Reaction to Modern Bowling's "The Physical Game"; New coaching question.

[Aslan]

Thanks Rob.

I'm still struggling with "spine tilt". Admittingly, I don't understand it.

I read some more of your articles last night where you compared the bowler (name I can't remember) from the 80s to 2002 to show how he went from posting upward to projecting outward...but I didn't really see it. His arm still went up towards the ceiling. It "looked" different...so there must be something there...I'm just too inexperienced to see the difference.

What's the difference between "spine tilt" and "leaning over the foul line"? Most coaches preach NOT to lean over the foul line. Yet...watching old Earl Anthony (best bowler ever)...he seemed to lean over the foul line. So I don't know.

[RobLV1]

I was talking about Rick Steelsmith who was a fantastic collegiate bowler with a great future until he was injured. Yes his follow through still comes up, but it comes up after the ball is gone, not through the release. If you want to see how unnecessary a high follow through is, watch some U-Tube Video of Stuart Williams.

Most "coaches" preach not leaning over the line because that's what they were taught by their coaches decades ago. The reason for this was that forward spine tilt prevented them from lifting the ball. Today, we're not looking for lift, so the forward spine tilt does double duty - it prevents lifting which is a good thing, and encourages projecting the ball down the lane which is an even better thing.

Rob Mautner

[Aslan]

So…modern bowling…trying to understand the release. It's bringing the hand from the inside quadrant…to the outside (right for righties)…but NOT UP the side of the ball. Is that "close" to correct?

If it is correct…how do you keep from pushing the ball right as your hand rolls under it to the side? Interesting.

Definitely something to try. I tried opening the face of the ball (to the right for righties)…which then brings your hand into that inner quadrant…but lets just say it didn't work that great the first couple times I tried it. But…things to think about.

[RobLV1]

Developing a modern release is a very difficult proposition, and doing it depends on several other factors that must be present first, most notably keeping the path of the ball going straight back and straight forward. This entails getting the body out of the way by using effective crossover steps on both the second and fourth steps back from the line. A great majority of amateur bowlers bring the ball around their bodies to some degree, just as most amateur golfers swing outside in and hit a slice or a fade. In bowling, it's called "the pro groove," and in golf it's called getting the club into "the slot."

This is why most bowlers, particularly traditionally trained bowlers who were taught to come up the side of the ball to "make it hook," do not and cannot play the inside lower quadrant of the ball. Unless a traditional bowler has the time and work ethic in terms of practice, to dedicate years to developing a modern release, he is better off staying with the traditional release and develop it to the best of his ability, working to minimize "coming over the top" of the ball, and learning to stay behind the ball longer in order to project it down the lane.

Rob Mautner

[Hampe]

This is why most bowlers, particularly traditionally trained bowlers who were taught to come up the side of the ball to "make it hook," do not and cannot play the inside lower quadrant of the ball. Unless a traditional bowler has the time and work ethic in terms of practice, to dedicate years to developing a modern release, he is better off staying with the traditional release and develop it to the best of his ability, working to minimize "coming over the top" of the ball, and learning to stay behind the ball longer in order to project it down the lane.

Yea, I saw this first hand with my best buddy. He went to a Slowinski 5 day clinic last year and was really excited about learning the modern way to bowl, but it turned out to be a bit too much of a change. He realized it would probably take him years of bowling 3-4 times a week to just get as good with the new technique as he was before with the old one. Plus, there are no coaches here that teach the modern style that he could work with regularly, which also makes it much more difficult. He's started going back to his old way while still incorporating some of the things he learned (plus he learned a lot of great theory/strategy at the clinic so it's not like it was a waste or anything). I was planning on going to the clinic as well this year if it was held, but after seeing what my buddy went through, now I think I'll probably pass.

[MICHAEL]

Yea, I saw this first hand with my best buddy. He went to a Slowinski 5 day clinic last year and was really excited about learning the modern way to bowl, but it turned out to be a bit too much of a change. He realized it would probably take him years of bowling 3-4 times a week to just get as good with the new technique as he was before with the old one. Plus, there are no coaches here that teach the modern style that he could work with regularly, which also makes it much more difficult. He's started going back to his old way while still incorporating some of the things he learned (plus he learned a lot of great theory/strategy at the clinic so it's not like it was a waste or anything). I was planning on going to the clinic as well this year if it was held, but after seeing what my buddy went through, now I think I'll probably pass.

