Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[Aslan]

Don't feel too bad about that your multi-pin splits were really good and you threw less splits than usual. which is kind of strange for a night your hooking more. Aslan were you adjusting in with your feet also or just changing your target down the lanes?

My "system" is always under development...but the current version is;

- I start out with my left foot on 19 (which I call R1 because it's one board right (R) of center. I start targeting board 7 (which I call T (for target) 7).
- I then move left with my left foot 1-2 boards if my ball is starting to react too much.
- After moving my left foot 3 boards left; I move the left foot back 2 boards right and move the target 1 board left. So it looks like this (for one lane):

Game 1; Frame 1: T7; R3 (had to move right initially)
Game 1; Frame 3: T7; R1
Game 1; Frame 5 & 7; T7; L1
Game 1; Frame 9; T7; L2
Game 2; Frame 2; T8; C
Game 2; Frame 4: T8;L1
Game 2; Frame 6 & 8; T8; L2
Game 2: Frame 10; T9; L1
Game 3; Frame 1; T9; L2.5
Game 3; Frame 3 & 5; T9; L4
Game 3; Frame 7; T10; L3
Game 3; Frame 10; T10; L4

So on that one lane, over the course of 3 games, I moved my target 3 boards left (from 7 to 10) and my feet 5 boards left (19 to 24). Had I gotten my feet to board 25, that is usually where I ball down. On a good night...especially going up against a lot of lefties...I might have my target only move a board left over 3 games and my feet only 1-2 boards. But on a "bad" night....where I'm playing a lot of other righties and some that like the outside line (like me)...then I'm constantly hitting left and usually by the middle of the 3rd game I have to ball down.

I also can sometimes add speed and/or loft to tweak the ball track a little...get it to go a little farther before moving...but I try not to do this too much so I can avoid re-developing bad habits. And the other downside to me throwing harder is I tend to impart more revs on the ball, which counteracts the increase in speed. And since I tend to "plant" rather than slide...making my approach faster isn't really helpful.

I think one reason this happened was...the other team had 2-3 righties messing with my line AND...both teams took full advantage of the pre-game practice. Normally teams throw 3-4 balls and then kinda go sit down and wait for things to start. This team was throwing ball after ball after ball during practice and I think that moved the oil around a bit.

[Aslan]

Also realize, the system changes for heavier oil. This system works for oil patterns with a very dry outside area.

For heavier oil and flatter patterns, I have to adjust the target left and the starting boards for my feet right to straighten out my shot...because there is no dry area outside and the ball typically can't make the turn.

But yeah, the movement on those lanes last night...wow...I hadn't seen that since the wood lanes went away. I mean, with my very low rev rate...throwing the ball out over the 9-board from essentially center...the ball actually hooked so far left of the headpin that it didn't even make contact with the headpin.

[Amyers]

My "system" is always under development...but the current version is;

- I start out with my left foot on 19 (which I call R1 because it's one board right (R) of center. I start targeting board 7 (which I call T (for target) 7).
- I then move left with my left foot 1-2 boards if my ball is starting to react too much.
- After moving my left foot 3 boards left; I move the left foot back 2 boards right and move the target 1 board left. So it looks like this (for one lane):

Game 1; Frame 1: T7; R3 (had to move right initially)
Game 1; Frame 3: T7; R1
Game 1; Frame 5 & 7; T7; L1
Game 1; Frame 9; T7; L2
Game 2; Frame 2; T8; C
Game 2; Frame 4: T8;L1
Game 2; Frame 6 & 8; T8; L2
Game 2: Frame 10; T9; L1
Game 3; Frame 1; T9; L2.5
Game 3; Frame 3 & 5; T9; L4
Game 3; Frame 7; T10; L3
Game 3; Frame 10; T10; L4

So on that one lane, over the course of 3 games, I moved my target 3 boards left (from 7 to 10) and my feet 5 boards left (19 to 24). Had I gotten my feet to board 25, that is usually where I ball down. On a good night...especially going up against a lot of lefties...I might have my target only move a board left over 3 games and my feet only 1-2 boards. But on a "bad" night....where I'm playing a lot of other righties and some that like the outside line (like me)...then I'm constantly hitting left and usually by the middle of the 3rd game I have to ball down.

I also can sometimes add speed and/or loft to tweak the ball track a little...get it to go a little farther before moving...but I try not to do this too much so I can avoid re-developing bad habits. And the other downside to me throwing harder is I tend to impart more revs on the ball, which counteracts the increase in speed. And since I tend to "plant" rather than slide...making my approach faster isn't really helpful.

I think one reason this happened was...the other team had 2-3 righties messing with my line AND...both teams took full advantage of the pre-game practice. Normally teams throw 3-4 balls and then kinda go sit down and wait for things to start. This team was throwing ball after ball after ball during practice and I think that moved the oil around a bit.

