What's the next step?

[trekbowl300]

I should have bowled three league nights by now however a water main break and bowling canceled has reduced it to only 2 times.

The past two league night conditions still have me wondering what too expect for the up coming league night. This is due to the big difference in lane conditions from the first time to the second. The first league night was set up easier then ever. Even I will admit if I could not score that night even with my aches and pains then I just am not as good as I thought I am.

My target only changed three boards for the 3 games. That is also considering that I had a three-board target. Yes, even if I pulled a shot and went inside by 1 or 1-1/2 boards the ball would roll into the pocket with carry as compared to a shot that went outside by 1 or 1-1/2 boards and would hook later but still carry just as well.

My only mistakes during the night were spare alignment and dropping the ball in the third game. I have to remember to replace the tape on my thumb when needed. Otherwise the lanes were easier then normal.

A possible reason why they changed the conditions the following week was because in the first week of bowling two 300’s were shot. So I guess they decided to change the shot and make it harder.

The first night I started with a 268 and 670 series then the second week down to 186 and 536 series. I think they conditioned the complete house just like the PBA Experience league that uses ½ of the house. This is because people I know in the PBA Ex. League had the same type of shot I was bowling on. This called for accuracy to a one-board limit. If you were ½ board on either side the ball had a completely different reaction. I notice this particular night my hand position, speed and mark all affected the carry and where I hit the pins.

As an example in the first game I would hit the 10th board at the arrows and the ball would go straight down 10 at the breakpoint and turn into the pocket and carry. If I hit the ninth or 8th board going straight down the ball would leave the 10 pin. If I hit the 9th board and the ball moved out to the 7th or farther at the breakpoint I would come in light and leave a 2-10 or some other split. If I missed by hitting the 11 board and went straight right into the head pin and if I hit 11 and 13 or 14 at the breakpoint the ball went right for the 4 pin.

This accuracy requirement was something new for this league and I watched the opposing team with two 214 average bowlers bowl a 160 and 171, even a good friend with a 215 average had two 159 games. No one was ready for the step up in accuracy requirement. I was happy that I did not complain all night and just tried to make the best shot I could knowing that a good shot would pay off. I kept my mental state in line and didn’t blame the lane condition for lower scores. This could be also that I realized if I was consistent and accurate there was a shot to be had that would score. I had two triples on the night and both had the identical information written down for each shot.

It is always disappointing to bowl low scores especially after the week before having a shot that scored as long as you were close not exactly dead on accurate. However, I have moved my expectations to making good shots and not worrying about the score as much. I was hoping to bowl this past week just to see if the shot went back to the regular house condition or if it stayed tough. So I have another week to decide if I want to change the cover condition on any of my balls so I could be ready for either condition. At least my mind is already prepared no matter what—Yes even dry very little oil this time around should not send me over the edge because I am not expecting easy no skill needed conditions.

As always any comments or suggestions are welcomed.

Dennis G.

[trekbowl300]

In the event some of you thought I have given up the ship and not adding to the next step forget it I have just been in a confused state in my bowling league.

The easiest way to describe it is my bowling establishment has decided to change the lane condition every 2 weeks as best I can determine. While using more or slippery’er conditioner then ever before.

My style and bowling approach has had many very good and bad experiences along the way of the last months since my last post. Also I have made two big changes in my bowling league experience.

One buying a high performance bowling ball and two using a thicker special made magic tape in the bowling ball. So with the lane changes and my personal changes bowling in a house league has changed from day to night and night to day in the same 3 game experiences many times over. This maybe too many changes at once but I had to try something different in an effort to improve.

I now know a standard spare technique is now required to get to the next step. Regardless which method something must be done in my case because my spare game has changed in a big way from week to week.

As best I can figure out and have been told by the “high rollers” the oil or conditioner is now of a thicker type and pattern changed from week to week so it’s like the pro-sport shot but never actually said that is what’s happening. This is to give the high rollers a better chance in tournaments.