I will have to look into this method of bowling, but do I have 3 or 4 years!! Hey I am Iceman, but still 65! LOL
I can't figure out why it would take so long to master? If you know the correct delivery, why does it take years to master?
A grand Chess Master, I get it... take years to perfect your game! In bowling the delivery, knowing how, should become natural after a short time of using any technique!

But then you get into the what I call neurological GIFT! I firmly believe everyone has a parameter that THEY can work between. No matter HOW MANY lesions you take, you will only be as good as your (parameters allow).

I am by NO MEANS A BOWLING coach, but do have even at 65, with one lesion last year, a record that I am ok with at this point in my life. Bowling has come VERY naturally to me from the beginning about 4 years ago! I remember bowling with my brother, at the local AMF, and getting a 268, (this was before I was on a league at all at 61 years old. He went and purchased a bowling pin with this on the pin: ( congratulations Mike for your 268, and the date)

I didn't know squat about form or technique, but it did seem to come natural to me. I have been close since then dozens of times like many of you out there 290's,,, 279,,, even a few years ago 298!

Their is something to be said for FINDING YOUR Grove!

I think that the BEST BOWLERS, ((((not me included lol)))) Have this gift of mind, body connection that JUST WORKS!

Coaching is IMPORTANT, IMHA, but the GIFT is the most important THING!! It CAN NOT BE taught.

[sprocket]

Developing a modern release is a very difficult proposition, and doing it depends on several other factors that must be present first, most notably keeping the path of the ball going straight back and straight forward. This entails getting the body out of the way by using effective crossover steps on both the second and fourth steps back from the line. A great majority of amateur bowlers bring the ball around their bodies to some degree, just as most amateur golfers swing outside in and hit a slice or a fade. In bowling, it's called "the pro groove," and in golf it's called getting the club into "the slot."

This is why most bowlers, particularly traditionally trained bowlers who were taught to come up the side of the ball to "make it hook," do not and cannot play the inside lower quadrant of the ball. Unless a traditional bowler has the time and work ethic in terms of practice, to dedicate years to developing a modern release, he is better off staying with the traditional release and develop it to the best of his ability, working to minimize "coming over the top" of the ball, and learning to stay behind the ball longer in order to project it down the lane.

Rob Mautner

This is all so very true Rob! Throw in a big gut and it becomes even more difficult to keep the swing in line. Of course not every pro bowler plays the inside of the ball and even those who do, do it to varying degrees. I think almost all of them though, keep their swing beneath their heads. Some may bring their swing inside their heads coming down into the release zone, but you just don't see top level bowlers with swings that stay outside their head.

I think it's possible to separate the two things. A bowler can work to keep their swing beneath their head and still not have to play the inside lower quadrant of the ball. I don't think the opposite is true though. I don't think you can play the inside of the ball without keeping the swing beneath the head or inside the head at the bottom.

Would you agree with that Rob?

[RobLV1]

Yes, I definitely agree that the head should be outside the ball. For more information you might want to check out Joe Sloinski's Facebook Group: DYDS (Drop Your Damn Shoulder).

I also agree that adding some extra pounds as we get older makes it more difficult to stay behind the ball. Personally I've lost over 50 lbs over the past few months, and found that it's really helped my bowling. That's the good news. The bad news is that it's totally messed with my golf game; I keep trying to swing around a stomach that's not there anymore.

[Aslan]

Thanks Rob. Your explanation (in response to my question) was very helpful. I think for now I'd settle with being a "transitional" bowler (I believe thats what you called it). And I'll definitely start paying attention to where my ball is compared to my head position...AND check out that (drop your damn shoulder) website. Yet another coaching frustration...my 1st coach tried to "cure" me of dropping my shoulder saying I needed to have my shoulers parallel with the foul line...then I find out shoulder drop is sort of advantageous...now I find out a high level pro has a website devoted to it!

but do have even at 65, with one lesion last year,

Eww...gross. You need to get that looked at.

[RobLV1]

Glad to help, but Joe Sloinski is not a high level pro... He's a high level coach - even better!