Author Topic: Hitting your target... (Read 5995 times)

rlamanna · « **on:** June 07, 2004, 11:55:21 PM »

What are some methods used to hit targets and to increase accuracy? Also, is it more common for bowlers to shoot at arrows or dots?

Smash49 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 08, 2004, 03:02:48 PM »

A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to Dick Ritger's personal number system and it works. Once you get over the math part which is not that bad it's amazing. No eye dominance involved.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: Simply the finest slide product on the planet! This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

Ragnar · « **Reply #2 on:** June 08, 2004, 03:02:50 PM »

As to methods, all I can say is PRACTICE. Keep your swing as loose as possible and PRACTICE. I'd say that most of the upper two tiers of bowlers aim at boards rather than either arrows or dots. When you do that you're cutting what you aim at by 4/5ths (1 arrow = 5 boards), calling for more accuracy and more PRACTICE. One exercise I had available as a relative beginner was a chalkboard just wide enough that the legs fit into each gutter. I would set this up so I couldn't see the arrows and bowl (plenty of room for the ball to pass underneath). This helped a lot when it came to aiming at boards, not arrows.
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Just run to the line, plant and heave.

"Things fall apart; the center cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,"

RPM MAX · « **Reply #3 on:** June 08, 2004, 05:03:45 PM »

I dont look at boards or arrows, I always aim for the area in between arrows. Being an extreme power player I just find it to hard to concentrate on a mark an inch wide. I belive most people find it hard to aim at an individual board on the lane. But hey what ever works for you!

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #4 on:** June 08, 2004, 05:42:39 PM »

As important as practising hitting your target is working on playing different lines so that you will be comfortable all over the lanes rather than just having one comfort zone.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 08, 2004, 07:01:53 PM »

quote:
A couple of weeks ago I was introduced to Dick Ritger's personal number system and it works

Smash, could you share this with us and tell us about it?

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Retired and bowling on Fixed Income

Smash49 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 08, 2004, 08:48:12 PM »

Brick

The system involves the understanding that 90% or more bowler's set the ball down 7 boards away from their foot. So if you walk straight and your trying to hit the second arrow your ball would come down on ten and your foot would be on 17. Unfortunately it is not a perfect world and most people do not walk straight. They either drift right or left to some degree. Once this is figured out you can make corrections for your drift so that the ball ends up on 10 and your foot on 17 everytime. The correction is called your personal number. Once you know that you can target anywhere on the lane. There is also a formula for playing angles. No more eye dominance to worry about it's all math. You do need to have good fundamentals though. If you want a taste, Dick has a tape to buy on his site but the actual instruction live and in person is alot better.

Smash49

--------------------
Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: Simply the finest slide product on the planet! This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
www.bowlersslidesock.com

shotmaker · « **Reply #7 on:** June 09, 2004, 10:08:37 AM »

I always teach looking at the boards and arrows (at the arrows). For beginners this is a good basic that can later lead to some more advanced targeting methods. A couple of keys to hitting the target consistently is having a straight aproach, or at least having the same amount of drift on each shot. Also important is to have the swing in line, not "loopy" and going behind the back. On the downswing the follow through to the target should actually begin before reaching the bottom of the swing. As I come through my swing I am throwing my ring finger at my selected target, I don't aim at it, I throw at it. I'm currently teaching my wife to bowl and we are actually working on this very thing.

Remember to always watch the ball cross your target before movong your eyes away from the target. If you can hit your target consistently you will be able to compete with the best, regardless of power.

Girlscout · « **Reply #8 on:** June 09, 2004, 02:08:33 PM »

Shotmaker,
I agree it all starts with the footwork
I am learning I need to walk straight and
stop the habit of crossing to the left on first step.
Thus an inconsistent slide.
I was watching the Japanese girl on the Queens,
in my opinion she is a very good role model for
good classic fundamentals.She walks straight!
Its all about accuracy,
Girlscout

Brickguy221 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2004, 03:42:01 PM »

quote:
I am learning I need to walk straight and
stop the habit of crossing to the left on first step.

I do this too. Does anyone have any idea why Girlscout, my self and others do this?

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Retired and bowling on Fixed Income

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #10 on:** June 09, 2004, 05:04:31 PM »

quote:
I do this too. Does anyone have any idea why Girlscout, my self and others do this?

Are you starting off from a solid balanced position? A lot of bowlers I have watched tend to atart with their feet together. This causes a position of potential imbalance, easy to fall off when taking the first step or starting the pushaway. You should start standing with the feet slightly spaced apart, about 3-5 inches. If you have any martial arts training, you will know what I mean.

All you have to do to test this is stand with your feet together, holding your ball. Have a friend push you from the side. Easy to fall off balance. Now have him stand and push him to see how much force is required. Then, have him stand with the feet about 3-5 inches apart. How much more force is required to push him off balance?

So, if you start with the feet together, just starting the pushaway and starting the first step might be enough to put you off-balance where you have to step left to counter-balance the weight of the ball.

Maybe.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

MI 2 AZ · « **Reply #11 on:** June 09, 2004, 05:18:02 PM »

quote:
if you do start with your feet together, do you keep your sliding foot on the same board you started it on?

Not sure that I understand what you are asking. If you end up on a different board than where you started, then you are drifting. Can be either left or right. Try starting out with your feet slightly apart and see if it helps. I know it has helped a few others that I've pointed it out to. Most reduced their drift, did not get rid of it completely, but did cut it down.

Edited to add:

Oh, and a 3 board consistant drift is nothing to worry about. As long as you know how much you drift, you can compensate for it in your adjustments.
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I just want 2C was'zzub.
____________________________________

I am the SGT Schultz of bowling.
"I know nothing!"

Edited on 6/9/2004 5:17 PM

TyLytle · « **Reply #12 on:** June 09, 2004, 05:28:26 PM »

After your slide, before you move your feet to return to the ball return, put a penny where your toe was. On the next shot after the slide, look to see where your toe is in relation to the penny.

Helped me alot with accurate targeting...

Ty

strikealot · « **Reply #13 on:** June 09, 2004, 05:39:10 PM »

most people or should i say power players drift left to clear room for their arm swing, i know i drift left 5 boards, i just alow for it when adjusting. but it seems the further right i stand the mor i drift left, i have to really concentrate on walking strait when playing up the gutter. i practiced this with a white dot, because my house has no oil outside 5 hardly, but have become alot more comfortable with walking straiter.
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90% of the game is 50% mental!

Im not even supposed to be here today!

what did the 5 fingers say to the face...SLAP

Girlscout · « **Reply #14 on:** June 09, 2004, 05:50:38 PM »

All you drifters,

I think what screwed me up was the tight rope
walk, stepping left to clear your right leg method.
Well what happens is, you can start overdoing
a good thing. Now I feel my ball and right foot
are on the same track and so far I see improvement.
The idea of getting the feet not so close together
is worth trying, I notice my husband has his feet
more apart. Little tweaks can sure make big differences.
We talk about bigger margin for error with the lanes today,but
with execution there is very little.

I like the penny idea, but maybe use a smiley stick on.
Lets get this game straightened out!

Accuracy is the key
Girlscout

Edited on 6/9/2004 5:58 PM

Author Topic: Hitting your target... (Read 5995 times)

rlamanna

Hitting your target...

Smash49

Re: Hitting your target...

Ragnar

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RPM MAX

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MI 2 AZ

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Brickguy221

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Smash49

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shotmaker

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Girlscout

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Brickguy221

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MI 2 AZ

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MI 2 AZ

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TyLytle

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strikealot

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Girlscout

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