Just a house desired condition according to the big time bowlers not the average week day bowler. If it is done for the week day bowlers it is setup according to the elite bowlers of that league for best scoring percentage however, if you are a slightly above average or average bowler you are now bowling in a new world.


Yes, I read Susie’s articles and others that after the first shot the pattern changes but I am experiencing something that as a house bowler I never seen before. Differences from week to week and in some cases game to game. Lanes that normally had an inside shot now run straight and outside lanes do the same then the next week they all run too much. It’s like I am bowling in the PBA experience league because lanes and balls never work the same from week to week.

I feel like all the information I have learned from BTM, my past coach, the Super School, Susie’s CD’s and Dr. Dean have finally help me weather the storm but not always like I would like.

They all have taught me something that has helped at different times but like all remedies nothing works all the time. That has been the biggest point for me to get over. Nothing anyone says or writes works every time.

Yes, I hear you now I cannot do exactly what they write or say so part of the problem is my personal skill level. I know that and still at a loss when I miss a spare and followed all the exact steps and procedures. The lane conditions are changing big time. As an example in the last 3 years lanes 5-6 have been my favorite bowling a 212 average for that time. In fact I did use this as a helpful point each time I bowled on this pair of lanes. Now, however I bowled my lowest series in years of 536 on this pair not to long ago. My ball, which always worked, went straight as an arrow.

I could have used it as my 10 pin ball that night, everything went straight even if I tried with fingers, turn and so on…. This is where I have least have changed because a night like this would mean several more weeks before I was able to turn it around but the next week I came back with a 571 then a 705 so the up and down cycle continues in this crazy bowling year.

I even went out and bought a high performance bowling ball hoping it would change but in the OOB condition nothing special except for one game on one night. I started by shooting a 175 because of my problem with spares. More conditioner in the middle and the ball not moving like what was normal for spares. Then I shot 191 and a beam hit me in the eyes during those last shots that helped me to a 257 nine in a row from the 4th frame out, third game, that was as easy as I have ever done before. WOW did this ever give me a lift until the next time I bowled and learned that success comes only when it wants to.

Another night subbing an 605 with a 215 not bad (really good this year) the fact that I shot so well or bad is a new thing to get over in my mental state this year.

To give you all an example of my up’s and downs this year my series are so far. 670, 536, 571, 705, 645, 604, 665, 527, 650, 590. This does not count my sub days of 623, 650, 580 and the Elk’s bowling league 552, 605 on a Saturday night with music and no oil or flat with oil dripping into the gutters on both sides.

I have never bowled on so many different types of conditions (HOUSE SHOTS HA!) as I have this year.

On the whole our league average is down but there is less 200+ bowlers then ever before. That is the one thing that still gives me confidence even though I can bowl a 527 series the next 700+ is only a week away in this crazy season of too little, great, and too much.

I will admit I was afraid of going into the PBA Experience league or Sport Shot league but I’ll bet by the time this season ends I’ll have bowled under all three conditions house, PBA and Sport in my league. I won’t be as afraid as before if my league continues to change conditions from week to week. I know some of you have told me from day one to get into a league that test your skill level not just a scoring machine league.

Although I have not taken that step my league on it’s own decision has changed the conditioner and changed the shot of the house not just the league. Even when bowling as a sub the shot was different then what that league expected. For me it is always like day and night differences. A lot more adjustments and accuracy required to hit my marks for carry not just a 9 count.

By the way in my last point before ending Dr. Dean Hinitz has an article about the Real Feel Game. Well, I started to think about what he wrote about discovering your thoughts in your head just before making a shot.

Well, the other night I was picked as the strike bowler. That is the one bowler of the night that gets a chance to bowl a strike that night for whatever point amount$ is collected by the those entering. Even though the week before it was my captain who shot and missed this week was mine, by luck or the bowling gods.

Well with 618 point$ on the line, my thoughts were to remember a line from Dr. Hinitz long ago, I may have changed his original writing to one I remembered. “This is why your bowling – this is why you compete, this is why you are here, you belong here!

