What's the next step?

[editor]

When you get ready for some help with your arsenal, check out www.buildanarsenal.com (shameless plug)

[trekbowl300]

OK, so I took the next biggest step toward making a commitment. That is I just completed going to the BTM Super School in Michigan. I also will have the build an arsenal report to help with ball selection.

I’ll need a few days to review all the information about my game and changes I need to make. Also everything else that I learned from the entire set of on lane coaching, mini courses, coaches giving instruction to others, and the mental approach by Dr. Dean Hinitz. Not to mention that I am tired from bowling so much in those 3 days.

I can now understand the big difference between a league bowler and one who goes into tournaments or a pro bowler. My thought pattern was nothing like what I learned about at this school. I know now I’ll change my approach to the game however, I know at times it’s going to be hard to overcome the old ways of thinking.

Progress in my game will come if I can move forward and use the information given to me without falling back on my old ways. This is my new goal to change in a steady path forward instead of looking just at my average number.

I do realize that all the information, techniques, visual observation and mental awareness isn’t going to just make me better. I’ll still have to work at using this information the correct way for me.

So, my next step this time becomes much more involved and only time will tell if I’m up for the challenge.

As always any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Dennis

[oldvalefty]

Congratulations on the first commitment......

As you said now it's your decision where you want to go from
your present level......

In October (69) yes I'm an old guy but I would still like to attend
the school......

Good luck to your future endeavors in this great game of bowling......

Lee R

[trekbowl300]

I have been practicing since I returned from the Super school. The practice sessions generally start with just making sure I am taking the correct steps in my approach for the first game. I have several changes that I will be trying to bring into my game and I work on just one item each day.

I am positive that if I continue a little at a time these changes will become normal so I will improve as I follow through with the recommended changes.

Actually one of the hardest changes I have found is not even with the approach and release but just the watching what the ball is doing as it goes down the lane and what happens when it hits the pins.

I have found myself so concerned with going through my marks, so that actually watching the ball and its reactions to the lane and what the ball is doing is hard to see.

One of the points taught was watching what happens as the ball travels through the pins. I have found this more difficult then I ever thought it would be. Mostly when the ball hits the pins I lose sight of it with all the action going on and have to train my eyes to stay on the ball. This is a big adjustment and one that I know is not as easy as it looks. (pun intended)

So far the biggest improvement has been my confidence in making the 10 pin and all single pin spares. The system taught and the new approach work easily for making spares. I will video tape myself to see why I do it so easy with the spares but not on the strike shot.

I know I am thinking there is a definite plan for making spares and no extra thinking is necessary just do it. However, the strike shot seems to cause me to change releases not hit my marks, not follow the ball and who knows how many other things. That is one reason why I have been trying just one thing each time I practice so as not to think to much. Thinking was also something I always did before and must remember all the mental aspects I learned and start applying them. Easier said then done.

So, confidence in spares is already up and now to get the other things in place.

More to come on the next step.

As always any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Dennis

[DugBark]

Dennis,

I'm been following your comments with interest. A couple of thoughts.

Keep working on watching the ball path through the pins. Eventually it you will have an "ah-ha" moment and it will click. Be patient.

When you are practicing, mark your PAP and it will help you a ton see the reaction of the ball. You should be able to see the tape peripherally (sp?) and your eyes will learn to read it with practice. After your brain adjusts, you will be able to do it much easier without the tape.

Don't let your follow through shorten up. Keep it long.

Believe in yourself, and let that confidence from your spare game spill over to you first shots.

Dug

[trekbowl300]

My new approach is proving to be and interesting change. I am closer to the foul line and taking the first two steps with a shorter stride. This has taken some work to get used too however if unexpected results can make me have a positive attitude toward my approach and release I’ll take it.

My son came with me to practice and during the first game I stayed with my plan for practicing my approach and release. My approach, timing and ball release were my main objectives today. However, sometimes I did have to start over after two steps but for the most part I was getting into a rhythm. I found out watching a video after one of my shots that I was taking only four steps. I always thought I was taking five. So I did everything slowly to make sure I was starting correctly.

