What's the next step?

[trekbowl300]

So, I am now committed to changing my spare technique to a straight ball system. I wanted to change everything at once so as Dean Hinitz wrote “a person with true intention will do whatever is needed to achieve the goal.” Well, I am committed and do have the intention to see this through however without any other input from my coach or ball driller I did not change the grip on my spare ball.

This does not mean I settled and will waffle in between my guessing system and a definite straight ball system. What I have done is take the steps I feel confident with and when I learn more about how the changes in grip according to Jim King’s 2001, 3 part article (I refer to this article a few more times later) actually help you roll the ball straighter I’ll take steps I believe will help.

The first change was to change my lifts in the spare only plastic ball I have. Since my coach had me change the lift size in my strike ball I guess the spare ball should at least be the same. After talking with my ball driller I also went from the flat white lifts to an oval lift without the flat spot, which I feel, will also help me stop trying to hit up on the ball for a hook.

So off to practice I go. After a few shots (first game) I knew my old position (feet) and mark (arrows) would not work with the new feel and style of shot making I was going to use. I now use the same stance and delivery that I use for my strike shot. Yes, bent knees and straight swing and follow through. Nowhere close to what I had done before on spares when trying to add hook to get the spare. I tried the system set up by my coach and was close to getting a line to shoot my 10 pin spare after about 6 shots. No, I did not pick up an alley ball and try throwing the thump, thump sounding ball. I however did practice rolling the ball straight, with no hook. I know not the way mentioned but I still have to get over my resistance of going backwards (in my mind only) to move forwards.

I am trying the parallel lines system as my coach recommended and adjusted my feet placement and mark according to the pin I am looking to hit. Lucky for me I have just read the article by Susie Minshew in BTM because in going for my 10 pin shot I noticed that if I stand on one specific mark I would always get both the 6 and 10 pins every time not just one pin at a time. Two boards over and I would just hit the 10 on the right, so better hitting it on the left and the six pin is a bonus.

Every time I made the shot correct and even once when I dropped the ball early it went right at the ten pin, yes it would have missed the 6 but not the 10. For the next two games I just shot at the 6-10 and 4-7. I don’t know if I had it down the correct way but almost every time I would actually get the 4-7-8 and the 6-9-10. Not exactly the low ball game I have read about however a good confidence builder knowing I didn’t have to hook my strike ball at the 4 or 7 pins and knowing a mark to hit either the 6 or 10 pins without worry.

On the fourth game I started trying the 2-4-5-8 since every now and then my strike ball doesn’t come up enough and I miss light and this is the spare I have to make. Hitting the 2-5 pocket without a hook didn’t always get the 8 but heavier on the two then five did get the eight more times. Shooting for the 8 pin wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I'll continue to work on this and start with the 3 pin next time.

Sweetroll thanks for the suggestions and I hope to prove you right as I continue with my new spare system. As for the inner calm, reading and practicing some of Dean Hinitz suggestions have already helped me on that path. As always any suggestions would be appreciated as I continue to take that next step forward.

Dennis G.

[trekbowl300]

Well, for those of you who have read my on going story of what I have experienced in taking the next step up to a 200 average continues with hitting a wall and how to over come it. I know this wall is only in my mind and I have to remember it’s me against me. The wall is weather to continue using a plastic ball with a straight shot for spares on the left side or go back to the strike ball with adjustments for lane conditions (hook) when shooting left side spares.

Up to now I have used the information from my coach, BTM, and the many wonderful people on this forum to help me achieve my quest of getting past the 190’s into the 200 range for a full season. Right now I should get there unless I have a major breakdown (205 after 87 games). My spare shooting is the last step I have taken to becoming a better bowler. As in my last entry I started to use a plastic ball for all my spare shooting. I believed I was ready to use this system recommended by coach, articles in BTM and others from my league.

I have tried following through with this plan but it was difficult this past week and I guess I didn’t past the test of what it truly takes to stay the course and follow through. For those of you who have mastered the art of straight spare shooting I have a great appreciation for your ability and dedication. This is because you weathered the storm if you went through similar experiences.

In my last week of bowling I had downs, ups and average times but the most difficult times were the spare situations. I opened the night with a 2 pin and my spare shot goes just past it to the left. Too much angle I guess. I try adjusting on the next spare on the left and again missed. What was troubling is the fact that I practiced three games a few days before on left side pins only and had down a line to get what I wanted. I have practiced many times on this system but those lines and shots don’t work during my league. The lines (marks) for left side spares do not exist at all on this regular league night, everything changes. I thought the plastic ball thrown straight was supposed to take the lane condition out of the equation. Do I know if I was doing something wrong - no I don’t, or it’s just not all that simple?

