If you're going to switch, switch and never target at the pins again.  Know exactly where your starting position on the lane is and make changes as the lane conditions dictate.  A one board move in starting position makes about a two board change in the opposite direction at the pins if your target remains the same.  Don't look up to see where the ball is going until after it rolls over your target.  Practice, practice, practice.  --  JohnP

lots of practice lots of patience

That's the problem i'm having,looking up before it hits my mark.

You need to keep in mind that there is actually two targets. You ball is going to hook somewhere down the lane. First You want look down the lane where you want the ball to start hooking and bring your eyes back to the target you are going aim (usually at arrows).

You have to be careful as you are going through this new process. I have seen many bowlers (including my self) get so focussed on hitting the target and end up not executing a good release.  Give it time, not all changes happen over night.

Once you start watching your ball go down the lane on every shot, you are going to be able to see and understand more about your own game.

I'm sure switching from looking at the pins to another target will be difficult especially if you have been looking at the pins for a long time.  I'm a bit old school in that I have always targeted the arrows.  That said I do know many players who will target where their breakpoint is or around the "marker" boards down the lane.  I focus on watching my ball roll over my mark at the arrows followed by where it ends up at my breakpoint/marker boards and finally the way the ball reacts when going through the pins.  I think you can learn a lot by looking at these places on each shot.  Hope this helps at least in some small way.

Quote from: strikeking on April 27, 2014, 11:33:18 AM

A helpful hint.
One thing common to all of the "pros".  They ALL extend their balance arm out to the side with their thumb pointing DOWN!  I think this is to keep their shoulders square to the line.  Try it.

They actually do that to open up the shoulders for more ball height. The old style of stand tall and point to the wall will keep you the most square but that is not the modern game.

I was remember reading the modern pointing down was to allow for more hip rotation for more power.

Work on things a little at a time. As for practicing. Don't go to the lanes and throw complete games. Work on one specific item with in a time frame.

Example: Find the spot down lane and come back to the mark you will use as a target. Got those spots in your head. Throw that line for about 10-12 minutes. Doesn't matter what spares you leave. Just keep throwing that line.  This is practice.