My spare shots were still more accurate and straight on target but the strike shot had become much better. During the second game my son mentioned come on, bowl like you would if this was your league and you were trying to beat me. So I said I could not because the lanes have no oil and it would not be like bowling under league conditions.

With that he laughed and said see if you can find a shot under these conditions. If you know so much and really want to have a challenge, find a shot. So, for the first five frames I tried different lines to the pocket. The sixth frame gave me a good reaction but I left a 10 pin. Made the spare (again positive feelings). I was able to make a slight adjustment with my feet. This gave me a strike shot where the ball didn’t roll out. I finished with the last six in a row.

I then had the next 8 in the third game for 14 in a row before leaving a 10 pin again in the 9th frame. I made the 10 pin in the 9th, then had the first one in the 10th but again left a 10 pin in the 11th. My son laughed when I missed this 10 pin because it made the pin spin around but not fall. Although I would normally be over joyed with the results I know the lanes helped with a dry backend that gave my ball a few more boards of movement then normal.

After the first game I was able to be consistent in the shots from the second game through the third. Even the 10 pin leaves were good shots, timing and steps in sync and release felt good. Only one shot was bad which hit high and still carried.

My son did video tape most of the shots so I have to review the tape to see if the shots were as good as I think. I however still had the problem of losing sight of the ball after it hit the pins. A few times I could see how it went through the rack but not many times.

I will try placing tape on my PAP to see if this helps me in see the ball move down the lane and past the pins. In the video my son took, my last two steps appear more normal and longer then before so maybe I am slowly adjusting.

I will be checking my release and follow through with my arm to see if I stop or continue upwards movement and follow through. That will be my next step once I feel normal with my feet and timing.

I have also started checking the many different videos on the internet that show the ball hitting pins and I think I am slowly being able to follow the ball off the deck and see where it exits.

Everything is taking time to get use to and I’ll find out soon how I do under league pressure because it starts up on 9/4. I’ll keep this system through the first league night no matter how it goes because I at least feel it gives me a more consistent chance to improve. The next step is coming soon.

Dennis

[editor]

Sounds like a real breakthrough session for you Dennis. Getting lined up and striking at will on an unfamiliar shot has to give you lots of confidence in your ability to analyze and adjust. Keep up the good work.

[trekbowl300]

The bowling season has started and for the first two weeks I have already seen some good steps forward in my new approach technique. The only poor choice I made this summer was not getting in better physical shape. During my second game, on night one, I held onto the ball too long and pulled a muscle in my hip. It is now 8 days later and after the second week of bowling the pain is getting worst. Maybe, if I were in better shape I would have only pulled the shot and not something in my hip. After week two the pain became too much to let go so a trip to the doctor and I now have taken one-step backwards. My physical condition will prevent me from bowling in the third week.

My first night of league bowling is over and I had some good points and some not so good. I tried to keep to my plan for making spares and except for missing the seven pin in practice and then again during the first game I went back to the hook ball for the only other 7 pin I had.

In practice I was making sure to use the correct approach technique that I have been practicing. During practice trying both the strike shot and spare shots (7 and 10 pins) was a short-term goal. Although I never was able to have enough shots to establish a strike path for both lanes I was able to see how the ball reacted on the different lanes. I didn’t make the connection until the fourth frame that I should not being trying to force the ball but using the reaction I see to my advantage. So with this information I decided to use two different balls one for each lane. Normally I would have stayed with one ball but having a little more faith in my decision I went with two.

