Diary of Madman

[Aslan]

You've got PBA caliber speed with a weak release and that's what is causing the washouts, weak hits, and some of the misses left as you are trying to make the ball do what it can't.

Ding Ding Ding!! Very good point. Average PBA speed at the pins is 18-19mph. Mine started out in the upper 17s. And you're right, I just don't have the release, axis tilt, nor rev rate to compensate.

But, in my defense, I DID change my approach after 4 frames to address this. It just didn't work.

Your two options here are to seriously ball up something along the lines of a Guru (on sale) or maybe a Black Widow Red Legend

Not sure a Widow is that much stronger, but I've felt the same thing on Mondays that most of the higher speed guys are throwing very strong equipment and I'm trying to do the same thing with weaker equipment.

You will even notice here most of your better shots are in the 16mph range it allows the ball to actually read the lane instead of you having to make a perfect shot to put it in the pocket and it allow the ball to roll instead of skidding to the pocket which is causing some of the 5 pins.

True. Thats whats one of the most frustrating things. You'll see that I rarely missed my target...and if I did it was usually 1.5 boards to 3 boards at most. So many bowlers average in the 200s and talk about all this "miss room" that they have...I have ZERO miss room. One board isn't a weak strike...it's a washout. And one board left is a split.

You've been posting about not making adjustments off bad shots here lately. My GOD man how many adjustments would you make if they were all good shots? 14 adjustments and 2 ball changes over 3 games...I do have a tendency to do this when I'm bowling badly and looking for something but never to this extent.

True. And like you, when things are going WELL...I don't move as much. More than most bowlers because of my systematic approach...but more than one ball change and/or more than one 3:2 in any direction and it's a good indicator that I'm having a bad night and not finding my line.

Game 1- 2nd shot you left a 5 pin and moved right with the feet. This was the wrong move most likely as a 5 pin is a weak hit 2-1 right or your line needed to shift right because the ball wasn't rolling when it hit the pins (more surface or lower speed) same problem on 3rd shot and moved again right with the feet (so was this a board move total or 1/2 on each lane?)

1/2 on each lane. Normally I'd make a 2:1 right in both those instances, but I was trying to stay inside the oil a little bit to conserve energy downline. In practice I tried throwing up the 5-6 board but wasn't making it back to the pocket...even out there...and I had to think that was because the ball was just burnt up out there.

[QUOTE=Amyers;138260]5 was a strike but very high speed. 6 bad shot no adjustment. You missed left on shot 7 but still adjusted left not sure why you would do that and I think it's what caused your problems for shots 8,9, and 10. [QUOTE]
I figured the miss left wasn't that severe and given it went through the nose...I figured even if I hit my target on the next shot...the line was probably starting to transition....might as well stay ahead of it.

Game 3...Ball down and keep your line or ball up and move left don't ball down and move right.

The D.E. is a ball DOWN, not up. I know that doesn't make sense given the RG values, but the Brunswick cover is far stronger than the Columbia cover, especially with a little polish added to the D.E. My system for moving is actually quite simple. Leave a 4, 9, or 4-9 and you move 1:1 left. Through the nose is 2:1 left. Brooklyn is 3:2 left.

The problem I've had with that system is that it assumes your arsenal is perfectly designed. If it's not, which most aren't, you could move left, lose your line, ball down, and miss right even more. So, if I move left and end up missing right, that tells me the other line was working, but it was time to ball down. The new line isn't working, so obviously, it won't work with a ball that breaks even later. So the 3:2 back right, was just to get back to the last line that worked...THEN ball down.

Sometime this weekend I'm gonna go bowl with my old conventionally drilled 14lb urethane ball. I'm going to try to practice a 1-step approach bowling thumbless to see if I can simplify things a bit. I can't move up much more than I already have. Maybe going to a 3-step approach can get my speed down to 15-16mph. But the problem isn't the speed. Speed is a GREAT thing to have and the thing most of lose as we age. I hate to give away an inherent advantage. But your assessment is spot on that a 17-19mph pro speed requires a pro level release...and I don't have that.

