Third Game Crash

[classygranny]

For the past few bowling leagues, I seem to be crashing on my third game. Example: 230, 177, 169 then 188, 186, 151 then 166, 183, 129 then 221, 194, 129

I only have about these games on my new ball, plus a few games working with my coach. I don't see him again until mid-July.

Any ideas or suggestions? My thoughts lean to any of the following, but at this point I'm only guessing: Change in ball holding in stance-since it's more out in front of me I have to support more with my left hand/arm and perhaps it is fatigue not being use to the weight, footwork slowing or speeding (altho, I don't notice this), lack of focus for whatever reason-altho I most always know if I hit my mark and try and adjust accordingly-maybe not quick enough as I always first assume it was my mechanics not the lane conditions, new ball syndrome of not realizing how it reacts to lane conditions fast enough, it was too HOT, I was hungry, and my hair was in my face. I'm lost.

Feed me opinions and suggestions. I fixed one - I cut my bangs today so I removed that possibility. Unfortunately, I was so frustrated with last nights bowling, I now have to go see the hair stylist! I couldn't even cut a few hairs correctly! This game can be so frustrating, yet so rewarding - what gives?

[JDHamm85]

If I had to take a stab, I would guess that it is the oil transition. By the third game, the oil has probably skid down further and causing more skid for your ball.
If most people are using the same line, it is going to change fast. You might have to find a spot with more friction in the later games so that your ball doesn't hit the backend oil and skid past its breaking point.

[Greenday]

What kind of moves are you making? Are you just moving your feet, or are you changing your target too? I find myself making 2:1 adjustments (Two with feet:One with target) more often now and it's helping. Lets me stay on oil still, but then I get hit the same breakpoint.

[DLP]

I find myself reaching a state of fatigue. This was mostly tied to throw my 14 lb ball though. I'll be able to report back if the same holds true after spending a few games tossing around my lighter ball.

[Tampabaybob]

Gayla....two words I've mentioned before.... DEAD ZONE You now have the subscription to BTM so go into the archives and look up the Dec 2009 issue. Read it, then read it again. What is happening to you is the classic Dead Zone syndrome. Let me know if I'm hitting the mark.

[DLP]

Dead zone syndrome?

[GeoLes]

"At the sign post up ahead....The Dead Zone"

[classygranny]

Gayla....two words I've mentioned before.... DEAD ZONE You now have the subscription to BTM so go into the archives and look up the Dec 2009 issue. Read it, then read it again. What is happening to you is the classic Dead Zone syndrome. Let me know if I'm hitting the mark.

I'm suspecting that as well. I have read some on it. When I did my subscription to BTM they mailed me two copies in an envelope, no label. To get to the archives you need a number off your mailing label so I wont be able to get that until the July issue. Can't wait.

I finally got my Meanstreak Brawler drilled. I hadn't even thrown it so I was leary about bringing it out in league play, but I did last Tues in the third game but not until about the 7th or 8th frame and I didn't adust quickly enough, not knowing what it was going to do.

I am going to assume that on the THS I should just automatically go to the MB for the third game. At least, that is my mindset for tomorrow. If I am still scoring well in the second game I may continue with the RG for a few frames, but I think I am going to be quick to change balls and see what happens. Even if I am not quite familiar with the reaction, I should be close.

I'd like to blame the DEAD ZONE, but I do believe that some of the issue could be a bit of fatigue. Just trying to focus on all the new items I've worked on with my coach in the last two sessions...and not enough practice.

Thanks all for your input. At least I got to get some of my frustrations out of my head!

[Tampabaybob]

Explain to your coach what's happening and ask him how to make that type of adjustment for the third game. Also ask him if he recommends a ball change right away, or just a line adjustment. My first thoughts would to make the line adjustment first, staying with the same ball, then if that's no working make the ball adjustment. First move would be two boards left with your eyes and three boards left with your feet. Moving your feet more than your eyes, will get your ball into the oil sooner and keep it there a bit longer before hitting the friction area. It "should" move your balls' breakpoint a somewhat to get away from that oil that has moved around.

Many of these moves depends also on the other bowlers that on on the same lanes with you. Several years ago I had the EXACT same problem. Couldn't for the life of me figure out why my ball reaction would suddenly die in the third game. Then the light bulb came on !! One of the guy's I was bowling with was a cranker. He was moving oil into the area where my ball was just starting to hook up. So all of a sudden my ball was encountering "fresh" oil that wasn't there during the first two games. Hence the "DEAD ZONE" ! Once you figure this out AND a way to move your line away from it you'll see that your ball should react the exact same way as it did the first two games. This is another reason I preach to everyone here and also to the guys I bowl with, watch the people you are bowling with (or against) and watch where they're shooting. It's very important that you be able to predict with some accuracy where your next move should be. 99% of league bowlers DO NOT DO THIS. This is why you see many disgruntled third game reactions. Hope this makes sense to anyone reading this. The DEAD ZONE article will explain this, with photos, in more detail. Good luck, any questions just ask.

[billf]

So this "dead zone" isn't just a place were deceased bowlers are buried in oil?
Bob, I would drive you batty with my dead zone adjustment. I usually move from 35 all the way over to 5, sometimes even the 1 board depending on who is on the lanes. During the summer it's mostly strokers so I can just stay left of them and not move all night