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

[Aslan]

Ok three weeks away from the Sport League..

We won 4 of 5, 3 of 5, and 4 of 5.

You better hold up your end when you come back next Sunday.

How is that for applying pressure?

Don't you worry. My Tuesday league paniced at first as well when I started with a nice 148 average. But now that the timing is back....I'm sure to be as dominant as Chris Barnes...or maybe just a half step below.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

419 Series: 120-134-165
Was trying out the new system, starting with the Bullet Train. But just wasn't having any luck. Finally by Game 3 I started to strike more but was only so-so on spares.

481 Series: 149-163-169
The striking and so-so spare shooting continued in Game 4. So in Game 5 I switched to the Rhythm but still wasn't doing that great. Game 6 I tried the Encounter (A) and that wasn't much better.

517 Series: 148-173-196
Game 7 I switched to the Encounter (N) and it still wasn't working. I tried the Slingshot at the beginning of Game 8 but was still struggling. So, I switched lines from the 8-9 boards to the 10-13 boards. I had already tried the Bullet Train on that line and it didn't work well so I started with the Rhythm. After switching to the Rhythm in the 5th frame, it was 3 single-pin leaves followed by a 4-bagger to salvage a 173. In Game 9, I used the Rhythm on one lane and the Encounter (A) on the other. Other than a chopped 5-9 in the 3rd and a chopped 1-2-5-8-9 in the 9th; it was clean.

641 Series: 189-200-252 (clean)
In the final series, everything finally came together. Game 10 was clean except for a missed single 10-pin in the first frame and a chopped 1-2-3-4-5 in the 8th. But it started to FEEL RIGHT. I started to feel like a REAL BOWLER. Game 11 was clean except for a 6-7 split in the 8th. And Game 12 was my 3rd highest score ever AND was clean AND was my highest game in nearly 2 months since I put up a 235 on 9/17 and a 234 on 9/25. A 6-bagger to start…haven't seen more than a turkey in awhile! 6 strikes, a few spares, and a couple strikes in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.75 pins
Strikes: 41% (1 6-bagger, 1 5-bagger, 4 turkeys, 8 doubles and 18 singles)
Spares: 45% picked up

Single Pin spares: 71% (20/28)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 29% (14/47)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (5x).

Splits: 0% (0/9)

Average over 12 games: 171.50.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 178.67.

SO…WHY? HOW?

Well, here are the reasons (I think) for the turn-around:

- Started using my balance arm more. It kept me balanced at the foul line.
- Improved release. Much more behind the ball. Much softer.
- Once I moved from 8-9 to 11-13 (boards); I had 'miss room'. 2-3 inches left and 4-7 boards right. Much easier to score well when you have a little 'miss room'.

The reason I think I got off to a rough start was the thumb insert in the Bullet Train is still a little big. I'm gonna have the next side down drilled the beginning of December. Also, I forgot under this new arsenal based system, needed to try the most aggressive AND the next one down. I forgot to do that and probably would have been more successful had a started with the Rhythm instead of the Bullet Train.

The lanes appeared drier than usual I think the Monday league was on a bye week this week Do my stronger ball were going brooklyn a lot. I don't think they oiled the lanes as frequently as usual. And tough conditions because there were two hot gals bowling next to me and 2 lanes from them on either side were kid group parties. Some just seemed to scream non-stop.

Now the trick is getting this skill to show up on Tuesdays when it counts.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Nice bowling man! You were working on your game and as the scores show you improved as you went along. I'm sure there were some things that started to fall in to place physically throughout the session. As you said, your balance and release felt really good and you will draw on that experience in the future. A very important thing that most people don't do though is take away a mental picture from good bowling. On the site we always talk about the mental aspect being a certain percentage of the game but it is not just about the game your bowling at the time. In the future draw on that series and big game by remembering certain shots and try putting yourself back in that mental place. We all at times tend to be negative and remember a bad feeling in our game thinking i'm doing that same thing again! Instead take this opportunity and future good performances and retain that mental image and feeling of that day. Picture yourself throwing some of the great shots that helped you bowl well and try to put yourself back in that frame of mind when you need to in the future. That positive picture can sometimes put you right back to that confidence in your game you felt. Good job Aslan, keep it up!!

[MICHAEL]

Nice bowling man! You were working on your game and as the scores show you improved as you went along. I'm sure there were some things that started to fall in to place physically throughout the session. As you said, your balance and release felt really good and you will draw on that experience in the future. A very important thing that most people don't do though is take away a mental picture from good bowling. On the site we always talk about the mental aspect being a certain percentage of the game but it is not just about the game your bowling at the time. In the future draw on that series and big game by remembering certain shots and try putting yourself back in that mental place. We all at times tend to be negative and remember a bad feeling in our game thinking i'm doing that same thing again! Instead take this opportunity and future good performances and retain that mental image and feeling of that day. Picture yourself throwing some of the great shots that helped you bowl well and try to put yourself back in that frame of mind when you need to in the future. That positive picture can sometimes put you right back to that confidence in your game you felt. Good job Aslan, keep it up!!

