Article Research - POLL II

[RobLV1]

I am currently working on an article for BTM relating to "working the inside of the ball." Being as this phrase often pops up in bowling discussions, and virtually every time that Randy Pedersen has a microphone in his hand, I would like to get your input about the often-discussed topic. Please help me by answering the following questions:

1. Do you work the inside of the ball?
2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well?
3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows?
4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn?
5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it?

[John Anderson]

1. I do not.
2. No. I've been working on the Highway to Hell and Turnpike patterns.
3. I can aim about 3 boards left of the center arrow (I'm right handed) on THS. I have been around 17-19 at the arrows on sport shots that I've tried.
4. It is always helpful to be able to use different styles but it's not essential to being a fantastic bowler. When your ball can flare almost perfectly to expose every inch of surface to the lane, the skill is far less useful than it would have been 30 years ago.
5. I do not and will not practice it. I don't need more revs or speed. I really only need more accuracy and ability to adapt to lane conditions.

[ALazySavage]

1. Do you work the inside of the ball?

Don't believe that I work the inside of the ball as much as I should.

2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well?

I bowl both house shots and sport shots (mostly PBA patterns and USBC)

3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows?

I feel that this question is very dependent on the conditions, probably safe to say I can move to about 4th arrow but rarely find the need to do so.

4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn?

Especially for younger bowlers (those 13-20 years old), but it can be a great skill for any bowler to have as long as it is accomplished properly - the skill being developed without hindering other mechanics.

5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it?

This is a difficult thing to measure, a lot would depend on the changes seen in the early stages of practice. I'm not saying this as I have to see immediate results to continue working on such a change, but it would likely have to be something that I could foresee not being a long-term project that would significantly impair my bowling; would have to do more of a risk/reward analysis before taking on the project.

[billf]

1. Do you work the inside of the ball? Not as much as I should. I get lazy on my home center's house shot.

2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well? Both

3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows? Condition specific but when they match 6th arrow. I have a harder time going straight up 3 than playing deep though.

4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn? Depends on the bowler and their goals within the sport. I don't think we will ever see another top level amatuer or any pro again that doesn't play the inside part of the ball.
5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it? Well I only bowl for fun so the ten hours a week I spend practicing is sufficient. That's been fairly consistent for the last four years.

[GeoLes]

I am currently working on an article for BTM relating to "working the inside of the ball." Being as this phrase often pops up in bowling discussions, and virtually every time that Randy Pedersen has a microphone in his hand, I would like to get your input about the often-discussed topic. Please help me by answering the following questions:

1. Do you work the inside of the ball? - I am not certain exactly what that means (does it mean playing the arrows further inside the lane? I usually play 3rd arrow, but have on occasion gotten some success just outside the 4th arrow

2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well? Mostly THS, but occasionally a sports pattern

3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows? 2 and 3 arrows work best for me

4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn? - Not really. It is great if you want that style of bowling, but whatever works for you is best to master

5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it?

I am unwilling to practice it. I have enought "gremlins" to work out of my existing bowling

I don't think is is an essential skill for the avaerage bowler (if inside the ball is what I think it is). Just a matter of controlling your own individual bowling style to get the desired effect.

[ChuckR]

I am currently working on an article for BTM relating to "working the inside of the ball." Being as this phrase often pops up in bowling discussions, and virtually every time that Randy Pedersen has a microphone in his hand, I would like to get your input about the often-discussed topic. Please help me by answering the following questions:

1. Do you work the inside of the ball?
2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well?
3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows?
4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn?
5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it?

1. I do not as I get plenty of revs with my current delivery.
2. I bowl at 2 houses which are quite different. Haven't tried any sports shots, yet.
3. I can go 4 left of center. I even through strikes if I am following through correctly.
4. I don't for the game I currently am working on.
5. NONE

[Amyers]

I am currently working on an article for BTM relating to "working the inside of the ball." Being as this phrase often pops up in bowling discussions, and virtually every time that Randy Pedersen has a microphone in his hand, I would like to get your input about the often-discussed topic. Please help me by answering the following questions:

1. Do you work the inside of the ball?
2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well?
3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows?
4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn?
5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it?

1. Honestly I don't know. Everyone says stay behind and inside the ball most people if you ask them will say they do from my observations most don't.
2. I bowl at 4 houses which are quite different 2 with synthetic lanes 2 with wood. I've bowled in sport and challenge shots in tournaments and tried to get some leagues going but just hasn't had the participation.
3. I can go I have played as deep as the 4th arrow but much more comfortable around the 3rd.
4. As I stated earlier I really don't know how inside the ball I am currently If it would improve my game I would be willing to learn but coaching in my area in virtually non existent especially for the higher end parts of the game
5. If it would help I would devote significant time to it.

