Author Topic: bouncing and spinning (Read 1071 times)

snowman4951 · « **on:** August 10, 2004, 01:05:13 AM »

I have a problem!!! I bounce the ball all the time. I am 6'4 and have bad knees. I have a hard time getting low enough when I bowl. I hit the lane so hard sometimes that it sounds like a shotgun is going off. I also have a hard time keeping my arm close to my body so I spin the ball a lot. I have tried the towel under the armpit exercise but I still can't do it. A huge problem with all of this is that none of the really good bowlers want to help me,and I can't afford to pay for lessons. People are surprised that I average over 200 by the way I bowl. I still feel like I suck because of my problems. I am finally getting the courage to bowl in my first scratch league however I don't want these guys to think I am a joke. Actually when I bowl I feel as if they are talking badly about my game. I just want to excel with my game and earn a little respect. Thanks for the help!!!!

MichiganBowling · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2004, 04:31:11 PM »

Being 6'4, you probably have long arms too. Even with that, you need to get closer to the ground by the sounds of things. The best thing to do is work out your legs to make them stronger. It takes hard work, but it is so worth it in the end. The stronger legs will give you better balance and leverage and will allow you to bend your slide knew more to get closer to the ground. Remember, bending waiste is bad, bending knee is good. A little waiste bend won't hurt, but you want to bend your knee more.

Also, if you are lofting it onto the lane, then work on getting out of the ball sooner so that it releases from your hand before the swing goes into the follow through. You don't want to lift as in the old days, rather you want to release the ball as your hand is going forward, pushing the ball down the lane. It will take some practice, and you may need to have something changed in your grip to allow you to get out of it cleaner.

Best of luck!
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Brian
MichiganBowling.com
http://www.MichiganBowling.com

Famous Last Words of a Pot Bowler--"Ok, but this is my last game!"

Lane Bed · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2004, 09:35:46 PM »

If you are having a hard time keeping your arm close to your body you are not clearing your hips on your second step(out of four). This causes your arm to come around your hips and you can't get the ball back into a straight arm swing again. I'll bet you always feel like you are forcing the ball even when you are not. Tips: Check out Mo's site www.morich.net and go to Mo's corner. Work on getting the ball in the direction of your target. Second: Try getting a knee brace. My friend wears one and he is an excellent bowler. Third: Pay attention to your release. You could be leaving your thumb in the ball to long. That will make you bounce the ball. If you are hitting the thumb hole then you know for sure. Hope this helps.

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EvEryOnE rOlls ovEr thE lanE bEd

snowman4951 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2004, 11:02:07 PM »

Thanks so much everyone!! I'll try those things and anyother tips you care to give me.

Ragnar · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2004, 10:28:38 AM »

Snowman, I also am 6' 4" and have a bad knee so I try to not bend my knee too much. What works for me is to make sure to release the ball at the "flat spot" at the bottom of my swing. Releasing early drives the ball into the lane close to, or behind the foul line. Releasing late launches the ball on an upward arc with a resulting lout "thud" and a poor shot. A release in the flat spot allows the ball to glide onto the lane, much like an airplane landing. Yes, it may touch down a bit further down lane than used to be taught, but it works pretty well. The flat spot can be described as that point at the bottom of the swing when the arm is perpendicular to the approach, with the ball (ideally) just at your heel.
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"Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,"
I'm Ragnar Floggurass, and I approve this message

Author Topic: bouncing and spinning (Read 1071 times)

snowman4951

bouncing and spinning

MichiganBowling

Re: bouncing and spinning

Lane Bed

Re: bouncing and spinning

snowman4951

Re: bouncing and spinning

Ragnar

Re: bouncing and spinning