Most of my lessons, regardless of the instructor, have focused on my footwork, approach, timing, etc... I've been patiently waiting to start working on the release. But there are just so many little things to fix in the approach and timing...it's been a long road.

What I noticed in the "diary" was:
1) When my timing felt good AND I hit my target...I almost always struck.
2) The change from the back dots to the front dots lowered the speed, but not as much as I would have hoped. I still must be putting a LOT of power into the shot with my shoulders.
3) The lanes obviously started to transition in Game 3 because even the good shots were missing.

[Aslan]

And thanks all for the positive comments. I will take them into consideration regarding future decisions.

I've had slumps before, but recently it's been ridiculous. But like I've said, like it, love it, hate it...I'm here until the end of May whether I want to be or not...thats when my Monday league ends. So, you won't be rid of me until at the earliest then. Maybe I can even win another ball before I go. Hopefully it's NOTHING like the Asylum (insert hate emoticon)...but free is free.

[Davidjr113]

Aslan

Honestly, when I first started reading this board, I was turned off by some of the back & forth between you and Iceman as well as lot of other stuff, nothing to do with you. I am interesting in bowling stuff here and on bowling forums I follow.

I left the site but then eventually gave it another look on advice from Rob. Pleasantly surprised, and although I don't even look at some of your subjects, such as political ramblings, I have really come to respect and look forward to your bowling thoughts. Some of your other stuff is really quite interesting & entertaining too.

In interest of full disclosure, I am 25-30 years your senior, bowling only about as long as you though, about as addicted, overthinking, and anal as you, similar skill level, but not as interested in posting my thoughts as you are (age differential?)

I have seen many of your posts commenting on us Seniors, we are not all stick in the mud old farts. Some of us are still seeking to learn & improve as much as you are, this one wishes he had back the 25-30 years on me that you do, and I cannot see ever giving up, & I believe you will really regret it if you do.

Never thought I would post this, but this Senior would also really miss you if you left, your drive to improve helps inspire mine to do the same

Dave

[Aslan]

Hmmm. I've never really been inspirational. I kinda like that.

I agree. I consider quitting the game quite often, especially when stuck in my annual slump...but I really don't know what I'd do without bowling. A

Actually, I know EXACTLY what I'd do...either
A) Sit around, smoke pot, surf the internet, and play video games.
or
B) Start running/fitness again to try to lose some weight and suffer miserably through some diet phase and likely lose 20-30 pounds while feeling miserable.

And neither of those is really as fun as bowling. Bowling actually makes me leave the apartment. Without it, and given the recent dating successes (and lack there of), I'd probably just go to work, come home, go to bed, repeat. Bowling makes me "socialize" even when I don't want to. And once a month it makes me get up prior to 9AM on a weekend to go take a lesson.

So, like I said, I don't see much changing between now and May. I'm eventually gonna snap out of the slump...and even if I just sub this summer....I imagine living next door to a bowling alley and with my limited social life...I'll be calling the center each evening telling them there is a male sub. After that, who knows?

[jab5325]

Hmmm. I've never really been inspirational. I kinda like that.

I agree. I consider quitting the game quite often, especially when stuck in my annual slump...but I really don't know what I'd do without bowling. A

Actually, I know EXACTLY what I'd do...either
A) Sit around, smoke pot, surf the internet, and play video games.
or
B) Start running/fitness again to try to lose some weight and suffer miserably through some diet phase and likely lose 20-30 pounds while feeling miserable.

And neither of those is really as fun as bowling. Bowling actually makes me leave the apartment. Without it, and given the recent dating successes (and lack there of), I'd probably just go to work, come home, go to bed, repeat. Bowling makes me "socialize" even when I don't want to. And once a month it makes me get up prior to 9AM on a weekend to go take a lesson.

So, like I said, I don't see much changing between now and May. I'm eventually gonna snap out of the slump...and even if I just sub this summer....I imagine living next door to a bowling alley and with my limited social life...I'll be calling the center each evening telling them there is a male sub. After that, who knows?

