QuestionHello Gary-
About two weeks ago I switched to a hinge start hoping that it would help my consistency, timing, ball speed, and power at release just to name a few reasons. Generally I feel it has been a successful move but am struggling mightily with two facets of my game that are really hampering my ability to execute quality shots on a consistent basis. The biggest reason I like it is now I can control my ball speed with my foot speed which has always been one of my biggest strengths...
1) I seem to be achieving a proper hinge most of the time but am really struggling with getting my hand into the proper position at the release which is really affecting proper skid, hook, roll...previously with my pushaway I was able to achieve the proper hand position be using my elbow as the focal point(worked extremely well)now I'm not sure what to focus on....
2) After the hinge my swing is fairly free until it gets in the backswing then I want to force it at the downswing and release...my swing plane, timing, fluidity, and balance at the line are all very good but I know I am forcing it...I am a 210+ average bowler in my late 40's, and in fairly decent physical condition. Any suggestions you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Art
Answer
True Bowler Adjustment
Art, thanks for the question! A million things ran through my mind at first! As things settled down, I realized one thing about your game! Basically, you are a great bowler! Like the Chameleon pattern, you want to transition your game into something, even more comfortable.
I can appreciate that. The hinge start can make things simpler, yet just as complicated too! I always discuss one simple fact with my students of the game Art, " While you are learning one thing, sump'n else is going to suffer!" That is..., until you can gel the new item into your routine! Its only been two weeks, yet while you are working on your body with a 210+ average, most coaches would probably suggest that you work on your equipment, lane reading and visual aspects of the game!
I am just being a coach here. Talent is talent! When a bowler knows he needs to "do" sump'n to his/her game to be more consistent, they will work on whatever they feel is within their scope of abilities. You picked the hinge start, cool. You lost a vital part of you though, your targeting! You picked up a slightly bad habit with it, which you now feel you are forcing the ball at the down swing and release. Hell, at least you can feel that in your gutt and that helps.
Why do "I feel I am forcing it at the down swing and release?" ANSWER: My body may have become really early to the line making my swing way late now and my timing for my steps are off just a bit!
Back to basics... Move the ball with the first step, of a four step approach, but have "a tempo" so you do not run to the line. If five steps...Wait, Wait, ... Hinge, Step, Release! Find that good tempo that allows that wrist and hand to repeat the release!!! You may have to "baby it" for a few more weeks but what the heck! It "will" get you to a consistency with your body! In my bowling book the body is very important but its a lower level activity that you can revisit over and over if needed for a quick fix, not major surgery!
Once you get to that consistency, then you cross over into the world you should be talking about! Your ball reaction and "matching up" on the lanes. You would probably kick your own butt to go through all this just to find out, you were fine, its just the lane and the ball would not communicate when you needed them too!!! Two hundred average bowlers don't generally need their game reworked that much. "You knew what you were doing before" and you knew how to handle your business as far as targeting! TO ME THAT IS PRICELESS! You bring something very valuable to the game, and I don't want to lose that, not ever! We capitalize on the skills you have invested a great deal of time in already! We keep YOU Art! With that, we make everything else around you come together!
To summarize: You need to give the hinge start a little more time and focus on your tempo to the line to allow you to focus on your release! "Your feet are where the money is" as well as your swing. Once you realize you can work with "both" the push away and the hinge start...DO IT! What am I saying...You are a high level bowler you need "both" of them! That's what makes bowling the sport it is. You adjust to the conditions. You're too slow today, boom! Pshaw gets you back in the game. You got lots of oil, bam! Your hinge start allows your to pipe a forward roll straight up the 8 board consistently! You wanted to know what to focus on...it would be your wrist position at release. But that is two pages of info in my book True Bowler Adjustments.
Learn about adjusting "You," then "the ball," then adjust for the lanes and lastly, your vision to watch the ball(sounds like you may already know this one), but things should go in that order!
I hope to hear from you very soon Art. Especially, about being able to consistently hit your target again. After that, destroying the pocket with the right equipment should be our next goal!
Git 'yer feel on, and your keen eye back in line." ...Small steps, then take care of business!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
