I've been bowling for 35 years - can I get a little help?

[billf]

I'm waiting for the video before I give any advice
There are some real knowledgeable people here and others with good intentions. Together I'm sure we will all figure it out.

[Batmite]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the help.

The video was taken about a month ago. It's just 12 random minutes of me throwing the ball like a 3 year old. I was trying something different with my crossover step but it didn't work out too well.

http://youtu.be/r3bVU-xITFs

Thanks for looking.

[scottymoney]

The biggest thing I see is the arm swing. It seems very "loopy to me". You let the arm move away from your body then correct and then go back away when you release. I am no coach or anything nor do I know much about muscle structure, but it looks to me like it would be causing more pain with the carpal tunnel than if you worked more on a straighter arm. I am not sure where you are actually aiming but that much arm in and out has to be effecting your accuracy. As far as the gripping part, I think if you worked on a straighter arm swing with less motion that you would probably not grip the ball as much as you might be gripping as a result of thinking you are going to lose the ball. I am guessing someone else will comment also and I would like to see what they think. But I would say straighter armswing .

[J Anderson]

I Agree with Scott. I don't remember seeing a swing with that big a loop. There have been some pros with a slight loop in their swings, but the loop is much less and usually out to in, not in to out like yours.

It may help to start with holding the ball a little further to the right in your stance. Your current position may be what is sending the ball behind your back.

You will need to practice just swinging the ball to get the feel of a correct swing. You can even do this holding the ball in one of those bowling ball 'see-saws' so it doesn't mess up your release point.

[Batmite]

Well I've never had a straight back swing. I have tried to just swing it back and forth but for some darn reason I Can't keep my wrist straight when I do it. I'm usually looking over the 2nd arrow when I throw. I'll try to get the pendulum motion going and see if that helps. I might go practice later this afternoon but I tore my thumb up pretty bad Wednesday night (bad drilling?). I have a big blister on the outside of my left thumb.

Thanks for the tips guys.

[Batmite]

BTW, what is a bowling "see-saw"?

[75lockwood]

BTW, what is a bowling "see-saw"?

A see-saw is a bag used to clean the ball:http://www.bowlingball.com/products/...r-See-Saw.html

[75lockwood]

Just watched the video, i have to agree with the others, you have a lot of side to side movement on your swing, i could see this making it a lot harder to control and aim.

[Batmite]

Would the goofy back swing make me tend to throw it out to the 1st board and in the next shot yank it 10 boards?

[scottymoney]

possibly as by not keeping your arm straight and always having to adjust to get back to the correct position you will definitely pull shots. You will stay much more consistent with a striaght swing.