Originally Posted by RobLV1
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In game 1 I threw a perfect shot with the Lethal Revolver in I think frame 8 and it left a flat 10-pin.
Could it have been a bad spot? Could it have been a slight release variation due to speed or axis tilt variations? Sure.
But...textbooks (and most coaches) would tell you that if you throw a perfect shot (or close enough) and leave a flat 10 or flat 7; the MOVE is either:
1) (traditional theory) Your line is slightly off. Move either 1:1 right to get a little more in the dry...or move 0.5 boards right with your feet...just to straighten that line out a little.
2) (modern theory) Your ball has lost too much energy to carry, you should go to the last line that worked and ball down to a ball that goes slightly longer and retains a little more energy.
In Game 2, same thing happened in like the 2nd or 3rd frame on the other lane...so I started using the Dark Encounter on both lanes. But then, in the 7th frame...same thing, flat 10-pin...so I switched to the Asylum. In the 10th frame, other lane, same thing...so for Game 3 I was using the Asylum on both lanes the entire game.
I used to just move right. Remember "Miss left, move left. Miss right, move right?" Or did we give up on that around the time we gave up on targeting closer because a closer target was easier to repeatably hit?
And this is a new concept for me. The idea that a perfect shot will leave a flat 7/10-pin not because the ball is too weak...but because it is entering the hook/roll phases too early and not "retaining energy"...I used to just make slight lateral adjustments. Then one fateful day...I decided having an arsenal would be "cool". Now my back hurts from carrying 6 balls everywhere I go and I'm worse off performance-wise than I was using one ball. Live and learn I guess.
Something in game must have changed. I doubt the center changed the pattern. Other players are still doing well. But this house used to have a great shot for my speed-dominant, rev-limited style when using a solid cover up the 6-8 boards. Now I can't get the ball back to the pocket. I even slowed my approach/ball speed down to the 14-17 range (versus the old 16-19 range)...and it just seems like the ball isn't moving. Maybe my rev rate is higher than I think...and the ball is just burning up. Who knows?
I did notice that the Asylum seems to want me to move inside. It doesn't "like" the outside up-and-in shot. The problem is my revs can't get the ball back to the pocket if my left foot gets near 25 and/or my target at the arrows gets inside 12 at the arrows. I'm almost guaranteed to leave a 2-4-5 if I move that far inside. The Asylum WANTS that shot...but I can't make that shot work.
I'm tempted to switch to where I only have 4 balls (3 and a spare) with me at each house...but I don't know which balls to bring/leave.
Options:
A) Leave the Asylum home. It's obviously not a ball that matches my game and most times I bring it out it carries horribly. It's the only ball of my 5 that you could say has a statistically significant lower strike rate than the other options.
B) Leave the Loaded Revolver at home. The Melee Jab is essentially the same ball with newer technology...so why bother brining the Lo. Revolver when you rarely ever bowl on conditions dry enough where it actually gets used? On the flip side, the Lo. Revolver has the highest strike % of any ball I carry...AND, the Jab IS noticeably stronger than the Lo. Revolver primarily just due to the newer technology...so it might have a place after all.
C) Leave the Dark Encounter at home. It's too close to the Lethal Revolver in ball specs. I've tried to polish it a bit...to create some separation...but it's a ball that doesn't hit nearly as well as the Le. Revolver and isn't as different from the Le. Revolver as I need it to be in order to truly be a good ball down option.
Another possible theory is that my rev rate has increased...and maybe I need to stop throwing solids in the dry and start throwing some Pearls instead. Maybe start with the Jab and use it for two games, then switch to the Loaded Revolver for Game 3.
I also think my elbow pain is due to me trying to stay under the ball and inside the ball. The old suitcase release was ineffective, but it was easy on the forearm and elbow. Trying to stay more under and behind the ball (versus releasing on top of it)...is putting stress on the tendons and ligaments running through my elbow. I think I have a moderate case of lateral epicondylitis. If I hold my arm out straight and try to make a "come hither" motion with my whole hand...fairly severe pain on the outer part of my elbow.
I tried one of those straps you put just below your elbow...and it seemed okay...but I don't know if it did anything. I was thinking of getting a copper fit elbow brace or something...but most data shows that elbow sleeves and the like do practically nothing other than look cool.
The problem is, like most strains of ligaments, tendons, muscles, etc... The treatment is physical therapy and rest. And I tried the home physical therapy on my left knee...after about 3 weeks it got annoying so I stopped. And unless the pain is unbearable...I'm not going to quit bowling. I'm 5 weeks away from sweeps. On the other hand, maybe I just sit out the rest of the season...let the team have my 193 average (minus 10 equals 183) and I sit it out till sweeps. It would hurt them less than my bowling has recently.
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