Recent technique videos for noeymc

[josheaton16]

About the release, you could possibly try a wrist brace to help keep your wrist firm. It looks like it is breaking way back and that could be causing you to come to the top of the ball. And about the first step and swing going in motion at the same time, I use a five step approach because I can never seem to start the ball and my feet at the same time. I know this is a major change, but it could be something to consider. And loft is not always a bad thing if you are doing it the correct way. I know a guy that lofts the ball to the arrows but hooks coast to coast. Carries a 215 avg. So it can be done.

[Pauley]

I was having the hardest time staying behind the ball (still do some, but getting better). Like you, when I would freeze frame my release I was on top of the ball even when I was trying to feel like my hand was completely under the ball. This drill (Improve Your Swing & Release: Try the Back-up Drill) helped me learn how to work the back of the ball and stop turning too early.

http://bowlingknowledge.info/index.p...=204&Itemid=62

I dedicated a weeks practice to this drill, along with a lot of release drills at the line and one step drills. Still not where I want to be but getting closer each day. Another thing I have started doing is using video while I practice, I downloaded the Coach My Video app on my phone so I can see frame by frame my release. I teach golf, and in bowling much like golf, what you think you are doing is usually not what you are actually doing. Especially when I am working on something specific I will throw a few, look at the video and try again.

I am FAR from a coach, in fact I think we started about the same time. I just wanted to share what has helped me. Good luck!

[Aslan]

About the release, you could possibly try a wrist brace to help keep your wrist firm. It looks like it is breaking way back and that could be causing you to come to the top of the ball.

I used to wear one and then forgot it at the lanes during my old Thursday league. I got used to bowling without it and actually was bowling better without it so I never bothered getting another one.

And loft is not always a bad thing if you are doing it the correct way. I know a guy that lofts the ball to the arrows but hooks coast to coast. Carries a 215 avg. So it can be done.

I was thinking about this today while I was out running. A person that has a high loft (or a "chucker" as Mike White calls it)…are really doing something very similar to what a thumbless bowler would do…just with less revs.

I bowled with a thumbless bowler and he'd throw the ball into the mid-lane; then it would hit the break point and slam back left into the pocket. And 2-handed bowlers also bowl with that sort of "high loft/high rev" approach. And like I said, my first coach uses that type of shot and is the 2nd best bowler in my Friday league. So I don't think "chucking" is as bad as some people might think. It's just not "typical". I have seen it (in varying forms) online in amateur tournaments and I even saw Mika Koivuniemi do it in a PBA tournament once…although not "as much"…he's so tall and has that big reach so his was more "out" than "up". But yeah…I haven't totally gotten rid of it because while I've made some progress with excessive speed and timing….I've struggled with revs/release.

One thing I've noticed…and the video clip furthers it….is I actually start with the ball at an angle. So, my hand is already toward the outside of the ball before I even start the approach.

My practice day is tomorrow and I'm going to try to start with my right foot a little back…and I'm gonna focus on keeping that hand under the ball and trying to release sooner.

[tccstudent]

Find a video of Mika lofting and focus in on his hand position in relation to the ball I can guarantee it is not going to be at the top of the ball like yours is in that picture that Tr33frog posted
Lofting is a very viable adjustment to ones game.
You keep saying that the synthetic lanes are too slick for you well this is why. You need to learn to stay behind the ball

[Aslan]

You keep saying that the synthetic lanes are too slick for you well this is why. You need to learn to stay behind the ball

I agree. Again, I don't want to come off like I'm arguing or not grateful. Thats the exact reason that I'm trying to change my game to a more "standard" delivery/release. On moderate to heavy oil synthetics…with the limited revs (probably due to that poor hand position/release)…"chucking it" becomes almost a straight shot.

And the difference, in terms of position is:

Normal/low oil/wood lanes:

Left foot: Board 22
Ball Layed Down: Board 11-14
Crosses Arrows: Board 8-11

On moderate/heavy oil synthetics:
Left foot: Board 16-18
Ball Layed Down: Board 9-11
Crosses Arrows: Board 11-14

So, in simpler terms…when playing slicker conditions, I don't get that "arc" out to the 4-9 board area and then back with a smooth arc into the pocket. I instead have to move right and lay the ball down just outside the 10-board (rather than inside the 10-board) and the ball goes relatively straight until it finds some surface and hooks/flares into the pocket. Visually, it's like the shape of a boomerang versus the shape of a candy cane.

