Fundamentals
Bowling Information
A Few Extra Pins  People who I don't coach regularly, but who do keep asking me for advice, on the other hand, are looking for a "quick fix." Something that they can "instantly" grab on to and work on right away A Multi-Dimensional Bowler  As technology advances in the sport of bowling, it demands that the humans who play it make necessary changes to adapt to them. Would you rather be a "one-dimensional" or a "multi-dimensional" bowler who can play under all the varying conditions? A Simple Sparing System  The simplest and most commonly taught sparing methodology for beginners is "The 3-6-9 Rule." It is an easy way to determine where and at what angle you need to throw the ball to pick up spares. The important thing is that you will have a foundation upon which to build your spare shooting.
About Lane Targets  It's really surprising how many bowlers don't know much more than. "aim for the second arrow." That's the reason one of the first things I teach my students are the marks on the lane with regard to targeting. Adjusting For Your Bowling Center  Most bowling centers have settled on a certain way they set their lane dressing machines and will not vary from it. The variances in conditions from lane-to-lane, from one side of the house to the other, and from one time of day to the next, are caused by many factors that people tend to overlook. Adjusting Hand Positions  A bowler doesn't have to know all the technical details of how the lane is oiled, what type of oil is being used, or what pattern is laid down. They just have to know how to adjust so they can get a better shot to the pocket and carry. Adjusting Quicker  You cannot, and should not, stand in one spot and throw to the same mark game-after-game. People are always asking me, "how can I learn to read the lanes?" or, "how do I know how much I should adjust?" The answer is, "you don't" to both, and something similar to other questions of the same ilk. Adjustments Have To Be Made  It never ceases to amaze me that people will continually moan and complain about the conditions we are bowling on without trying something different. The saying goes, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over; but, expecting a different result." Attitude, Control, Accuracy, Consistency  To be a great bowler, you do not have to copy the way other bowlers throw their ball; what you need to copy is their "Ack-Ack;" (A-C-A-C) - Attitude, Control, Accuracy, and Consistency. Be Yourself When Bowling  Concentrate on getting your balance, timing, and leverage sharpened to the highest level possible. Be comfortable in your own uniqueness and you'll be more successful than if you try to copy someone else's form. Bowling Adjustments During Competition  I'd like to give you an example of the thought processes I go through as I bowl. In a typical night of league, I am constantly trying to find an area on the lane where I have an easier time getting my ball to the pocket. Bowling Ball, Angle, Release, Speed  No matter how much oil is placed on the lanes or the pattern that's laid down, you will have to make adjustments every time you bowl. There are more options in this day of high-tech balls then there were 40 years ago, but you still have to learn how to adjust comfortably with these options. Concentrate On One Thing At A Time  Do you have a tendency to try to concentrate on "everything" at once in order to bowl good? If you are attempting to do this when you bowl, it is a pretty sure bet that you are having trouble with your game. How can anyone improve if they are trying to concentrate on so many things at once? Developing Solid Foundatiions  Regardless of your style of bowling, there are some fundamental techniques that must be fine-tuned in order to establish a solid foundation for your bowling game. Once this has been set, you will be able to effectively develop your timing, accuracy, and consistency. Developing Your Armswing  There is nothing like a consistent and smooth armswing. It is parallel to your strikeline, close to your body, and seemingly effortless when you set the ball on the lane. You just know that it's a strike as soon as you let it go. Don't Overthink Your Bowling  It is important to point out that competition is not the time to straighten out your game. If you find yourself worrying about all the little things when you are bowling in a league or tournament, you may find yourself scoring worse than if you just threw the ball down the lane without thinking. Effective League Practice Time  Taking a hint from that example, articles that I've researched, and bowling lessons I've taken, here's a simple "Choc-list" for your league or tournament practice session: Hand And Wrist Positions  In fact, if you look at just about any competitive sport, the best players are the ones who can overcome the different conditions placed before them. They've learned how to choose the right equipment and make adjustments for any obstacle placed in their way. Hints For Sparing  It is when multiple pins or splits are left that many beginner bowlers tend to have problems deciding where to aim and throw for the spare combination. Here, then are the general guidelines that will make it easy for you line up quicker and have more confidence with which to pick up your spares. House Balls and Rented Shoes  I'd like to give some tips to those of you who will continue to use bowling balls and rental shoes provided by the center that you patronize. Whatever your reasons are, no explanations are needed because I realize "that's just the way it is." How To Grip The Ball  "Get a grip." Are they talking about bowling? I like to think so because there are three basic types in bowling - the "conventional, "semi-fingertip," and the "full fingertip." As you progress through your game, you will eventually settle on the one that feels best for you. Improve Your Accuracy  A bowler has got to go beyond just throwing to the second arrow and hoping that the night's lane conditions will happen to let them score higher. Know Your Breakpoints  Unlucky? Unfortunate? I think not. I am not doing something correctly. After all, there are