I then had the next three strikes and left a seven pin on the 4th shot. Missing this seven pin with the straight method made me aware I was not lined up correctly. I then had the next two strikes before pulling the next shot across my body, for a split. 201

During the next game I was trying to be sure about not pulling any shots and wound up throwing two flat balls in the first two frames for splits. I regained some composure in the next 3 frames for a double and a ten pin. My over confident 10 pin shot went into the gutter because I didn’t hit my mark correctly. I did have five good shots after this but the sixth shot was again poor for another split. 179

I notice in my notes that most of my non-strikes were with one of the two balls so I decided to go back to one ball because of the higher hits with the second ball. I moved my feet by 1-1/2 boards and mark at arrows one board. This proved to be a good move because I started with a double and left a 10 pin on the 3rd frame. I took my plan for the straight shot spare and made the 10 pin by hitting my mark as planned. I continued with the next four before throwing a flat ball out to far, leaving the 2-4-5. I made the spare and had the next strike before once again throwing a bad shot leaving the 7-9 split. 224

Except for a few bad shots this first night was good considering I had changed my approach steps and did not know what to expect on actual league conditions.

Week two proved to be a better week however since we did not bowl against a team, the one vacant spot in the schedule, the pace was too fast and I hurt my back and leg again.
During practice I found a line for a strike shot and 10 pin spare shot. The game started with a solid 9 pin for spare #1. After a double my normal 10 pin came back, this week the 10 seemed rather easy and I made it with the ball hitting the middle of the pin. It was unusually accurate for my 10 pin shot. I believe that the spare system I learned from Rolf Gauger and Dr. Dean’s positive mental planning has a lot to do with it.

My next shot was a strike then another 10 pin. This left me thinking to make a move on this lane for my next shot. The 10 pin spare was again made with the ball being right on target. After a strike I made a feet adjustment on my troubled lane only to miss my mark and leave the 1and 2 pins. I made the spare then proceeded to make another bad shot on the next frame leaving the 3-10 however this time I was not as accurate just missed the 3 pin and only hit the 10 pin first open frame. Like everything else the 9th frame is bad timing for an open frame. In the 10th I still have not figured out this lane and left the 2-8 made the spare and on the next shot I went one board left and left the nine pin. 194

In the second game I tried a one more board left with my feet only to get a solid 8 pin on my first shot. I made the spare using the straight ball system. After getting a double I just made a bad shot and crossed way over leaving the 1-3-9. This time my spare shooting was poor and chopped the head pin off the other two. A one-board move again resulted in another 8 pin. I made this spare and did not make any more adjustments. Lucky for me because I had the next seven in a row for a 243.

The third game started out as usual with a strike then a 10 pin. I made the spare and then rushed the line in the next frame threw a flat ball and pulled the muscle in my back again. I missed the 1-2-4-8 spare leaving the 8 pin. I slowed down the next frame and came up a little high leaving the 4 pin. I like this new spare system because I just look at the feet and arrow marks and just roll it straight. I don’t over think on the spare shot or at least not up to now. Again a strike then 10 pin this time however I again pulled the muscle in my back making sure I threw a straight shot at the 10 pin. Another strike (some times one lane is just easy) but in the 8th frame I again rushed the line and put the ball too far out leaving the 2-4-5-8. On this spare I went back to my hook ball to pick up the 8 pin in the back. In the 9th frame I came out of the ball wrong pulled that muscle in my back again and the ball was like a spinning top instead of my normal rolling pattern. This shot left the 7 pin, which again I made without over thinking. I was hoping to end the night with strikes but again in the 10th frame the 10 pin stood like a rock until my spare shot once again put it away. The fill ball was a bad shot in which my thumb stuck in the ball and I again pulled that muscle and left a split. 179

So the night was good making all five 10 pin shots and having only two opens all night. The only bad thing that has come from that night is my back. It continued to get worst and by Friday I was at the doctors getting help. I could not bowl this past Tuesday so hopefully this week off will help my back and leg that now hurt. Looking forward to next Tuesday for a better night and hopefully without physical pain.