Bowing is in huge part is a HEAD game! Good points fortheloveofbowling! Please Aslan put those thoughts of Vegas OUT OF OU MIND! Forget get about it! I will remember for the both of us! Forget about that old broken down Iron worker that using his mental game, defeated the Great Lion! LOL LOL

But in my Victory, Ice was merciful,,,, remember that my lion friend,,, I gave you what I think will be a good representation of the FUTURE Aslan, not the present one!

MAN UP!!! start saving you money,,,, (I am serious for the: "Real Men Bowl on Wood in Small Town U.S.A" tournament)



Remember ICEMAN is paying for all the bowling, YOU JUST NEED to ride your motorcycle out,,, or if your not up to that, take a cushy plane!

Iceman sometimes wonders where you would be today if when you were young your mom would have given you what most of the farm boys around here got at a very early age.
There is JUST NO GOING BACK Bud!!!! That void will never be filled!

[Aslan]

As you said, your balance and release felt really good

The balance was key. MWhite has actually mentioned it during Sunday league the last couple weeks and has mentioned it here in the forums. Much of my struggling was a balance issue. And until last night, I was so inside my own head trying to correct my timing that I'd forget all about balance. It felt weird sticking that arm out there...it's been awhile since I really, really used it...but mand did it make a difference.

We all at times tend to be negative and remember a bad feeling in our game thinking i'm doing that same thing again! Instead take this opportunity and future good performances and retain that mental image and feeling of that day...That positive picture can sometimes put you right back to that confidence in your game you felt. Good job Aslan, keep it up!!

Unfortunately, it'll all depend on Game 1 of league play and spare shooting. I have a tendency to have a really bad 1st game and I just can't snap out of it...especially if my spare shooting is sub-par. But, if I can get off to a decent start...or have a good rebound game 2...I can generally keep it going.

Bowing is in huge part is a HEAD game!

Well, it's also a foot, knee, and shoulder game...because all 3 of those are sore today. The foot should be fine and the knee is shot but good enough to last 3 games. The shoulder on the other hand...it's only a matter of time before that is going to need some doctoring. Switching to 15lbs late next year should help it or at least extend it's life a bit. It might also be a matter of building strength. Throwing 16lb may actually help it build up some strength. We'll see.

Still 97% sure I can't make the Plattsburg thing. But I admit....if the game has turned a corner and I'm suddenly competitive...that % may move down to about 82.5%.

Things are by no way "fixed". I was bowling on drier conditions, which favor my game. My footwork was faster than I would like. And my shoulder tended to 'drop' a bit rather than stay quiet. When I tried to NOT drop it...I was too vertical and the ball would loft more than I want it to. The extra loft tended to make it hook earlier.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: low-medium oil synthetics

Pre-Game Practice/Warm-up: 160
It was okay. I was 3 frames short of a clean game but one was a split. The other 2 were missed single-pins; a 2-pin and a 4-pin…so I was feeling "so-so" about my spare shooting.

471 Series: 171-183-117

In Game 1 I started out with the Rhythm up the 8-board; but was struggling. It was either not strong enough to make the turn or it was burning up on the outside too quickly. I had a few spares and a few opens and made the change to the Bullet Train. I made 2 spares and finished with a 4-bagger to salvage a 171 and get some confidence back for Game 2.

In Game 2 I was clean through 7 and every shot was either a strike or knocked down 9 pins so I was really feeling like a bowler! Then an errant shot in the 8th and a big 4 split in the 10th knocked my clean 200+ game down to a 183. But it was still encouraging. Only two frames where I didn't knock down 9 or 10 pins on the first ball.

Then came Game 3. I was over the map. Pretty much bad releases couple with bad spare shooting. I switched back to the Rhythm in the 7th but it was more of the same.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 7.91 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, and 1 single)
Spares: 50% picked up

Single Pin spares: 85% (6/7)
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 35% (6/17)
Most common multi-pin leave: 2-4-5 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 157.00.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 160.00.

Back to the drawing board I guess. Release was off. Timing was late. Balance was off. The thumb felt too loose in the Bullet Train. And our team lost 3 of 4 for the first time since my first game. Granted, that wasn't really all my fault…I bowled my average. I mean, we lost by ONE pin in Game 1 because our best bowler was late so there's -10 pins. And the 2nd game I had the highest score on our team with a 183. But a 117 is just unacceptable.

