Bad footwork, bad slide, bad balance.

[RoccoRock]

One of the things he said he really like was the way I flattened my wrist to pick up my ten pin. I am able to roll it straight, end over end, accurately. He told me if I can do that, I dont need a plastic ball for spares. That would be nice, one less ball to carry in the bag.

[billf]

Good to hear a reasonable time frame. I was just worried that if a bad couple of weeks came up you would get discouraged and give up.
Think of bowling like football. The pro's really don't need to be taught the game. Instead they have observers fine tune technique, over see the mental and physical aspects of the game including developing a game plan. I've also noticed that most great coaches were not great at the sport they coached. They didn't have the God given, natural, it comes easy, talent. That helps in the end because they understand how hard you have to work, the mental anguish, etc The greats of any sport have so much talent that they don't really know the hows or whys of how they perform their jobs (physically). That's why coaches get so excited when their athlete does well. It's the correct combination of the athlete's talent and the coach's knowledge.

[RoccoRock]

I think that's why I can make a good bowling coach someday. I've had to work my butt off to get good at it, and I didn't pick it uo until later in life. So I have had to learn everything, instead of it coming natural trhough time. Plus, I've used ever delivery in the book, so no matter how someone is bowling I have some refrence becasue I've tried it myself.

[billf]

Go for it. Level 1 is available on-line at www.bowl.com/coaching. The cost for the course is $49.00 Become a Registered Volunteer and help out at your local center with the USBC Youth program. Working with the small kids will help you develop more patience seeing as most of them have the attention span of a door knob. But they have fun and so don't I!

[RoccoRock]

Well, let me get my game straightened out first before I do any real coaching. I'm pretty god at helping my friends. I have 2 teamates whos averages went way up the second half of last year after they started listening to me. I have a few years before my little girl can even pick up a ball, hopefully by then I know enough to teach her.

[Tampabaybob]

Rocco, don't be too concerned about how much talent you have or don't have in thinking about coaching. I've been at it for over 30 years and I never miss a Saturday, and look forward to being there with the kids each week. You will be amazed at how much pleasure you'll get out of helping the kids, whether is a little one besting his score by 20 pins and shooting 80 or one of the kids shooting a 279. They're all great moments you'll love to be a part of and enjoy. Take Bill's advice and get the level 1 course under your belt and go for it. You won't be sorry you did and you'll touch a lot of lives on the way. I'm sure Bill will share the same outlook.

By the way, I usually shoot a few games after the league on Saturday, and have 2 -4 of the kids bowling with me. Part of it is for some extra coaching, but the underlying reason, is they love to kick my butt and sometimes do ! Love it.

Bob

[RoccoRock]

It's not so much about talent, I just have to make sure I know what I'm talking about. Last thing I want to do is give someone bad advice, but I guess I do that on these boards every day.

[billf]

You will also be amazed at how much you will learn that can help your game. The funny thing is, when you coach somebody else how to do something, you end up fixing some of your own issues without even trying. My finish position has improved drmatically just by showing others how to do it properly and showing them the drill so many times.

[billf]

And I agree with Bob, coaching the kids is a blast. Most of them listen better than the adults that average squat, think they know everything yet still wanted coaching. I get tired of hearing, "I don't do that", "That won't work", etc

[RoccoRock]

I was bowling yesterday afternoon, and there was a mom and two older kids, and one little kid bowling next to me. They were in the very first lane, and the little kid threw one that missed the lane, and rolled down the side, and into the back room. She was yelling at him, telling him "it's not a basketball" I almost went over and showed him how to at least get it on the lane, but I didn't want to cross angry momma.