Sam's recent video

[martinezsam2495]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9KfvZ6V4D0
This is how I bowl as of now. I'm back after a long time hiatus. Thanks in advance!
Sam
Oh, btw I"m the guy in the black.

[Tampabaybob]

Sam, just looking at the video and I see a couple of things that might help you out. Take a look at the video and stop it at 1:49. Notice that the ball is directly in front of your face. Understand that accuracy being one of the most important factors in the game, putting the ball in this position early in the delivery is like covering your eyes for a split second. Because you're sooooo low at the beginning of the approach, I'd say try changing your stance to be more erect at the beginning, then go lower with each step.

Also noticed how fast your feet are. A couple of shots it makes you fall over to your left at the line. Keep this tip in mind while bowling...."If you fall to your left (after releasing the ball), then your feet are too fast. If you fall to the right, your feet are too slow." You want to end up "completely" balanced on just your right foot at the line, when you deliver the ball. So much so, that you can maintain that balance until the ball drops off of the pin deck. The approach that you want to achieve should be nice and smoooooth. It almost looks as though you're using a lot of muscle to throw the ball and again, not something that'll bring you high scores. Also stop the video at 1:50 and look how long of a step into your slide you're taking. It's like, "One HUGE step for Mankind". Steps should be slow, slow, quick, quick. Left leg is in a good strong position at the line. Don't change that. Follow though appears that you're stabbing at the ball instead of swing through the release. Try to get your arm to complete the swing upon release.

So in a nut shell, if you can get the ball out of in front of your face so you can see the target "until the ball rolls over it" and slow down your approach a bit, I think you'll see an improvement in your scoring. Good luck, try it our for some games and post another video (ask your friend to wait until you're done ..LOL) and lets see what it looks like. That 165 average could possibly shoot up at least 20 pins !

[billf]

I see you wore your USBC Youth league bowling shirt lol

Why in the world did you change your stance to such a low crouch?

Oh and Bob is right, once again we are in complete agreement.

[Tampabaybob]

I see you wore your USBC Youth league bowling shirt lol

Why in the world did you change your stance to such a low crouch?

Oh and Bob is right, once again we are in complete agreement.

To quote a famous actor...."I love it when a plan comes together".... 'The A Team'

[martinezsam2495]

Sam, just looking at the video and I see a couple of things that might help you out. Take a look at the video and stop it at 1:49. Notice that the ball is directly in front of your face. Understand that accuracy being one of the most important factors in the game, putting the ball in this position early in the delivery is like covering your eyes for a split second. Because you're sooooo low at the beginning of the approach, I'd say try changing your stance to be more erect at the beginning, then go lower with each step.

Also noticed how fast your feet are. A couple of shots it makes you fall over to your left at the line. Keep this tip in mind while bowling...."If you fall to your left (after releasing the ball), then your feet are too fast. If you fall to the right, your feet are too slow." You want to end up "completely" balanced on just your right foot at the line, when you deliver the ball. So much so, that you can maintain that balance until the ball drops off of the pin deck. The approach that you want to achieve should be nice and smoooooth. It almost looks as though you're using a lot of muscle to throw the ball and again, not something that'll bring you high scores. Also stop the video at 1:50 and look how long of a step into your slide you're taking. It's like, "One HUGE step for Mankind". Steps should be slow, slow, quick, quick. Left leg is in a good strong position at the line. Don't change that. Follow though appears that you're stabbing at the ball instead of swing through the release. Try to get your arm to complete the swing upon release.

So in a nut shell, if you can get the ball out of in front of your face so you can see the target "until the ball rolls over it" and slow down your approach a bit, I think you'll see an improvement in your scoring. Good luck, try it our for some games and post another video (ask your friend to wait until you're done ..LOL) and lets see what it looks like. That 165 average could possibly shoot up at least 20 pins !

