Recent coaching session

[broncofan27]

In my most recent coaching session this past sunday my coach suggested to me to raise my back swing. Normally I have a pretty short back swing that is about half way to shoulder high. I worked on moving my back swing to shoulder level. One thing that I am struggling with when doing that is getting the same hook on my ball that I am use to. I think it has to do with my arm extending out on the forward swing and not generating enough lift. What tips do you guys have for extending your back swing while still maintaining the same reaction on the ball?

[The Mayor]

You should never try to make your backswing higher. I totally disagree with your coach. That will throw off your timing and make you muscle the ball. The weight of your ball should carry your arm as far as it naturally goes. If you want to lengthen your backswing slightly, you can hold the ball higher in your starting position, and the ball will naturally gain more speed. This will carry your arm higher in the backswing.

I've never seen you bowl, so I won't completely rule out that your coach had a legitimate reason for telling you this. But it's unlikely.

[johncongdon]

I agree with Whiskey Basin. Unless your ball goes higher naturally, you do not want to pull it higher. Starting with it higher in your stance, or pushing it forward with a little more speed/force, would help raise it a little.

Most people have to be told to lower their backswing. They are trying to pull it back and up, versus letting it swing back naturally.

[broncofan27]

Yea unfortunately I think it's really screwed with my game. Last night in league was by far my worst night. I tried to go back to my traditional arm swing and I don't know whats going on but my ball is just flat as can be. Threw 132 139 148. I am carrying a 173 avg right now and for the last 3 weeks I have had at least one 200 game. I was just so frustrated last night.

[The Mayor]

Any way you could post a video of you bowling?

[broncofan27]

Any way you could post a video of you bowling?
Unfortunately I don't have any video. I will get my GF to record me on my iphone next time I go and post it here.

[J Anderson]

You should never try to make your backswing higher.

Never is a dangerous word. I have seen bowlers whose backswings should be higher, but they stop the backswing themselves rather than letting gravity do its thing. the result is a swing that is every bit as muscled as someone trying to lift the ball higher in the back swing.

p.s. When was the election?

[broncofan27]

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/broncofan27/afaed340.mp4

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/broncofan27/34dbf383.mp4

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/broncofan27/ec2109c6.mp4

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/broncofan27/5f223092.mp4

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o293/broncofan27/afaed340.mp4

Here are some videos from practice today. Sorry some are bad angles. Gf didn't quite understand lol.

[broncofan27]

Never is a dangerous word. I have seen bowlers whose backswings should be higher, but they stop the backswing themselves rather than letting gravity do its thing. the result is a swing that is every bit as muscled as someone trying to lift the ball higher in the back swing.

p.s. When was the election?

By the way sent you a pm

[broncofan27]

Sometimes it looks like you stop the backswing, rather than a natural rise, but then I noticed when I replay it, on those you drop the ball much lower before you actually push it away and it kills a lot of speed you could have.

You do the same thing I do, in that you stop way short of the line. I haven't been able to cure that. If I move up I take shorter steps. Trying not to foul if I fall, I guess. It's hard to stop this much mass once it gets going. ;)

Never noticed that I drop the ball before pushing it away. Maybe if I work on correcting that it will take some of the muscling out of my shots that I think I am doing to generate ball speed.

[J Anderson]

By the way sent you a pm
It doesn't seem to be in my inbox.

[The Mayor]

Never is a dangerous word. I have seen bowlers whose backswings should be higher, but they stop the backswing themselves rather than letting gravity do its thing. the result is a swing that is every bit as muscled as someone trying to lift the ball higher in the back swing.

p.s. When was the election?

You're correct. I shouldn't speak in such extremes. At the time of posting I hadn't considered those who stop their backswing short.

As for the election, I was voted in several years ago. I however, am not, the mayor of bowlingboards.com and in no way intended to make it seem as such!

[uplander]

Did you get a chance to view this video lesson from Norm Duke? He's my idol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKhsQgBRKBQ&feature=related

[jaydee]

Unless you walk very slow or hold the ball really low, there's no reason for your backswing to only go halfway to your shoulder height.

You must be resisting the natural pendelum swing backwards, which is highly likely what your coach is trying to break you of and absolutely correct IMO. Lowering your ball prior to pushaway is a secondary issue to this.

[broncofan27]

Unless you walk very slow or hold the ball really low, there's no reason for your backswing to only go halfway to your shoulder height.

You must be resisting the natural pendelum swing backwards, which is highly likely what your coach is trying to break you of and absolutely correct IMO. Lowering your ball prior to pushaway is a secondary issue to this.

I added some videos earlier in the this thread if wanted to take a look

[vgw]

I don't think the backswing needs much fixing. I would first work on that part about you lowering the ball on your first step and also move up on the approach because your release is pretty far back from the foul line.

You might want to try a push off of the ball on your first step by holding the ball closer to your body instead of having your arms outstretched.

It also looks like your eyes/head are pointed towards the pins rather than the floor boards. I believe it is easier to hit a mark on the floor to roll it either straight or at an angle rather than looking at the pins. This is just my 2 cents so please do whatever works best for you.

Good luck.

[broncofan27]

I have worked on the issue with dropping the ball on my first step and don't do that any more definitely saw better ball speed. Things seem to be getting better for me. Through a 3 game set over the weekend of 204, 225, 229. The only thing I wish I could figure out now is how to slide. My left knee and hip take a pounding.

[The Mayor]

Your whole approach just seems super rushed to me. I think you get the ball into the swing a little too quick too. This is causing you to not be able to hit the ball at the bottom. Another thing, it looks like your wrist may need a little help keeping itself straight as you approach release. A support like the Mongoose Lifter would really benefit you. Not only will it support your wrist, it will teach you how to lift on the ball more. It's not a crutch, but a tool.

[vgw]

for the knee bend, you really need to practice with a conscious effort to get down low and slide into the bent position. if you are experiencing some pain, then this is important to try to correct things. you can just take practice steps without a ball. if you have a hardwood floor at home, you can practice your steps there. i don't bend much myself but i do end up sliding quite a bit given my approach.

[JAnderson]

Might have been the other J.Anderson