If you're a beginner, prepare yourself for it; if you're an intermediate or advanced bowler, you know what it is. That feeling when nothing seems to feel right and you just can't release the ball properly. You're hitting the 1-3 pocket consistently but nothing wants to fall. You leave 5 pins, 8 - 10's, your light hits leave three or four pins standing, and you're leaving 10-pins that sound "dead."

Your timing is off and everything you try just doesn't seem to help. You feel like an elephant tip-toeing across thin ice - not only uncoordinated but, you're looking awkward on the approach as well. In spite of all your practice, you will undoubtedly get these moments. They may last only a few frames or they may last the entire night; hopefully, you won't get into a slump that will last weeks or months.

Working on some routines to overcome bad timing during your practice sessions may potentially help you keep these moments to a minimum. If you don't have time to practice some of these routines, give them a shot - after all, what have you got to lose when you're bowling bad, anyway?

My "Choc-list" for overcoming bad timing, or, "Timing lost, Timing gained," is as follows: (As always, depending on how far off you are, you may have to try several of them.)

1) Pick up your ball and just start walking to the line (making sure you have observed courtesy on both sides, of course) and deliver your ball. No thinking, just a free approach and release. A couple of times may be all you need to get back on track.

2) Move to your favorite line regardless of the lane conditions. Since it is your favorite, and therefore, the most comfortable for you, it may trigger an "automatic" response in your brain and/or muscle memory.

3) Try a different number of steps. If you normally take 5 steps, do 4 steps; and vice-versa. This will have the effect of making you think about the proper rhythm you should have in your mind.

4) Throw a different bowling ball. If you only have one, borrow one or pick up a house ball. I you have multiple balls, throw one or all of your others. The different feel may make you release the ball better and therefore, get your timing in sync.

5) Between shots, mentally visualize all your actions before you get on the approach and, as in 1), above, just get on the approach and release your ball - not over-concentrating but merely re-focusing.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)