Author Topic: Crossing Boards the Proper Way... (Read 2523 times)

stopncrank · « **on:** December 07, 2010, 02:51:07 AM »

So how do you guys cross boards? Let's say you need to cross 17 at the arrows with a breakpoint of 6 at 40 ft downlane...where do you target, the arrows, the breakpoint? or somewhere in between?? In your stance, do you point your feet towards your breakpoint, of do you keep everything square and change your swing path? Are you a Stroker, Cranker?

In theory theres probably no right or wrong answer...what works for you might not work for me...but it is interesting to me how there are so many different ways for us to accomplish the same thing in our sport. So lets hear how you approach this situation when you know you have to give away the pocket.
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Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....

Stan · « **Reply #1 on:** December 07, 2010, 11:10:52 AM »

I've always aligned my shoulders to my breakpoint. Mentally, draw a line from the arrows to your breakpoint. Walk straight down that line. At least that works for me.

stopncrank · « **Reply #2 on:** December 07, 2010, 11:12:20 AM »

You align your shoulders to your breakpoint...how do you know if your shoulders are too open or closed..where do you target on the lane?
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Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....

jdball299 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 07, 2010, 11:53:46 AM »

I use 2 targets....my intended area at the breakpoint, wherever it might be, and a visual intermediate target (usually at the arrows) on a line from the breakpoint back to me. The rest is all feel, execution, and PRACTICE. Most of the time if I pick the right angle to attack the breakpoint I have a hard time missing the pocket.
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"...do or do not, there is no try."

St. Louis USBC Sport Bowling
Best Bowling Pro Shops Inc., St. Louis MO.

stopncrank · « **Reply #4 on:** December 07, 2010, 12:08:28 PM »

My intent was a couple things with this post..1) to compare how I go about this versus how others on here accomplish this..2)try to get other ideas to try myself so that I can try new things.

With balls coming out every week that was stronger than the last, I find myself never being able to play straight anymore. It also seems that more and more people who used to be straight players 10 years ago now hook the ball just as much as I do. Which leads me to ask if people with less rev rate go about crossing boards differently.

Sometimes I feel like I open my shoulders and hips too much, causing me to miss the ball at the bottom. I feel like if I could stay more square to the line I could be more solid at the bottom of my swing.
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Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 07, 2010, 05:11:00 PM »

depends on how far right or left I'm playing. For the obvious reason, I use the arrows and or boards between them and feed the ball to a "point" and the farther right I am the closer that point will be. However, I've worked on not worrying about that area and making sure my ball is rolling over the board of choice.

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #6 on:** December 08, 2010, 03:01:57 AM »

I target at the arrows or a board between them. I keep my eyes fixed on that target, because it helps me getting down towards the foul line. Once the ball passes this area I watch the reaction dwon the lane, and might adjust for the next shot.
For alignment, I'd say I square up to a line from the breakpoint through my target. I try to prevent very deep lines, but in such steep angle cases (also for 7 pins) I angle my feet according to the aforementioned target line, to stay square and prevent a weird or forced pendulum.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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kidlost2000 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 08, 2010, 04:58:17 AM »

I've stopped getting as excited about the next big hooking ball because on the oil we face this season everything can fit in that category. The big hooking ball is just way too much. I start looking at all of the lower end equipment and controlled layouts to try and get as many frames in playing up the boards as possible.
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Be good, or be good at it.

MORULES · « **Reply #8 on:** December 08, 2010, 05:03:39 AM »

I use the arrow until it starts hooking too early. After that, I'll move my target to my break point. Finally, on really dry lanes or the shark pattern, I'll aim at the 3 pin.

cpo_bee · « **Reply #9 on:** December 08, 2010, 09:44:07 AM »

Tweener. If I am crossing 17 and my break point is 6, my nose is bleeding profusely. Weakest ball, point my shoulders to the break point., LOFT it, ball can't hook on air.

al_g · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2010, 10:35:48 AM »

quote:
Sometimes I feel like I open my shoulders and hips too much, causing me to miss the ball at the bottom. I feel like if I could stay more square to the line I could be more solid at the bottom of my swing.

