QuestionQUESTION: What is your routine during the practice session 10 minutes before league play? I have read and heard that throwing strikes in practice is a waste of time and strikes and i don't agree with that. When I practice i'm trying to find the right line and angle to the pocket. If I happen to throw 2 or 3 strikes then I have an idea of where i can play. Now when I don't strike i try to pick up the spare or if its a split of any kind I practice on hitting the corner pins or anything close to it to see if my spare ball moves any or stays straight. That's my strategy in practice. When the lanes break down that's when i have to adjust properly. I throw a Storm Virtual Gravity for max. hook and Brunswick Twisted Fury for more roll and late hook. What do think about this and what are your methods when practicing so that maybe i can add and/or subtract the way that i'm doing it? I avg 218 but i have been in a slump for the past 3 weeks and i'm not afraid to seek advice. thanks for reading this and i'm anxious to hear your thoughts on this!
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
ANSWER: Demetrius, I truly appreciate your question! In my new bowling book, "True Bowler Adjustments," I discussed the practice session. I also talked about how to read the oil pattern with warm up shots to the left / right and the middle. Naturally, not everyone can hire a coach to figure out the lane pattern during practice or concretely have a routine as you have developed. I loved the way you explained things. The methodology is sound and "very" on point.
If I could add anything to your routine it would be the idea that when bowlers practice they have to realize that the most transition of the lane condition will happen in the first game. So practice is a double edge sword.
The leading edge of the sword, is your spare shot routine. I practice spares first, and then strikes because in 20 years, practice time goes fast! Often, you will throw strikes in practice and "maybe" forget to practice your spares.
I have written in my new book, that it is best for bowlers to follow your lead. Especially, when it comes to spares, "see if your spare ball moves on the back end in front of the 7 pin, or the 10 pin. Even the plastic bowling balls will move a little. In my book, I only recommend two manufacturer's spare balls!!!
Not many bowlers release a perfect straight ball every time. (No offense Walter Ray! :-) Once you have figured out your spare shots to see where you can best deliver your ball down lane, it is to every bowlers advantage to finish your practice session with strike balls.
This is the part where the double edged sword comes into play where strike practice can hurt your efforts as well as help you. As you finish your practice session, you should end it with strike shots if possible. Making note of your delivery on each lane.
Keep in mind that for every strike you deliver, you are adding to "the carry down," which is part of the lane transition. This means that for every strike you throw you move the oil down lane. Six strikes in practice could have been six strikes in the game. Move the oil around too much and you "may" get less strikes when the lights come on. I say, once you are lined up, that's it. No more practice.
The good thing about realizing you are lined up and moving away from the approach, is that you have now finished your practice session with "that strike ball muscle movement."
So it should be "just a walk in the park," to get on the approach and deliver a great shot on your first ball, - unless you are the anchor bowler. (But that is why we get the big bucks!)
It can be a long wait for the anchor bowler to deliver that first ball at the beginning of league play, especially with a five man team. It would be sweet if everyone threw one strike ball and sat down in the beginning of league play. Imagine that...
In summary Demetrius, concerning practice, you hit the nail on the head. Throw your spare ball to see if it "moves" in practice. Next, throw your strike ball so you can take note of your delivery and how the ball is rolling on the back end. Finish your practice session with that strike ball muscle memory. Lastly, use caution bowlers: When you throw strikes in practice, you continue to change the oil pattern. So, once you are lined up, my best advice is "stop" messing up your own line. :-) Thank you for your question Demetrius!
Oh, by-the-way, regarding your slump, most slumps as you know are caused by changes in the game. It could be a bowler's release, timing, ball maintenance,(or lack of), and the oil conditioning/pattern, temperature of the bowling center, Having the "correct ball" for the condition often will get a high level bowler, like yourself, back on track. So there is your mission Demetrius. See if you, the ball, or the lanes have changed. Keep in touch when you can.
- Coach Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I am the anchor bowler on my team and would like to know about bowling balls that absorb oil. Just because i wipe the oil off my ball doesn't mean that there isn't oil in it. How long should i wait until i know its time to have a pro shop do whatever it is that they do to competely absorb all the oil out of the ball? After i bowl a certain number of games or is there a way i can tell that it is time to get it cleaned?
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
Demetrius, I won't try to blow smoke at you or anyone when it comes to bowling. This is a website that I found authored by James Goulding III - It is an excellent article with feedback from a readers. Thanks James for all that you do for bowling. Please visit: http://bowler2bowler.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/bowling-ball-maintenance-the-key-t
To cap off ball maintenance. With today's technology you can purchase a bowling ball cup, polishing bonnet, and sanding pads as a package. The package may run from $30 to $45. You can also purchase a drill. Preferably a drill with a cord. Much cheaper than a ball spinner, and very effective for low volume use when polishing or sanding your bowling balls.
Take care Demetrius, thanks for your question and I am sure it will help others. My thanks again to James Goulding III. Roll on Coach!
-Coach Gary
Las Vegas, NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com