This went through my mind just before I got up to bowl which seemed like hours but was only the normal time for a 5 person team. I was ready to bowl because I belonged there, then on the approach when setting up I heard the line “ just make a good shot” it was like I was in my car listening to Susie’s CD’s and hearing the point of bowling is just to make a good shot!!

I never thought of hitting my mark, walking the path, releasing the ball, putting fingers or not adding lift. None of that ever came to my mind it was just that I belonged there and to make a good shot. This combination was all I had in my mind. Good or bad for a pressure shot, that is all I thought of before and on the approach.

Yes, I made a good shot, the strike and to add to the effect I had a split 1 frame before and had a seven count the frame after.

Yes, pressure affected me but only after the shot that counted so I thank Dr. Hinitz and Susie Minshew for words that helped me think positive without my self inflicted pressures getting to me before that shot. Sorry, no points$ just my thanks that both your words, whenever I heard them came to my help at that moment when it really counted for me.

In case your all wondering yes those words if not exact but as I remember them help me often in 10th frames. Generally I seem to remember them in tough or pressure situations. These words have been a help in my success because of their positive nature and no actual do this type of statement. Nothing to do or follow but the meaning of each statement as it applies to you individually. I do not think these thoughts every night I bowl. However after getting that strike it did come to me as a good practice to follow for every shot, it just won’t be the same or will it?

I’ll have to wait until I read something that just stays with me until the moment that I really need it.

So, in ending my spare game needs help (practice) and getting use to different conditions will (drive me crazy) but help me move forward in that next step.

As always any comments or suggestions are always welcomed.

Dennis G.

[trekbowl300]

It has been a very long time since my last post. This is because of so many different experiences that it was hard to describe if it was me getting better or just the house putting out a scoring condition.

Unfortunately I have found out it was probably the house giving up on the different patterns week to week and going with a wall shot that made everyone’s average get to new highs.

I had always measured to some extent my average and getting better as related items they both get better together. After the last few months I now know they are very different when it comes to bowling under house conditions. Although I did have an idea that I was gaining in average to quickly to be that good, I naturally did not want to believe it.

I went from a 205 average to 212 in 10 weeks and bowling was to say the least easy to score and everything was fine. Then there was bowlers getting 300’s in all leagues 7 or 8 three hundred games in 2 weeks and then someone shot an 879 series only a 10 pin in the first game and 35 out of 36 strikes. Then the lanes changed like night and day. For the next five weeks the oil was different and from floods to dry spells. Considering I had 8 weeks of 11 shooting 650 or better and the other three weeks at 630 I knew something was going on but was content with scoring well and keeping pace with the top people in the league. Then for 5 weeks I could not get to 600 it was like bowling in a new house every week. It was more like what the league started out as before changing to an easy house shot. So my average has dropped from 212 to 208 in six weeks and now I am back to wondering what to expect. Now because of the easy conditions I stopped moving forward in learning what it takes to become a better bowler, how do I get back what I lost in accuracy and skill.

I even tried practicing when they run the specials on early weekend mornings. However, there again they oil the lanes just before you start and the easy shot is there for the early weekend open bowlers. At least my 3, 6, and 10 pin spare shots with the plastic ball took up most of my practice. I also noted that during the new conditions I started falling off the shot, taking an extra step to the right after releasing the ball. No more free armswing and good balance at the line. I became the typical house bowler knowing what to do only for the condition the house put out and not maintaining good form and progress.

I did try to continue to adjust to whatever condition was put out in the last six weeks. However after being conditioned by an easy shot for most of the season I still went into the league thinking this is what the shot will be, instead of waiting until I bowled on it to see what was really there. I have also been taking more and more digital video’s while I bowl and seen from time to time the problem with balance at the line getting worst. With the information from Bill Hall on his timing article I’ll have to review what I see myself doing and what he states as early or late timing. I already know I need practice on this aspect of my game.

