Difficulty adjusting to lane conditions...

[fortheloveofbowling]

Carry down: Not to argue with anyone but in my opinion it does exist sometimes If you are on a higher volume pattern with clean backends or bowling with someone using urethane or something pushing oil around. Especially if you are bowling with experienced bowlers that tend to make consistent shots and multiple are playing the same spot down lane. I'm guessing when i have heard top level players talk about carry down they might know what they are talking about. You experience that a lot less in leagues and lower volume house shots.

Playing outside: Differing outlooks depending on the bowler and experience. Some simply have that comfort zone. Some have limited revs on their ball and need that extra entry angle to carry. Some like the fact that they can stay in just enough of oil to get the ball down the lane and burn up a little so the ball doesn't jump harder of the end of the pattern. If you have enough guys playing the pattern correctly starting at the right point when moving left and employing the correct angle through the front part of the lane you can create your own bumper. Watching qualifying during pba tournaments you can see guys just walling them up by playing the lanes correctly and creating area. Learning those things is just a matter of stopping and thinking why is my ball doing that and why is the lane doing that.

Hockey stick and flat motion: Hockey stick motion is great when you have the right ball, speed, angle, break point, revolutions, etc. Because of all that i personally try to avoid that reaction. Because if you are not right with your combinations you are just asking for x 2-10 x big four x. Sure you can get some big games but you will not be consistent with that reaction. Very few pro bowlers ever look for that reaction even when swing the ball. If you what closely you will see that there ball is picking up earlier to avoid that snap. If you are leaving flat 10's you can work with that. The ball is just in the oil to long and not getting into a roll early enough. Maybe lower your speed a little or try to find a little added friction to the right. Not by standing in the same spot but moving a LITTLE right with your feet and maybe less with your eyes so to adjust your lay down and angle through the fronts.

Now some or none these ramblings may work for anyone. The thing is you have to watch and think and try to understand what is happening during your bowling. Bowling can be very hard if you don't listen to your ball and the lane and don't learn what the guy bowling well next to you has heard. That may be stupid but my wife thinks i am starting to be hard of hearing.

[RobLV1]

Carry down: Not to argue with anyone but in my opinion it does exist sometimes If you are on a higher volume pattern with clean backends or bowling with someone using urethane or something pushing oil around. Especially if you are bowling with experienced bowlers that tend to make consistent shots and multiple are playing the same spot down lane. I'm guessing when i have heard top level players talk about carry down they might know what they are talking about. You experience that a lot less in leagues and lower volume house shots.

Playing outside: Differing outlooks depending on the bowler and experience. Some simply have that comfort zone. Some have limited revs on their ball and need that extra entry angle to carry. Some like the fact that they can stay in just enough of oil to get the ball down the lane and burn up a little so the ball doesn't jump harder of the end of the pattern. If you have enough guys playing the pattern correctly starting at the right point when moving left and employing the correct angle through the front part of the lane you can create your own bumper. Watching qualifying during pba tournaments you can see guys just walling them up by playing the lanes correctly and creating area. Learning those things is just a matter of stopping and thinking why is my ball doing that and why is the lane doing that.

Hockey stick and flat motion: Hockey stick motion is great when you have the right ball, speed, angle, break point, revolutions, etc. Because of all that i personally try to avoid that reaction. Because if you are not right with your combinations you are just asking for x 2-10 x big four x. Sure you can get some big games but you will not be consistent with that reaction. Very few pro bowlers ever look for that reaction even when swing the ball. If you what closely you will see that there ball is picking up earlier to avoid that snap. If you are leaving flat 10's you can work with that. The ball is just in the oil to long and not getting into a roll early enough. Maybe lower your speed a little or try to find a little added friction to the right. Not by standing in the same spot but moving a LITTLE right with your feet and maybe less with your eyes so to adjust your lay down and angle through the fronts.

Now some or none these ramblings may work for anyone. The thing is you have to watch and think and try to understand what is happening during your bowling. Bowling can be very hard if you don't listen to your ball and the lane and don't learn what the guy bowling well next to you has heard. That may be stupid but my wife thinks i am starting to be hard of hearing.

You make some very good points. Please permit me to address a couple of them. Two points that you make actually relate to each other. Yes, urethane and plastice balls do create carrydown, however, it is those players who are only comfortable playing way outside in very little oil resort to using them. As to heavier oil patterns, I can tell you that I attended one of the TV tapings at the WSOB last year using the blue oil. As a member of the press, I was able to see the lanes close up after the previous taping and practice between the two shows. The temporary lanes were raised approximately 2 1/2 feet off the floor, and I was able to view the end of the pattern from right next to them. The only streaks coming off of the end of the pattern were directed at the right corner, created by plastic spare balls used to pick up ten and six pins. As to statements about carrydown coming from top level players, I was first advised of its demise about three years ago by Robert Smith. At his suggestions, I began to research Kegel testing on the subject. I suggest that you do the same. It's really hard to let go of a belief that we've all carried around with us for years, but it really is a benefit to your bowling.

