Going back to one handed after 7 years of two handed, help needed?

[bobforsaken]

Nice improvement. In some ways the most frustrating thing is being "stuck" at a level where you don't see improvement. Enjoy the journey and the improvement you slowly get over time going back one handed. Its fun again, isn't it..

[vdubtx]

Seems pretty extreme to completely change bowling style if you have hit a plateau in your game. Experienced coaching can help determine what it is that is keeping you there and move you to the next level.

As Mike White hit on, spares seem to be a sore part in the game that many people over look. As the saying goes, Strikes can win games, but Spares can win Championships.

When I hit my plateau a 18 months ago I got some coaching and have benefited from that and also reading and implementing as much as I could into my game.

Important thing is, is to keep working at it. Don't give up and don't overlook the benefit of getting some good coaching.

[Hobbit]

Hey Bob, cheers mate, yeah slow and steady and most definitely enjoy the journey of improvement.

Hey Vdubtx, u are right there, it is extreme, but am looking at this long term though, both the scores and the physical requirements needed.
I thought the same re look at coaching, but there is absolutely no coaching anywhere for me within 45 minutes plus of where I am, and then u add the two handed thing in the mix, and then u are looking at travelling god knows where.. I think coaching is invaluable, but I have been taking little vids of myself, and over the years have gotten quite good and identifying errors/inconsistencies within my game.. The fact that I simply cannot seem to fix these and most of that's down to physical flaws..

[Aslan]

I must apologise for my ignorance, I'm sure Rob M means something to most people mate..

blashphemy...I mean, yes, his stock probably took a hit when it was found out he provided a couple lessons to yours truly....but still. I mean, if there was a "Who's who in Bowling" book published...I gotta think Rob M. is at worst somewhere in the top 300.

Either way, u may be partially right here Aslan, there are many more 2 handers out there, trouble is, most of them are the quintessential spray and prey variety!! I've seen in 7 -8 yrs of 2 handed bowling only a handful of excellent bowlers, who are either pro, or that next level down.. There are very, very few of them in reality...like hens teeth!!!!

Most are inconsistent, miss spares, leave splits, yet ave 200 or a tic more.. I fall into that group!

Just to be clear...I personally think that it'll increase from a fad to maybe 12-14% of bowlers over the next 15 years. It IS more accepted, it IS showing up more often, and it IS easier for young kids to handle heavy bowling balls. As much as I don't like it, I can't honestly say it shouldn't be illegal. That being said, as you mentioned, there are some SERIOUS problems with that style and it is NOT a given that adopting it will make you a good bowler. I'd even venture to say that the 2-handed style is a BAD idea for a new bowler for two main reasons:

1) It is NOT easy. There's a reason only a couple PBA superstars use that style. Belmo makes it look easy...but he's been doing it since he was a toddler. It is very, very difficult to have a complete game (SPARES) and a consistent game when you have that much revs, that much angle, etc... Most 2-handers end up having Hobbit's experience...they try it, they strike more, they love it, they hit a plateau, they stop.

2) It is a style that decreases longevity. I've argued with people that Belmo will never win enough titles to surpass people like WRW, Earl Anthony, Norm Duke, or PDW and the primary reason is...his back won't last that long. It's been rumored that Osku and Belmo, who are both relatively young, have already had serious back issues. We saw the same kinda thing happen to Mark Roth. Roth sort of invented that "tear the cover off the ball" release...and when he burst on the scene there was talk that he'd me the best bowler in history. Even Earl Anthony agreed and said he was the most feared guy on the tour back then. But....Roth had serious thumb and elbow issues as a result of that release....that added to more issues bowlers routinely have (knees, etc...) and then additional health failings. Much like Bo Jackson...had Roth stayed healthy....the history books may look a lot different.

Granted...the new bowlig ball technology would have hurt Roth more than probably any other player from that era...so even if he did stay healthy it's hard to say if he'd be the title leader or not.

[Hobbit]

Hey Aslan, u are right there's a ton more thumbless and two handers out there, but in all honesty, most of them are spray and prayers!! Their spare games are pretty ordinary... Interesting to have a crystal ball here, and look ahead 10-15 yrs ahead into the popularity of the 2 handed technique. Time will tell.. That being said, the 2 handed technique sure is fun though

I also heard whispers a year or two ago that Belmo's back is stuffed, and hes at the physio 2-3 a week?!?!

I tried it for 6-7 yrs, and did pretty well, in terms of improving average taking it from 160-(206-210), but in truth, I had some glaring weakness that the 2 handed technique brought along.. On a health perspective, I'm slim, fit , however 44yr male, I can't imagine doing what I am doing to my body for another 10yrs, let alone 30yrs, so the choice was almost made for me here.. Go back to basics, and learn "the traditional way"..and enjoy improving and bowling well into my 70's, and hopefully beyond !!

[Mike White]

Hey Aslan, u are right there's a ton more thumbless and two handers out there, but in all honesty, most of them are spray and prayers!! Their spare games are pretty ordinary... Interesting to have a crystal ball here, and look ahead 10-15 yrs ahead into the popularity of the 2 handed technique. Time will tell.. That being said, the 2 handed technique sure is fun though

I also heard whispers a year or two ago that Belmo's back is stuffed, and hes at the physio 2-3 a week?!?!

I tried it for 6-7 yrs, and did pretty well, in terms of improving average taking it from 160-(206-210), but in truth, I had some glaring weakness that the 2 handed technique brought along.. On a health perspective, I'm slim, fit , however 44yr male, I can't imagine doing what I am doing to my body for another 10yrs, let alone 30yrs, so the choice was almost made for me here.. Go back to basics, and learn "the traditional way"..and enjoy improving and bowling well into my 70's, and hopefully beyond !!

According to his comment in April of 2014, he hasn't had back problems.

10-things-i-hear-as-a-2-handed-bowler

[epiepenburg]

If spares are the weak part of the game when throwing two handed, why not do what Osku does and still throw one handed at those?

[Hobbit]

Good point Epiepenburg, but throwing it for just spares, doesn't eliminate for the other half of my game, where I have to deal with the physical requirements/strain that my body goes through throwing it 2 handed..It's not a long term technique that bodes well with me.. If I get through 6 games 2 handed I'm quite physically tired, last week, bowled one handed and comfortably bowled 13 games (fantastic!!!), it's really a no brainer here, and my 7 pin percentage on a plus is now as good as it was throwing it 2 handed..

My average began 140, it's now 157, so it's all moving forwards..All within two week, of throwing total of 24 games. Early days, but quite encouraging, for me at least...

[Aslan]

According to his comment in April of 2014, he hasn't had back problems.

10-things-i-hear-as-a-2-handed-bowler

Best explanation…he lied. His success/career more than anyone is built on the 2-handed style taking off around the world. It's helped him to be the #1 name in bolwing along with his high level of performance. The last thing he would want would be for people to hear it leads to premature back issues.

[dnhoffman]

I'm guessing there aren't a lot of two-handed bowling coaches you can work with either? Eh... Tough spot, good luck to you.