I can tell you have thought a lot about this. I wonder what would have happened if you had left your feet at 24 and through it at 15 instead of ten. I play farther inside than you do normally I usually start at 12 or 13 but I can move out to 5-10 if I have two but when I have this problem I generally move my target out over 15 or even a little farther in. I'm not talking about the big looping hook keep it pretty straight on your line no father than 5 boards outside the pocket at break point and let the dry at the end just snap it back into the pocket. If you run into those conditions again try it some time. May not work with your lower revs but it might. Sucks when you have one of those nights where you really don't feel like you match up and it gets in your head or at least it does mine.

[Aslan]

I can tell you have thought a lot about this. I wonder what would have happened if you had left your feet at 24 and through it at 15 instead of ten. I play farther inside than you do normally I usually start at 12 or 13 but I can move out to 5-10 if I have two but when I have this problem I generally move my target out over 15 or even a little farther in. I'm not talking about the big looping hook keep it pretty straight on your line no father than 5 boards outside the pocket at break point and let the dry at the end just snap it back into the pocket. If you run into those conditions again try it some time. May not work with your lower revs but it might.

Generally if I'm targeting 15, thats the beginning of what I would call my "inside game"...and my left foot would be at about board 28 (L8). It's sort of my "Plan C" if it's too dry to play the Rhythm outside and too dry to use the Frantic up boards 11-12. Unfortunately, once I get inside of about 13, thats when my arsenal limitations become a problem. The Rhythm will want to hook as soon as it can which is often too soon. And the Frantic doesn't have the snap at 130-230 rpms to make it back once it skids too far out.

And doing a straight shot up the 15 is too far inside for even my Slingshot. As a "Plan D" I will use the Slingshot with my left foot on 19 and just throw it straight up the 12-board...so even one of the weakest polished reactives at my speed on those lanes will hook 8 boards.

Sucks when you have one of those nights where you really don't feel like you match up and it gets in your head or at least it does mine.

It wasn't so bad when I was making my spares. I mean, I almost single-handedly beat the other team with my clean 186. And picked up a 4-6 to boot! But in game 3, not only couldn't I strike...but the lanes were so damn dry at that point that the Slingshot was moving too much on right side spare leaves. Had I noticed it earlier, I'd have flattened my release and thrown a totally straight ball...but I didn't see the movement until late in the game. But yeah, 3 of the 4 single pin misses were about 2 inches to the left of the pin. And the only other single-pin miss was me trying to over-compensate for the previous 3 misses and I threw the damn thing in the gutter.

[Aslan]

Friday League: low-medium oil synthetics

This is the league I sub in occasionally and they asked me to sub tonight. It's the league I was in last season.

485 Series: 133-178-174

Something was off from the start tonight. The lanes were slicker than usual so I had to move quite a bit right in hopes of finding any dry area. Pretty soon I was out in the 5-6 board area which is not where I like to be…too close to the gutters. But, anywhere near 2nd arrow and the ball wasn't moving. Not just for me, the other guy that bowls a similar style and the big hook guy on our team…they were having the same difficulties. Very strange for these lanes which LAST NIGHT I couldn't stay on the right side of the headpin to save my life!

Game 1 was abysmal. Not just for me…that 133 was the highest score for either team!! It wasn't as bad as it looks on paper…I mean, 2 un-makeable splits…and 3 multi-pin spares that I chopped.

Game 2 I was a 6-7 split in the 3rd frame away from a clean game. But only struck twice. Game 3, more of the same, I was a -, 9 away from a clean game and the only reason I guttered on the first ball was my thumb stuck and the ball almost carried me over the foul line. Other than that, clean game….but again, only two strikes. : (

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.81 pins
Strikes: 18% (all singles)
Spares: 70% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (5/5)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 63% (12/19)
Most common multi-pin leave: 1-2-4 (3x).

Splits: 40% (2/5)

Average over 3 games: 161.67
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: N/A.

Again, mixed bag of emotions. I'm glad I helped the team to 3 points, especially considering they were in last place and lost all 4 points to this team last week. I'm happy I was 100% on single-pin spares, my overall spare rate is once again at 70%, and I did a good job of picking up splits (thanks to the 3-10). And, if you take out the 1st game, the last 2 were at or above my average.

But, obviously, again disappointed about the scores…< 500 series again…strike rate abysmal at < 20%. I tried to add some hand…still unable to do so and maintain accuracy.