[axslinger]

Still struggling with this. I move left a board or two and end up throwing the ball over the edge and cleaning out the gutter. I just have an issue with a sharp angle; i.e. standing left and throwing at a target that is to the right. It just doesn't seem natural; it's like I'm reaching way right trying to hit my target. It's hard to explain but when I have to move left and shoot right, I end up in the gutter. It just doesn't seem natural.

I was at a center last night and like all centers these days, they're trying to save money. Unless there's a league, they only condition 2-3 times a week! They keep the left half of the center with fresh oil for the leagues and the other half they just let em' dry out. I was moving all over the place and couldn't find a position that worked. Very frustrating; going from throwing 180-200+ with a house ball to throwing scores I'm too embarrassed to even mention.

[Amyers]

1. This takes getting used to it's not something your just going to go pick up a ball and do.
2. If your throwing the ball in the gutter you are aiming too far outside with too much angle try throwing from a spot you can roll over the third arrow and not let the ball get farther right than the 8-10 board to start. if your ball is going father right than that area too much angle.
3. If the lanes are very dry in the middle you may not be able to play these lines either if the heads are dry (the ball starts hooking in the first 30-35 feet or so) these lines don't work.

[vdubtx]

Agree with Amyers. If you are moving left and dumping the ball into the gutter, your target is all wrong. When moving left, also move your target left some. If you move 2 boards left with feet, move 2 boards left with target = 2+2 move. Not saying this move will work for you on all conditions, but just as an example.

One thing I have started to do with some success is to shift my focus on a target that is further down lane. I typically had targeted the arrows. Now though, on burned up lanes, my target is at my intended break point about 40 ft down lane. At the same time I do adjust my feet to the left. If I typically target the 3 arrow, my ball when I focus down lane is actually now rolling over 19-20 staying in some more oil to push through the heads to get to the target.

[RobLV1]

The other thing that you need to watch when you are moving left is the direction of your feet. If you start at 20 (with your left foot), and slide into 20. When you are standing 30, you need to slide into thirty. If you start at 30 and slide into 20 (or 25 for that matter), you have changed your angle to such a degree that it's easy to dump the ball into the gutter. This is the single most difficult thing for track players to master. When you are moving left, and walking straight, simply open your hips and shoulders to project the ball to the right.

[Mike White]

You make some very good points. Please permit me to address a couple of them. Two points that you make actually relate to each other. Yes, urethane and plastice balls do create carrydown, however, it is those players who are only comfortable playing way outside in very little oil resort to using them. As to heavier oil patterns, I can tell you that I attended one of the TV tapings at the WSOB last year using the blue oil. As a member of the press, I was able to see the lanes close up after the previous taping and practice between the two shows. The temporary lanes were raised approximately 2 1/2 feet off the floor, and I was able to view the end of the pattern from right next to them. The only streaks coming off of the end of the pattern were directed at the right corner, created by plastic spare balls used to pick up ten and six pins. As to statements about carrydown coming from top level players, I was first advised of its demise about three years ago by Robert Smith. At his suggestions, I began to research Kegel testing on the subject. I suggest that you do the same. It's really hard to let go of a belief that we've all carried around with us for years, but it really is a benefit to your bowling.

It's even harder to let it go when I can walk down to the end of the pattern after a league, and see a large quantity of carry down.

[RobLV1]

It's from the plastic and urethane balls that your rev rate forces you to use, Mike. LOL!

[Mike White]

It's from the plastic and urethane balls that your rev rate forces you to use, Mike. LOL!

While that sounds good, I am referring to lanes I didn't bowl on.

My ball tends to streak less oil down the lane because I exit the oil much earlier than most people.

When did you start bowling?

It seems you lack experience of pre-reactive resin bowling.

Did you bowl back when people commonly used rubber balls, on lacquer lanes?

[axslinger]

The other thing that you need to watch when you are moving left is the direction of your feet. If you start at 20 (with your left foot), and slide into 20. When you are standing 30, you need to slide into thirty. If you start at 30 and slide into 20 (or 25 for that matter), you have changed your angle to such a degree that it's easy to dump the ball into the gutter. This is the single most difficult thing for track players to master. When you are moving left, and walking straight, simply open your hips and shoulders to project the ball to the right.

I believe this is precisely the problem; it's difficult to to have a target to the right yet I have to point my shoes straight ahead; it's awkward and doesn't feel natural but like you said, if I point my toes toward the target, it's going in the gutter. This would be like a baseball pitcher doing his normal wind up but instead throws to third...but isn't allowed to move his feet! Exaggerated, yes but that's the awkwardness of it.