Need help and lots of advice

[billf]

I agree with you about the footwork speed. Everybody use to tell me to slow my feet down, slow my speed down. It took me a couple of years to lower my speed the these bowlers acceptable level. Then I had a lesson with Gold coach Ron Hatfield and Silver coach Andy Parker. They told me to speed my ball up. Andy told me to walk like I was angry. Ron asked why I had slowed my speed down so I explained it to him. They had me increase the length of my first two steps and shorter steps the last two. Long, long, short, short. By keeping the third (power, pivot) step short, my momentum allowed for a powerful acceleration into the slide. It took me about two weeks to get my timing back with my returned 20+mph ball speed (at release). My first step is also a cross over step.

As long as your drift is consistent and away from the ball side, don't worry about it. Drifting ball side means you have to come around the body to hit the proper laydown point.

[J Anderson]

Question on footwork....slow, slow, quick, quick...but everyone seems to think slowing the feet down is the answer. But if you get power and ball speed from the lower body, how does slowing the feet down help, other than a timing issue? And if it's timing, shouldn't you start the ball earlier if you are ahead of it? Can one or more of you very knowledge people please elaborate on this, please?

I probably shouldn't try to answer for Bob since he's more than capable of explaining this himself, but I'll try anyway.

Bob's "slow, slow, quick, quick" ( I think he's got the copyright ) is a tempo that starts slow and accelerates to the release. For many bowlers this works well and is reasonably safe advice to give to someone who you haven't seen bowl.

Since we haven't seen you bowl, we really don't have the slightest idea of whether you need to slow down or speed up. For timing with a four step approach, the push-away should be complete when your ball side foot touches down. as the foot touches the floor you should let the ball drop into the swing. At the end of the third step the ball should be at the top of the back swing. Doing one step drills lets you develop a feel for when the ball stops rising and letting gravity send it into the last part of the swing.

[Tampabaybob]

Bob meant left arm is your balance arm and should be to your left (for right handed bowlers such as classygranny)

Thanx Bill....the older the brain gets the less it works right !!!!!

[Tampabaybob]

Thanks Bob & John. I know coach first, and ask way too many questions.

I do slide and my foot is fairly straight, but old coach had me trying to "step into my slide" more so the left toe ends up pointing a bit to the left. I do drift left 5 boards, but it is very consistent at 5 boards.

Balance arm - it is out to the left and I am working on keeping the "thumb down" - hard for me to get that down.

Right leg - it is behind me, not always on the ground. This is what makes me believe it's affecting my shot.

Knee bend - not as much as when I was younger...attempting more. Will more knee bend help to keep the right toe on the floor? Seems like many years ago I was always low to the floor and I always wore the toe of my shoe.

If I get too frustrated before mid-May, I will see if I can get some video.

You guys have already been a hugh help.

Question on footwork....slow, slow, quick, quick...but everyone seems to think slowing the feet down is the answer. But if you get power and ball speed from the lower body, how does slowing the feet down help, other than a timing issue? And if it's timing, shouldn't you start the ball earlier if you are ahead of it? Can one or more of you very knowledge people please elaborate on this, please?

Granny, Glad to hear that most of your approach is right on. I also teach to to "try" to slide left, too, but it's difficult for some people to get it. Balance arm good (sorry about the wrong arm quote !). Right leg behind you, that's good but is it over to the left side of your body? Having it on the left side opens your hips up enabling you to have a good swing plane area. Keeping it on the floor just helps with the balance as opposed to keeping it in the air. Knee bend...tough on us older folks and one my my own dilemmas that I constantly have to be aware of. With me, it makes the difference between shooting mediocre scores and averaging over 220. At 66 my knees are not what they used to be. If I at least get a decent bend at the line (with forward motion at my release) it helps immensely.

Now for your question......slow, slow, quick, quick is a preferred speed for your feet. Can it vary from person to person? Sure, but it's one of those things that can help your timing. If you're trying to add speed to you ball, then a faster approach is warranted. The main concern is that you're able to end up "completely balanced" at the line so you can post your shot. This enables you to deliver the ball easier to your target, watch your ball hit your spot and then follow your ball all the way into the pit, remaining balanced all the way through. Lowering the ball about 6" in your starting position will add speed and raising it will slow it down. You are correct in stating that you get power from your lower body, but that's also another reason for the knee bend at the line, too. Hope I answered your question.

[classygranny]

What's the easiest way to post video? Make it simple, please.

[classygranny]

Ok...I figured out how to post the video. Sorry, it isn't great - I told my sister she needs photography lessons as bad or worse than I need bowling lessons.

So please help me figure out how to get back on track. The first few balls show how I am stepping out, but the last few aren't too bad, in that way.

Ok....I'm waiting for all the experts tips - Don't forget, I've lost most confidence in my bowling and in the ball. I need that back, please. You won't hurt my feelings.

Thanks in advance!
Granny Gayla

[SouthpawTRK]

If you could please change the video from private to public, that would be greatly appreciated

[classygranny]

Ok...accomplished. Sometimes I hate technology, but I love what I can get out of it!

[J Anderson]

It looks like bend forward as you release the ball instead of maintaining a consistent spine tilt. Other wise it looks pretty good.

[Tampabaybob]

Granny..... Johns right about the spine tilt as your going down the approach, but I'm more concerned with your position at the line. Here's what I'm seeing. Your starting position is very good, but as you approach the line it appears that your slide leg straightens too much. I'd say you need a little more knee bend at the line. Also, notice your right leg. It's too straight behind you. That does two things. First, it doesn't allow you to open your right hip enough, which will move your swing arm further away from your body. Secondly, it's keeping your leg in the air (also caused by the lack of enough knee bend).

So, here's the drill for you. TRY to get more knee bend at the line. try to keep your starting position (bent over) all the way down. In other words, you should be a little lower at the line than when you start. That should help the spine tilt problem that John mentioned. Next, try to KICK that right leg further to the left on that last slide step keeping your right toe ON THE FLOOR. This should help stabilize your entire delivery allowing you to get a better and cleaner swing.

You have all of the good basics, now you just need to tweak them. One of the things that I do, before I take my first step, I say to myself, "Bend & Reach".
Then I start my approach. After you teach your sister something about photography, is she's still willing (LOL), have her shoot another video. Also ask her to shoot a few shots from your right side. That'll also help. Good luck, show us what you can do.