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Author Topic: help. cant stay behind the ball  (Read 4063 times)

thewhiz

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help. cant stay behind the ball
« on: November 20, 2015, 03:24:09 AM »
Been bowling for years.  Do ok but want to improve
  When I take my back swing I turn my hand towards my body.  Cant stay behind the ball no matter what.  I am around the ball way to early.  It rolls ok but it could be better.  What can I do to stay behind the ball?  Any suggestions?

 

itsallaboutme

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2015, 06:51:25 AM »
From my experiences most people that turn it early are trying to hook the ball more than they should for the positions their body is in.  Not enough leverage.  There is probably something either in your backswing or transition that is causing this.  You need to video yourself.

Bowlaholic

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2015, 08:35:15 AM »
Coach Ron Clifton has a video on this subject and a drill to cure it ...... titled Early Turn.
I am not computer savvy, so I can't attach the video for you.
But if you type in Early Turn You Tube you should get the video.  Hope this helps and good luck.

Gene J Kanak

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2015, 09:21:31 AM »
The first two suggestions can be quite helpful, and I'll add a third. I think that part of it is a mindset, and it's something that I'm working on as well. I have always been more of a "thrower" of the ball when it comes to release, and I've always marveled at the men and women who are "rollers" of the ball.

You need to think of rolling the ball onto the lane at release instead of throwing it onto the lane. I think that Chris Barnes provides an excellent example of this. Even when he's playing inside, you can still see his hand go straight up the back of the ball at release. That's the kind of feel you need to be shooting for.

You can drill this by going up to the foul line, taking a knee, (kneel on the leg of your push foot, and keep your slide foot planted) and just practicing letting your hand come up behind the ball with your fingers coming straight up the back and exiting the ball last.

Once you get the feel of that, which could take a while if it's something you aren't used to, move on to trying it with an approach. What I found is that it really wasn't hard to come straight up the back of the ball. The issue I had was finding a way to do that without causing the ball to just tumble end over end with a 12-6 roll pattern. After some experimentation, I found that I need to change my setup in order to impart at least some axis rotation and tilt. However, I also found that rolling the ball 12-6 is fantastic for spare shooting. If I'm disciplined in my release, I can throw my most aggressive balls at spares if I want to because the lack of axis rotation keeps the ball on line.

Long story short, it's just going to take some time and practice like anything else. Try it out, give it some time, and don't expect dramatic results right away. If you can do that, you'll likely be rolling the ball better in no time!

trash heap

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2015, 10:41:07 AM »
Long story short, it's just going to take some time and practice like anything else. Try it out, give it some time, and don't expect dramatic results right away. If you can do that, you'll likely be rolling the ball better in no time!

Just reinforcing Gene's last paragraph. Just give yourself time to change. It doesn't happen right away.
 
Talkin' Trash!

avabob

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2015, 11:35:46 AM »
As an old school stroker, my best way for staying behind the ball is to keep my arm very relaxed, especially through the elbow, and the grip.  When we grab or hit up, the slightest timing problem will cause you to come around the ball too much. 

dR3w

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2015, 11:45:52 AM »
As an old school stroker, my best way for staying behind the ball is to keep my arm very relaxed, especially through the elbow, and the grip.  When we grab or hit up, the slightest timing problem will cause you to come around the ball too much. 

I agree with avabob.  That works well for me, and when I can keep my swing really loose, I am more accurate.  My problem with this though, is I sometimes lose a straight wrist, and deliver a lower rev rate shot.  For me it is a fine line between having some muscle involvement to keep my wrist flat, and yet still keeping my arm loose.

lefty50

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2015, 12:19:19 PM »
I spent the whole night in league last night fighting this same problem, and it wasn't pretty, except for pretty frustrating. Just reviewed Ron Clifton's video and will try it, but I also stumbled on Norm Duke's "Early Turn" video. Loved his presentation style and the tip as well. The man's my hero now in a new way.

JohnN

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Re: help. cant stay behind the ball
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2015, 01:16:22 PM »
Same problem I'm having right now. The suggestion of taking video is one that helps. Did that and saw several things I was doing wrong. I switched from a Robby's extra glove to a Storm Extra Roll brace and it seems to be helping but I'm not suggesting that for anyone else.