others who are scoring well Let's Find A Bowling Coach  What should you look for when you need an auto mechanic, plumber, doctor, or other professional? If you're like me, you ask your friends for referrals, go talk to them directly, ask questions, feel them out, and when you feel assured that they will do a good job for you, hire them Lumps, Bumps, Corns, and Hard Skin  It's a fact of life that your fingers and thumb will have to toughen up the more you bowl. Grab that shovel, hammer, pick, or axe and see how much you can do with it until your hands harden up to the task. Blister City, right? More Warm Up Exercises  I've received comments that by doing the "non-strenuous" exercises suggested in the article, Warm Up Exercises, some people felt a little bit of pain as their muscles stretched. I can only caution everyone that although these exercises are not very physical in nature, they do serve their purposes. Not Enough Time Exercises  Like many things that are good for us, we know what needs to be done; however, we are too busy going about our daily life to get involved with a scheduled 1 to 2 hour discipline. It's the old "not enough time" excuse. Practice With A Purpose  "Practice, practice, practice" and "Practice makes perfect." We've all heard it, but, how many of us do it? Practicing At Home  At the very first coaching session, I always give my students a list of things ("exercises") they can do at home to sharpen and keep their bowling senses sharpened. These exercises are not physically demanding and don't take a lot of time away from whatever it is you are doing. Releasing The Bowling Ball  There are several ways of releasing your bowling ball. Each one can, and will at times, perform better on the lanes than the other releases. I will describe them in this article and you can decide which may be the best for you. Scorekeeping  Keeping track to make sure that the computer is keeping your bowling score accurately is your responsibility. Select & Fit A Bowling Ball  Today, then, I go back to the beginning and give some hints about how to select a bowling ball. If you are already an experienced bowler, I think these tips will help you the next time you coach someone who is just getting interested in our sport of bowling. Six For Success Begins  Does it seem as if your bowling is not improving in spite of all your practice? Do you have your goals and priorities in line but feel as if something is blocking your path to success? Do you often think that you are not doing the things that you know you should be doing? Six For Success Ends  "Six For Success Ends" contains the last three problems and solutions of my "Choc-list" begun in "Six For Success Begins." Please go back and read the first three. Thank you. Solid Practice Routines  We all have to practice to become better bowlers. Are you the type that only cares about how high your practice score is or are you the type that ignores the score and works on improving the fundamentals of your game? If you are the latter, than this article should be of interest to you. Some Basic Bowling Terminology  Not surprisingly, a large majority of people already know that bowling is where you roll a ball down a lane, knock down some pins, and score points. Some More Warm-up Exercises  We will finish off today with a few more. Do not, however, limit yourself to only those that I've mentioned. If you find more, and want to do so, add them to the list. Remember, though, to take things easy, don't ever force anything, and never overdo it. That Pesky Ten Pin  It just seems that the 10-pin is coming more and more frequently. On any given night, everyone in the league will leave three or four a game. Watch the PBA on television and even the pros have trouble with that pesky pin. We all seem to be pounding the pocket and leaving them "all over the place." The 10 Pin Tap  Nothing bothers and frustrates people more than to hit the solid 1-3 pocket and leave what is known as a "tap," "a ringing ten," or other various names, some of them not being repeatable in public. The AYS Have It  I always emphasize to my students that they should "admire your shot." That is, they have to be able to hold their final step and position for at least three seconds after they deliver their ball on the lane. The Bowling Steps And Delivery  The 4-step and 5-step approaches are the more commonly used deliveries in the sport of bowling. On your next trip to the bowling center, experiment with the different steps and see which will be most advantageous and easy for you The Insanity Defense  Then, yesterday, I said to myself, "self, are you stuck in a rut, here?" And self said, "absolutely!" Took several deep breaths, closed my eyes, and it came to me. Try different styles and see if you can spot the bad habit. The Perfect Bowling Armswing  In other words, one of the equations for improving yourself in the sport of bowling is - consistent armswing equals accuracy equals more strikes and spares equals higher scores equals higher averages. Timing Lost, Timing Gained  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. Tips For The Recreational Bowler  The term "recreational bowler" refers to a person who goes bowling once-in-a-while with family, friends, the company, or some other special occasion. This person's main interest lies not in the score of the game but in socializing and having a good time. Warm-up Exercises  In the sport of bowling, it tends to build up in your joints or muscles, primarily the areas of your shoulders, elbows, wrists, and hands. Micro Trauma is, simply stated, "an injury caused as the result of strain on parts of the body built up over a period of time." Will New Bowling Equipment Help?  Don't be jumping to spend your way out of a slump by buying up all the products and gadgets out there. What good is brand new equipment if the bowler hasn't learned how to bowl yet? Your Basic Bowling Approach  This article talks about an "approach" from the beginner's point of view. Its main purposes are to help determine how many steps are taken as well as how far back from the foul line to start.
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