CAN'T MOVE. WHAT TO DO

[bowlersam]

I'm new so not able to control too many things in my approach and delivery. Getting better, no doubt, with practice, specially after my fit is figured out.

But

Still having trouble with the lane transition. I'm basically a Stroker and when the lanes break down and I have to move inside, my troubles start.

Typically play on medium to medium heavy, 42 feet low volume, synthetic Brunswick lanes. But occasionally, they can be either very dry or very wet and slick.

So far I've been using 3 to four ball, run of the mill Arsenal, which is also old, you know, Benchmark, Ball up, Ball Down. But now I'm trying to shift mode to serious. Threw away all old balls. Trying to figure out a way to use ball surface and core characteristics instead of moving my feet a lot.

My Specs are that of a typical newbie Stroker. Low Rev, Tilt, Rotation, slightly higher Speed and Track. I'm a righty with PAP 4 and 3/4 over 1/2 up.

I'm looking to put together a 6 Ball Arsenal including a Plastic ball, so 5 balls which can keep me between 10 and 15 boards no matter what the lane conditions are. I want to keep throwing within 5 boards of Track Area and keep my feet right of 25th board as I loose all control if I go deeper than that.

Need ball advice and Layout advice.

Don't want to break the bank though.

PS: When I asked a question like that in the past some friends got technical with RGs Diffs and Int Diffs and so on, though I'm trying to learn as much as can, still I'm lost very quickly when technical talk starts.

I know some don't want to or like to promote specific company or balls, but I would really appreciate if they can make exception just for once so know exactly what to buy and how to get it drilled.

I also know that without seeing someone throw a game or two in person, it's hard, even for the best minds to give good advice, but please try. Any help would be appreciated.

I have no preference in terms of Company. It can be any, just have to NOT BE TOO EXPENSIVE.

Thanks

[bcw1969]

As a stroker myself who historically, If I couldn't square up and play down and in, I was a lost cause. Over the years I have had to learn the hard way that you are not always going to be able to be in your comfort zone on every lane and condition you will face--and believe me I have tried. Ball choice and where you put the surface helps a lot, but over the past few years I have found that being open to adjusting other things other than what ball is in your hands and what surface it is at can be very useful. For me I have always been most comfortable(Call it an "A" game) if you will, with throwing the ball with quite a bit of side rotation on the ball--I am most comfortable that way and if I have the right ball in my hands I can score very well--however, as the lanes break down ball choice and surface prep may not always be enough. For me, what I have found very helpful over the past few years is cutting off the side rotation abit---still not soo much that my hand would come completely up the back of the ball but somewhere in between the 2.  My common catch phrase used to be "as soon as the lanes break down, so do I".

I prefer not to move inside as opposed to other adjustments one might make because I do not generate enough natural recovery with my delivery moving inside to make it worth it on the score sheet.  Adjusting my hand position when necessary allows me to play where I am more comfortable on the lane more often without the overreaction on the backend I would otherwise get.  Also don't be afraid or unwilling to move further to the outside with your feet and your ball to say the 5 board(1st arrow), many times as the lanes transition I can ball down and move my feet and my target to the outside of the lane and keep scoring.

If you are looking for ball choices to help keep you playing where you want play the lanes and how you want to release the ball so you do not have to change "you"------ that may not always be possible to accomplish...but if you can throw a 16 pound ball.....go to bowlerscellar.com . and under webstore , look at the dropdown menu for $60.00 oddball blowout, and $70.00 oddball blowouts. They have a Visionary Scorcher NPT..it is an older ball but is great when the lanes break down or are pretty light oil or dry. Also look at the Blue Green Centaur, Many ballreviews users swear by that ball on light oil conditions--I have one myself but had to play around with different drilling to find what worked on that ball "for me". and also the red sorcerer would be good transition. You can read the reviews on all 3 balls on this site also you can search the forums area under visionary bowling ball and search for posts about all 3 balls.

Brad

[bowlersam]

Thanks Brad for the answer. I agree. This could be just one of the answers I might need. Changing hand positions and speed is my next goal.

One step at a time. Like I said, I'm a newbie and I'm afraid if I change too many things at once, might never play well enough for myself.

I will definitely check those balls and wait for other inputs in order make a workable decision.

Thanks for taking the time to. A) read my long ridiculous post and 2) writing a thoughtful response.

[itsallaboutme]

High end big hooker of choice
Hammer Dark Legend Solid
Ebonite Gamebreaker 2
Storm Hy Road
Columbia Nitrous black/silver
Ebonite Maxim Night Sky

[bowlersam]

Allright.

Storm Alpha Crux big Hooker ball of choice.

