Better technique?

[v33dubfox]

Hi. I have never followed bowling courses. I have been playing for 5-6 years, stopped during the time I went to university and since the last two years, I came back to bowling. Laft year, I finished the season with an average of 182. This year, I am at 207 (always on a house pattern). I know that my technique isn't that good. I have always had difficulties to keep my hand behind the ball. My hand is always turning besides the ball to soon. This lack in my technique has the effect that I am not able to givea lot of RPM to the ball.

So now, my question is: Is improving my technique help me to raise again my average? I don't know if I would take some courses, or if I would take the summer to practice that particular element to improve.

What do you think?

[J Anderson]

If you can afford it, I would suggest taking some lessons from a coach. A good coach will be able to spot flaws that you can't see for yourself, make suggestions that will improve your game, and teach you practice drills that will train your muscles for the correct delivery. You will still have to find the time to practice, but coaching should give more purpose to your practice.

Disclaimer: I am a USBC level I coach and therefore have a personal interest in encouraging bowlers to get coaching

[billf]

Coaching is usually the best way to go. That being said, the off-season is usually the best time for major changes because until you can make those changes a habit, people tend to fall back into the old habits or worse yet, a hybrid of the two. With that happening, averages tend to fall slightly before shooting up. Learning the proper technique will also help you avoid injuries rather than trying to figure out on your own how the plumber's cousin from down the street who says he can bowl does it. Not everybody can get a 500+ rev rate but a good coach will help you achieve the best rev rate for your style of play and ability.

Also, some coaches are not nearly as expensive as you might think so don't be afraid to check around.

Disclaimer: I am a USBC level I coach and therefore have a personal interest in encouraging bowlers to get coaching.

[vgw]

You could also try a video taping session to analyze your movements. Another thing you can do is work on your accuracy and spare shooting. For more of a challenge, bowl at different houses that have much different lane conditions than you are used to bowling to develop your overall game.

[billf]

We could all work on our accuracy and spare shooting. Other than Walter Ray Williams Jr., we all miss spares occasionally. v33dubfox knows his technique is off and even knows some parts that are wrong. How does practicing more and at different houses correct what he is already doing wrong? What he/she needs is drills and shown how to correct what has already been admitted as deficient. We all could try to explain here, in writing or diagrams, but in person, ensuring proper form so as to avoid injury, is still the best way. Re-enforcing bad habits at a different location seldom improves one's game...in my opinion.

Now, swapping video on here showing certain drills, technique, etc., may actually work. I will try recording some during my lunch break tomorrow and will post it here if it works.

[DanielMareina]

Well put Bill! If he averages over 200 with a flaw in his ball rotation, he probably is very good at spares. Coaching is definately the best option. (enter the same disclaimer here) The key is to work on one thing at a time, and do it as many times as your pocketbook will allow. I spend three games practicing on taking the appropriate size first step of my approach! I still have four more steps after that before I throw the damn ball, but every little thing help. After working on your ball rotation, you may see a dip in your scores for weeks or even a month or two, but the ceiling for which your skills can take you goes up. I have gone from a 203 average bowler to a 218 average bowler in the past two years by picking apart my game piece by piece, and I still have more things to work on. I also advise video taping yourself. A third party view of your shot will help you see what needs improvement more so than what your teammates may tell you is wrong, or you think you feel it being off. Best of luck to you, and if you need any tips, post a video and we will be glad to help the best we can.

[10-in-the-pit]

I would not assume he is good at spares even though he is averaging over 200. I see a good number of guys average a Deuce+, who have fantastic 1st balls but can't pick a booger off their face. Plus, what if he bowls at a dry house and hooks at his spares? If he were to bowl in a tournament that was wall-to-wall oil, he'd be screwed because he can't bowl straight at 'em properly. Fundamentals are always key to bowling well in the long-term. But I think video taping and working on form improvements is the best option.

[DanielMareina]

He is not talking about bowling tournaments. He is talking about getting better. And him stating that he comes off the side of the ball, it is my experience that he wouldn't be able to average over 190 without above average spare shooting, or he bowls in the easiest bowling center imaginable. As for fundamentals, I agree with you. That is what we are talking about! Fundamentals of throwing the ball well. Once he can do that, it will improve all facets of his game.

[10-in-the-pit]

There are many areas in one's game that can be improved upon and can vary from very minor changes to major ones. You should probably trust in your fellow teammates or other good bowlers to see what they think are the areas to work on first since they know how you bowl. A video record will help you understand what others can see you do.

Good bowlers can also have different types of releases or techniques. Perhaps he is bowling at a center that encourages and rewards his type of release/shot. Without being able to see or understand the "problem", there could be many factors, not just one. So maybe bowling at varying lane conditions can also help teach/help someone figure out how to bowl differently to help improve his/her game. If bowling at a house/tourney with long oil, a shot with too much side probably would not succeed very well. But as for the specific result of turning the ball too early, I wouldn't think a bowling coach would be needed for that one factor. If there are several other areas to work on, then yeah, go for a coach or better yet, have a friend/someone you trust help you out for free!

As for fundamentals, picking up spares for me is a fundamental, in fact, I take it as a foundation. I believe you can get better by increasing your spare conversion percentage. Of course, if you also leave less spares by hitting more strikes too, then that's a plus plus.

Good Luck and congrats on a great improvement this season!

[martin]

Hi. I have never followed bowling courses. I have been playing for 5-6 years, stopped during the time I went to university and since the last two years, I came back to bowling. Laft year, I finished the season with an average of 182. This year, I am at 207 (always on a house pattern). I know that my technique isn't that good. I have always had difficulties to keep my hand behind the ball. My hand is always turning besides the ball to soon. This lack in my technique has the effect that I am not able to givea lot of RPM to the ball.

So now, my question is: Is improving my technique help me to raise again my average? I don't know if I would take some courses, or if I would take the summer to practice that particular element to improve.

What do you think?

hmm i have the same problem.. but my average is about 170-180 only.. since your turning too soon, i assume when you complete the follow through, your palm is facing towards the pins instead of towards yourself? (because that happens to me)

well.. improving the technique should improve your (and my) technique i think..