybe those that do this have a right drift. Not a bad thing if it works.


I know, that's what I thought too. Maybe I do drift a little, but it was working for me. I regret not bowling a whole game of ten pins though. I was planning on that, but I left quite a few in the 3 practice games and was picking them up. We'll see what happens tonight in league though.

[TonyInPortland]

Tonight I was 5 for 5 on ten pins, standing on 32 and throwing between 2nd and 3rd arrows. It still seems a little uncomfortable when I get up there, but once I start the approach, it seems so much easier. I did miss a 3-6-10, and was momentarily confused at how to shoot a 6-9 spare(I ended up using my old method for that, and barely made it). Obviously I will need to change how I shoot 6 and 6-10 combos as well as the 3-6 & 3-6-10, I guess.

[Amyers]

Tonight I was 5 for 5 on ten pins, standing on 32 and throwing between 2nd and 3rd arrows. It still seems a little uncomfortable when I get up there, but once I start the approach, it seems so much easier. I did miss a 3-6-10, and was momentarily confused at how to shoot a 6-9 spare(I ended up using my old method for that, and barely made it). Obviously I will need to change how I shoot 6 and 6-10 combos as well as the 3-6 & 3-6-10, I guess.

Congrats on finding something that works for you. A lot of time in bowling its not about what you should do but what you can find success with.

[fokai73]

Tonight I was 5 for 5 on ten pins, standing on 32 and throwing between 2nd and 3rd arrows. It still seems a little uncomfortable when I get up there, but once I start the approach, it seems so much easier. I did miss a 3-6-10, and was momentarily confused at how to shoot a 6-9 spare(I ended up using my old method for that, and barely made it). Obviously I will need to change how I shoot 6 and 6-10 combos as well as the 3-6 & 3-6-10, I guess.

good job!

the 3 6 9 10 and its combos can be difficult, even the best of the best can miss these combos.

[jab5325]

Tonight I was 5 for 5 on ten pins, standing on 32 and throwing between 2nd and 3rd arrows. It still seems a little uncomfortable when I get up there, but once I start the approach, it seems so much easier. I did miss a 3-6-10, and was momentarily confused at how to shoot a 6-9 spare(I ended up using my old method for that, and barely made it). Obviously I will need to change how I shoot 6 and 6-10 combos as well as the 3-6 & 3-6-10, I guess.

Awesome job, Tony--keep it up!

[billf]

I stand on 35 and roll over 19 at arrows with plastic
With urethan I stand on 38 and roll over 19
With reactive I stand on 44 and roll over 19

my offset is 6 boards

[Langdoj]

I use my strike ball and just throw straight. I stand at 35 (I am probably at 40 or a little bit in the left gutter at the foul line) and aim between 4th and 5th arrow. I don't usually have any problems shooting spares this way.

[TonyInPortland]

I may have celebrated too soon. I missed two on Thursday and one was very far left. So tonight I experimented a little and tried one whole game of standing on 35, which feels more natural, and still shooting about 13 board, and made 16 out of 19 in a practice game of ten pins only.

Repition, repition, repition.

[AlexNC]

For the 10 pin standing on 35 and targetting 18-20 at the arrows seems to work the best for me. Anything below 18 and i tend to miss right. I use a spare ball fwiw.

[JohnN]

(Lefty) For the 7 pin I use a plastic ball,look at the pin, and just extend my arm towards the pin. No hook at all.