I again thought I was going to continue using a system regardless of the outcome however after the third open I went back to my old spare shooting technique using my strike ball for anything on the left so I could feel better. Ended with a 173 and three opens. I am lucky my coach’s approach and first ball shot have worked for strikes or it would have been one of those nightmare games.

In that first game the strikes did help me keep my score from really falling off and the second game strikes came very easy. The first 5 were fun watching go down then the never ending 10 pin in the sixth frame, this time I went back to the plastic ball and made the ten pin, now again feeling good and completing the game with strikes for a 279. All well and good now, I’m thinking maybe go back to the spare game as the coach said and I felt I was in a better groove for success.

Well, that was short lived because in the first frame of the third game I just made a bad first shot and left the 4 & 7 pins. Going back to the plastic ball for the left side and again missed to the left hitting the seven pin only. Then after two 10 pin spares, up comes the four pin and again adjustment to make it but again miss it. I’m not sure if it’s just my own mind that’s causing this or skill and technique but it’s hard to have success with other parts of the game – my strikes have increased 4x – 6 and 10 pins seen to be no problem with the straight ball technique but using my the coach’s approach and system while shooting spares on the left side is just awful and this makes it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when everything else is working well. Again as always any suggestions on how to be better prepared for spare shots or anything is welcomed.

Dennis G.

[editor]

How much have you been practicing those spares? I would recommend you stay with it, practice them more and eventually, you'll have more confidence. Just walk to the line and hit your target. If lined up properly, you'll make them. If you are executing, on balance, and hitting your target and still missing, then you aren't lined up properly. Good luck.

Jim King

[trekbowl300]

Jim, for once I’m short on words to describe how lucky I feel that you answered my request for any additional help. Your words made me realize that I have not given the new system much time and over reacted to a few bad shots.

As for practice I have been practicing this since the last week in February about a month, and the practice is six games a week, two sets of three games. Yes, I know this isn’t much however with all other things in life it’s the best I can do for now. The practice has been only for spare shooting no strike balls. Last week I practiced only on left side spares for the six games because that’s were I have had trouble even in practice. I thought I had at least lined up to make the one pin spares but under league conditions everything seems to change. However, as I realized that I practiced shooting strikes for years and never gave up, the same should be for the spare game.

I only have to look back to earlier this year when I had my first lesson from a coach who made changes in my approach. I didn’t think twice or go back when some bad shots were made, so why shouldn't I do the same for the spare game?

Thank you for the words of encouragement and I will practice more and try not to let the league games get to me.

Dennis G.

[editor]

At least once every 4-6 weeks, go throw 100 spare shots. Make it challenging and make it fun. Play low ball with a friend. Have a specific spare in mind for every shot, even if the pins aren't up there. Its all about confidence in your execution, so that the spares become second nature. You won't gain this level without work. You have a wonderful attitude and will get there if you stay at it. Good luck

Jim King

[trekbowl300]

OK, so now I will develop a practice plan, which includes a few more games of spare shooting, then I have ever done before. The 100 spare shots is almost double of what I have been doing so now I understand even more how much practice is required to build up your confidence. I will also meet with my coach again to make sure I am actually using the correct delivery for the straight shot.

This past Tuesday was my league night and because of my last post in which I said strikes were up 4x the bowling gods must have heard and put me back into reality. On a night when all the 9 other bowlers are striking at will (top three 699 then 670 and 662) I could only watch and think about my next spare shot.

In my first game I had three strikes in the 1st, 3rd and 8th frames all the other frames I was shooting at spares. The first was the 10 pin. At one time my worst pin to shoot at but now I feel confident, I wish that was true for the left side spares. This probably sounds opposite of what everyone else wants (right handed) but if I had a choice I would choose the 10 pin over the 7 to shoot at right now.

My second spare attempt was the 2-4-5-8 and I missed the 8 pin actually not even a chance because I hit on the 2-4 side not where I expected to be. Then because I was just off on my strike shot I get the 4-7-6-10. So, I go for the 6-10 side and get it where I want it and make the 6-10-7 but leave the 4. Next two spares were the 1-2 and 2-8. The 1-2 spare I used my strike shot with adjustment for a cross and then the straight ball shot for the 2-8, lucky for me the ball hit the 2 and just caught the 8 on the left side. Again probably not lined up correctly. The next two spares were on the right side 6 and 10 pins and what a difference in feeling and confidence when making those spares.

