What is your problem spot in your approach?

[classygranny]

Actually, I must correct myself, as the statement Aslan made contained the statement that he had to shoot "at a smaller target".

My error in the indication of target size of shooting a spare being larger than the first strike ball is incorrect. After thinking this thru, the target is actually the same size as the strike ball. It should be approximately 1" as most of us tend to target a "board" on the lane with a breakpoint farther down. I shoot my spares the same way, as I would think most of us would.

Therefore, BOTH first ball and second ball TARGETS are the same.

[Aslan]

Therefore, BOTH first ball and second ball TARGETS are the same.

[bowl1820]

Actually, I must correct myself, as the statement Aslan made contained the statement that he had to shoot "at a smaller target".

My error in the indication of target size of shooting a spare being larger than the first strike ball is incorrect. After thinking this thru, the target is actually the same size as the strike ball. It should be approximately 1" as most of us tend to target a "board" on the lane with a breakpoint farther down. I shoot my spares the same way, as I would think most of us would.

Therefore, BOTH first ball and second ball TARGETS are the same.

The targets are not quite the same, you still have more margin of error shooting the spare.

Here's from Jim Kings article in Bowling this month on spare shooting:
"You still have more room for error than you think. Let’s assume that you use the middle arrow as your target for a 10-pin and that you release the ball at the foul line. Let’s assume also that you are lined up so that if you hit your mark perfectly, the center of your ball will hit the 10-pin exactly in the middle. The middle arrow is 17 feet from the foul line and the 10-pin is 62.5 feet. from the foul line. This is a ratio of 3.676 to 1. Therefore if you missed your target one board (one inch) to either side, this would mean the center of your ball would miss the center of the 10-pin by 3.676 inches (Still a spare). If you missed by 1.8 boards inside, then the center of your ball would miss the center of the 10- pin by 6.61 in. (Still a spare). You can miss 1.25 board outside and still convert the spare. This gives you over 3 boards worth of room at the 4th arrow."

Read the whole article here:
Click for SPARE SHOOTING – PART 3 Just how hard is it?

This also talks about what Mike and I were talking about.

[dnhoffman]

Not keeping my hand loose and relaxed

[Aslan]

The targets are not quite the same, you still have more margin of error shooting the spare.

Here's from Jim Kings article in Bowling this month on spare shooting:
"You still have more room for error than you think.

Jim King can **** me. After a terrible afternoon of missing probably 80% of my spares...it's NOT easy. It's IMPOSSIBLE!!

[classygranny]

The targets are not quite the same, you still have more margin of error shooting the spare.

Here's from Jim Kings article in Bowling this month on spare shooting:
"You still have more room for error than you think. Let’s assume that you use the middle arrow as your target for a 10-pin and that you release the ball at the foul line. Let’s assume also that you are lined up so that if you hit your mark perfectly, the center of your ball will hit the 10-pin exactly in the middle. The middle arrow is 17 feet from the foul line and the 10-pin is 62.5 feet. from the foul line. This is a ratio of 3.676 to 1. Therefore if you missed your target one board (one inch) to either side, this would mean the center of your ball would miss the center of the 10-pin by 3.676 inches (Still a spare). If you missed by 1.8 boards inside, then the center of your ball would miss the center of the 10- pin by 6.61 in. (Still a spare). You can miss 1.25 board outside and still convert the spare. This gives you over 3 boards worth of room at the 4th arrow."

Read the whole article here:
Click for SPARE SHOOTING – PART 3 Just how hard is it?

This also talks about what Mike and I were talking about.

Still have to disagree. Although I agree you have more room for error, if you are shooting your spares by targeting a board on the lane, then the target would be the same. If you are shooting an area on the lane, then perhaps you are correct - but, if you are shooting an "area", then you open yourself up for lazy targeting and more options of missing the target. In order to keep "focus" I would always recommend shooting a board/target rather than an area/target.

[bowl1820]

Still have to disagree. Although I agree you have more room for error, if you are shooting your spares by targeting a board on the lane, then the target would be the same. If you are shooting an area on the lane, then perhaps you are correct - but, if you are shooting an "area", then you open yourself up for lazy targeting and more options of missing the target. In order to keep "focus" I would always recommend shooting a board/target rather than an area/target.

I believe there is nothing to disagree about with the article.

He doesn't say you should use a area as a target, just that if you missed your "board" target. You still had a margin of error to cover the spare.

[J Anderson]

Jim King can **** me. After a terrible afternoon of missing probably 80% of my spares...it's NOT easy. It's IMPOSSIBLE!!

I know the feeling. I have days when I'm hitting every single pin leave dead center, and then out of nowhere I'll miss my target by two boards and go flying right by. Then I start thinking about not missing and either over correct to miss on the other side of the pin or miss even further to the same side. Some times the best spare shooting mantra is " Don't Think!"

[Aslan]

My problem yesterday was that I was either "just" making the spare...or "just" missing it. I mean, I was close.

My usual problem...same as yesterday...fear of the gutters. I don't trust my mark...afraid it's gonna go in the gutter...then I miss those 6-10, 4-7 spares because the ball is too "middle".

I might start throwing at those corner spares differently. Norm Duke's approach to spare shooting seems simpler...just throwing across the lane. Normally you target spots...then do the whole 3-6-9 board adjustment. And you're taught to never look at the pins (unless you're doing 3-point targeting). But for a 7-pin or a 10-pin...just looking at the pin and throwing cross lane "could" work. I'm not ready to abandon the conventional just yet...but if I can pick up those corner spares easier the other way...eventually I have to make the switch.

[Bunny]

I know the feeling. I have days when I'm hitting every single pin leave dead center, and then out of nowhere I'll miss my target by two boards and go flying right by. Then I start thinking about not missing and either over correct to miss on the other side of the pin or miss even further to the same side.

Oh, it's not just me! I've been picking up my spares more consistently. I mean I've been nailing them pretty good, then miss, miss, miss.