Any advice for Layouts

Being Category 4, Speed slightly more than Revs,  my DA sum should be around 90 to 105 with Drilling to VAL angle ratio 2:1 2:1.25. Is that right?

[Impending Doom]

Not knowing what you're replacing, let me make a 5 ball suggestion.
1. Dryest. Plastic with a core. Look at a Track Spare+.
2. Slightly more oil. Pearl urethane. I'd go with a Motiv Rebel Tank.
3. Medium. Weaker resin. Storm Pitch Blue.
4. Medium stronger. AMF Xcite or 900 Global Boost.
5. Strongest. AMF Unreal. Strongest cover and core, asymmetrical, smooth rolling.

[tommyboy74]

Not knowing the previous arsenal, I was in a similar situation that you currently face.  Even though I have a higher rev rate, my A game has always been playing straighter and up the boards.  But one thing I had to work on was learning different hand positions and how to manipulate the ball at the bottom so I can get either more end over end roll or add side rotation.  The other thing was learning as much as possible about what equipment works best with my game, so I can bowl the best that I can.

The good news is that all of the manufacturers offer good equipment so you're really not limited to who you go with.  Here is what I would go with:

1) Dry: Motiv Rebel Tank or Hammer Black Urethane. 
Both can double as your spare ball but will allow you to score on the desert.

2) Medium-Dry:  Ebonite Cyclone. 
This ball gives a ton of performance with a lot of value.  It's one of the balls that has been a good standard in this category for a while now.

3) Medium:  Motiv Forza GT, Storm Hy-Road, Hammer Rebel. 
These are all good benchmark choices.  You get a good combination of length and backend, giving a good benchmark reaction.

4) Medium-Heavy:  Roto Grip Critical, Track Heat Extreme, Motiv Revolt Havoc.
All of these will handle heavier volumes of oil while still giving you good predictability and flexibility with lines/angles.  They'll also still retain energy compared to throwing something stronger on less volume.

5) Heavy:  Track Paradox, Roto Grip No Rules, Motiv Trident
All of these will handle the heaviest volume.  I have the Paradox and it has a good combination of length yet gives great backend recovery.  You can play up the boards with it or move in.  The No Rules is stupid strong and you'll be able to play anywhere on the lane with it.  It's solid cover will read sooner than the Paradox but would be my first choice on the fresh.

[bullred]

As usual people only have one solution for all things, buy a new ball.   One of the small secrets to bowling inside is disregarding the pins.  Practice a bit on projecting your ball to a specific spot down lane.  Your natural turn applied to the ball will help it to the pins, without you trying to change your delivery.   Watch the higher average bowlers.  Generally they will look the same no matter where on the lane they are playing.

[bowlersam]

Tommy Boy. I have news. You aren't a boy. You da man. Great advice dear. Thanks a lot. Now I really have something to work with.

All answers are great. Yours I like the best.

[MI 2 AZ]

bowlersam,

If you are trying to stay in the same area with your feet, other than switching balls, have you tried adjusting your fingers?

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip11.htm

You could also start looking further down the lanes.  If you normally look at the arrows or that area, try looking 6 ft further down the lane or even further.

There are other tips here:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm

[tommyboy74]

Tommy Boy. I have news. You aren't a boy. You da man. Great advice dear. Thanks a lot. Now I really have something to work with.

All answers are great. Yours I like the best.

Not a problem.  For the ball choices, those are some you can work with.  However, it is no substitute for having your PSO watch you on the lane.  But it is a starting point that you can use.

A really good example of someone that you could actually watch on YouTube is Liz Johnson.  Having met her personally multiple times (she is a friend and teammate of my PSO), her A game has always been up the boards.  But, one of the reasons she has been successful for years is knowing her equipment and learning to manipulate the release.  She can put a ton of end over end roll on the ball or she can add some side rotation when needed.  Plus, she is able to move in if necessary and hook the lane but that is her B game.  Also, she is good with speed control.  She can throw it really hard or soften up a bit depending on what the lane gives.  During a tv show or tournament, she's not having to really adjust much at all.  She can typically stay within the same boundaries of the lane she chooses and use those tools to perform well. 

When you practice or when you're in league, think of specific boundaries you want to target on the lane (e.g. 3-5 board area to start).  Focus on keeping your ball in that area and work on manipulating the release with different wrist positions and making any adjustments with your feet as needed.  Then, narrow the boundaries down as you get more comfortable with what you target.  This will ultimately help you be versatile with developing your B game while allowing you to improve your A game.  Combine that with the equipment you select and you're on your way.

[bowlersam]

Easier said then done. You are absolutely right though. Norm Duke, great Walter Ray, Voss etc also play down and in and are very successful.

I'll work on your advice and report back in 6 months. See how it goes Tommy Boy.

Thanks