For left side spares, I use the 4-8-12 lateral adjustment and thus will move 12-boards right of my spot for my strike shot. I will then throw my strike ball over the same spot and the ball will hook into the 7-pin. Since this is simply a lateral adjustment with the same ball and I'm using the hook…I walk straight to the line and don't open mys shoulders to the 7-pin. Unfortunately, I'm only 60% (83/137) at that pin as of right now…but that has improved a great deal recently.
For right side leaves I throw my spare ball (polished entry level reactive) and use the 4-8-12 system from center. So I will move my left foot to the 32-board (20/center + 12) and the target is generally the 15-19 board at the arrows. Since this is a straight shot, I will angle my approach and open my shoulders to the target. I am 58% at this pin (172/293) presently and it still gives me a great deal of trouble.
This shot still gives me a great deal of problems and those problems can vary. Generally, a missed shot is "usually" because I don't open my shoulders or I open them too much. But, I can also miss this shot because the reactive resin ball will grab slightly and if the lanes are drier…I'll miss by 1-3 inches left. However, that is generally cancelled out by the fact that on drier lanes, if I miss right, the ball will often times grab and straighten out into the 10-pin. This shot is also a problem if the lanes a VERY dry…or just not well maintained…because the ball, even at my low rev rate, will "bounce" off a very dry outside area. If that happens, I try to increase speed to overcome it…or I can flatten out my wrist…but I hate to do either of those since it messes with my normal delivery/approach/timing.
Realize, part of why I haven't switched to a plastic ball (yet) is I simply don't have a rev rate where I generally have a problem or get into trouble. The USBC generally teaches throwing a plastic ball. And I would agree with that for any new player or player that generates even 250rpms.
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