QuestionI am having trouble reading my ball reaction in different houses. On newer synthetic lanes with sport shots this is especially true. I know there are markers on the lane but I am unsure of how far down the lane they actually are. When my ball does start to make its move, I have trouble judging the oil distance. Therefore subsequent shots are usually based on bad adjustments. I roll a very consistent ball but feel this is the area that I suffer the most.
Answer
True Bowler Adjustment
Greetings Calvin,
To the point, I realize this is how a lot of coaches make a living. Teaching bowlers how to read the ball's reaction! Out of respect I won't step on their toes. What I will tell you is that reading the ball requires good vision - That is 1st! Next, it requires a verbal interaction from a seasoned coach who can be in your ear as the ball begins to make its move to the pins. With that said, please take a lesson or two with a certified coach who can assure you he/she can give you everything you need to read the ball's reaction, including good balance at the line.
What I'll tell you furthermore, is that reading the balls reaction is a "focusing" aspect that should be taught to you directly on the lanes. You will be taught to read the "break point" and then you will be taught to read "reaction distance."
The only exception to "on lane" training is: Unless someone has taken the time to write "reading the ball's reaction" on paper comprehensively! I have done that in my book: "True Bowler Adjustments"
To top that off, please understand "this" aspect of bowling (reading the ball's reaction) is very, very important, as well as very, very lengthy to explain.
It requires the bowler to focus on 5 different parts of play after you deliver the ball.(in no order) The concept of ball "roll out" too soon, reading the "roll," reading "ball travel" and reading the "type of roll" you get through the pins, reading "entry angle!"
Reading the lanes takes into account your skid, your hook and your roll phase of bowling. High level players, and elite coaches pay hundred of dollars to be successful at reading the lanes.
For the sake of many bowlers I would want to do justice to this, but for me as you may know it also creates a conflict of interest because I don't want to write a short answer and have it butchered as the gospel on how to read the ball's reaction and how to judge the oil distance. Or worst yet, have someone misled because I did not provide the proper layman's language for bowlers. You need only to look back at how many quotations I mentioned above and still I didn't give you the answer you may have wanted. (I can only ask you to forgive me, because there is no short answer.)
Honestly, it took me two days to consider how I would respond to this. Again, I must say that it is best for you to get a coach to teach you "on the lanes," so that you can question him or her.
Asking me to explain all that I have mentioned above, is truly why bowling lessons and bowling books are better, so you can get the "meat and bones of bowling!" Take your time to understand it.
For the life of me I do not want a potential high level bowler like yourself, or any bowler taking a short brevity of an explanation of "reading the balls reaction" out of context! As an elite coach, I know its very important to you, and to so many others out there who have put a lot of time in the game and play on different conditions.
Likewise, I would hate for the vultures in our sport to seemingly put two and two together and go out and prey upon other bowlers without paying some kind of price for this knowledge. There are some safeguards in bowling that allow us to protect others! This is one. Feel free to contact me via e-mail @
[email protected].
Perhaps others will read this and understand what you are experiencing! This may be the same thing they are experiencing! There is help with USBC Coaching, and various other high lever programs or my book. However, I guarantee that once you understand this "ball reaction reading," you will understand why I felt compelled to write True Bowler Adjustments, for all bowlers! What you are seeking is the future of bowling, as well as having a lot of fun on the lanes.
Calvin, I can't lie, sounds like you really are ready to knock this one out of the park! You should be here in Las Vegas at 7am on the Lanes at Red Rock with us!
Keep in touch!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com