Game 2 started with spares in the first 5 frames, 10 pin to start then 2 pin, after almost missing that 2 pin I again went back to the strike ball and small hook to make the 2-5, 2, 5, and 3 pin as you can see I was not in the pocket and had to rely on the spare game to keep from sinking lower. In frames 8, 9 and 10 I again had to shoot at spares a 4 pin, 6-7 and 10 pin. I used the straight ball for the 6-7 and 10 pin. Made the 10 but not 6-7. For the 4 pin I again went back to my strike ball with a hook.

Yes, again I gave up too soon on my straight ball system for the left side, I have to get over the pressure of league competition as compared to just getting better at the system I have chosen to make spares. I can now see the difference in the way I approach spare shooting on the left as compared to the right. I don’t even think twice when pins are on the right. I just go to my spot and hit my mark and expect the spare to be made. I think this also has much to do with practicing the 10 pin spare so much in the past year. Here again is proof I need to practice more on the left side spare shooting so my thoughts are the same as shooting at spares on the right.

The third game I again had to shot at 5 possible spares 4 were on the right and back to the straight ball system and the only miss was a 3-10 in which I wiggled the 3 pin but didn’t knock it over. The only other spare shot was a 1-2-8, which I again went back to the strike ball and small hook for.

Now I see the reason for practicing the spare game with 100 shots. I just could not do anything right on my strike shot and if not for making the spares the games would have been well below average. I just have to practice the new straight ball system for the left side as much as I have practiced the 10 pin shot in the past. As always any suggestions are welcomed.

Dennis G.

[editor]

It doesn't have to be a hundred. It can be 50, or 80, or 200. The point is that you go and work on that particular part of your game...spares. Nothing else that day, just spares. Just like you go and work on your strike ball, or mechanics, or whatever. If you are really committed to being the best bowler you can be, then you will have to learn how to focus just as hard on your spare game, when working on it, as the rest of your game. I think its important to make it fun and really get into the nuts and bolts of every spare delivery. Where are you going to stand and what are you going to look at for a 3 pin, 3-6, 3-6-10, 3-10. They aren't the same shot. You should have a plan for each one and be able to execute it with confidence. Same for left side. It sounds like you aren't sure you're lined up correctly. I think the easiest way for left side spares is to find THE spot on the approach and THE target on the lanes, where if you execute perfectly, you'll nail the 2 pin head-on. Again and again. When you find that spot (for the 2 pin), you can adjust from there for the other left side spares, but make sure you're making the correct adjustments for each one. That only comes from practice and committment. Good luck with it.

Jim King

[trekbowl300]

After the last few recommendations (from my Dream Coach - BTM humor) and two weeks of league bowling I now know my new next step is to practice and commit to a spare making system. I have realized that if I put the effort needed into this part of my game then I could continue to become the best bowler I can be. As I look toward the summer and seeing more time to practice, I have to make my plans and set a goal that is obtainable and will help me to move forward.

The recommendations for practice and commitment on my spare game have become more evident then ever before because of my last two weeks of league bowling. Two weeks ago I could not get the strikes that I have been able to do for most of this season. If not for making the spares the games would have been very low. The opposite was this past week where the strikes came easier and if not for 2 opens on one-pin spares I would have shot another 700 series.

I have learned the spares will keep you in the game even if your strikes vanish. The spares will also give you those additional pins when the strikes start to string together.

An example was in my second and third games last Tuesday night. The first three shots of the 2nd game were not my best. I had three spares to shoot at starting with the 2-4-5, left side of the lane so I went with the strike ball because of my lack of confidence in knowing where to line up for the straight ball shot. I make the spare and go forth to shoot the second frame spare which is the 10 pin. Now I don’t think twice but deliver another bad shot and totally miss my mark and right in the channel. First single pin miss of the night.

Another poor shot in the 3rd frame and I hit the pocket light and get the big 7-10 split. I think for only a second and go right back to my 10 pin shot only moving one board to the left to hope to hit it a little more on the right side and give some try to making the split. Well, I am able to hit my mark and 10 pin but the split was just too big to make today. Another open and this is only the third frame with 2 opens. I then get it together again and get the next three strikes but on the fourth shot I was too fast and the ball never made it into the pocket with any power and left the four pin. Now my great spare system of hooking the ball this is going to get easy — well not so fast as I miss my mark by 2 boards and the ball hooked away at the end just before the pin. So much for a spare hook shot. The straight ball would have just hit the pin on the left side and made the spare I think. I then turned into a new person and struck out with the last five in a row. That’s eight strikes one turkey and five in a row the score 214. Why so low well 3 open frames will do it.

Too prove the point in the next game I start out with the first five then a 9 pin, ouch. Well at least my straight ball shot worked on this one. Then I roll again with the next four and another four pin. Only this time I get brave and use the straight ball since I missed the last one because of the hook. Well, I make it and get a 268.

