Where do you aim?

[JaMau24]

What mark do you aim for? Do you use an arrow to aim at? Do you use a particular board to aim at? Do you aim out past the arrows or right at the arrows? Some people even use the reflection of the pins to aim at, so what do you do?

I noticed today when I was practicing, I targeted a specific board out past where the arrows are (closer to the break point), and I found that I was much more accurate. Usually, I aim at a board right at where the arrows are and I have a hard time hitting my mark consistently. Aiming further out made me more accurate though (for today anyway), is that normal? I would think it would be easier to hit a mark closer to you than further from you. I certainly found it easier though.

[bowl1820]

In general I aim at the arrows or a board l/r of a arrow, but depending on if I want the ball to react earlier or later. I might aim past the arrows or before them. But I also look at the breakpoint I want to help set up a target line to pay.

Yes its easier to hit a mark closer to you, but most people tend to set the ball down earlier when they do ( or when they aim at a mark farther away they release it later), so you have to be aware of that and project the ball the right amount.

[TheSheibs]

I have been using the second arrow from the end for years now. We all have that one spot that we look at(aim for) that allows us to hit the pocket consistently. Since your not using a mark I wonder if you throw the ball out past the arrows. Do you have long arms that causes you to release the ball further over the foul line then most people?

[billf]

Jason, as with most of my answers; it depends. Have you heard of or read the 3 point targeting system? I use my practice shot to determine what will cork best for me that particular day. Not being left-handed () we need to be a tad more versatile.
http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/...ski_nov_08.pdf

[Etrain]

i always aim for the arrows, 2nd to 3rd usually BUT i never tried aiming past the arrows and i will keep this in mind! next time i play

[MICHAEL]

I always use the arrows! It depends on the lanes which arrow I use. and I also use the dots, form my 3 step no slide approach. Its a killer combination!! Works for me! I start out that way, I am old, and I doubt I will change! Too darn set in my ways!!! And I like it that way!!
Some times I don't look at the darn marks at all!! I just look on down the alley, where the pins look like one solid object, (bad distance vision), and throw the ball! People rely way to much on signs, marks, symbols, characters, directions you name. lol

[billf]

I start out that way, I am old, and I doubt I will change!

Your correct Michael. You started out old and will never change to young again. Oh wait, I took that slightly out of context. It must have been the $20 bill a certain person paid me to harass you lol

[JaMau24]

Jason, as with most of my answers; it depends. Have you heard of or read the 3 point targeting system? I use my practice shot to determine what will cork best for me that particular day. Not being left-handed () we need to be a tad more versatile.
http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/...ski_nov_08.pdf

Interesting. I'm gonna give this a read here in a second.

[MICHAEL]

Interesting. I'm gonna give this a read here in a second.

Don't waste your time Jason... I will be your coach!! I am the ONE,,, not Bill,,,, He's nothing but a coach, and fair bowler,,,, what could he give you that the King Pin can't???
Don't muddle your head with great coaching tips, and pointers..... where will that get Ya!!! ( LOL!!

[JaMau24]

Jason, as with most of my answers; it depends. Have you heard of or read the 3 point targeting system? I use my practice shot to determine what will cork best for me that particular day. Not being left-handed () we need to be a tad more versatile.
http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/...ski_nov_08.pdf

Great Read.. Looks like some incredibly helpful information..

I have a question about the "exit point"... I understand if its a 40 foot pattern, you subtract 31 from that and you'll have an exit point at board 9 at 40 feet. Now, are you supposed to just make an educated guess where 40 feet is at on a lane? Or is there an easier way of figuring out where the 40 ft mark is at?

and another question if its a 42 foot US Open pattern (considered one of the hardest patterns in the world), the exit point would be at board 11 at 42 feet, correct? Even on the most difficult pattern out there, this would work? So you'd look at the focal point between pins 3 and 6, move your eyes to the exit point on board 11 at 42 feet, then move your eyes up to your visual, slide at board 18 or so (varying depending on your release), and this would accurately get you into the pocket on a US Open pattern? That seems crazy to me. Also, if that didn't work, would you then just adjust based on the same exit point still? So if I went high, I'd slide my focal point over to about the middle of the 6, draw a line from the focal, through the exit point, then determine a new visual point/slide point?

and another (sorry to bombard you with questions, just find this interesting and want to put it to use), What if you don't know for certain the length of a pattern? I'm not sure the exact distance our house lays down for our typical house shot. I know a THS can vary between 38-40 feet or so, maybe even longer, so what if I don't know for sure? Can I just play as if it were 40 ft long, use the exit point of 9, even though it could be a 38 ft pattern and exit point of 7? Or would that mess it all up? It seems like it would still work out ok, because it seems as though the true helpful part of this is just focusing your eyes using the Quiet Eye System. Am I wrong to think that? or is it actually very important to make sure you know the length, and use the correct exit point and that the 3-point targeting system coupled with the Quiet Eye System is what makes this so good?

Last question, wouldn't ball reaction discredit this a little as well? If you used a strong ball, as opposed to a weak ball, you obviously couldn't stand at the same spot and throw at the same mark. I'm assuming you'd just move left for an aggressive ball, and move your focal to the right, correct?

Thanks again for posting, although you are probably regretting it now after all the questions I have asked lol