The value of coaching, down the road.

[Tony]

I found this year after the summer layoff that I was glad to get back to the lanes, however my game hasn't been going that well. My average is down 6 pins and threatening to go lower with the way I've been bowling.
With some added stress in my life the scores have dropped even more in the past few weeks and I've been frustrated with my lack of ability to throw the ball.
After a dismal outing last wed, (my first sub 500 series in years) I considered calling the coach for a lesson to help me, due to time conflicts I really couldn't find the time to get in right now. I recalled that in my prior lessons I had taken notes, now could I find them....yes I had transfered them to a word document and saved them posting the items he had me work on for each session and recording the issues he identified.
As I reviewed the items it was apparent that I had slipped back into some of my old bad habits and maybe even added some new bad habits. I realized I was muscling the ball and setting it down short. I had slowly lost many of the items he changed to improve my game and drifted back to old habits without realizing it.
So I reviewed what I should do through the use of my notes and went out to Friday morning league with a new plan. As I slowly started implementing the notes my first game was better than any game on wed, only a 181 but then I shot a 214, 200, 201 and even could have been a little better with weak finishes on a couple of the games.
So coaching paid off, even just reviewing what I learned and renewing the proper way to do things.
I still might setup another session but I printed out the notes and put them in my bag, just to go over them in the minutes before practice and try to keep on the right track and not fall back into bad habits again so easily.

[foreverincamo]

We are all creatures of habit. I have all kinds of notes in my bag from my coaching sessions. I have been working on different things lately and I still have to stop myself from the wrong setup, the wrong push away , the wrong swing, etc. Keep at it ! I may practice in the morning just because I can

[LOUVIT]

We are all creatures of habit. I have all kinds of notes in my bag from my coaching sessions. I have been working on different things lately and I still have to stop myself from the wrong setup, the wrong push away , the wrong swing, etc. Keep at it ! I may practice in the morning just because I can

When I do bowl with my coach I do bowl better I think. When I'm alone or on league day I tend to try to remember too many things at once. IMO one thing should become a habit before trying to learn some thing else. Right now I think..

walk stright
stay under ball
release ball early, (since I tend to hold it to long and pull it)
do not force the ball
relax grip
etc......

that's a lot to remember in 5 short steps to the foul line.....lol

[RobLV1]

When I do bowl with my coach I do bowl better I think. When I'm alone or on league day I tend to try to remember too many things at once. IMO one thing should become a habit before trying to learn some thing else. Right now I think..

walk stright
stay under ball
release ball early, (since I tend to hold it to long and pull it)
do not force the ball
relax grip
etc......

that's a lot to remember in 5 short steps to the foul line.....lol

I'm currently working on an article for BTM, tentatively called "Modern Coaching Dilemmas." This concerns dilemmas for both bowlers looking for coaching, and coaches who want to help bowlers. One of the most prevalent dilemmas for both coaches and bowlers is an honest exchange about the bowlers expectations and intentions in terms of long term goals and commitment. What you are trying to think during your approach is way too much to help you. If I have a student who is serious about improving his game and is committed to ongoing work, I will introduce one or two things per session; never more than two. If, on the other hand, the bowler wants a quick fix and never intends on seeing me again, I will often give him a laundry list of things to work on with instructions to pick one or two and work on them first, and then go on to others. With bowlers like this, I will give them a written list of items with instructions as to the order of implementation that will be most effective for them.

Right now, I would suggest that you pick two of the items on your list, preferably one that affects you at the start of the shot ("walk straight") and one that affects you at the end of your approach ("stay under the ball"). These are both things that you can easily do, and are both positives. Personally, I do not like any thoughts that contain negatives like "do not force the ball." When you get there, how about "just let it go"? It says the same thing in a positive way. I really question your thought of "release the ball early," as your timing can be affected by so many other things and can rarely be corrected by consciously thinking about when you release it: it just happens too fast to control it with your conscious mind.

[LOUVIT]

I'm currently working on an article for BTM, tentatively called "Modern Coaching Dilemmas." This concerns dilemmas for both bowlers looking for coaching, and coaches who want to help bowlers. One of the most prevalent dilemmas for both coaches and bowlers is an honest exchange about the bowlers expectations and intentions in terms of long term goals and commitment. What you are trying to think during your approach is way too much to help you. If I have a student who is serious about improving his game and is committed to ongoing work, I will introduce one or two things per session; never more than two. If, on the other hand, the bowler wants a quick fix and never intends on seeing me again, I will often give him a laundry list of things to work on with instructions to pick one or two and work on them first, and then go on to others. With bowlers like this, I will give them a written list of items with instructions as to the order of implementation that will be most effective for them.