The difference between the two games was 54 pins in score. Difference in quality was only 1 strike more but no opens like the second game that had 3.

So, I have all the proof I need that spares are just as important as those strikes and help keep you at a higher level. Even the week before without the strikes it would have been a total let down bowling only a 500 or below if not for the spares. So, as I continue with my next step I feel even a bigger challenge ahead. All the other changes I have made were somewhat expected. This spare game I never thought of and will have to make the effort if I am to continue with my next step. As always any recommendations or suggestions are welcomed.

Dennis G.

[trekbowl300]

Two weeks of bowling since my last statement. My spare game has it’s ups and downs and will need continual help as I try and become good at this new style of spare shooting. In my last two weeks I shot at 11 spares the first week and 12 the second week. I’m still not totally confident with double wood so I did not use the straight ball for those spares.

However, I have noticed more now then ever before how much the spares are helping me maintain a higher average in my league. Two weeks ago I had to shoot at 11 spares and made 10. Just thinking any more then one open frame that night would have cost me because I finished with a 706 series. This past week I shot at 12 spares and made 10 and those two spares did cost me the 700 because I finished with a 680. I never considered how many pins I was losing each night because of opens.

So, I will continue to work on spare shooting because this past Tuesday was easy one-pin spares that I missed. An 8 pin and 3 pin. The 8 pin I went to far over left and at least learned where to shoot for the seven pin and made one later in that game. The 3 pin I missed on the right giving me information on shooting for a 6 pin but by a stroke of luck I never had to shoot at one. I did however come back two games later and make the 3 pin with a standing position adjustment.

Now that I have only three weeks left in the season I’m wondering about certain things I had stated in my beginning of this thread. At that time I had finished with a 195 average and wanted to know the so-called secret to become that 200 bowler.

I didn’t care about being a one house bowler or I guess just a better bowler only average was my concern. Well, have things changed since I moved past my goal in the regular league but have gone down in a once a month league in another house.

For all these months since September I was consumed with getting the average to 200 in my Tuesday regular weekly league. I never really gave much concern about the once a month league I was in. Now I know that was a big mistake. The reason for this is on the once a month league I had a 198 average last year and the shot was easier then my normal league shot. I never expected things to change or get bad. With all my thoughts on the Tuesday night league I thought of this other league as practice. For the last three weeks I actually tried and wanted to prove to myself I was better under different lane conditions. I only averaged 183 during these three weeks of actually trying to bowl better. I could not pass the test because of the big changes in lane conditions month-to-month my final 178 average proved that under different conditions I have to learn how to adjust.

One month very little oil the ball hooking continually the next time a flat long oil pattern with no hook even from my most hooking ball. The next month the lanes were oiled early and open bowlers were using the lanes right before we started and who knows the oil pattern at that point just snap crackle and pop because I never did get anything consistent going.

If this is what a “Sport or Tournament” bowling condition is like tougher and not knowing what to expect then at least I have learned another lesson. One house bowling with a 200+ average isn’t what I thought it would be/mean. I expected to be able to bowl better then the 170’s (even 200) in different houses. Another lesson in my next step. At least the straight ball spare shooting worked just as good there as in my regular house. Still missed some on the left but made those on the right and the 10 pin was still my prize because I made them without thinking. I wish I had used that system of spare shooting all along because the strikes were few and far in between and I had many more spares to shoot at during those games. I have to practice under different conditions or I am that one house bowler who shoots at home but not away.

In the last six weeks of bowling on my regular league (games #82 to 99) I have raised my average from 203 to 207 that's averaging 221 for those games, more then I ever considered this late in the season. Yes, I have made many more strikes and spares but I seem to get the feeling the lanes are helping me more and more and I’m not actually improving as much as the average is going up. The easier conditions that I have read about are staring me in the face and I'm not sure how much is my skill and/or the lanes - the knowledge of where the line is on each set of lanes that effects scoring.

Don't miss understand me I don’t mean it is just roll the ball and get a strike or my average would be higher but I expected it to get much harder to go up a pin or two after 200. I have practiced and started a more correct system for bowling. I am more accurate and consistent with this new approach system so maybe just bowling with a better all around plan and system has helped me improve more then I thought possible or it’s just bowling in one house. I think John once said watch out for goal setting maybe I didn’t understand exactly what he meant at the time. Or how much a better system and coach would effect the outcome. Watch next week I’ll bowl a 400 series and complain about everything again.

However, to all who thought why would he just want to be a good one house bowler (around last August)– you were right it just took a little success to see that there is much more then one average to become good in your own eyes.

