Just a few points.
You are fairly upright at the start appearing to be a little stiff. Loosen up with a little knee flex there.
Your steps all seem to be the same speed, try using a slow, slow, quick, quick, approach.
You're pushing the ball fairly far out in front of you and I would try to just have you drop the ball at the start. You'll use less muscle power in doing so and that's what you want. Just let gravity take the ball down and into the backswing. No muscle power until the point of release and then just enough to achieve the amount of rotation you want.
I agree with the comment on your knee bend at the line and your right leg being too high in the air. More knee bend at the line will help keep your hand under the ball longer, and will help you gain a little more rotation on the ball. Try to stay down at the line, knee bent, right foot closer, if not on the floor, until the ball rolls off of the pin deck. Maintain that balance all the way through and I think that will help your game.
Your left foot, is turned a little, and not too bad. Try a practice game focusing on your slide foot sliding left. It's a little tricky but you should be able to do it after a couple of trys. This will help maintain keeping your torso facing the pins. look at your video and you see you're actually facing two lanes way. that's due to left foot positioning. The more square you are the closer you'll be able to bring the ball in toward your body and slide foot, making your swing plane better.
Try these out and let us know how you're doing. Also have someone film 3 or 4 frames and also a shot from your right side going down the approach. Good Luck
Bob
By the way....here's one of the best videos to come along in years. It was produced by three of the best coaches in the country (my view) and I've been recommending it to all of the people I coach. I think you'll like it and get a lot out of it. Pay particular attention to Chris Barnes style. I think, by far, he has the best and most textbook type style among all of the pros.
It's been a long time coming and I haven't forgotten this thread. I've been working on a lot of suggestions listed and hopefully this Tuesday I can finally get the camera stand and get some footage in. I do have a minor video that was taken this past Friday while I was in Euless, TX for a tournament.
I personally feel a lot better in my form compared to where it was just a few months ago. Things that I've noticed through the months:
- Slide foot does not always turn
- Ball has been dropped to hip/waist area
- Push out on the ball isn't nearly as far as it used to be
- There is some knee flexing now
- Ball rotation seems to be much better
- Follow through is an actual follow through
Of course, I'm not exactly where I want to be (yet). In this video I'm throwing the same ball Tropical Heat as the lanes were drying up and needed a ball to go long. Suggestions are still welcomed!
Watch your video again, and notice how you are falling off to the right. A previous comment is correct in saying your feet are too fast and you're getting to the line too fast. You're feet should be slow, slow, quick, quick and you should be able to end up completely balanced on "just your left foot" as long as the ball is on the lane. The right leg/ foot is your balance leg and you should try to keep it on the floor behind you. I would also lower your ball at your stance (about waist level) and just let it drop into your swing. Using no muscle just let the ball swing back and forth and at the point of release, turn it with your wrist and fingers.
For only just starting out you're doing well, now comes the time to work on the little things. All bowlers reach plateaus in their game and in order to get to the next level, change is needed. If there is another coach in the area that you can book a lesson with and not have to wait months, book them instead of waiting. What area of the country are you in, there's probably someone here on the boards that may be able to guide you to someone.
Good luck and post another video and let us know how you're doing.
Bob
I got another video, sadly it's only one throw again.I'm hoping to be able to get quite a few throws in with a real camera this Sunday instead of my family holding my phone and taking a video. The lanes that I'm bowling are at my home lanes, ones that I bowl league in here in Houston, TX.
A few things to note in this video, I was working on pushing the ball out on the first step instead of a full-step and then pushing the ball out, it was helping as I felt like I wasn't putting much effort into the throw.
I'm also throwing a new ball the Defiant Edge and boy is this baby going to be something else when I learn how to fully throw it. This my 3rd ball and second strongest ball. I'm throwing on lanes that were not oiled yet, but I did get throw a few throws on fresh oil and had 5 nice strikes in a row then a dumb 7 pin standing! I'm going to compare the two videos from last Friday compared to today and see if there are some changes fixed.
I was told to drop the ball about 3 inches on spares on the left side this will slow things down for me and pick them up, which was helping and I never missed one. I do know on my strike ball, the ball is sitting just a little bit above waist high.
I appreciate all the kind words and help and I'm still working on everything. Tomorrow I have league and will be trying all the new information from my coach here and also from what has been stated here.
I took part in a workshop late this summer and received the best advise. It has helped my game tremendously by removing stuff from my "pre-throw bucket list" It further helped me out by providing me with a more intense focus during my shot.Originally Posted by TheSheibs
1. Do all your thinking behind the approach. (where will I stand, Through which mark will I throw the ball)
2. Establish a very short on the approach routine (wipe the ball, fingers in,set wrist position and stance)
3. Focus only on your mark on the floor (see only the mark as you push away) Push away to the mark and walk along side the "railroad track" with the ball
4. Only see your ball's path after it has pased he mark, (follow the path to the target).
It is a very quick and very intense feelilng of sucess.
Dr3am.... Your approach is looking good. Keep working on it and take the advice from GeoLes as it's very good advice. Work on your accuracy, and you'll get to where you want to be.
Keep practicing and let us know your progress.
Bob
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks