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

[fortheloveofbowling]

Nice bowling man.

[Amyers]

Nice series and a good bounce back. You've heard me say it before sometimes you just got to go out there and throw the D*** ball. Thinking about all this crap and working on your game is great for practice but when the chips are on the table you've either practiced it enough that it's muscle memory or it isn't and if it isn't your not going to perfect it during your league. Congrats again on a nice set any you're right there can be a huge difference between houses all though I haven't seen one that I couldn't find a shot somewhere but my scores have sucked until I do.

[Aslan]

Thursday Practice: low oil synthetics

Warm-Up Game: (didn't really keep score; 158 I think)

For this practice I tried 3 different methods I've been thinking about:

First 3 games: Old style, Amyers style, straight up and down, loft it out to the arrows.
Next 3 games: Same form and style, but bring the targets into the dots.
Last 3 games: Focus on getting lower. Still try to maintain form, balance, and relaxed shot...but lower.

464 Series: 179-149-136
Game 1 I only opened on a 4-6-10 split in the 8th frame...but not too many strikes. The lanes were far drier than usual. I kept trying to play the Bullet Train up the 3-8 board region but I couldn't get right of the headpin. Games 2 and 3 I lost pocket and my spare shooting was abysmal. By Game 3 I was already using the Rhythm but couldn't get that to work that far outside either.

The advantage to my lofting approach is I can get good axis rotation on the ball, it's my natural swing, and I'm getting the ball OUT towards my target. It also gives me some vertical wiggle room because I can move that target a little out or quite a bit in if I need to before I'm anywhere near the foul line (where I lose accuracy). The downside of this approach...especially on these drier conditions with my wrist brace on...is the ball wants to hook and roll too soon. And if it does...splits...if I'm lucky...a 6-10 or 4-7 and I convert for a 8 /.

432 Series: 148-147-139
Game 4 I adjusted my angles/lines a bit and now the Rhythm couldn't make the turn and I was coming in light almost every shot. I switched to the 1000 surfaced Encounter...but then started missing left again. Same story in Game 5...Encounter (A) missing left, I adjust, now it's missing right. Game 6 I was missing right so I balled down to the polished Encounter (N) and tried to get that line worked out.

The advantage of bringing the targets in are: 1) It forces me to release the ball earlier. 2) It improves my accuracy since a closer target is easier to hit. It also allows the ball to have a bit more axis tilt (vs axis rotation) and it doesn't break into the hook and roll phases too soon. The downside is the closer the targets are...the more a miss will, well, "miss". I don't feel with my targets IN, that I get a good follow-through towards the target.

600 Series: 185-213-202
Game 7 was more of the same as even the polished Encounter wanted to break left of that headpin (or directly into it) and a move left made it miss right. But, I picked up most of the spares and managed to double a couple times so I kept the score respectful. Game 8 I balled down to the Slingshot. It still wasn't perfect, but generally I hit pocket and if I didn't I'd go Brooklyn and leave something make-able. Game 9 was more of the same....just slightly less carry.

This method of "getting lower" is a work in progress. It helps me get really good rotation on the ball...it helps the ball save up energy (which was making my shots with both polished balls much better than the surfaced ones I used in the first 6 games and warm-up)...and it wasn't entering the hook or roll phases too early. The downside of the approach is I'm not consistent with it. Sometimes I bend my knee and am balanced. Sometimes I cheat and lock my knee but lean way over the foul line. And other times I drop my shoulder and usually fall off the shot.

Arguably Useful/Non-Useful Statistics:
First Ball Average: 8.33 pins
Strikes: 30% (2 turkeys, 3 doubles and 18 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 66% (12/18)
Most common single-pin leave: 9-pin and 10-pin (5x each).
Never left a single 1-pin, 2-pin, nor 8-pin.

Multiple Pin spares: 54% (24/44)
Most common multi-pin spare leaves: 6-10 (9x).

Splits: 22% (2/9)

Average over 9 games: 166.44.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: 172.67.

Disappointing, but interesting. Getting lower may be something I need to continue to work on. The coach would agree and be happy that the results pointed towards getting lower as a more successful option. It really sucks that I practice at those lanes to help me improve on the tougher pattern I see on Tuesdays...yet that pattern wasn't there...and instead I was playing on very dry conditions which is rare in that house.

Still had thumb stick issues...probably because of the weather. FIRST EVER...on shot #1 I dropped the ball in the back swing which I've never done before. The IT insert apparently was too big to start with...thumb musta shrank a little bit since yesterday night. Annoying environment with kids everywhere just running up on the approach and one kid, probably autistic or something, was just screaming non-stop on the far side of the alley...3 whole games I had to listen to that.

This also tested the theory of "not thinking". The first series...that might not be "not thinking"; but it's pretty much as "less thinking" as you're gonna get with me. That was me reverting back to my old style and approach and just naturally throwing the ball...not over-thinking.

And....to cap the night off...I noticed a guy and his kids watching my last 2 games (213-202). They seemed quite entertained. And I think it actually made me bowl better knowing they were watching. Well, at the end of my practice as I was cleaning up...I walk past the guy...and you KNOW....you KNOW what he asked me. Go ahead, take a few guesses. As absurd as it is, it's happened before. Yup. "Are you a professional bowler?" On the one hand, it's flattering to some extent when someone says that. On Wednesdays, a couple guys refer to me as "the professional"...I think because on the first night I wore a Columbia polo or something...maybe also because I take notes...whatever. But yeah, it feels kinda good to impress people...even those easily impressed. And I'm glad they were entertained. But another part of me...the part that is battling the 130s me versus the 200s me...like in the Incredible Hulk TV show...



...that part of me wanted to not only "pfft" at him...but throw my bowling ball at him. Because THAT part of me is so frustrated with my inconsistencies...that all his comment did was add further flame to that fire. No I'm not a pro. And no...rolling a 600 series doesn't make me NEAR a pro. But I guess when things are going well...I guess I can almost "look" the part...and I guess that can't be a "bad" thing, right?

[Amyers]

Apparently I'm going to need to post some updated video with out me lofting the ball .

[Aslan]

Apparently I'm going to need to post some updated video with out me lofting the ball .

I'm going by the 5/14 and 7/14 videos. But yes!! Lets get another installment!!

I was thinking yesterday it might be time for me to create another one. But I just made one for the 2ABHMAVZSCI...I mean how much footage of me do my adoring fans need??

[fortheloveofbowling]

I'm going by the 5/14 and 7/14 videos. But yes!! Lets get another installment!!

I was thinking yesterday it might be time for me to create another one. But I just made one for the 2ABHMAVZSCI...I mean how much footage of me do my adoring fans need??

I'm sure many of your loyal followers would like to see your attire: short shorts and a wife beater for your next video. No wait.....scratch that i want this site to be around for a while and really don't need to see that.

[Aslan]

I'm sure many of your loyal followers would like to see your attire: short shorts and a wife beater for your next video. No wait.....scratch that i want this site to be around for a while and really don't need to see that.

I'm pretty particular about my attire. I feel most comfortable in shorts and a bowling shirt. Sometimes if I'm wearing a bowling polo I'll wear slacks with it…especially for a tournament or something. And if it's colder, I'll wear a bowling shirt with loose athletic pants. I actually get annoyed when people wear stupid things bowling. There's a group of bowlers that bowl every 1-3 weeks and they all dress up in costume. I think it's a weird "cosplay" group or something. They seem to have fun…but I don't approve.

I used to wear shirts without sleeves but a girl once told me it's not a "good look" so I've dialed back all shirtless apparel. And I DO have a speedo…but I'm saving it for hen I hit my weight goal of 170lbs…which at this point "may" have been a bit of a stretch in terms of goals.

[Aslan]

Tuesday League Night: medium oil synthetics

Almost didn't bowl. Got a tetanus shot in bowling arm the day before and was having a bad reaction to the shot. I ended up deciding to go but had no idea how it would turn out. I figured 20% chance I'd try to throw the ball but wouldn't be able to. I knew I wasn't going to do well…but I figured I'd at least try.

557 Series: 191-183-183

Game 1 went better than expected. Practice was a little rough and I almost went home…but Game 1 I managed to strike well on the right lane but not on the left lane.

Game 2 I was still trying to figure out the left lane and was starting to lose my strike line on the right lane. But the only opens were 2 splits and I was happy about that.

Game 3 I balled down on the right lane and that worked well. The Slingshot on the left lane was finally getting to the pocket…but not a ton of carry. But a 4-bagger kept the score high despite a 1-2-10 washout in the 10th that I couldn't convert.

PinPal Stats:
First Ball Average: 8.53 pins
Strikes: 44% (1 4-bagger, 1 turkey, 2 doubles, and 4 singles)
Spares: 58% picked up

Single Pin spares: 100% (4/4)
Most common single-pin leave: 10-bin (2x)

Multiple Pin spares: 46% (6/13)
Most common multi-pin leaves: 4-7 and 1-2-4 (2x each).

Splits: 0% (0/3)

Average over 3 games: 185.67.
Average had I picked up 100% of single pin spare leaves: n/a.

Had to start with the Rhythm because due to my illness/physical condition my ball speed was down.

To support Rob's beliefs about differences lane-to-lane…I spent all 3 games mostly striking on the right lane but only sporadically striking on the left lane. I ended up balling all the way down to the Slingshot on the left lane…targeting the 14-board (which is far left for me)…yet on the right lane I only balled down once, at the start of Game 3.

This "getting lower" think might have something to it. Now I gotta see if I'm recovered the next day or still sick but I can't see sitting out on my Wednesday league where I average 185. I mean, I'm so sick I almost didn't bowl…and I bowl my highest series at that center this season…so I might finally get that 690 series I've been really hoping for.

Today's update: Still a little sick…but feeling better enough to go.

[fortheloveofbowling]

Getting lower is a good thing, you generate most of your power from the lower body. Good consistent set also.

[RobLV1]

Funny how you didn't expect to bowl well, but you were over your average. Does that tell you anything?!?