Righty cant stop crossing body with release armswing!

[scruffwhor]

As bowl1820 has proven with a lot of these great articles, it could be a lot of things. I'd continue working with a coach.

Most of the time when I have bowlers tugging the ball (I call it shanking) it's because they're timing and/or balance is off. I usually switch them to a 4-step approach and get them to focus on the timing of the ball on the first step to be in sync with the lead foot and make sure the cross step is moving their body around the ball vice swinging the ball around the body.

That, starting position and a free/loose arm swing tend to improve accuracy quite a bit. But again, it's hard to coach through the message boards.

I hate to say it, but I think I have a 5 or 6 step approach. I have no problem trying to switch that up to a 4 step if need be, but I know that would require a lot of practice to develop some muscle memory.

I will be getting my last ball ,for awhile, drilled along with my wife's first ball drilled. After that I will set up a time for her to meet my coach. Then I will schedule another session with her for my self.

Regardless of what combinations of mechanical mistakes I might make, I know the biggest key to fixing them once they're diagnosed is PRACTICE! I think I'll start bringing my balls with me to work So I can get in a game or two after work to try and work the kinks out.

[dnhoffman]

Changing steps in your approach is easy and will not require the difficulty you're assuming. Every approach should really be a basic 4 step that has a step added for the 5th

[scruffwhor]

i'm absolutely willing to try and change the number of steps. I just keep assuming that something so fundamental to bowling needs constant training to correct.

[dnhoffman]

would you advise again a mark roth 100 mini step approach? Ive been trying to slow my ball speed so i moved forward on the approach but what has happened is a take a ton of mini steps to the foul line

I work with Jr bowlers that do the mini steps a lot. Sometimes it's really hard to convince your brain of a time/space change that you've spent years drilling into your muscle memory.

I'm a firm believer in keeping it simple myself. Have you tried a basic 4-step with a pacer? If you're doing the mini steps than maybe try some video of you doing the 4-step from further back on the approach. If you're 5 feet away don't worry about it. Just systematically convince your mind and muscle memory that there is enough room. And once you get it keep re-enforcing it until it's natural.

[dnhoffman]

But again for the OP, the 5-step is really no different than the 4-step. You should be able to switch back and forth easily if you're doing it properly.

[dutchlefty]

Thanks. interesting material to read. i know it happens to me from time to time and i never know exactly what it is i'm doing different. At the end it all comes down to relaxing or maybe better said controll over ones relaxing is it not ? and how can you train / practice that..? Muscle memory is one thing and the rest is between the ears..