[Aslan]

Sunday Sport League: PBA Dick Weber 39' Pattern

637 Series: 153-174-149-161

Game 1 was clean except for a washout in the 2nd and a 2-4-10 split in the 5th; but I only struck twice. Game 2 was similar, only two open frames. I chopped a bucket in the 5th and missed a single 2-pin in the 9th. Game 3 was just generally a disaster. A washout, a 5-10 split, and a couple missed easy spares. Game 4 I chopped a 2-8 in the 3rd, got a 6-7 split in the 5th, then missed an easy 4-7 in the 8th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.18 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 double and 9 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 81% (9/11)
Most common single-pin leave: 5-pin (3x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 7-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 47% (10/21)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 4 games: 159.25.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 164.75.

The scores didn't change much from when I was last bowling in the Sunday league 4 weeks ago on the WTBA Mexico City pattern. I mean, 3 of the 4 games were within 7 pins of the games the last time I bowled. The only real difference was game 3 where I had a "bad" game but not a DISASTER. But this series definitely FELT better…and the stats tell the tale of why. I didn't strike as well, but my spare shooting was much, much better. And it would have been even BETTER but there were couple times I got confused by the 5-dot approach (I'm used to the 7-dot approach) so I lined up wrong.

Had a chance to throw a few practice games on the pattern afterwards and since I haven't had much practice on it and we have it for one more week…I took advantage.

443 Series: 142-169-132
The Dick Weber pattern has a reputation for breaking down rather quickly and that seemed to be the case. Game 1 and Game 2 I was using primarily the two Encounters. Game 1 was a lot of bad spare shooting and washouts. Game 2 things settled in a little bit. By Game 3 I was down to my Slingshot on 1 lane but may have made the ball change too early.

584 Series: 210-214-160
Game 4 was clean except for a chopped 1-2 leave in the 1st frame. And Game 5 was clean until the 10th when I bounced the ball off my ankle into the gutter. Game 6 it took me a few frames on the left lane to get that ankle incident out of my mind. Then picked up 3 straight single 10-pins in the 7th-9th frames but chopped a 5-9 in the 10th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.33 pins
Strikes: 34% (2 4-baggers, 1 double, and 12 singles)
Spares: 51% picked up

Single Pin spares: 69% (9/13)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (4x).
Never left a single 1, 4, nor 5-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 42% (12/28)
Most common multi-pin leave: 3-6 (3x).

Splits: 0% (0/1)

Average over 6 games: 171.17.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 177.50.

Again, statistically solid. Spare shooting is improving. The difference between the first series and 2nd series is really slowing my feet down. It was the main takeaway from working with Rob in Vegas after the AVI Challenge. I need to try to slow my feet down a bit without "stopping/starting" during my approach. Staying more behind the ball. A more relaxed swing. Just lots of stuff all sort of "in progress".

The PBA Dick Weber pattern seems rather easy compared to the other sport patterns we've tackled. Got a very short WTBA Sydney coming up in December.

[Aslan]

Monday Practice: low oil synthetics

521 Series: 155-191-175
Took about 8 frames to get warmed up and find my line. Game 2 I was clean except for a chopped 6-10 in the 1st and a 4-9 split in the 10th. Game 3 was also only 2 frames away from being clean but I did manage to pick up a 6-7 split in the 10th which was kinda cool.

495 Series: 174-149-172
Game 4 I was two splits away from a clean game. Game 5 I thought I was off to a pretty good start when I picked up my first ever 6-7-10 in the 2nd frame. But then I missed a few much easier frames, throw in another split, and it was just blah. Game 6 I switched down to the Slingshot but it was more of the same.

617 Series: 156-238 (clean)-223
Game 7 I had a couple washouts and a missed single 10-pin; otherwise clean. Then things just started to come together. Struck a bunch and made a few spares. Game 9 was almost as good, but I chopped a 3-6-10 in the first frame.

508 Series: 176-183-149
In Game 10, things were good but I went 1 for 4 on single-pin spares. Game 11 I went 2 for 4 on single-pin spares…but had a couple other opens. Then 4 more open frames in Game 12…not a strong finish.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.76 pins
Strikes: 39% (1 4-bagger, 5 turkeys, 7 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 55% picked up

Single Pin spares: 67% (23/34)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (11x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 45% (19/42)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (7x).

Splits: 22% (2/9)

Average over 12 games: 178.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 187.25.

Well…another strong practice. Spare shooting was better. Strike rate was strong again. The only "downside" was the single 7-pin. Went 1 for 6 on that pin tonight and thats not acceptable. The good news is I missed left every time…and not by much. So it looks like a slight alignment issue.

The big change tonight was:
1) Slower footwork
2) More effortless swing
3) A more effortless release

Now I just need to get this to carryover to tomorrow for league play…and thats the trick.

[Amyers]

Well it looks like there were some good scores scattered in there. Have you been using the wrist brace in practice? I was struggling with 7 pins adjusted around now I'm getting them at a good clip but seem to be missing left on my 10 pins now . Good Luck bud

[Konvict1982]

Great bowling man!