Drifting

[shadowshocker]

Is it good or bad?

Last week, my coach pointed out to me that I was drifting, so I made it a point to not drift next time I hit the lanes for practice.

And what's happened so far? I've played like ***. My releases are super inconsistent. Sometimes my ball misses right/way right, or misses left/way left. Other times, it goes directly where I want it to (but not very often). I make it a point to walk in a straight line and to keep my arm swinging straight back and forth (in a manner like if I was trying to keep a towel tucked underneath my underarm), but for some reason, either I'm still missing my mark to the left or to the right or my arm is still swinging out to the left/right.

I was bowling fine before all this...what the heck is going on?

[vdubtx]

Since your coach pointed out you are drifting, were you drifting the same amount each time? A drift isn't always bad if you do it consistently. Now, I am not a coach and others will likely have an opinion on this. I drift about 5 boards from my starting position on the lanes and I feel I am pretty accurate.

If you are pulling shots left or you are missing right, that could be a footwork/arm swing timing issue. Typically when you pull a shot you are late and early when missing right.

Just my $.02.

[RobLV1]

I'm thinking that by thinking about your feet, you have inadvertantly changed your timing, and it's that change that is affecting your consistency. It's actually late timing that causes misses right, and early timing that causes misses left (for a right-hander), though there is an anomaly called "late timing trying to be early," where the right shoulder is jammed forward to make up for the late timing that will result in misses left.

Since the drifting issue is very important, particularly if it is to the right and more than two or three boards maximum, I would suggest that you assign particular practice sessions to work on your footwork, and forget all about it during league. Muscle memory takes about 1500 repetitions to sink in, so eventually your new footwork will become second nature. Until then, remember that nothing is harder to do than to bowl well when you are thinking about your feet.

[vdubtx]

I'm thinking that by thinking about your feet, you have inadvertantly changed your timing, and it's that change that is affecting your consistency. It's actually late timing that causes misses right, and early timing that causes misses left (for a right-hander), though there is an anomaly called "late timing trying to be early," where the right shoulder is jammed forward to make up for the late timing that will result in misses left.

Since the drifting issue is very important, particularly if it is to the right and more than two or three boards maximum, I would suggest that you assign particular practice sessions to work on your footwork, and forget all about it during league. Muscle memory takes about 1500 repetitions to sink in, so eventually your new footwork will become second nature. Until then, remember that nothing is harder to do than to bowl well when you are thinking about your feet.

I see the anomaly more so than the typical I guess. But, like I said, I am no coach.

[Jeral999ok]

I'm thinking that by thinking about your feet, you have inadvertantly changed your timing, and it's that change that is affecting your consistency. It's actually late timing that causes misses right, and early timing that causes misses left (for a right-hander), though there is an anomaly called "late timing trying to be early," where the right shoulder is jammed forward to make up for the late timing that will result in misses left.

Since the drifting issue is very important, particularly if it is to the right and more than two or three boards maximum, I would suggest that you assign particular practice sessions to work on your footwork, and forget all about it during league. Muscle memory takes about 1500 repetitions to sink in, so eventually your new footwork will become second nature. Until then, remember that nothing is harder to do than to bowl well when you are thinking about your feet.

I have great teammates that will let me know if I start drifting on the approach, I have found this do to "Fast Feet" so I just slow my feet, not really thinking of them and my timing a drifting seam to straighten out rather nicely, but again, it does help when I am told about by someone else.

I try never to get made at anyone telling what they see in my approach. I take it in and see if they are right, try changes at practice (try to get 1 night of practice a week in) and I think I have improved greatly in the past 12 months.

Jeral

[Hammer]

I have a post on this forum that is from a coach that talks about drifting. It is not too far down from your post. You might want to take a look at that. Maybe it will help you.

[Aslan]

Drifting will make you less consistent. Agree with Rob...it's a change, focusing on it is probably messing with your approach/timing.

I drift when my little "numbers game" starts to not work right. What I mean is...I tend to move 3 boards left, then switch my target 1 board left while moving back right 1-2 boards. At some point...I end up "crowded" where my target is too far left and my body too far right...so subconsciously knowing that....I drift left to compensate.

But thats a math problem I have to fix because drifting doesn't help with consistency. Some guys always do it....but they are extremely consistent in how much they drift. It's another element to the equation...and the more elements...the harder it is to get the same result.

[RobLV1]

Once again, Aslan, please stop over-thinking everything! If you are doing math equations in your head, you cannot possibly throw a good shot.