With the aid of the digital camera and short movies I have been able to see what the ball is doing while it goes down the lane. I still can not see what happens at the pins because it happens so fast. The video’s help me see what I have missed but I am progressing very slowly with this aspect of the game. I think it will be a very long time before I see what many of you see when the ball hits the pins.

The season has now ended and I have once again taken the step of going to see a coach. Well, at least my thoughts were right on my biggest problem. After six shots this new coach said my arm swing was not free swinging and balance at the line was poor because of my muscled shot and poor finish position. So I am back to step one (two steps backward instead of what's the next step forward) practicing a free armswing and stable finishing position.

The only thing I am not sure of was my 10 pin spare shot. I actually improved from last year but I don't have any videos of this shot so I don't know if I was using the correct form or also off balance with extra speed or muscle.

I have learned that it is not the best thing to stay just in one house because I learned what it took to do well on that shot only--that is until they decided to change it from day to night. The skills and work I had been developing seemed to get lost in the throw it there and you will carry condition. Although I had to be somewhat accurate I still developed a pattern playing a certain line with only adding more speed or muscle to overcome when the lane started to dry out. It has been a learning experience that I hope not to forget and get caught into again. I am back to the first next step of a free arm swing and stability at the line. I hope after practice my future lessons will once again bring me back and make me continue to move forward instead of becoming a one dimensional player.

as always any comments or suggestions will be welcomed.

Dennis G.

[editor]

Dennis, it's not too late to sign up for our Super School in Middletown, OH July 30-Aug 1.

[trekbowl300]

Yes, that would be a great thing to do however to many reasons why I can't go.

It would be good to get that instruction like I had once before but I'll just have to muddle through with practice when I can. That is until I am able to get back there again.

Dennis

[trekbowl300]

Hello to all,

I am still bowling and have learned many new ways to better my bowling skills. First since long ago I have learned that just reaching a 200 average on a THS is not what I always expected it to be.

Yes, I will eat my words from my first posts about not caring about being on just a house shot all the time and the strive toward averaging 200. The 200 average now seems like just a baby step into the progression of learning to bowl in many houses and conditions.

Many others recommended years ago now that I go into a sport league and then the PBA experience. Since the few leagues around my area have not lasted long I decided just to keep going in my present league and see what happens.

Many times I have just gone up and down in average as high as 212 and then drop off the charts to the 190's. I have seen a typical reaction by the house to lane conditions and high scores. When we have many 300's or 800's in the house the shot becomes easy (I can't believe I am saying this) but yes I almost can shoot a 600 blindfolded. As nuts as that sounds I have learned the house controls the "average good bowler". What I mean is when the house decides the scores have gone to high for too long they decide to bring scores under control and make conditions very different week to week. This does not effect the very good bowlers who have the ability to score under many different conditions but to someone like me YES the typical house bowler it controls the scoring range because different skills and abilities are needed week to week.

This week long and heavy conditions next week hooking out the door while the ball is in the air between you hand and the lane. Learning to deal with these changing conditions caused me to once again seek a coach.

This time someone different to get a completely new idea of what I think should change or improve. Well, back to square one with this because I was told the approach needed to start from zero and work up just to keep from being off balance. Well I looked at some of my personal digital camera video's I take from time to time just to see what I am doing and bang there it was the extra step to the right after releasing the ball or I would fall over. Muscle or balance had to be the cause or just poor form in bowling.

This brings in another subject that I now notice more then ever how many house bowlers use unconventional approaches and styles to score on house conditions. Regardless of that I followed directions and my average dropped like a lead sinker on a fishing line. However I have continued to listen and have lately seen a rise in my consistency and the one outstanding fact that I never thought about is that in the 10th frame I have continually had doubles or triples to end the game. Even under pressure shots and that needed strike it has started to become a regular every week common occurrence for me. So I once again went backwards to get farther forward in this bowling world. I now can't wait for the next months article on Balance since that is one of my problems I am trying to fix. A good chance to try the recommended balance drill before my next coach meeting.