As always any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

Dennis

[trekbowl300]

The fourth week of the season has now played out. I was thinking about taking off another week to make sure my sciatic nerve was calmed down and would not be a problem in the future. However, after going to my second doctor for an exam I have been told that only time and maybe some rehabilitation therapy will help. I figured if they are sending me to therapy to work it out, then bowling should not be all that bad. So I decided to go bowling and just be careful that if anything bothers me I would stop and take the blind score.

During practice I came close to deciding to stop because although I wasn’t causing more pain I did notice in my stance that if I stood a certain way nothing hurt but a move any other direction a little pain would exist. I decided to bowl and always line up in the one stance that would be pain free. I think this helped me the rest of the night in knowing what was the correct stance and always being in the same position.

My first frame wasn’t a good one I was too much worried about making a good approach without hurting myself that I forgot about making a good release and threw a flat ball with all fingers coming out at the same time. I left the 2-5-8 and on the spare shot made sure I would just go on the approach and bowl not think. This proved to be the right approach just get up and bowl. I made the spare using my strike ball not the straight ball with the 8 pin up.

The next frame I made a good first ball shot back to normal only leaving that 10 pin. With my new confidence in making these pins I just went up and started to go. Only because I started on the wrong foot and got mixed up in the middle of my approach. I should have stopped but threw the ball a step short and it went but dropped into the gutter just before the pin because I was that step back further. At this point I remembered something I heard or read from Susie Minshew about the only ball you can effect is the one you are ready to deliver anything else is in the past and cannot be changed. I kept this thought about being able to effect only the shot I am ready to make and don’t worry about what has been done.

With this thought in mind I made nine good shots in a row. Not all strikes but good shots. It started with a 9 pin on the first shot then three in a row and then a 7 pin. One more strike before a two pin followed then a double before throwing another flat no fingers ball leaving the 3-6-10. I made all the spares during this run and had a 214 game.

The second game was my top time I started with the first seven before throwing the ball too slow in the 8th leaving the 3-6 pins. I could see when the ball was in the mid lane area it starting to turn early I knew I didn’t have the speed on the ball that I did in the other 7 shots before this. I followed this with a double before again throwing a bad ball because I tried to aim the ball instead of just letting it go. Finished with a 266.

The third game started out good and except for a two bad frames in the whole game I wasn’t as bad as I would have been in the past. I now know the help with my game and the mental conditioning at BTM’s super school did at present help me overcome some of my past downward thoughts. In the past these frames would have me over thinking myself into a complete bad game. This time I was able to change my thoughts to what I learned from Dr. Dean H. and Susie M.

In the first frame I had a good shot like in game two and a strike to show for it however in the second frame I crossed and was lucky to get the strike. I thought at that time to make an adjustment on my next shot for that lane. The third frame was a good shot only left a 7 pin. It looked good I must not have seen exactly what happened to leave the 7 pin. I made the spare and went to the fourth frame.

I thought a two-board move was in order after crossing on the last shot. This adjustment was wrong since the ball never made it back to the pocket and left the 2-4-5 which I again did not adjust for the oil in the middle and left the 4 pin.

I again had to go back to the thought that I can’t do anything about that shot. This worked for the next frame as I made the strike in the 5th frame. However, as I now know the mental game again isn’t always easy too overcome in the 6th frame I again made a poor shot and had the same spare looking at me. Making an adjustment for the last miss didn’t help much this time I left the five pin over did my adjustment. At least I was able to go back to the thought that the last shot is in the past and forget about it. In the 7th and 8th frames I went back to my original marks and made good shots for strikes. Even in the 9th frame I made the same good shot only to get that pesky 8 pin –solid I will admit. I made the spare then struck in the 10th and the 11th had a 4-pin stand. Made the spare for only 3 opens all night. 192 and 672 series. The sciatic nerve never let me get too low on my approach so in the end the pain/no-pain stance kept me consistent. I don’t want or expect this to ever be the case again, I hope I can maintain this consistently same stance on my own.