Aslan,

I've lost 98 pounds since August and it's helped my bowling game tremendously. I've done this all while bowling 2 nights a week, and subbing one night a week most weeks.

I started out the season in a slump so bad that after only having 1 series below 575 since October, my average is still only 184.

The key is your mind. Only once you put your mind to something can you succeed whether it's dieting, bowling, etc.

Basically, in a round about way.......nut up and get through it. You're doing well--keep it that way.

[Amyers]

[QUOTE=Aslan;138281]Ding Ding Ding!! Very good point. Average PBA speed at the pins is 18-19mph. Mine started out in the upper 17s. And you're right, I just don't have the release, axis tilt, nor rev rate to compensate.

But, in my defense, I DID change my approach after 4 frames to address this. It just didn't work.


Not sure a Widow is that much stronger, but I've felt the same thing on Mondays that most of the higher speed guys are throwing very strong equipment and I'm trying to do the same thing with weaker equipment.


True. Thats whats one of the most frustrating things. You'll see that I rarely missed my target...and if I did it was usually 1.5 boards to 3 boards at most. So many bowlers average in the 200s and talk about all this "miss room" that they have...I have ZERO miss room. One board isn't a weak strike...it's a washout. And one board left is a split.


True. And like you, when things are going WELL...I don't move as much. More than most bowlers because of my systematic approach...but more than one ball change and/or more than one 3:2 in any direction and it's a good indicator that I'm having a bad night and not finding my line.


1/2 on each lane. Normally I'd make a 2:1 right in both those instances, but I was trying to stay inside the oil a little bit to conserve energy downline. In practice I tried throwing up the 5-6 board but wasn't making it back to the pocket...even out there...and I had to think that was because the ball was just burnt up out there.

[QUOTE=Amyers;138260]5 was a strike but very high speed. 6 bad shot no adjustment. You missed left on shot 7 but still adjusted left not sure why you would do that and I think it's what caused your problems for shots 8,9, and 10.

I figured the miss left wasn't that severe and given it went through the nose...I figured even if I hit my target on the next shot...the line was probably starting to transition....might as well stay ahead of it.


The D.E. is a ball DOWN, not up. I know that doesn't make sense given the RG values, but the Brunswick cover is far stronger than the Columbia cover, especially with a little polish added to the D.E. My system for moving is actually quite simple. Leave a 4, 9, or 4-9 and you move 1:1 left. Through the nose is 2:1 left. Brooklyn is 3:2 left.

The problem I've had with that system is that it assumes your arsenal is perfectly designed. If it's not, which most aren't, you could move left, lose your line, ball down, and miss right even more. So, if I move left and end up missing right, that tells me the other line was working, but it was time to ball down. The new line isn't working, so obviously, it won't work with a ball that breaks even later. So the 3:2 back right, was just to get back to the last line that worked...THEN ball down.

Sometime this weekend I'm gonna go bowl with my old conventionally drilled 14lb urethane ball. I'm going to try to practice a 1-step approach bowling thumbless to see if I can simplify things a bit. I can't move up much more than I already have. Maybe going to a 3-step approach can get my speed down to 15-16mph. But the problem isn't the speed. Speed is a GREAT thing to have and the thing most of lose as we age. I hate to give away an inherent advantage. But your assessment is spot on that a 17-19mph pro speed requires a pro level release...and I don't have that.

Most of my lessons, regardless of the instructor, have focused on my footwork, approach, timing, etc... I've been patiently waiting to start working on the release. But there are just so many little things to fix in the approach and timing...it's been a long road.

What I noticed in the "diary" was:
1) When my timing felt good AND I hit my target...I almost always struck.
2) The change from the back dots to the front dots lowered the speed, but not as much as I would have hoped. I still must be putting a LOT of power into the shot with my shoulders.
3) The lanes obviously started to transition in Game 3 because even the good shots were missing.

