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Author Topic: Body-Type Problems/Solutions  (Read 3813 times)

802dave

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Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« on: May 29, 2007, 10:48:23 PM »
One of the keys to good bowling is keeping your head/shoulders above or behind your knees/feet.  Getting ahead of your knees/feet reduces the amount of leverage and control you can get on a delivery; this can also lead to fast feet and pulled shots - your "center of gravity" gets too far forward and naturally leads to running.

My torso is a bit longer than the typical upper body/lower body ratio; I have shorter legs - they're strong, but shorter than I'd like.

My main reoccuring problem in my physical game is "fast feet".  I know I tend to get my upper body leaning too far forward out in front of my knees/feet.

I know I need to work on Heel-Toe, Heel-Toe footwork, & keeping my chest up ("keeping a proud chest" as someone once wrote).

This body shape also affected me when I was lifting heavy years ago.  I was good at the deadlift exercise - my bodytype lent itself to easy execution - not so far to lift the weight; conversely, my bodytype was not so good for the squat exercise - the longer torso brought my back into the exercise more than usual...

Anybody else see this type of problem created by your bodytype?  How do you compensate or work around it?

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se7en

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2007, 07:02:21 AM »
I had the same problem. I'm tall and thin. I use a 5 step approach, and my second step was toe-heel together. When I forced myself to heel-toe that step, it kept me from leaning forward as much. It felt awkward to do but I forced myself to stick with it even during league.

I did a test and put my weight on my right heel while trying to lean forward. I could feel the muscle stretch uncomfortably behind my knee. It was like my body was giving me a freebie change in my bowling game.

I still lean, but do it a lot less. It's definitely improved my leverage and shot.
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CoachJim

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2007, 07:08:12 AM »
Try to get a video of yourself bowling from the ball side. This will show you if your feet are fast or your swing is fast. If you have short legs and arms, then you should be alright, if your arms are way shorter than your legs then you might need to go to a 3 step delivery, if your arms are much longer than your leggs then maybe you need to go to a 5 step delivery starting the ball on the first step.

The way to tell is when you take your first right foot step (right handed) and push the ball into the swing, then take your next step, the ball should be right at your side, the ball should be at the top of the back swing on the next step, then the foot should be done sliding  before the ball is released. Check these points and either increase or decrease the initiation of your push away so these things all line up.
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Djarum

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2007, 08:06:31 AM »
I have a similar problem. I have a 29" inseam, yet I am a little over 6'2". I sometimes get fast and late, then I have a hard time executing. I have found that the pushaway step really for me sets the tone. If its nice and slow, the rest are slow, if its fast off of the first step(5 step approach), then my feet get fast.

Dj
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CoachLefty

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2007, 08:44:10 AM »
wow there are alot of us in the same boat.  i find that if a lean back a little and put all my weight on my left leg. (four step, left handed) that my timing doesn't get all out of whack.  tokk a while to get used to but now that i have my timing is almost always great.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2007, 09:14:12 AM »
I have, since I started bowling, been fighting with a bent upper body. I am also quite tall, and tried to move upright towards the foul line, heel-toe steps. But I lacked proper knee bend, and my shoulder position would be inconsistent at the foul line (tendency to bow from the waist, also due to fast feet and no slide at all).
My great revelation came with a fellow bowler's suggestion to start the approach with slightly flexed knees (kept the well straight before, for the upright feel). I tried this, keeping everything else the same (upper body up, breast forward, shoulders square, "proud chin") - and it was and is a huge success for me. Much more consistance from shot to shot, a true slide and even a better body feeling during the first shots, which had always been a shaky thing. Leverage has also become much better, yielding a rev increase of about 10% and a much cleaner release of the thumb, due to the earlier leave of the thumb and a body CG that is slightly set back at the foul line through the flexed knees.
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2007, 09:21:44 AM »
I am reading some good info in this thread.  I also fall into the tall category so I have some issues from time to time.
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MegaMav

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2007, 10:03:37 AM »
6'2" 180 Lbs pant size 36x34

I use a 4 step approach, and have a little forward lean to help get my backswing up, and keep my timing in check.

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dizzyfugu

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2007, 10:16:36 AM »
quote:
The only way I know to really work on the problem is to make sure you keep your back straight and only bend your knee and "sit" instead of partly bending the knee and leaning forward.  My coach says to freeze on that position till the ball hits the pins - if you're able to freeze then you know your balance is good.


Absolutely second that, through trail and error. A stable foul line position comes from a well-bended knee, so that your straight upper body rests just above the sliding foot one the ball is gone, the trailing leg acting as a counterbalance. I feel, after a good shot, that I can stay in this position for a very long time.

One downfall I noticed (and which will have me bend forward too much) is that I have to watch out for what I am doing with my trailing leg. If I do not get it around far enough, I know that I have trouble and need to concentrate more on execution. It is funny how many signals the body sends, once you get aware of them and the problems they might stand for.
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Djarum

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2007, 10:43:22 AM »
One thing I have run into is with my trailing leg is that my hips will face away from the foul line when it is behind me. I have had better luck with just letting fall behind me instead of back and to the side.

Dj
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802dave

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2007, 11:53:39 AM »
I'm reading some excellent replies here!

"Sitting" into the slide; taking the slide step to the right - directly under your C.G. (center of gravity); keeping a proud chest; heel-toe footwork... getting the trailing leg took go back and to the left naturally...

I was doing all of this and finishing ala David Ozio a couple years ago, then I got very sick and took that summer off.  I've been rebuilding my game since then and just have not been able to put it all together...  I am very close to where I want to be...

When I was able to do all of this, after a lesson with a gold-level coach, I shot four 750 series and a 300 game within a month period - I know what these details mean to my game!  Therefore, I sweat the details...
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CoachJim

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #11 on: May 30, 2007, 03:26:15 PM »
Dave, when you practice, concentrate on these details, one by one, and they will come back to you as they become more automatic. Force yourself to do each 10 times in a row, and if you don't, start over again. It takes a ton of discipline, but it works and will get you back where you want to be.
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802dave

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #12 on: May 31, 2007, 06:36:55 AM »
quote:
Dave, when you practice, concentrate on these details, one by one, and they will come back to you as they become more automatic. Force yourself to do each 10 times in a row, and if you don't, start over again. It takes a ton of discipline, but it works and will get you back where you want to be.


Thanks Coach!  I will start doing this next chance I get to practice.
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #13 on: May 31, 2007, 07:35:20 AM »
Hey I just wanted to let everyone know that the "proud chin chest foward" thing while bending the knees helped keep me from leaning and stuff.  Normally I bend my knees but my top half may do any number of things.  

It's going to take some getting used to but I think this will help me out.

Thanks!


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Edited on 5/31/2007 7:32 AM
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APheLion

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Re: Body-Type Problems/Solutions
« Reply #14 on: May 31, 2007, 10:16:58 AM »
gotta remember to have ur step very slow if u r a big guy.

have few games just to focus on ur steps, and/or have someone watchin u during ur approach for few games. if u cant yet help it, move 2-3 feet ahead from ur normal start point, then u'll be obligated to shorten ur steps (u'll have to think how to walk to not foul)

that should help u to slow down and focus on the footwork

i know that certainly we are different because we have different muscle memories, relax and concentration will make it go
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