This is the second best nine game start I have ever had and even with a pain in my hip I see a good year ahead. I hope I can maintain the positive mental feelings and stay within my game not try to over do as I have in the past. This next step forward is into years later and proving to be hard work but definitely worth it. I also have still not been able to follow the ball off the lane with any consistency. Still trying but not there yet.

As always any comments or suggestions are welcome although I now expect more help since BTM has top bowlers telling what they do on league nights. I hope to get help so I can come close to matching their experiences and knowledge of the game.

Dennis

[trekbowl300]

In my 4th night of bowling I have learned that all the positive feelings still can’t stop me from not thinking, and making some bad shots. Learning that tape not on correctly does hinder good shot making.

The first frame of the night started out with my normal annoying 10 pin. Since I made sure to practice this shot I made the spare. By the way I read the article but still cannot avoid getting one here and there.

The next frame was a good shot and strike however the following frame wasn’t one of my best shots just a slight miss of my mark leaving the 4-7 pins. I made the spare then had the next 3 in a row before leaving a 7 pin. A strike and 4 pin spare followed. Now into the 10th frame with a close game I made the first strike but on the second shot I just didn’t let go the right way and the ball went way out and didn’t make it back to the pocket leaving the 1-2-7-8. I only picked up the 1-2-8 missing the 7 pin. Ended with 218 and my first bad shot and tape peeling from the top of my thumb.

My bad shot making continued in the first frame leaving the 2-4-10 pins and an open frame. After a little talk with myself about getting the ball off my hand correctly I was able to come back with a good shot and strike in the next frame. However, in the 3rd frame I again found myself exiting the ball in a poor way. I added another piece of tape to my thumb and for the next 4 frames everything cleared up and I was able to make good shots. In the 8th frame the tape pealed up again and I made a bad no RPM’s shot and pulled the ball leaving the 3-6-10. With my spare ball I was able to make the spare.

I again tried to remove and add the tape back on my thumb not doing a good job because the next shot stuck and again a bad shot leaving the 4 and 9 pins. So, back to square one and tried to get the tape correct this time taking my time to match where I had first installed it. This worked and I was able to make 3 good shots in the 10th striking out for a 201.

Now into the third game and another good shot for strike one but the 2nd frame resulted in a 6 pin still missing my mark so I did release it good just missed my spot. The 6 pin also proved a problem that I should have taken more seriously. I moved to the correct footmark but missed the lane mark by board at the arrows. The ball was good for the ten pin but not the 6 pin. An open frame on an easy spare shot that I played poorly because I had taken that spare shot for granted. I did not take the next three spare shots for granted. A 4 pin, 10 pin and 3-10 baby split all made after realizing I needed to make quality shots on all balls not just the strike shot which was not working. In the 6th a good shot produced a strike. In the 7th I came over the top of the ball and it just spun like a top and left the 4-7-10 split, right on the headpin. After the spare shot I looked at what I had been writing down and realized if I just bowled my normal way with the ball coming off my hand correctly the shot had a chance for the strike.

In the 8th I went up to the approach with only positive thoughts and had the ball come off good only slightly missing my mark and leaving a 7 pin. The spare wasn’t just thrown I planned my shot and was able to execute it where I wanted and make the spare. I went into the 9th positive and made a good shot for a strike. The tenth also produced another strike, in the 11th frame I got the solid 9 pin. On this shot one of the few times I was able to follow the ball all the way and watch it just miss the 9 pin on it’s way off the lane. Worst yet I made a bad shot for the spare and missed it. Finished 179 for a 598 series.

I did learn my mind has to be into the game and not just take shots and expect pins to fall over. Of the 16 shots at making spares 5 were splits so I wasn’t as accurate on my first ball as I have been. I missed two easy one pin spares the 6 and 9 pins because I didn’t follow my usual plan. In the second game I wrote about 3 bad shots and trouble with the tape on my thumb. I have to control this because if not for the four-bagger it would have been a much worst game. So some new things to think about before next week.

As always any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

Dennis