10 Pin Shooting Question

[TonyInPortland]

I had to change how I shoot the 10 pin at my current bowling center. At the old one, I could stand as far left as I wanted. I used to shoot it over the 3rd arrow, but over the years, I believe I had drifted further and further left and had started to "pin bowl," instead of trying to hit a mark. Consequently I had begin to miss a lot of them.

Last summer, at the new place, where I can only stand two boards left of the last dot, because of the ball return on one lane, I plotted a new strategy, which was throwing over the 3rd arrow. Eventually I had to adjust to aiming for the right edge of the 3rd arrow, because sometimes, if I hit the arrow directly, I would still miss the pin.

It worked very well, and my percentage increased. However, lately, I have been missing them again, and I have noticed that I can miss as many as 3 1/2 boards right of 3rd arrow and still make it, but if I miss even half a board left, I generally miss. Obviously, I should be shooting for about two boards right of 3rd arrow.

The question is, is it human nature to be able to hit the arrow better, than just a single board? So should I move right on the approach and then shoot it over the 2nd arrow? This seems like it would be weird, but since I am pretty much throwing it straight anyway, it would actually make sense.

I am going to practice it tonight, but I was wondering what others think/do?

[JasonNJ]

I had to change how I shoot the 10 pin at my current bowling center. At the old one, I could stand as far left as I wanted. I used to shoot it over the 3rd arrow, but over the years, I believe I had drifted further and further left and had started to "pin bowl," instead of trying to hit a mark. Consequently I had begin to miss a lot of them.

Last summer, at the new place, where I can only stand two boards left of the last dot, because of the ball return on one lane, I plotted a new strategy, which was throwing over the 3rd arrow. Eventually I had to adjust to aiming for the right edge of the 3rd arrow, because sometimes, if I hit the arrow directly, I would still miss the pin.

It worked very well, and my percentage increased. However, lately, I have been missing them again, and I have noticed that I can miss as many as 3 1/2 boards right of 3rd arrow and still make it, but if I miss even half a board left, I generally miss. Obviously, I should be shooting for about two boards right of 3rd arrow.

The question is, is it human nature to be able to hit the arrow better, than just a single board? So should I move right on the approach and then shoot it over the 2nd arrow? This seems like it would be weird, but since I am pretty much throwing it straight anyway, it would actually make sense.

I am going to practice it tonight, but I was wondering what others think/do?

The fact that you can miss right but not left makes me wonder about your eye dominance. You may be left eye dominant and right handed. Here is an earlier discussion about it and there is a link in the thread that explains the whole eye dominance.

http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads...light=left+eye

[TonyInPortland]

But that thread said the opposite: "Left eye dominance in a right-hander usually causes a miss left of three or four boards ."

At any rate, I experimented tonight and seemed to have some success standing ten left of center and shooting just to the right of the 3rd arrow and, and then even more by standing 12 left of center. Aiming for about two boards right of the 3rd arrow seems much easier when I am standing closer to that spot.

Still would like to hear whether others throw over an arrow or a board when shooting the ten pin(seven pin for left-handed).

[RobLV1]

It shouldn't make any difference in terms of targeting once bowlers accept that where they look with their eyes is not necessarily where the ball goes. Where you look does more than just provide a "target," it also helps to create an angle. Another issue is that just like on your strike ball, where you stand and where you look will change from center to center, and even in the same center when the proprietor decides to change the oil pattern.

[Amyers]

But that thread said the opposite: "Left eye dominance in a right-hander usually causes a miss left of three or four boards ."

At any rate, I experimented tonight and seemed to have some success standing ten left of center and shooting just to the right of the 3rd arrow and, and then even more by standing 12 left of center. Aiming for about two boards right of the 3rd arrow seems much easier when I am standing closer to that spot.

Still would like to hear whether others throw over an arrow or a board when shooting the ten pin(seven pin for left-handed).

I actually just aim for the area between the 3rd and 4th arrows as long as I hit that I know I'm going to make it. The issue I've had in the past with standing farther right with my target over the third arrow or so is that I bowl some of my leagues in older wood houses and the plastic ball will hook if you get it outside to early on those lanes.

[JasonNJ]

I played around with a lot of different angles and targets and the key for me was to find an angle where I can easily repeat my shot. I'm left eye dominant right hander so I find the more I increase my angles I tend to miss left. So for 10 pin, I stand with left foot on the 32 board and I stand open facing the 10 pin and I aim for the area between 2nd and 3rd arrow. At this angle I throw it my spare ball with a flat hand and it just works for me and I can easily repeat it. For the 6 or 9 and 6,10 combo I shoot exactly the same except I do more of a suitcase release.

[TonyInPortland]

It shouldn't make any difference in terms of targeting once bowlers accept that where they look with their eyes is not necessarily where the ball goes. Where you look does more than just provide a "target," it also helps to create an angle. Another issue is that just like on your strike ball, where you stand and where you look will change from center to center, and even in the same center when the proprietor decides to change the oil pattern.

Most of the time it goes where I look, not always.

Right now I am only bowling at the one center. Next year, when I go back to bowling at two separate centers, then that will become an issue, deciding if I want to shoot them both the same, even though I may be able to stand further left at the other one.

[TonyInPortland]

I played around with a lot of different angles and targets and the key for me was to find an angle where I can easily repeat my shot. I'm left eye dominant right hander so I find the more I increase my angles I tend to miss left. So for 10 pin, I stand with left foot on the 32 board and I stand open facing the 10 pin and I aim for the area between 2nd and 3rd arrow. At this angle I throw it my spare ball with a flat hand and it just works for me and I can easily repeat it. For the 6 or 9 and 6,10 combo I shoot exactly the same except I do more of a suitcase release.

Yeah that is exactly what I worked on last night, standing on 32 and throwing between 2nd and 3rd arrow. I only tried it a few times, but it seemed much more natural and comfortable.

[fokai73]

I'm trying to invision a person standing on 32 and rolling between 2nd and 3rd arrow. Maybe those that do this have a right drift. Not a bad thing if it works.

[JasonNJ]

I'm trying to invision a person standing on 32 and rolling between 2nd and 3rd arrow. Maybe those that do this have a right drift. Not a bad thing if it works.

For me it was just trying to find something I can easily repeat. I'm not square with the foul line and I'm trying to keep my arm in line with my mark.