Hey Bob, thanks for the feedback, how should I place the ball? This is what I do when I start, I know you can see it, but
1. Get down low
2. Start with 2 slow steps
3.Then 2 fast steps
4. Push the ball back with my right hand,
5. get lower towards the release
6. Release and follow through
I was thinking about changing my stance in the beginning , I have been experimenting and haven't found anything that works yet, Yet I never tried going lower with each step, I'll try that next time I get to practice. I've never looked at my footwork like that, Now that you said that makes sense, there were several throws in league where, all of a sudden I started falling to the right, because one of my peers told me to slow down my approach, I tried it out for a game, and hit a low 130, I have a question, I know it's probably a dumb one, but can a shoe affect your release? I'm asking this because my shoe is almost worn out on the bottom, the top part started to come off. At 1:50 I saw what you meant, wow I do need to change that, it's as if I was trying to make up for the distance I didn't cover. I try not to use muscle, only on the 10th frame when I crank the ball and go from 15.03 to 16.75 mph. I've noticed that I can add more revs to the ball, but it doesn't have much time to hook, but when it hits pocket, soooo much pin action. I was thinking about learning to incorporate that to my throw, but it's still in the beta stages. Thanks, my foot shouldn't be straight towards the pins? I'll work on my arm release, I just hate when I get into my head, and pressure myself beyond belief. I was bowling with a girl who works there named Chrstin, and I got so nervous I couldn't even bowl right. I was hitting 13x~155, and she destroyed me 17x~206, to top it off she was a little tipsy. I was embarrassed that I couldn't keep my composure. Oh ok I understand getting the ball out to your face, my friend Ozzy (in the video) does that, so I can just mimic that step, I'll slow down my approach, thanks Bob it's much appreciated!
I'll try to get out another video soon.

[Tampabaybob]

Sam... Lets' take the answers 1 at a time. I think I mentioned that I would have you standing up a bit more than crouching down to begin with. You're almost doing a good approach in reverse...LOL. If you stand up a bit more, keep your torso bend to the left the sam as feel as your ball placement, that's good, and start from a bit higher stance and work your way down to the slide. Which brings up another point. You appear to be planting your foot more than sliding on the last step. A couple of shots you have just a bit of a slide, but I think it's because that last step is so HUGE. Here's what I would do with you. I'd move you up on the approach about 12 ". This will make you feel cramped and closed in for a few frames, but I think it'll help you slow down your feet, AND maybe give you a chance (time) to slide. (remember you should be taking that slide step on the ball of your foot). Try it & see if it helps. I know it'll be uncomfortable, because I had to do it. I used to start way back on the end and then watched a couple of other guys that stood WAY up, almost in front of the ball return. I didn't go that far but I tried it, felt uncomfortable, and I've been up closer ever since.
Answer #2 - yes your shoes can affect your slide. If it's worn think about getting a new pair - it'll make your life a lot better. I use Dexters with the interchangeable soles. I hardly ever change them but I like the s-10 sole because it's slipperier for my slide. They're a bit on the expensive side but I've got 2 pair, the first pair I got in the early 1990's and they're still good to wear. To me they're like wearing slippers.
Answer #3 - At 1:50 I saw what you meant, wow I do need to change that, it's as if I was trying to make up for the distance I didn't cover. I try not to use muscle, only on the 10th frame when I crank the ball and go from 15.03 to 16.75 mph. First of all, just because you get into the 19th frame and maybe need a strike to win, "DON"T CHANGE your ball speed" Be consistent and try NOT to muscle the ball.
Answer #4 - "but it doesn't have much time to hook," Speed kills ! Give your ball "the time" to roll into the pocket. You put enough revolutions on the ball without having to throw it harder. Be accurate instead.
Answer #5 - "I just hate when I get into my head, and pressure myself beyond belief. I was bowling with a girl who works there named Chrstin, and I got so nervous I couldn't even bowl right" Stop with the pressure on yourself and stop over thinking. Once you pick up your ball, the only thing I want you to say to yourself is (and remember this) "Nice & smooth -just make a good shot"

Ok....that should give you enough to work on for a while. Get some practice in, shoot another video and lets see how you're doing. I'm sure Bill & John will also have some good comments as well.