Aslan's Scores (of the non-lady kind)

[fortheloveofbowling]

Aslan, You should get one of the switch grip systems for your thumb. I resisted that for years and finally did it 2 years ago and it made a huge difference in my game. Once you get a thumb slug or 2 that feel good you don't have to worry about the grip feeling different. Just have them large enough so 2-4 pieces of tape is the max on your thumb size and then you can adjust and not have to worry about adjusting each ball. Just a suggestion.

[Aslan]

@ftlob- Thats a great idea. I think if I end up getting them plugged, I might do that.

This thumb issue has been an ongoing problem.

My first ball- The thumb hole felt too tight so I tried to have it enlarged. But the ball driller claimed it was because I was gripping it too tightly. Finally he agreed to widen it a small bit and it seemed fine.

Then I had MWhite drill up the Rhythm and the thumb seemed fine.

Then he drilled the Slingshot tri-grip and made the thumb hole bigger…and thats when it started to be too loose so I was using 3-6 pieces of tape.

Then MWhite drilled the two Encounters, the thumbhole was drilled a little larger, again the thumb hole seemed too big and I needed to use tape.

Now, it wasn't MWhite's fault because each time he did a great job of fitting me…and the thumbhole size chosen seemed like a good fit.

But I think I was pinching during the fitting. And to MWhite's credit, he diagnosed my pinching problem before the coach ever did. Even the first guy I had drill my first ball was probably correct that the hole size was fine and it was just me "gripping/pinching".

It's weird. It made me think about an article I recently read in "Bowling This Month". And I started thinking about "why" I listened to this coach and NOT the first coach. And what it came to is; that first coach was a 200+ average bowler…but I didn't see him at the same level of a PBA pro. So while I listened to him and tried to do what he taught me…it was easy to give up on his recommendations and just say to my self; "Oh well. That guy doesn't really know what he's talking about." Yet with the PBA pro coach…no matter what they say, you're thinking, "Yes! I HAVE to do this. This is coming from a truly elite bowler." Like when I go to the Saturday clinic and get advice from Barry Asher, or Mark Baker, or John Gaines. No matter what they tell you…you feel like you MUST listen to them.

But it's more than that. With that first coach…I felt like he was trying to make me and everyone else he coached a replica of him. It felt like he didn't care what was best for me…he was only interested in getting me to do what HE does. The new coach looked at my game…and took ONE thing…ONE thing that stood out…and offered advice on how to fix it. THAT is powerful coaching…because;

1) It's coming from someone with "street cred"…somebody who's been at the top of the mountain. If a person climbs Mt. Everest…and then offers you a tip on mountain climbing…you TAKE it. And if you later take a community class on mountain climbing and the instructor counters that advice…you're less likely to change your mind because you know that instructor has never climbed Mt. Everest. May be a GREAT teacher…but those that can do, those that can't teach right?? Whether you agree or disagree (and I actually sort of disagree to some extent because I think there is an art to teaching)…it's prevalent with many people either consciously or sub-consciously.

2) There was good back and forth. I don't think you can be a truly effective teacher if you aren't willing to listen at least 10% of a lesson. It's hard sometimes when you're at a high level and the student seems to be arguing or resisting. But in that 10% you spend listening…sometimes you can learn a great deal about what you should be teaching, how to teach it, and what might actually "stick" or won't "stick".

Thats my take anyways.

E.T.A.: Realize that I credited the new coach with working on just ONE thing yet with Rob he had multiple suggestions. Realize with Rob, the lesson was a 1-2x per year thing…so he had to give me many things to work on. If he lived closer, and I was getting 2 lessons a month…I can assure you (since he specifically stated it) there wouldn't have been a page of 4-9 things to work on before the next lesson.

[MICHAEL]

@ftlob- Thats a great idea. I think if I end up getting them plugged, I might do that.

YOU better do something Quick,,,, sept 24th is not far off!!!

[Mike White]

@ftlob- Thats a great idea. I think if I end up getting them plugged, I might do that.

You don't need to plug the ball to convert to a Vise It, as long as the thumb isn't drilled extra deep.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Obviously, if someone made a change like that you wouldn't do every ball you had until you knew it worked for you.

[Aslan]

Sunday Morning Practice: low-oil synthetics

505 Series: 154-177-174
Game 2 and Game 3 were "okay". Both games were 1 frame away from being clean. In game 2 I chopped a 2-4-10 split in the 5th. In game 3 it was it was a chopped 1-2-4-10 washout in the 7th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey and 5 singles)
Spares: 69% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (7/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 168.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.67.

Wasn't happy with how things went on Thursday so I really wanted to get some more practice in.

On the one hand, I'm always happy when I'm close to bowling clean games and when my single-pin spare shooting is 80% or higher.

On the other hand, my hope is with this new release I would get more power, naturally, yet my strike rate remained low. 2 games, 2 frames from being clean, yet I struck a total of 5 times. Thats 5 strikes, 13 spares, a split, and a washout. Hard to raise my average into the 190s if I'm throwing the ball 18 times per game.

[MICHAEL]

Sunday Morning Practice: low-oil synthetics

505 Series: 154-177-174
Game 2 and Game 3 were "okay". Both games were 1 frame away from being clean. In game 2 I chopped a 2-4-10 split in the 5th. In game 3 it was it was a chopped 1-2-4-10 washout in the 7th.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.34 pins
Strikes: 25% (1 turkey and 5 singles)
Spares: 69% picked up

Single Pin spares: 90% (9/10)
Most common single-pin leaves: 10-pin (5x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 3-pin, 5-pin, 8-pin, nor 9-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 53% (7/13)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (2x).

Splits: 0% (0/2)

Average over 3 games: 168.33.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 170.67.

Wasn't happy with how things went on Thursday so I really wanted to get some more practice in.

On the one hand, I'm always happy when I'm close to bowling clean games and when my single-pin spare shooting is 80% or higher.

On the other hand, my hope is with this new release I would get more power, naturally, yet my strike rate remained low. 2 games, 2 frames from being clean, yet I struck a total of 5 times. Thats 5 strikes, 13 spares, a split, and a washout. Hard to raise my average into the 190s if I'm throwing the ball 18 times per game.

yes, Iceman has been going DOWN HILL here lately,,,, had a 3 game practice yesterday, and averaged 167.22! Vegas has us at EVEN NOW!!

I ask the local Pro Shop guy to come watch me bowl, wanted to know what's going on with my game!!! He said after watching, Ice,,,, your just getting old and you game is going to hell! Wow,,, what a time to be getting old!!!!

He said, after watching me for 30 seconds or so,,, and seeing you on line, the odds are even at best!!

I found out yesterday, he put some big bucks on you Aslan with his bookie!!! Iceman the underdog!!

[Aslan]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

446 Series: 161-143-142
Game 1 lots of spares. Only 2 opens and both were tough multi-pin leaves/splits. More of the same in Game 2 except it was 4 tough leaves instead of 2. Same in game 3 except add in 2 make-able single-pin spares to add insult to injury.

389 Series: 115-149-125
Game 4 I had 5 frames where I hit 8 pins and left 2..but chopped them. 2 were splits, but still...unacceptable. Game 5 was more of the same except I had 4 splits. I picked up the two baby splits at least. Game 6 was more of the same. Leave 2-3 pins and chop them.

526 Series: 199-144-183
Game 7 was my best game of the night. Only 1 open frame in the 5th when I left a 1-2-8-9 washout that I chopped. Broke up what would have been a 5-bagger into 2 doubles. Game 8 more splits and a couple single-pin misses. Game 9 I was a chopped 6-10 and a 7-8 split away from a clean game.


444 Series: 160-158-126
Game 10 and 11 were more of the same. Multi-pin spare leaves and chopping with some single-pin misses thrown in the mix. Game 12 I was sort of mentally and physically "done" so 3 splits and only 1 strike and the miserable night was over.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.28 pins
Strikes: 23% (5 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 68% (20/29)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (26/67)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (14x).

Splits: 15% (3/19)

Average over 12 games: 150.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 157.42.

Spent much of the night working on getting my thumb cleanly out of the ball while also trying to keep working on slowing the approach down and getting lower. Played most of the night up the outside (6-7 boards) with the less aggressive Encounter. Changed to the Rhythm in games 11 and 12 but it was biting like a madman.

Quite disappointed in the scores/stats. It seemed like I was making some quick progress post-lesson and it was not only helping my swing/release, but also my spare shooting. Then I come out and just can't seem to find a consistent shot into the pocket. Afterwards, I figured I might want to look at my timing. I was spending so much effort concentrating on the approach and release, I think my timing was varying...and that would explain the inconsistent results.

I want to start hitting the pocket consistently so I can get to the next level of actually watching the ball hit the pins. I'm suspicious that my striking problem isn't what I thought it was. I thought it was coming in light...not getting back to the pocket. There is some evidence to support that..which would suggest the ball is deflecting a bit right and thats how I end up with single 10-pins and 6-10s so often.

However, as I tried to watch the ball make contact with the pins...I noticed that it might be an "angle" issue. If instead of hitting the pocket more"straight" and exiting through the middle of the 8-9...you are going in too angular and hitting the 8-pin more directly...that could explain why I never leave 8-pins...rarely leave 5-pins and also can explain the 6-10s and single 10s as well as the occasional 7-pin I tend to leave. I might be coming in the "back" of the headpin also explaining the 1-2 and 1-2-4 leaves.

So could the answer be "more speed" rather than "less speed"? Is my new lower speed approach causing the ball to go too far out and behind the 1-pin? Versus a more straight shot, higher speed, that makes a slight break at the end and hits the pocket more flush?? Something to think about.

[Mike White]

Tuesday Practice: low oil synthetics

446 Series: 161-143-142
Game 1 lots of spares. Only 2 opens and both were tough multi-pin leaves/splits. More of the same in Game 2 except it was 4 tough leaves instead of 2. Same in game 3 except add in 2 make-able single-pin spares to add insult to injury.

389 Series: 115-149-125
Game 4 I had 5 frames where I hit 8 pins and left 2..but chopped them. 2 were splits, but still...unacceptable. Game 5 was more of the same except I had 4 splits. I picked up the two baby splits at least. Game 6 was more of the same. Leave 2-3 pins and chop them.

526 Series: 199-144-183
Game 7 was my best game of the night. Only 1 open frame in the 5th when I left a 1-2-8-9 washout that I chopped. Broke up what would have been a 5-bagger into 2 doubles. Game 8 more splits and a couple single-pin misses. Game 9 I was a chopped 6-10 and a 7-8 split away from a clean game.


444 Series: 160-158-126
Game 10 and 11 were more of the same. Multi-pin spare leaves and chopping with some single-pin misses thrown in the mix. Game 12 I was sort of mentally and physically "done" so 3 splits and only 1 strike and the miserable night was over.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.28 pins
Strikes: 23% (5 doubles and 20 singles)
Spares: 47% picked up

Single Pin spares: 68% (20/29)
Most common single-pin leaves: 6-pin (9x).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 38% (26/67)
Most common multi-pin spare leave: 6-10 (14x).

Splits: 15% (3/19)

Average over 12 games: 150.42.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 157.42.

Spent much of the night working on getting my thumb cleanly out of the ball while also trying to keep working on slowing the approach down and getting lower. Played most of the night up the outside (6-7 boards) with the less aggressive Encounter. Changed to the Rhythm in games 11 and 12 but it was biting like a madman.

Quite disappointed in the scores/stats. It seemed like I was making some quick progress post-lesson and it was not only helping my swing/release, but also my spare shooting. Then I come out and just can't seem to find a consistent shot into the pocket. Afterwards, I figured I might want to look at my timing. I was spending so much effort concentrating on the approach and release, I think my timing was varying...and that would explain the inconsistent results.

I want to start hitting the pocket consistently so I can get to the next level of actually watching the ball hit the pins. I'm suspicious that my striking problem isn't what I thought it was. I thought it was coming in light...not getting back to the pocket. There is some evidence to support that..which would suggest the ball is deflecting a bit right and thats how I end up with single 10-pins and 6-10s so often.

However, as I tried to watch the ball make contact with the pins...I noticed that it might be an "angle" issue. If instead of hitting the pocket more"straight" and exiting through the middle of the 8-9...you are going in too angular and hitting the 8-pin more directly...that could explain why I never leave 8-pins...rarely leave 5-pins and also can explain the 6-10s and single 10s as well as the occasional 7-pin I tend to leave. I might be coming in the "back" of the headpin also explaining the 1-2 and 1-2-4 leaves.

So could the answer be "more speed" rather than "less speed"? Is my new lower speed approach causing the ball to go too far out and behind the 1-pin? Versus a more straight shot, higher speed, that makes a slight break at the end and hits the pocket more flush?? Something to think about.

If you're 6-10 leaves are due to deflection, you may be the only person on the planet with that problem.

Most 6-10 leaves are caused by hitting too high on the headpin and almost chopping the headpin off the 3 pin.

The 3 pin lays in the right gutter.

You can also leave 6-10's on weak brooklyn shots.

[Aslan]

Wednesday Practice: low oil synthetics

441 Series: 123-154-164
Some really bad spare shooting in Game 1 and Game 2 but I managed to strike a bit in Game 2. In game 3 things started coming around and I only opened in the 1st frame (2-5-8) and 10th frame (5-6 split).

502 Series: 174-194-134
More of the same in Game 4 with only 2 opens; a missed single 7-pin in the 3rd and a 5-10 split in the 6th. Game 5 I was clean except for a missed single 10-pin in the 6th and a washout in the 7th but I managed to strike a bit. Game 6 I started having a real problem with splits. 4 splits in 8 frames...and only 1 strike through 10.

487 Series: 158-158-171
Game 7 and 8 were more of the same. 4 splits in Game 7 and only a couple strikes. Then 2 splits and 3 strikes in Game 8. Spare shooting was good, but too many splits and no running of strikes together. Game 9 I got only 1 split but missed a couple multi-pin spares. Fortunately I struck out in the 10th to salvage a decent score.

192-225
I had time for another game or two and changed up my technique a bit. First game I was clean except for a missed single 7-pin in the 2nd frame. And I struck a fair amount. I hurried up to do another game to see if this new technique was "just a fluke" and unfortunately started by missing a single 4-pin in the 1st frame. Then 5 strikes over the next 6 frames and then struck out in the 10th.

Since my shots were varying so much and one minute hitting right and the next minute leaving me splits...I moved a little right and started lofting the ball about 15ft. NOT my old loft where it goes up and then down. This is more of a "projection" further down the lane. There was an interesting article in "Bowling This Month" recently talking about different types of "loft" and how it is used by different pro players to get different reactions. Much of the content on there is pretty "advanced" so I only can hope that I interpret it the right way. But he seemed to be making the point that what is often missing in a mid-level player's game is the ability to make adjustments that DON'T involve lateral movement OR a ball change. In other words, "loft". And all loft is not the same. My OLD style of loft would be considered a "bounce loft" or a "steep loft" or an "arc loft". I was very straight up and down at the foul line and the ball would take a path as if it was being thrown "over" a barricade in front of me. The "loft" I use now is much more "straight"; more like trying to throw a frisbee...straighter...but further out.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.40 pins
Strikes: 31% (1 4-bagger, 4 turkeys, 3 doubles and 17 singles)
Spares: 59% picked up

Single Pin spares: 77% (21/27)
Most common single-pin leaves: 4-pin (8x).
Never left a single 1-pin nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 50% (27/54)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 1-2-4, 1-2-8, and 2-4-5-8 (4x each).

Splits: 12% (2/16)

Average over 11 games: 167.91.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 173.82.

The new release seems to be working a little better now. Still trying to stay low and keep my approach speed down. Not sure what I'm gonna do about the loft. The more lengthy projection (12-15ft) really had good results and it was noticeable in the pin action. The ball was faster and hitting the pins with more power. But I'm still a bit weary of getting back into that "loft game". Yes, when it's "on", I strike more and carry more. But...when it's "off"...I miss. And this was on the tail end of the night...the lanes a little drier than usual. On fresh oil that projection shot will often hit light and/or right. But....a tool in the "toolbox". I like the idea of having that extra "tool" for when I can't seem to find the "sweet spot" laterally and don't think a ball change will necessarily help.

Now the real trick...performing well on league night tomorrow when it COUNTS!