So, I am coming down to the end of my next step’s first complete season and I see a lot more work ahead then I thought even half way through this season. In all I am happy in what has occurred so far but also have learned more about what it means to become a better bowler, and why many of you said to bowl on harder conditions. As always any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Dennis G.

[trekbowl300]

Last week I did write, “I think the lanes were helping me score better and I wasn’t sure how much I had improved”. I guess I have to watch what I write and think back a week or two and wait another week to see if the lane help does disappear. This past week I had no help whatsoever from the lanes and my lack of memory about a BTM article I read didn't help either. I could not find a line or think of an adjustment that would consistently get the ball to the pocket until the third game.

Problems started right from the pregame practice and into game one. I could not use the typical lines to the pocket as the two different balls I tried would either not make it to the pocket or crossover but not far enough to leave easy spares. So, I struggled with what to do. For game one I tried the line that would hit the pocket light. That didn’t work because I left the 2 pin and combinations with the 2 pin five times. When I tried something very different I crossed and that was three times. So all in all 2 strikes and 8 spare attempts. Again missed the 2 pin when shooting for the 2-5 spare. I did make all the rest some not so exact as I had expected and being lucky sometimes helps. 177 final score, 1 open frame.

Now, I would normally have been over thinking and disappointed that I could not find a line but looking at the other scores from both teams made me calm down and try to decide what the best solution would be. This was mainly because one of the other team members who was also bowling fourth had a 126 game and his average is 206. At least I now thought the lanes were not giving anything toward scoring, and I had to decide where to play according to ball reaction, unfortunately I could not understand what I was seeing. I did not remember much from an BTM article I read and will reread again. What I did remember from the BTM article was “Is Your Ball Laughing at You” mine must have been LOL.

Again, I did write last week that the lanes were helping me with scoring better, onto game two of no help. It started well with a strike that felt good and made me think lanes are changing better things to come. The next shot was back to nowhere, I did everything exactly the same only on this lane and it crossed leaving the 3-10 split. I used my strike ball for the small split figuring it would not over react if thrown across the middle. Lucky for me it didn’t and I made the spare. I did try and think how I would have made that spare with the straight ball but was never sure about where to stand since I haven’t practiced that one as much as I should have.

Made the 7 pin spare in the next frame then came the 4th frame I crossed and left the 1-3-9 spare attempt. Again chose the strike ball and no hook this time missing the head pin while making the 3-9. Next frame again no hook and leave the 1-2-10. That’s 3 shots I expected to hit the headpin and never did. The worst part is I hit the line/board that I wanted, just made bad choices.

This time for the 1-2-10 spare shot I setup to throw the cross shot and it goes way over and just barley knocks over the 1 pin. So, five frames and 2 opens already. Next frame change balls and hit the pocket and watch the 7 & 9 pins just fall after everything is down. Since I did not understand why that happened I did the same shot on the next lane and hit the pocket as normal without any near misses. I now think it was just one of those things or at least hoping it was.

Not so because in the next two frames one goes high and one is light, at least I left two one pin spares that I made with normal feet position and line to them. A strike in the 10th then a split. 6-8-10. Make the 6-10 not close to the 8. 170 final score, 4 opens counting the 11th frame.

At this point I ask team members if they notice anything I’m doing different and the only thing they said, was my head was coming up before I let go of the ball. Generally this happens to me when I try and ease up on the shot and try to make it slower.

So, I kept my head down and add a little speed and no more crossing. Not exactly perfect but the ball is at least hitting the pocket maybe a less little high or light but not like before. One shot hit what I thought was perfect only to leave a 9 pin. So with three strikes and four spares which were the 9 pin, 4 pin, 2-4 pin, and a 10 pin. I felt good after making the two spares on the left side.

In the 8th frame a light hit leaves the 4-7 pins. My worst side for the straight ball but now I’m more positive since I just made two on that side, but again not lined up correctly or wrong mark to shoot at but I miss the 4 pin and only hit the 7. All I can think about is I need lots more practice on the left side pins.

Lucky for me bowling has a law of averages, that is, even if you don’t hit the pocket the right way you get a gift strike. In the 9th frame when I let go and really had no fingers on the ball and it just rolled straight and I had one of those ugly strikes. In the 10th it was like bowling on different lanes I kept my speed up hit my mark and they all went down to finish the game with four in a row and a 214.

I didn’t bowl the 400 like I said last week. So, I not going to complain about easy or hard lanes and just consider it another learning experience. I only wished I had tried a little more speed earlier to see if it was that factor. A definite factor was the 6 opens so spare shooting continues to come up as a next step in becoming better. As always any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

Dennis G.