Author Topic: Making the next jump from 215... (Read 2082 times)

tdub36tjt · « **on:** January 20, 2010, 04:58:53 AM »

I'm wondering what everyone thinks on how to make the next jumpfrom a 215 average up to the 225 area. I have been stuck in the 215 area for a couple years now and feel like I am throwing the ball better than ever but just can't get over that hump. I almost feel its mental but maybe I am wrong.

Phoneman · « **Reply #1 on:** January 20, 2010, 01:01:11 PM »

1 missed spare a night is the biggest difference I found. If you are averaging 215 then you are a decent strike thrower. Work on spare shooting more is my take.

tdub36tjt · « **Reply #2 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:09:45 PM »

I feel like my issue is I make an errant shot and it results in a split.

helicopter · « **Reply #3 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:29:38 PM »

I was in a very similar sitution as you. I averaged 212-215 the last few years but have raised my average to 226 this year and it really took a concerted effort. What I did was focus on my weaker parts of my game to try to improve them.
I worked on tempo, maintaining perfect balance before and after the shot, keeping my head still but staying aggressive. I also worked on the mental side of it because, you're right, much of it is mental once you have the skills. Exact pre shot routine with intense focus on every shot has helped me, same positive thoughts, regardless of the results.
Every shot carries the same importance, whether you're going for 10 in a row or coming off 3 open frames. Clear your head and refocus every shot.
I also have become better at reading the lanes and making adjustments by watching other bowlers, not just yourself, and stay ahead of the changing lane conditions regardless of how your bowling.

Jay · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:35:08 PM »

Maybe the extra spare or two a night would help but another thought is how well you're matching up. Obviously to average 215 you're doing something right, so to improve that if it's not spares maybe it's slightly less than good carry here or there, or not having as much room as you could.
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Justin

hallofamer · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2010, 03:46:45 PM »

With the relatively conservative specs noted in your profile (PAP, ball speed and rev rate) I would think carry is the difference. Of course making spares is critical, an occasional split won't hurt too bad if you make all the easier spares and carry 10-15% better. Try to find a way to match up a little better, ball surface, release and/or minor speed changes, different or new ball, and see what happens.

tdub36tjt · « **Reply #6 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:26:08 PM »

what about my stats makes you think carry issues? I do feel like I struggle with carry. I tend to leave a lot of 4 pins. also I only have had one 700 this year and only 2 sub 600 series. most every series has been 660 area.

Hogsharley · « **Reply #7 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:36:37 PM »

I agree with the comments on spare shooting. The really good bowlers rarely miss the makeable spares. One open a game is one too many.

The other thing is making quality 1st shots. If you make a good 1st shot and don't strike, then you'll usually have single pin taps to make.
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3 holes of fun!!

Brian362 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 20, 2010, 07:51:43 PM »

i agree with all the others...but how well/fast do you read the transition? if you leave a split or two a night are you a shade behind in making moves. obviously, you match up to a point. but, if you aren't anticipating the moves a shot or two ahead of the tranisiton, you miss out on a few frames of optimal carry. i have improved this part of my game and went from 210...for years up to 227 this year. the only difference is mental... i make fewer bad shots as my level of concentration is at a very high level. EVERY shot. EVERY spare. I practice my spare game more and more. just my 2 cents.

David Lee Yskes · « **Reply #9 on:** January 20, 2010, 08:42:23 PM »

tdub,

I would worry less about your average and work on being consistent with your shots.

With bowling the way it is...... Averages are over-rated... Do I worry that I'm at a 205 avg on a second shift league??? when i probably could average 215 or so on a fresh shot? Hell no I dont.....
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" Lift Your Skirt Grab Your Balls and Learn How to Bowl " http://coolluvr4u1976.bowlspace.com/

For my vids on youtube - search coolluvr4u1976

titletowncards · « **Reply #10 on:** January 20, 2010, 08:54:18 PM »

There's a lot of good advice hear. A couple of things that really helped me was making sure all my equipment was in good shape, surfaces where I want them, cleaned after every session. Also making sure everything fit right. I got myself a spinner, bevel, insert puller, abarlon pads, sort of my own little proshop in the basement.
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titletowncards

JessN16 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 21, 2010, 01:28:40 AM »

quote:
Better spare shooting, and fewer errant shots are certainly good suggestions. However I have always found when I was recording some of my best averages that the difference between me and the guys about 10 pins lower, was my bad nights. It is a lot easier to find a way to turn a 580 into a 630 than to try to find that elusive extra hit that turns a 680 into a 730. Look at your bad nights and analyze what went wrong. Did bad carry frustrate you and cause you to blow some easy spares? Was your timing just bad and you couldn't make good shots? Did you feel like you were making good shots, but just didn't match up? The answers to these questions will tell you where to focus your efforts.