Right now, I would suggest that you pick two of the items on your list, preferably one that affects you at the start of the shot ("walk straight") and one that affects you at the end of your approach ("stay under the ball"). These are both things that you can easily do, and are both positives. Personally, I do not like any thoughts that contain negatives like "do not force the ball." When you get there, how about "just let it go"? It says the same thing in a positive way. I really question your thought of "release the ball early," as your timing can be affected by so many other things and can rarely be corrected by consciously thinking about when you release it: it just happens too fast to control it with your conscious mind.

maybe I'm wording this wrong, my coach (Tampabaybob.)does not at all give me a list of stuff to work on. He also tells me I am over thinking the game. I watch slow motion videos a lot and say oh now I see. So I do most research on my own. I took a 25 year layoff and can't believe how much the game has changed. i used to bowl a lot of action and averaged 190 in leagues (if I had Too) and better in money bowling. I came back 6 months ago thinking the game was the same and had high expectations but I got older, then I started learning about coverstocks and cors and patterns...etc.... Give me back my wood and plastic....haha

[RobLV1]

maybe I'm wording this wrong, my coach (Tampabaybob.)does not at all give me a list of stuff to work on. He also tells me I am over thinking the game. I watch slow motion videos a lot and say oh now I see. So I do most research on my own. I took a 25 year layoff and can't believe how much the game has changed. i used to bowl a lot of action and averaged 190 in leagues (if I had Too) and better in money bowling. I came back 6 months ago thinking the game was the same and had high expectations but I got older, then I started learning about coverstocks and cors and patterns...etc.... Give me back my wood and plastic....haha

I'm getting together with Bob in the next few weeks. I have a hunch you will be one of the topics of conversation! LOL

[LOUVIT]

Today I started ok...ball on the right side of the lane, carrying light 1-3 hits....Second game 4th frame out of nowhere pulling the ball for 3 frames. Then I remembered what my coach said about releasing the ball at the foul line and not holding on to it too long.. it worked. 3rd game was a 190+..which is good for me..I was just happy to back in the 1-3 area...

[Tampabaybob]

Yes you're correct Rob... He could be a topic. Lou has a bad back and somewhat bad balance problems. First couple of times we bowled together during a summer senior session, he was bowling well. And I didn't have to use my 2x4 of understanding on him. :cool:
And you are correct in saying he thinks too much on the approach. Wish I could get him to stop thinking.
Lately I've been using the stress ball technique (from BTM) on several adult and juniors and on some it works very well and some hardly at all. I think I'll have to introduce it to Lou. It does tend to stop some of the thinking.

[RobLV1]

Yes you're correct Rob... He could be a topic. Lou has a bad back and somewhat bad balance problems. First couple of times we bowled together during a summer senior session, he was bowling well. And I didn't have to use my 2x4 of understanding on him. :cool:
And you are correct in saying he thinks too much on the approach. Wish I could get him to stop thinking.
Lately I've been using the stress ball technique (from BTM) on several adult and juniors and on some it works very well and some hardly at all. I think I'll have to introduce it to Lou. It does tend to stop some of the thinking.

He sounds like a clone of me. I have degenerative bone disease throughout the length of my spine, balance problems (I wear a magnetic bracelet that seems to help somewhat), a cataract on my right eye that is only waiting for me to get off of blood thinners in February for surgery, and I over-think EVERYTHING! Wait. Maybe he should quit bowling and become a bowling writer and coach! LOL

[djp1080]

Yes you're correct Rob... He could be a topic. Lou has a bad back and somewhat bad balance problems. First couple of times we bowled together during a summer senior session, he was bowling well. And I didn't have to use my 2x4 of understanding on him. :cool:
And you are correct in saying he thinks too much on the approach. Wish I could get him to stop thinking.
Lately I've been using the stress ball technique (from BTM) on several adult and juniors and on some it works very well and some hardly at all. I think I'll have to introduce it to Lou. It does tend to stop some of the thinking.
Tampabaybob, I read the stress ball technique article and have given it a try. Once I tried it, I liked it. I may keep doing it until I can't bowl any more. It's kept me in the moment and relaxed. I've been paying much more attention to the target on the lane as well and find that I'm no longer pulling my eyes to watch the ball down the lane. I pay better attention to where the ball rolls over my target and then view what happens to the motion of the ball later. My scores have improved for both strikes and spare shots. It works for me... :)

[Tampabaybob]

Tampabaybob, I read the stress ball technique article and have given it a try. Once I tried it, I liked it. I may keep doing it until I can't bowl any more. It's kept me in the moment and relaxed. I've been paying much more attention to the target on the lane as well and find that I'm no longer pulling my eyes to watch the ball down the lane. I pay better attention to where the ball rolls over my target and then view what happens to the motion of the ball later. My scores have improved for both strikes and spare shots. It works for me... :)

Glad to hear it's working for you. I've tried it myself and it has helped sometimes, others not so much. One guy I bowl with tried it and swears by it. He's been shooting the lights out since trying it. Have had a few of my Junior Bowlers try it and right now I'd say it 50% successful. Good idea to pass on to good friends and team mates.