Speed can be an advantage but only if you are capable of generating enough revs to balance it. Otherwise your just making the game harder for yourself because it becomes you throwing the ball into the pocket instead of allowing the ball to read the pattern and find it's way there. My wife plays a suitcase style release that doesn't generate a lot of revs and is higher speed about 16 mph and really struggled we changed her over to a Nirvana and convinced her to drop the speed a little about 14.5 to 15 mph now and her average has increased by 25 pins over the last three months.

The Black Widow Red Legend Solid is Hammer's most aggressive ball in their current line up but I used it merely as an example. Brunswick Nirvana, Hammer BWRL Solid, Track Paradox, Storm Lock, or Radical Guru's would all be good choices. You've talked about the ball burning up with your current lineup and your current surface I seriously doubt your facing the ball burning up in league play even with your tendency to play outside. My guess would be that you face the ball not transitioning all the way through it's phases of skid, hook, and roll way more often than your burning up with your ball speed. From the look at the pins they can look similar as both will cause the ball to deflect more than it should. The right ball won't fix all of your problems but it could help some.

It maybe time to have a talk about the release with your coach. I understand that coaches like to fix everything else first but if it is effecting your enjoyment of the game it's time to work on it.

[J Anderson]

It maybe time to have a talk about the release with your coach. I understand that coaches like to fix everything else first but if it is effecting your enjoyment of the game it's time to work on it.

Having read Mark Baker's book, "The Gamechanger", I understand why many coaches sort of ignore the release at first. There are so many fundamentals that can affect the release that focusing on the other stuff often fixes the release.

[bubba809]

I've lost 98 pounds since August and it's helped my bowling game tremendously.

Funny, I've put on 20 Lbs and my bowling game is better than it's ever been.

[Aslan]

Having read Mark Baker's book, "The Gamechanger", I understand why many coaches sort of ignore the release at first. There are so many fundamentals that can affect the release that focusing on the other stuff often fixes the release.

I agree. The release is SO important to the ultimate ball motion, that we almost intuitively go right after that in terms of trying to improve. Kinda like when a ball "doesn't hook"...we start looking for a ball that will. Most bowlers work off the assumption that if you have a good ball and a good release....all you have to do is not fall over the foul line and you're golden.

But there are SO many things going on in those 4 steps...and if not done right....release will only be there to compensate, not enhance the shot.

For example:
Step 1: If your first step is too long or too short...you are setting the "pace" for your entire approach. Think of your first step like an Indy 500 pace car. If it's slow...the approach is slower. If it's long (fast), the other cars gotta try to catch up to it.

Step 2: Step 2 should be fluid...not pausing. And it's important that your posture is correct. I have a tendency to push the ball out and then let the ball carry my head forward and down. That puts my head in front of my feet...and your feet will always do whatever is necessary to catch up to your head.

Step3: Where is the ball during step 3? In Mark Baker's video/book you'll see that elite bowlers...the ball is at the top of the backswing or already on it's way down. If it's not...you're going to get to the line early and PULL the ball down.

Step 4: Is it balanced? Do you have proper spine tilt? Are you low enough at the line? Is your timing good? Do you stay down, or pop up?

Can you be a high level league bowler with a horrible approach? Yes. You can compensate for a bad approach and stay in time and release the ball well and will have success. But getting beyond a 190-205 average on a THS is going to require more work on all those approach elements.

Nothing gets me irritated more than seeing a 75-year old guy throw a 267 game yet he fell off of every shot, had a quirky approach, etc... I think to myself, "Wait. So I'm spending $150/month on lessons to learn NOT to do what that guy does...yet he rolled a 267 and I rolled a 167!??" But, to echo my coach, that guy has 35 years on me...and probably over 40 years more of bowling experience. He bowls in one house...he rarely enters tournaments...and his ability to adjust to changes are limited. He's definitely better than me NOW...but probably wasn't near as good as I am after his first 3 years of bowling. So, you just gotta avert your eyes...and try not to get irritated.

[Davidjr113]

Damn Aslan, you are on us Seniors again!