The rest of the posts are good but this one is probably the most apt advice. I'm a step behind you, getting to the 215 level this year. The difference between last year and this is that my horribly low series are no longer 480s, they're 550s. Most stuff is in the 580-650 range. It is indeed a lot easier to average 180 (for 540) on your bad nights rather than blowing up for three 160s (for 480), than it is to try to turn 630s into 690s.

My laneplay strategies have gone away from trying to overpower the whole lane, to playing straighter with less hand in the ball and letting the equipment do the work. I've also gotten a lot better at shooting corner spares. I'm still pretty terrible on my 10-pin percentages but it's better than it used to be.

Jess

tdub36tjt · « **Reply #12 on:** January 21, 2010, 05:00:47 AM »

I know what your saying...something that worked for me for those 10-pins that has me between 85-90 percent now is to not being so tentative shooting at them. Don't know if this is something that you struggle with but it was my issue. I just felt it one day and realized that was it. I was trying to baby it the whole way. I was walking slower trying to throw the ball slower and it was throwing my timing all out of whack on the 10-pins. Once I noticed this I just told myself keep my feet moving and I immediately began to improve at shooting them. Just something to think about.... (I still have an issue at some houses on the right lane because of the ball returns though something about feeling crowded sometimes, but other than that I make like 95 percent)

quote:
quote:
Better spare shooting, and fewer errant shots are certainly good suggestions. However I have always found when I was recording some of my best averages that the difference between me and the guys about 10 pins lower, was my bad nights. It is a lot easier to find a way to turn a 580 into a 630 than to try to find that elusive extra hit that turns a 680 into a 730. Look at your bad nights and analyze what went wrong. Did bad carry frustrate you and cause you to blow some easy spares? Was your timing just bad and you couldn't make good shots? Did you feel like you were making good shots, but just didn't match up? The answers to these questions will tell you where to focus your efforts.

The rest of the posts are good but this one is probably the most apt advice. I'm a step behind you, getting to the 215 level this year. The difference between last year and this is that my horribly low series are no longer 480s, they're 550s. Most stuff is in the 580-650 range. It is indeed a lot easier to average 180 (for 540) on your bad nights rather than blowing up for three 160s (for 480), than it is to try to turn 630s into 690s.

My laneplay strategies have gone away from trying to overpower the whole lane, to playing straighter with less hand in the ball and letting the equipment do the work. I've also gotten a lot better at shooting corner spares. I'm still pretty terrible on my 10-pin percentages but it's better than it used to be.

Jess

completebowler · « **Reply #13 on:** January 21, 2010, 07:15:44 AM »

There is much good advice on this thread for you but something NOBODY has mentioned is lessons.

We can all sit here and throw ideas out but we can do nothing for you compared to a knowledgeable coach.

I have been in the 220's and up for around ten years. My 'A' game used to be fairly straight and hard. Could never play the deeper angles with confidence. Started doing clinics every summer with Brian Voss (and eventually he brought Duke along) and you can't find a more knowledgeable and personable duo in this game. They advocate throwing a game over every arrow when practicing and this has helped me learn the inside angles.

Find one of their clinics near you this summer and turn your game over to them. They usually bring a handful of local USBC coaches along with them and so you will have someone there that you could look up occasionally during the season.

Good luck.
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Sir Bowl-A-Lot · « **Reply #14 on:** January 21, 2010, 07:38:37 AM »

Stop making errant shots.

Author Topic: Making the next jump from 215... (Read 2082 times)

tdub36tjt

Making the next jump from 215...

Phoneman

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

tdub36tjt

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

helicopter

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

Jay

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

hallofamer

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

tdub36tjt

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

Hogsharley

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

Brian362

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

David Lee Yskes

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

titletowncards

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

JessN16

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

tdub36tjt

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

completebowler

Re: Making the next jump from 215...

Sir Bowl-A-Lot

Re: Making the next jump from 215...