[Tampabaybob]

He sounds like a clone of me. I have degenerative bone disease throughout the length of my spine, balance problems (I wear a magnetic bracelet that seems to help somewhat), a cataract on my right eye that is only waiting for me to get off of blood thinners in February for surgery, and I over-think EVERYTHING! Wait. Maybe he should quit bowling and become a bowling writer and coach! LOL

You and Lou might make good doubles partners in a tournament !! :o

[1VegasBowler]

Coaching is good for every level of play, from the person who's never thrown a ball to the pros.

I, for one, work with 2 people. One here in Vegas and the other is from Canada. Why Canada? Why somebody that's 2600+ miles away?

Well, when my Bearded Brother and I bowl together, he is very helpful with his tips and suggestions. And while we only get to bowl together when he comes here (not very often), there's always something we can take from each other. We are also talking about bowling in the US Open Championships together.

What makes these 2 guys great for me, is, we all use Brunswick family equipment. They know what to expect from what I have, and the little tweaks here and there are great.

It's all about getting better.

[LOUVIT]

You and Lou might make good doubles partners in a tournament !! :o


LOL 2 bad backs and 2 good eye's between us......haha

[LOUVIT]

Yes you're correct Rob... He could be a topic. Lou has a bad back and somewhat bad balance problems. First couple of times we bowled together during a summer senior session, he was bowling well. And I didn't have to use my 2x4 of understanding on him. :cool:
And you are correct in saying he thinks too much on the approach. Wish I could get him to stop thinking.
Lately I've been using the stress ball technique (from BTM) on several adult and juniors and on some it works very well and some hardly at all. I think I'll have to introduce it to Lou. It does tend to stop some of the thinking.


Shhhh....Don't mention my name in Vegas....lol...J/k.

This week after a game and a half I went with release early and get it out and it worked pretty good. My balance issue is gone, I do not worry about falling at all anymore. My looking at a spot on the lane issue still continues. Seems I look at my feet or the foul line and just know to get it out and trust it.

[1VegasBowler]

Shhhh....Don't mention my name in Vegas....lol...J/k.

This week after a game and a half I went with release early and get it out and it worked pretty good. My balance issue is gone, I do not worry about falling at all anymore. My looking at a spot on the lane issue still continues. Seems I look at my feet or the foul line and just know to get it out and trust it.

Awww, come on now kill joy! LOL

[LOUVIT]

Awww, come on now kill joy! LOL


Hey I was the silent partner in the Rat Pack and I am a card counter....I know there's 52 in a deck...........lol

[Tampabaybob]

Gee Lou, I don't understand how you can count cards when you can only count to 21. Think about that for a second. LOL !!!

[Tampabaybob]

Coaching is good for every level of play, from the person who's never thrown a ball to the pros.

I, for one, work with 2 people. One here in Vegas and the other is from Canada. Why Canada? Why somebody that's 2600+ miles away?

Well, when my Bearded Brother and I bowl together, he is very helpful with his tips and suggestions. And while we only get to bowl together when he comes here (not very often), there's always something we can take from each other. We are also talking about bowling in the US Open Championships together.

What makes these 2 guys great for me, is, we all use Brunswick family equipment. They know what to expect from what I have, and the little tweaks here and there are great.

It's all about getting better.

I switched over to all Brunswick about 1995 and have stayed with them pretty much since then. I had won a Roto Grip ball and really liked it as well especially after throwing a 300 with it a month after drilling it. Now have a couple of them in the arsenal. Those are the only 2 brands I recommend to my students.

[1VegasBowler]

I switched over to all Brunswick about 1995 and have stayed with them pretty much since then. I had won a Roto Grip ball and really liked it as well especially after throwing a 300 with it a month after drilling it. Now have a couple of them in the arsenal. Those are the only 2 brands I recommend to my students.

And that's just only part and parcel of what a good coach does, especially when the equipment matches up with the player.

I don't think I would make a good coach for adults because I don't know enough about other manufacturers equipment to make an intelligent recommendation, and that's not fair to those bowlers.

Just as there are coaches and PSO's that will only push one product, the bowlers will get stuck on one product as well. It doesn't matter to them that it may not fit their game. They're doing it because somebody else says there's nothing better.

[Tampabaybob]

I've used Track before, but when I started out using Brunswick products, my average started to skyrocket. I haven't tried the DV8 line yet but I believe they're in the same category as the Brunswick and Roto Grip. I've only had one Storm ball and couldn't stand opening my bag and getting a face full of smell. Couldn't stand it. If one of my students owns a different brand, that's ok, I work with it. I usually will recommend upgrades by referring them to Bowlingball.com's perfect scale, as I believe it's a simpler way for bowlers to judge the differences in the balls. And no other site does that.