I have also tried bowling in many different houses as a sub or for practice and that has opened up a variety of experiences that were not normal in my one house bowling world. When I went to sub at a friends league he did not tell me anything about the house and league itself. When I walked in and seen many of the "heavy hitters" I know by name bowling in this league I almost was ready to say why did he ask me? I was trying to think of Dr. Dean's words about belonging there and having a positive attitude.

As I looked left and right almost everyone was on the next level above me. A very different feeling and thought process, for me when bowling. In fact when I looked at the score sheet the averages of the opposing team alone would be near the high team game in my league. A 220 average looked like the norm for most in the league. On my left a bowler shot a 300 that night and it wasn't a big deal at all. When I looked to my right the bowler there had over fifty 300's in his bowling career, so I was fast learning the next level is very competitive and you need many skills and ability to keep up. A good thing I did go and experience something new, the true next level.

As always any comments or suggestions are always welcome.
Dennis G.

[trekbowl300]

Again it has been a long time since my last post and bowling has taken the virtual up and down path throughout the past year. One thing I have learned is you never know enough and being accurate and consistent are required to maintain and better yourself in this game.

I have gone through many practice sessions just trying to better one part of my game and now find by videoing myself that even when I think I am doing things correctly that is not exactly the case. In my search for the next step I have learned so much that I wished I had started to bowl 30 years ago with the motivation I now have. I probably would have been better able to perform movements the correct way for me and become more consistent.

This past year I have reviewed the many suggestions from coaches, BTM Superschool and readings that I have changed my game to at least become more balanced at the line. However, my view of what I see and what my own video's are showing me new added factors in the "seeing is believing" thought. Up until recently I thought I could, should and did perform my approach as well as possible for my style. My feelings are not correct according to my own video's.

Since this year I have taken probably 5 steps backwards. Yes, I remember thinking the THS was so easy I could bowl blindfolded and score. Well, when the approach movements you have done correctly are done as well as they should be it was easier. However, when you lose the skill of making the proper approach movements backwards was the only way to go. I was really surprised when I decided to try videoing myself and seen the differences in my thought of what I did and what the video showed. To see I was having problems with my approach that I thought was OK makes me think twice about all the other excuses I thought were the problems.

So, I also decided to test my vision and again I might see something a board or two different then the video was showing. This at least was a problem I had when trying to watch the ball go all the way down the lane and understand what it was doing. Now in my video I see my head moving up and down not staying straight and causing me to see something wrong not exactly as it should be. Although I need a better camera I noticed something about how the ball roll changed when the ball went from the midlane to the backend, and this was by accident. When I tried to video my release I could just about make out that my hand was not behind the ball as I thought most of the time. This changed how the ball rolled going down the lane. Because I now have one of the new colorful balls it is easier to see the rolling movement direction of the ball. Most balls I had before were generally solid in color or to blended to see much difference farther down the lane. This new ball has a very different color from one side to the other and it makes it easier to see the way the ball is rolling.

What I noticed by accident was when I released the ball closer to behind it (one time) the ball had a more controllable movement and seemed to hit the pins harder. When I was near the top right and sometimes came around the ball I was not accurate in hitting my mark and the roll was different and either left corner pins, splits or crossed because of missing my target. This was only around 5 shots on video so more and better examples would be needed to give actual real information but will probably show this point to be close to the truth for me. The video was also fuzzy because it was not fast enough but you can see a difference when my fingers were at a different released point on the ball.

So, what I have again learned is I need to go back to having a coach and another pair of eyes seeing what actually is going on and helping me get back to my next step. I think I had forgotten the work involved in getting better and developed some bad habits. Adding in some easy and likely excuses made me overlook what was really happening and steps to correct. At least I am balanced at the line and can see the new ball easier then my older ones so hopefully a coach can get me straightened out and I will actually learn to see what the ball is doing as it travels down the lane.

As always any comments or suggestions are welcomed,
Dennis