Shoot The Floor

**Bunny** · 09-19-2013, 12:50 PM

I watched this video yesterday from The Kegel Training Center. It's a bit long (skip to 3:00 to start) but very interesting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fo29U0iXd8

There are a lot of tips to take from the video but the tip about pointing your index finger down towards the floor and flicking the fingers (from 8-8:30, out by 6) seemed doable. And, like the coach on the video states, [Even if you get part of what the elite bowlers are doing, that's good.]

I practiced last night thinking "Shoot the Floor" and "Flick the Fingers."

I was very pleased with the results! I could really feel the ball coming of my fingertips and was getting A LOT of motion on the ball!!

**Zaxmazr** · 09-19-2013, 03:24 PM

Wow that's a pretty helpful segment! Am going to practice Shooting the Floor!

**Aslan** · 09-19-2013, 03:57 PM

I'd like to do that...but it's nearly opposite of what my coach has been trying to get me to do. Which is frustrating...because my natural approach looks very much like those examples...but the guy said he didn't like how I leaned to the right and wanted me more upright without leaning forward. All 5 of those examples, the guy ends up with his shoulders tilted left/high to right/low. And I also "loft" the ball rather than "set it down"...again, not like what you see in the video where the emphasis is on placing it on the lane and releasing even with the front leg.

I've tried to speed up my release and reduce the loft, but I can't seem to do it without either messing up my throwing line or completely missing my target. For some reason, I'm more accurate throwing it AT the arrows rather than aiming for the arrows, and setting it down 6 inches from the foul line. It makes "some" sense from the standpoint of shortening the lane. I mean, if I toss it onto the 2nd arrow....thats 15 less feet it needs to roll...easier to hit a target if you reduce the distance.

What I haven't quite figured out is if the loss of momentum/force of the ball hitting the lane is enough of a negative to outweigh the fact that I am literally throwing the ball over nearly half the oil on hte lane (less oil on ball, better chance of hooking in the dry area).

BUT....I do need to concentrate more on my release. Sometimes I'm so concerned with approaches and positioning and aiming and balance arms and sliding legs...I just end up throwing the ball and forgetting to get that "flick" that gives you the revs. And it's ESPECIALLY important on synthetic lanes, because I can't throw as hard/have as high a backswing. Need a lower ball speed...but gotta get the revs from the wrist/hand "flicking".

**Bunny** · 09-19-2013, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Aslan

...but the guy said he didn't like how I leaned to the right and wanted me more upright without leaning forward. All 5 of those examples, the guy ends up with his shoulders tilted left/high to right/low.

I see all the pros with their swing shoulder dropped (spinal tilt.)

It's called DYDS Drop Your Damn Shoulder. I believe it's by Joe Slowinski. It's based on body mechanics. There's a link to the article in a post somewhere here. Probably easier to just google it.

It helped my swing tremendously! I should write Joe a thank you letter!!

**Bunny** · 09-19-2013, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Zaxmazr

Wow that's a pretty helpful segment! Am going to practice Shooting the Floor!

Right! Sometimes one thing will just make sense. The light bulb definitely went on. I've heard "Turn the Door Knob" and "Underhand Spiral like you're throwing a football," and "it's just a quarter turn" before. We've even practiced throwing a football back and forth underhand spiraling it.

But for some reason seeing it on the dial, and pointing the finger down was something that clicked. I was able to really flick the ball off my finger tips after watching that clip.

**Bunny** · 09-19-2013, 05:04 PM

Originally Posted by Aslan

I'd like to do that...but it's nearly opposite of what my coach has been trying to get me to do. Which is frustrating...because my natural approach looks very much like those examples...but the guy said he didn't like how I leaned to the right and wanted me more upright without leaning forward. All 5 of those examples, the guy ends up with his shoulders tilted left/high to right/low. And I also "loft" the ball rather than "set it down"...again, not like what you see in the video where the emphasis is on placing it on the lane and releasing even with the front leg.

I've tried to speed up my release and reduce the loft, but I can't seem to do it without either messing up my throwing line or completely missing my target. For some reason, I'm more accurate throwing it AT the arrows rather than aiming for the arrows, and setting it down 6 inches from the foul line. It makes "some" sense from the standpoint of shortening the lane. I mean, if I toss it onto the 2nd arrow....thats 15 less feet it needs to roll...easier to hit a target if you reduce the distance.

What I haven't quite figured out is if the loss of momentum/force of the ball hitting the lane is enough of a negative to outweigh the fact that I am literally throwing the ball over nearly half the oil on hte lane (less oil on ball, better chance of hooking in the dry area).

BUT....I do need to concentrate more on my release. Sometimes I'm so concerned with approaches and positioning and aiming and balance arms and sliding legs...I just end up throwing the ball and forgetting to get that "flick" that gives you the revs. And it's ESPECIALLY important on synthetic lanes, because I can't throw as hard/have as high a backswing. Need a lower ball speed...but gotta get the revs from the wrist/hand "flicking".

"A lot of strands..."

**classygranny** · 09-19-2013, 07:28 PM

Originally Posted by Aslan

...but the guy said he didn't like how I leaned to the right and wanted me more upright without leaning forward. All 5 of those examples, the guy ends up with his shoulders tilted left/high to right/low.

Originally Posted by Bunny

I see all the pros with their swing shoulder dropped (spinal tilt.)

It's called DYDS Drop Your Damn Shoulder. I believe it's by Joe Slowinski. It's based on body mechanics. There's a link to the article in a post somewhere here. Probably easier to just google it.

It helped my swing tremendously! I should write Joe a thank you letter!!

Don't confuse DYDS a bit of shoulder tilt to align the ball with your eye and to clear a path for your ball swing with what I believe your coach may be referring to as "more upright without leaning forward" You can still be more upright in your stance, without any forward lean and still have the shoulder dropped enough. It doesn't have to be exaggerated. Chris Barnes does this the best - imho. Check out his beginning stance. It could be you may be having communication differences with your coach on terminology. Tilt can be to the side or forward...upright can be back to front or side to side...same words, totally different stances.

Great video Bunny...thanks for sharing!