[Aslan]

First; GREAT topic.

As you know...I'm really trying to develop a more modern release where I come through the ball rather than up the side...and until recently have really struggled with even figuring out what that MEANS.

1. Do you work the inside of the ball?
No. I'm developing coming through the ball versus up the side...but my coach has suggested I not try to work the "inside of the ball" (aka starting on the inside quarter) as I'm not quite at that stage yet.
2. Do you bowl exclusively on a house shot, or do you bowl on tournament shots as well?
Both
3. How deep are you able to play the lanes effectively at the arrows?
Between 20 and 4. Outside of 4 I tend to lack the ability to consistently stay out of the gutter. Inside of 17 and I really struggle to get the ball to come back when thrown at about 16mph. I can go as far left (targeting) as 20...but most of my success/comfort zone is between 6 and 12.
4. Do you think that working the inside of the ball is an important skill to learn?
Undecided. I still see many, many bowlers that average around 200 and have horrible form, horrible balance, old technology (balls), and seem to be playing up the side of the ball...or have tremendous axis rotation but virtually no axis tilt. So if playing the inside of the ball or through the ball is so essential...why are so many people successful NOT doing that?
5. If you think that it is an important skill to learn, how much time per week, and over what period of time would you be willing to practice to develop it?
I'd practice/develop it once a week if my coach sent me down that path.

[Aslan]

1. Honestly I don't know. Everyone says stay behind and inside the ball most people if you ask them will say they do from my observations most don't.

Very true. I even struggle when watching the PBA50 Tour because it seems like a lot of those guys don't work the inside of the ball. The National Tour guys do. Tackett, Rash, etc... But even on the National Tour...does everyone work the inside of the ball? Does Mallott? Does O'Neill? Bryan Voss??

Parker Bohn is the best left-handed bowler alive (RIP Earl Anthony). WRW is the best right handed bowler alive. Between them they have more titles and majors than any other two bowlers. Neither one works the inside of the ball. Parker, annoyingly, will sometimes seem like he's not even coming through the ball at all (but he is). It's going to take the old guard retiring before I think people will agree it's a necessity (working the inside of the ball). Too many titles and majors currently in the hands of traditional bowlers. And the other threat to working the inside of the ball is that the biggest trend among youth is 2-handed bowling...so why learn to work the inside of the ball when the best bowler on the Tour uses 2 hands and seems to have a massive advantage?

It's like "falling off the shot". It's fairly common knowledge that the best bowlers have good balance at the foul line. They don't "muscle" the ball. Yet how many times have we seen elite bowlers muscle the heck out of the ball (and win) and/or fall off the shot (and still strike/win)??

USBC has done a great job with the training center and videos and information...but they need to show how these modern methods and new techniques translate into becoming BETTER than Belmo...BETTER than WRW. Everyone says Fagan is the "King of Swing" and Rhino Page, EJ Tackett, Bill O'Neill...all have great form/releases...and Chris Barnes is the most technically sound of all of them....yet those guys aren't WINNING. And bowlers care FAAAAAAA (not enough "A"s to express this) AAAAR more concerned with winning and scoring high than they are with actually being technically proficient.

Sidenote: I came up with an idea that when I fix my laptop memory issue...and start doing videos again...I'm gonna tape every person in the leagues I bowl in...that averages > 175 yet has the most akward, crazy, weirdo, fanatical approach. I got the idea after watching a guy do what appeared to be the kinda 'dance' you do when you have to take a poop. And I don't understand WHY...because he does this elaborate lizard-like dance routine...yet stops at the foul line and throws the ball. So, the approach...is nothing more than a waste of time...because none of the momentum from the approach is ever used when he throws the ball...because he stops at the foul line THEN swings. Yet...he averages in the 190s. Must be nice. Must be nice to NEVER practice....throw the ball like a weirdo...and still use the same ball he bought used at a garage sale in 1976....and still out-average little ole Aslan...but I digress.

[fokai73]

1. nope
2. both
3. just passed the 4th arrow.
4. if one is looking for more rotation on the ball, which can creates more pin action, then I say yes. Personally, that's not my goal.
5. if my body/arm/hand can allow me to "naturally" get into this position with no to very little stress like Wes M., then I'll do this 3 days a week for a month.