I target similar to what others have already said.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone play 17 to 6 who can stay square at the line. You pretty much have to open everything up to play lines like that. If you didn't you'd have a very strange armswing to accomplish that.

When I'm forced to play lines like that as I move deeper I actually have to slow down my approach(feet) to keep everything in time. That could be why you're "missing" the ball at the bottom, you're timing is off. Another reason you could be missing it at the bottom is if you hit up on the ball a lot at the release point which can lead to inaccuracy and inconsistent shots too.

If you have a coach available in your area I think it's worth seeing them. They should be able to help you learn to play inside when you have to and they may make other suggestions to improve your game too.

stopncrank · « **Reply #11 on:** December 08, 2010, 10:45:31 AM »

quote:
quote:
Sometimes I feel like I open my shoulders and hips too much, causing me to miss the ball at the bottom. I feel like if I could stay more square to the line I could be more solid at the bottom of my swing.

I target similar to what others have already said.

I don't think I've ever seen anyone play 17 to 6 who can stay square at the line. You pretty much have to open everything up to play lines like that. If you didn't you'd have a very strange armswing to accomplish that.

When I'm forced to play lines like that as I move deeper I actually have to slow down my approach(feet) to keep everything in time. That could be why you're "missing" the ball at the bottom, you're timing is off. Another reason you could be missing it at the bottom is if you hit up on the ball a lot at the release point which can lead to inaccuracy and inconsistent shots too.

If you have a coach available in your area I think it's worth seeing them. They should be able to help you learn to play inside when you have to and they may make other suggestions to improve your game too.

I chose a bad choice of words...it seems like i try to force myself to not hit it too the point nothing feels nautral anymore. All we hear anymore is dont hit the ball at the bottom...something that is not nautral to me. My pitches have changed, and its a work in progress. Im trying to get back to laying the ball down with an earlier release point.

Added to this, it seems since all this took place my hook game isnint what it once was..hence one of the reasons i started this thread, to get an idea of how the majority approaches swinging the ball.
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Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....

APheLion · « **Reply #12 on:** December 08, 2010, 12:03:39 PM »

quote:
So how do you guys cross boards? Let's say you need to cross 17 at the arrows with a breakpoint of 6 at 40 ft downlane...where do you target, the arrows, the breakpoint? or somewhere in between?? In your stance, do you point your feet towards your breakpoint, of do you keep everything square and change your swing path? Are you a Stroker, Cranker?

In theory theres probably no right or wrong answer...what works for you might not work for me...but it is interesting to me how there are so many different ways for us to accomplish the same thing in our sport. So lets hear how you approach this situation when you know you have to give away the pocket.
--------------------
Still taking your lunch money one strike at a time, just without a Mission in my bag....

this is how i do it, first i decide on my breakpoint, then judging how deep i need to be to get the ball roll to that breakpoint. if for instance i need to roll it over the 17 board, i move left til i feel that i can draw a line from 17 to the breakpoint. then it comes the hand position that i need to get the ball back from 6 boards.

the more i move left, the more opened are my shoulders, i can imagine if i want to do 17-6 i would be proly facing the 2 pin on the next lane. i dont change swing path, it will mess things up for me.

definitely not cranker, at most tweener.
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When a house bowler misses the mark, misses the break point and strike, for many ppl its called a wallshot. When a pro does that its call adjustment

When a house bowler gets his finger stuck in the ball and fall on the lanes, for many ppl its called lame bowler. When a pro does that its called the Machuga flop! ha i like this one.

Author Topic: Crossing Boards the Proper Way... (Read 2523 times)

stopncrank

Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

Stan

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

stopncrank

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

jdball299

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

stopncrank

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

BrianCRX90

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

dizzyfugu

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

kidlost2000

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

MORULES

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

cpo_bee

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

al_g

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

stopncrank

Re: Crossing Boards the Proper Way...

APheLion

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