Nice to get in a second night of bowling though. I might miss my practice time next week because I have to go to Cleveland for a couple days for work. So it was nice to do the VBT Wednesday and bowl again on Friday.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Aslan,
I appreciate your love of the game and i wish we had a million more people with the desire to learn this game. If you don't mind i would like to give you a couple of ideas to work on the next time you practice. First grab a 8lb ball and do the 1 step drill with your thumb out. This will put your wrist in the correct position to generate hook. Just swing the ball out and when it gets to the height of your backswing take 1 step at the line. Do this for a whole game just throwing at the middle of the lane. Then do the 1 step drill with your ball and regular grip and keep in mind the feeling in your wrist from the 8lb ball game. Don't use the wrist brace because that is probably hindering your ability to put the wrist in a strong position. During these 2 games just try to stay behind the ball until release which is why i want you to start with the 8lb ball. Your spine tilt looks pretty good at the line and these 2 drills should help that as well. Also, try to keep your trail leg on the floor at release and when it sweeps behind you, that will keep you from falling off to the right. I bet you will see a huge improvement in your ball motion. I hope you don't think i'm trying to teel the world how to bowl, i just see someone with a love of the game that may need some help. Feel free to disregard this message.

[Aslan]

Aslan,
I appreciate your love of the game and i wish we had a million more people with the desire to learn this game.

I don't just desire to learn it, I desire to one day dominate it and be the best bowler in the history of the sport. Granted, I am not currently on the fast track to that end.

and do the 1 step drill with your thumb out.

Define "thumb out". Pointed outwards? Which way is outwards? Or do you mean completely out of the ball?

This will put your wrist in the correct position to generate hook. Just swing the ball out and when it gets to the height of your backswing take 1 step at the line. Do this for a whole game just throwing at the middle of the lane. Then do the 1 step drill with your ball and regular grip and keep in mind the feeling in your wrist from the 8lb ball game.

Interesting. I shall try that.

Don't use the wrist brace because that is probably hindering your ability to put the wrist in a strong position. During these 2 games just try to stay behind the ball until release which is why i want you to start with the 8lb ball.

I'll try it, but realize the reason for the wrist support being re-introduced to my game (I used it in August 2013, lost it, stopped using it September 2013, then started using it again in October 2013) was when trying to keep my hand behind the ball…I tend to release the ball with my hand behind the ball…which tends to make it tool end over end over the thumbhole; straight as an arrow. Part of that was the tendency to collapse/bend my wrist "back"…which it turns out makes it nearly impossible to hook a ball.

Your spine tilt looks pretty good at the line and these 2 drills should help that as well. Also, try to keep your trail leg on the floor at release and when it sweeps behind you, that will keep you from falling off to the right. I bet you will see a huge improvement in your ball motion.

I'll give it a try. I've sort of stopped working on the balance thing as I pay more attention to my speed, knee bend, spine tilt, and accuracy. Release, follow-through, and balance I've sort of set aside since I can only concentrate on so many things at a time. I was planning on working on my release and rev rate some more when I see Rob for lesson #2.

I hope you don't think i'm trying to teel the world how to bowl, i just see someone with a love of the game that may need some help. Feel free to disregard this message.

1) As long as you don't tell the world to bowl 2-handed; I'm good.
2) Help may not always be a good fit for my game; but I'm willing to listen and try just about anything to continue to get better. Thanks!

[fortheloveofbowling]

Thumb completely out of the ball. When you try the 8lb ball first it will be impossible to not have the wrist cupped in the correct position because you will drop the ball if not. Just stay behind it release and follow through at least shoulder height. On the balance, i think the approach and balance is the most important thing in bowling. It affects consistency in every aspect of the game. Good luck to you.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Also, remember on the release and follow through, keep the elbow in. At the height and completion of follow through look at your thumb, it should be at 1:00 o'clock-2:00 o'clock. A good way to perfect this is to get a softball and practice at home. Put the softball in your palm with your fingers slightly bent like they were in the ball and don't touch with your thumb. Toss it straight up and catch, this is your wrist position before release. Then without using your thumb keep in your palm and try to rotate it keeping your elbow near your body. Look at your thumb after tossing it up, it should be at 1-2 o'clock. This is the correct release. Practice that over and over.

[Aslan]

Those are two very good ideas.

You're right, I normally have trouble "cupping" the wrist and taking the thumb out won't allow me to break my wrist.

And, I've struggled with the softball drill (versus the football drill) but by keeping the elbow in…it's much harder to over-rotate.

Obviously approach/timing/release/balance are important and crucial to repeatability…but I'd say the most important is accuracy. I've seen people with perfect USBC sanctioned swings/releases/balance…but if they can't hit a 2-3 board area…you can't hit the pocket nor make the adjustments. Same thing with high rev releases. 2-handed and thumbless are great and fun to watch…and if you hit the pocket you get carry…but if you can't hit a quarter sized spot on the lane consistently…it's nothing but a gimmick.

Those are my thoughts anyway. But I'll try that drill next time I practice. Work on keeping my elbow in while doing it. Eventually, no matter how accurate I become…I MUST develop more revs. I can't compete at the tournament level or in heavy oil without more revs. And while I love that my spare game has improved…15-20% strike rate is not gonna get me to a 300-game, 800-series, nor even a 193 average.