Where do you focus when bowling?

[Ape Man]

I may be weird, but when I focus on the arrows I end up lofting it like crazy.

I find myself setting up in the same spot, and looking at the foul line, muscle memory takes car of the angle and direction the ball goes. I adjust my feet and eyes on the foul line if adjustments required. I find when I look at the foul line it confirms I'll have a smooth release and good rotation on the ball and have been doing it for years without issue.


Anybody else do this?

[vdubtx]

I focus at the arrows to begin with and about 15 feet further down lane. When in my approach I don't constantly keep focus on the arrow and like you, let my muscle memory take over somewhat. I think I am pretty accurate at the arrows(usually within a board) and have a little bit of work to do to hit mark down lane a bit better(typically within 2 boards).

[Aslan]

I had the same problem when I started. If I look at the arrows...even though I can accurately hit them and it seems natural...I tend to loft the ball and the ball "lands" on the arrows.

To combat this, I've started using more of a "line target" where I draw a line from where I am at the foul line to the arrow/board I'm targeting...and I aim for the dot/board that line crosses. So I end up shooting at the dots rather than the arrows. The only "negative" is when I'm not reaching out toward those arrows, I sometimes don't have as good of a follow-through....which can cause me to pull or push the shot....if I'm not square when I release.

I've always had trouble understanding people that can target the arrows yet release the ball 1-2" over the foul line. I tend to want to have the ball in my field of vision when I release...thus arrows = a late release/high loft.....foul line I'm staring down when releasing.

[noeymc]

tip put a towl down on the lane try to loft it just past it thats a good way to start

[Hampe]

I've always had trouble understanding people that can target the arrows yet release the ball 1-2" over the foul line. I tend to want to have the ball in my field of vision when I release...thus arrows = a late release/high loft.....foul line I'm staring down when releasing.

That's the point of the spine tilt to have your head directly over the ball.

I can't imagine aiming at the foul line....seems like it would be possible to hit a spot that close but still have an area about 5+ boards 30-40 feet down the lane that the ball could possibly end up. For me, aiming near the arrows allows the best mix of having a spot I can hit consistently, while still keeping the shot fairly tight and accurate down the lane.

[mc_runner]

At the Arrows... I've tried aiming at the dots, or other parts of the lane but it just doesn't feel natural. I guess it's habit at this point.

Hampe's right.. I find that even a board off on a lot of shots at the arrows can translate into a different reaction down lane. If I was to aim at the foul line, personally (probably because I'm not that consistent) I'd be seeing a huge variety downlane with shots that "hit target"

[Geneo2u]

I look at the dots for the simple reason the arrows are so far away, make since to me. good thing is i can usually hit my target(dot) but seems harder to control the shape of the shot.. Just my minds eye i suppose..

[noeymc]

At the Arrows... I've tried aiming at the dots, or other parts of the lane but it just doesn't feel natural. I guess it's habit at this point.

Hampe's right.. I find that even a board off on a lot of shots at the arrows can translate into a different reaction down lane. If I was to aim at the foul line, personally (probably because I'm not that consistent) I'd be seeing a huge variety downlane with shots that "hit target"

1 board off at the dots is 3 down the lane roughly

[bdtrob300]

I do the same thing, I move my starting position, but I never really aim anywhere down the lane.

I focus at the foul line and look to a spot around the first set of arrows where I want to throw, but its not a specific board, more a general area. If my release is clean and the ball gets anywhere between the 15-10 board, I'm usually golden...

If I'm having trouble hitting that area, either missing way left or right, I simply move to my right and focus on keeping my hand behind the ball and playing straighter until I feel comfortable enough to slowly move back to the left...

[noeymc]

I do the same thing, I move my starting position, but I never really aim anywhere down the lane.

I focus at the foul line and look to a spot around the first set of arrows where I want to throw, but its not a specific board, more a general area. If my release is clean and the ball gets anywhere between the 15-10 board, I'm usually golden...

If I'm having trouble hitting that area, either missing way left or right, I simply move to my right and focus on keeping my hand behind the ball and playing straighter until I feel comfortable enough to slowly move back to the left...

lol go try that on a sport shot