QuestionI am 29 been bowling since a kid i average 220 just about everywhere exept on sport shots i think this is do to missing my mark for some reason i always throw the ball 3 to 4 boards of where i am looking i have good balance i videod myself my arm swing is within the 4 inch groove i dont understand how i consistenly miss left now i just look 4 boards right of where i want the to cross it works but i would really like to fix this i
apperiate any advise you could give me thanks
sincerly,Brent Hulsey
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
Hello Brent, I wrote about this on www.AllExpert.com a few weeks ago. I advocate that you have to create new muscle movement. Basically, as you tuck the elbow in to your hip, you will want to bring the hand and ball more in front of your shoulder, or to the outside to compensate for your miss of one or two boards inside.
I have had awesome success with my students in the last 19 years with this adjustment. I found through my own research, that creating this "feel" in your set up will give you confidence that you are prepared to execute your delivery consistently.
Like any muscle movement, once it is learned and repeated you will incorporated it into your routine as long as you are persistent.
USBC has also done a study to suggest opposite eye dominant players should look further down the lane to achieve better accuracy. :-)
I advocate that you try whatever works for you and what you can repeat most naturally. However, I still caution bowlers, even training your eyes to look further down is a new muscle movement.
We don't normally look up a lot. If you position your head normally and then look up or further down the lane, you will immediately notice that you are stressing the eye muscles.
If you decide on looking further down lane from your previous targets, I recommend you raise your chin slightly to make it more of a natural feel for your eyes, and then continue with your set up. With any "new muscle memory" you have to find a way to work it into your routine or you will repeat your old muscle memory. Unfortunately you may find yourself at times still looking at your old targets instead of your new targets.
Taken from my new book, True Bowler Adjustments, those who spin the ball are often looking further down the lane while those that forward roll the ball are looking closer. Basically I have found out that your eyesight is the boss overall. If your vision is less than optimal, you probably may pass on looking further than where you are currently trying to project the ball.
In summary Brent, there are several ways to compensate for missing your targets. Have your Ball fit checked, evaluate your ball weight, use loft, move on the approach to cover the miss, looking right or left of your target, if you have a fixed wrist brace like a mongoose or other wrist device-get more under the ball prior to release, or if determined ... just create a new muscle movement such as looking further down the lanes, or try adjusting your delivery arm during your set up. My book has lots more tips, too many to list here.
No matter what you choose to do, it will take dedicated practice to incorporate your choice into a routine that works for you. Happy Holidays and God's Blessings to you!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
