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Author Topic: The Release "yips"...  (Read 3450 times)

Russell

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The Release "yips"...
« on: June 15, 2011, 10:28:46 AM »
Well I have been in a slump for the better part of 2 years. My mechanics have suffered and I gradually developed less and less confidence throwing the rock.  I have now reached rock bottom as I literally feel like I have the "yips" at release.

 

I can see on video that my swing is out of line, but I can't seem to fix it. It just keeps getting worse and now my chicken wing has turned into a suitcase.  I have gone from 230 in league and a solid tournament player in 4 years to a 205 league bowler who misses 4 ten pins per night.

 

I have never been this frustrated in my life...I have practiced for hours and hours on end...and it only seems to get worse.  I am honest thinking about bowling 2 handed at this point because I can't handle bowling this bad anymore.


Little known fact:  In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"

 

Monster Pike

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #1 on: June 15, 2011, 09:13:11 PM »
Well you could go to Bowl Expo & check out the latest & greatest...
 
Or maybe you could get yourself that Griips Glove... Just might help your release...


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sarcasm disclaimer: Monster Pike frequently uses sarcasm to enhance his humorous posting style.  If you don't get sarcasm, please look it up in the dictionary.

Balldoctor

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #2 on: June 15, 2011, 09:30:15 PM »
Come see us at The Ebonite Showcase on Tuesday. No grips or vise talk, just bowling.

Remember, ALL BOWLING IS LOCAL!

Brickguy221

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #3 on: June 15, 2011, 11:13:26 PM »
ROTFLMAO ... now that was funny. I don't care who you are, it was funny.  
 



Monster Pike wrote on 6/15/2011 9:13 PM:
Well you could go to Bowl Expo & check out the latest & greatest...

 

Or maybe you could get yourself that Griips Glove... Just might help your release...


Monster Pike is in the House!
Army Strong & Army Proud


sarcasm disclaimer: Monster Pike frequently uses sarcasm to enhance his humorous posting style.  If you don't get sarcasm, please look it up in the dictionary.


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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away."

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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away"

Russell

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #4 on: June 16, 2011, 05:37:53 AM »
You're probably right....if I had a Grips glove and the new (insert ball here) I would probably be fixed.

 

Monster that made my morning...I laughed pretty hard at that. Thanks!
 



Monster Pike wrote on 6/15/2011 9:13 PM:
Well you could go to Bowl Expo & check out the latest & greatest...

 

Or maybe you could get yourself that Griips Glove... Just might help your release...


Monster Pike is in the House!
Army Strong & Army Proud


sarcasm disclaimer: Monster Pike frequently uses sarcasm to enhance his humorous posting style.  If you don't get sarcasm, please look it up in the dictionary.


Little known fact:  In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"

Monster Pike

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #5 on: June 16, 2011, 06:51:57 AM »
Hey no problem Russ...  I just had to do that... You lobbed it in there, So I just hit it out.... 

Monster Pike is in the House!
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sarcasm disclaimer: Monster Pike frequently uses sarcasm to enhance his humorous posting style.  If you don't get sarcasm, please look it up in the dictionary.

KDawg77

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #6 on: June 16, 2011, 07:28:59 AM »
Russell,
 
On a serious note, could this be something psychological versus something physical? As you mentioned in an earlier thread about health care, your life has changes drastically over the last two years. Someone who averages 230 then drops to 205 is much different from a guy like me who hopes for 200, but lost it here and there until this year. Also, have there been any changes in other activities since the "career change" like golf game declining?  With your skill level, I doubt it's just the yips. I can only suggest trying to turn your brain off and simply things on the lanes; maybe visualize what was working. You may have made a change subconsciously that you are not aware of.


Ken

Russell

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #7 on: June 16, 2011, 07:39:54 AM »
Ken I think you're on the right track...which is why I am saying I have the "yips".  It's like I can't just let it go anymore.  The slump started before the career change, around middle of 2009.  I have lost a lot of weight in the past year, which I am sure doesn't help things.  I started to see a decline in my golf game about 3 years ago, but that is directly a result of my weight loss.  I am slowly getting that swing back now as my body adjusts to its new shape.

 

I am going to start practicing from the ground up.  I will be going 1/3 speed to the line and making half shots to get my hand used to coming out of it the right way again.  I started this the other night but got impatient after about 10 minutes and started going full speed again, which I have to turn off.  I've got to teach my hand how to be soft again.
 



KDawg77 wrote on 6/16/2011 7:28 AM:
Russell,

 

On a serious note, could this be something psychological versus something physical? As you mentioned in an earlier thread about health care, your life has changes drastically over the last two years. Someone who averages 230 then drops to 205 is much different from a guy like me who hopes for 200, but lost it here and there until this year. Also, have there been any changes in other activities since the "career change" like golf game declining?  With your skill level, I doubt it's just the yips. I can only suggest trying to turn your brain off and simply things on the lanes; maybe visualize what was working. You may have made a change subconsciously that you are not aware of.


Ken


Little known fact:  In Russian "Hope" and "Change" translate to "Tax" and "Spend"

KDawg77

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #8 on: June 16, 2011, 07:47:42 AM »
It's surprising how weight loss changes things a few years back when I dropped some weight it worked in my favor. I think you're starting with a good plan of attack to regain the feel. I'm the same way on the patience front, plus I over-think everything as a lefty (according to John Gaines). From 2002-2007 I averaged on THS about 195-205 which is all I bowl 2008 and 2009 were 179 and 181. I know it was more mental. After a year off and moving, I got back to 199. You'll definitely be fine.

Ken

Dan Belcher

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #9 on: June 16, 2011, 08:21:53 AM »
In all honesty, taking a few weeks off might be the best way to start tackling your slump. Time off gives you a chance to mentally recharge a little, and it also might help clear up some bad habits. Then you can work on rebuilding your swing and release. Any good coaches in your area? Also, remember to fix the cause of the problem, not the symptoms of the problem. Also remember that your body thinks what you are doing is correct, so you have to almost feel like you're overcompensating to fix the problem sometimes. (For example, what feels like a straight pushaway for me is actually several inches to the right. I have to feel like I'm pushing it left to get it to actually go straight)



ksucat

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Re: The Release "yips"...
« Reply #10 on: June 16, 2011, 01:50:10 PM »
Russell, I felt the same way you do about 4 years ago.  I thought I'd lay out a few months to recharge.  That turned into a couple years.  Family and work took priority and I'd gotten out of the routine of weekly bowling.  If you lay out some time, be prepared that it may be longer than you originally intended.  I've started bowling recreation leagues now and an occasional tournament, but nothing to get excited about.

 

Find a coach to get you on the right track and then put in the work you know it takes to be at the level you desire.  You already know how much it takes to get there, you just need a little guidance.  Our sport needs guys like you seeking out good coaches so these coaches have a chance to make a living building our sport.

 

An ex-PBA champion coaches here and said that almost all of his customers are youth bowlers.  Hardly any adults seek his help.  Not that there aren't plenty of us needing his attention, but this isn't normal behavior from us.

 

I'm getting old enough now to remember the days when 205 really was good bowling.  How depressing.

 

Good luck to you.