I can't really move left because I can't get the ball to come back. My only options are to play the outside or go straight at the headpin. I've tried to slow things down on heavier oil. And that has "helped"…but at the expense of revolutions. So yeah, it's a work in progress. On wood lanes I'm averaging 167 and am a threat on any given night to roll in the 550-650s. On synthetics, moderate-heavy oil…I'd say my average is closer to 140-150. I might get an occasional 210-220 game; but it's rare.

And that's why I gotta keep working! Wood lanes disappear in April! Then it's all synthetics! And I'm tired of leaving the 1-2-4 because the dang ball won't make it back to the pocket.

[sprocket]

As far as two handers lofting the ball: Most good ones don't unless lofting the left gutter cap. Even then the release starts at the leverage point but continues in an upward motion to get the ball over the gutter cap. The same could be said of a thumbless bowler who always lofts the ball a bunch. Most don't and those that do are either in such a strong position to start with that they can get away with releasing the ball later or they are actually starting their release at the strongest leverage point but are releasing upwards. In either of those cases, unless they are lofting the gutter cap they are almost always releasing the ball WRONG due to bad habits. Some may claim the loft delays the hook. That is only true if the ball lands smoothly. Bounce stops skid and cause the ball to hook early. Mika lofts the ball a fair amount but his release starts at the right point and his ball is simply released on a plane that is still parallel to the lane but is higher up. His ball lands smoothly like a plane coming in for a landing.

You release the ball too late. That is not a debatable point. You need to ROLL the ball. There's a guy on my team who is a fairly new bowler. He rolls the ball a little too much end-over-end. Sometimes he cuts off his follow through. Sometimes he falls off right. But he ROLLS the ball. We can work with the rest of it because he has the most important thing down. His average is improving every week.

[Aslan]

Well, I tried a couple things in practice today.

First, the foot half-way behind the left foot…to shorten that weird first step. THAT seemed to help. So thanks!

Second, keeping my hand behind the ball. That didn't work as well. I was able to do it…but I found that I was actually getting LESS revs…I'm assuming because I wasn't getting the hand out from behind it quick enough.

The lanes were very dry, so I was having trouble staying to the right of the headpin. I left a LOT of single 4-pins…which is not a usual leave for me. I'm assuming it's because I made the move inside to find oil…and neither the Frantic nor the Rhythm seemed strong enough to make the turn back. So I think I was hitting at more of a straight shot to the right of the headpin. Not sure. Like I said, not a usual leave for me…and I figure it's due to playing inside which I rarely do.

[Hampe]

Yea, your biggest problem is definitely the release (narrowly beating out your crazy first step ). I always recommend building your game backwards from the foul line. Start with the release. A really good drill is something like this one here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr9lDk848-g. Get in your finish position, and just nice and easy, practice rolling the ball while keeping your hand behind it.

The next step is to be one step behind the foul line, do the same thing as before, and as the ball swings forward, slide into your finish position. Like in this video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHEDiAfxUVo.

Don't give up right away just because your not getting the same ball motion or revs as before. You might get more revs like you're playing now, but it's not the kind of rotation you want to have. You come over the ball and almost throw it helicopter style. You want the ball not only to be rotating, but rotating at the right angle. Once you've gotten the hang of having a proper release, you WILL have much better rotation and ball movement than you do now.

[tr33frog]

Well, I tried a couple things in practice today.

First, the foot half-way behind the left foot…to shorten that weird first step. THAT seemed to help. So thanks!

Second, keeping my hand behind the ball. That didn't work as well. I was able to do it…but I found that I was actually getting LESS revs…I'm assuming because I wasn't getting the hand out from behind it quick enough.

The lanes were very dry, so I was having trouble staying to the right of the headpin. I left a LOT of single 4-pins…which is not a usual leave for me. I'm assuming it's because I made the move inside to find oil…and neither the Frantic nor the Rhythm seemed strong enough to make the turn back. So I think I was hitting at more of a straight shot to the right of the headpin. Not sure. Like I said, not a usual leave for me…and I figure it's due to playing inside which I rarely do.

Glad the foot thing worked.

Solid 4 is generally something you leave when you are a bit heavy on the head pin. I can generally predict that pin on release.

Right now I'd worry less on your rotation, and more on just keeping the hand behind the ball. Once you get used o that you should be able to get the rotation down.

[Aslan]

Those videos were interesting. I'll have to give them a try next Monday.