Vision Process?

[MiggityMac]

After I get into position to align my shot, I'm constantly eying the pocket and concentrating on where I want the ball to go. Then I begin my approach, right at the last second I look at my target arrow and release being sure to follow through. My question is, am I doing this in the proper order?

Thanks for any and all input.

[MiggityMac]

Well, I just realized I posted this in the wrong area. I'll do better next time lol.

[tumblebug1949]

Hey MiggityMac,

Don't worry about it. They will find it. At least you became aware there was a better category it could have been in. Again, I will leave this for the better bowlers.

Good Bowling

[got_a_300]

Hi MiggityMac,

The only time I look at the pocket is when I first get ready to step up on the approach to make
sure all 10 pins are on the deck and none of them are to far off spot. I then set myself up on the
approach and I look at my target arrow or board(s) if I have a really tight shot of 1 or 2 boards
to hit then I let it rip. I do all of my concentrating on exactly where I want the ball to go and
exactly what target I want to hit and exactly how I want to throw the ball while I'm still in the
pit area waiting for my turn to bowl.

[littlelegs]

I'm pretty similar to Bill. Targeting and focus were one of the big things I had to change and have done so.

So now I set up on the approach, look at where I want the ball to hit (obviously the pocket if a first ball), where I expect the ball to break (if applicable and even if not my eyes pause at that point so that my routine stays the same) and then the arrow I'm aiming for. Allowing my eyes to trace the path of the ball backwards and pausing at each point. I then stay focused on the arrow (or board/dot if I've moved the initial target) throughout the approach until after the ball has passed that point. Each pause i.e. pocket, break point and arrow is just under 2 seconds (works for me - I know many are much quicker and some longer).

I should add that I may have made an adjustment to focus point just before or just after the arrow, to change the roll a little but the principle's the same.

If I miss badly it's usually because I've lifted my eyes from the target (usually the arrow and happens more often than it should but I'm getting better) or have allowed myself to become distracted (pretty much the same effect).

And as with Bill, I'll usually sit when the bowler before me is taking their go to concentrate on my line for the next shot. The social stuff in league I tend to do before or after that :)

Again though it's been a slowish process for me to keep that tight focus on my initial target and even now I let my attention wander from time to time although a little less so every week.

[littlelegs]

A quick addition to prove a point...distractions are an issue with me but something I'm getting better at handling. How much so? When I bowl with my wife I average 10 pins less. Usually because she wants small pointers on line or for me to check her approach, release etc so the time I usually take before my own ball doesn't always happen. The change in routine and focus pretty much costs me those 10 pins.

Granted a better player could probably ignore distractions far better than I, but for the majority of pro level players you'll find their routines are identical down to the smallest of eye movement every time.

(oh - and I realize I digressed a little from the initial question about just the target. Waiting on an upload and got carried away :p )

[MiggityMac]

Thanks for the advice and the sharing of your techniques......I'm really starting to like this place.

[JerseyJim]

Joe Slowinski wrote a number of articles about using the Quiet Eye to target. It's made a huge difference in the way that I line up, and my accuracy. You can start with this article that was in Bowling this Month a while ago. http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/slowinski_btm_june_2007_36-41_3point_targeting.pdf

[martinezsam2495]

I just look at the arrows,
which is not working all the time
:p

[TheSheibs]

Like most, I look at the pins when I am getting onto the approach(especially on my second ball for spares). Once I know where I am going to stand I look at the arrow that I am aiming for. The next time I look at the pins is when the ball has passed my mark and hits the pins. I don't see a reason to look at the pins once you are setting up to throw the ball