Bowling Form and Progress

[Tampabaybob]

FANTASTIC !! Great job. Now the tough part.....remembering what you were doing that day, and replicating it. Do't expect that kind of score every game, but you at least proved that you are CAPABLE of bowling that well. Keep up the good work.

Bob

[billf]

Here is where I will confuse some, tick off some and generally make people say, "what?": the release itself is a natural act. Most, if not all, release issues are a by-product of what's done before the release, usually footwork that results in wrong timing. Footwork STARTS in the stance and ENDS in the finish position. Being as that is the longest part of rolling a ball it stands to reason that it can cause so many issues.
The point is, next time your release seems 'off', analyze the rest of your delivery.

[AKbash]

FANTASTIC !! Great job. Now the tough part.....remembering what you were doing that day, and replicating it. Do't expect that kind of score every game, but you at least proved that you are CAPABLE of bowling that well. Keep up the good work.

Bob

Thanks! you are right about that being the tough part. Ever since that day I haven't been able to replicate it at all. Or even come close to it. I went to Our league the next day and scored a 97... Now it's probably lane conditions as we play on fresh lanes but my legs were SUPER shaky that day... Still can't get over those nerves I guess. And Im assuming as a result of that poor performance, I started over thinking and over analyzing it?
On that same day I got that 272, it felt very natural... like the ball was just rolling off my hand gently... and now with nerves and a couple gutter balls during practice throws, I started getting pressured.
And now when I went to practice today, pressure or no pressure I couldn't replicate it at ALL. Heck, I was having a hard time going over 140 today. lol. I'm not expecting to score that 200+ all the time just yet...but atleast now I know I am capable of it atleast..

Here is where I will confuse some, tick off some and generally make people say, "what?": the release itself is a natural act. Most, if not all, release issues are a by-product of what's done before the release, usually footwork that results in wrong timing. Footwork STARTS in the stance and ENDS in the finish position. Being as that is the longest part of rolling a ball it stands to reason that it can cause so many issues.
The point is, next time your release seems 'off', analyze the rest of your delivery.

bill you've been in the game for a long time so I will believe you. I am only a baby when it comes to this game so I will believe what you say. If it's foot work then it probably is.. seeing as how my legs were shaky during league and had a hard time pretty much proves that. Also about the release being natural...like I said up top, when I bowled that Thursday, my release just felt very very good. The way the ball was coming off my hand, it felt like I had no effort on it at all... Felt way better than that video that you watched when you said "it looked like I was forcing the revs" LOL

Anyways, I decided that I should get a coach.. I got really hooked into it and really want to learn the game. Enough that I go bowling 5-6 days a week! Might as well get a coach and learn the proper way before I start making any bad habits that I probably already have..

[AKbash]

I have a video from league day that I just watched right now and I have a few questions...

http://youtu.be/z1nWskfla2o

My arm seems to go behind my back instead of having a "straight" swing plane... on the approach it feels straight but after this video i know that it's not. Any reasons that you guys see why it is doing that? I do not think that I am muscling my ball...but if that's what it looks like, then next time I go, I'll try to relax my whole arm more... Also, any advice as to how I can get the right swing plane? Thanks guys

[AKbash]

As for my arms flailing around like that on my way back to the ball return, I was trying to relax my arm as on league days... I feel tense. LOL.

[AKbash]

Here's another video at a practice and me missing my spare cause I missed my mark lol...

haha!
http://youtu.be/r64JjUiMzWo

[noeymc]

i am not sure but your approach doesn't look natural its like you are making your self go slow and you are controlling your arm instead of gravity try standing next to a wall and just work on keeping your arm straight over and over i use to go all over with my arm

[billf]

1. Your still standing straight up in your stance. You're bending your knees and then stiffening back up. Tilt your spine ball side a few degrees. This will help create a good swing slot under your line of sight.
2. Walk at a pace faster than normal but a tad slower than when ticked off. This is usually a good pace for bowlers. Your foot speed and arm swing are super slow. I thought at first I had accidentally paused the video it was that slow.
3. Get your swing started earlier. Whether using a push away or the hinge, when your right foot hits the floor your ball arm should be extended.
4. When going into your slide keep your weight on the ball of your foot only transferring to the heel when braking. This should help with the continued balance issues at the line with the foot turning after release.
5. Get that balance foot on the floor!

[AKbash]

Thanks guys... Sorry about that balance leg...it just goes up naturally... from my wrong form I guess.
Thanks for all the advices! I'll take a video next time I bowl and practice the advices you all have given me. I may not be able to get all of them...but I will probably end up doing some of them right atleast...(or I hope..lol)

[scottymoney]

Try this AK, go over to the videos section and check out Shift Bowling technique. Right now you look like a robot and your approach is very slow and not fluid.

Shift bowl which I just started using and has made me a lot more accurate gets you low in your stance to begin with and has helped me stay down as well as making my movement less robotic.

This technique has also made my balance better by staying low I am less top heavy and I just feel more balanced. Plus staying low will help you keep your balance leg from coming up like that.