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Author Topic: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me  (Read 3926 times)

Renault78law

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hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« on: August 08, 2007, 04:44:02 AM »
I'm a right handed bowler, with a mild yet consistent hook.  I find that hitting "the pocket" between the 1 and 3 pin, seldom yields a strike.  I've noticed that when I strike, I'm usually hitting the number 1 pin on the left side (considering the hook, the ball is essentially aimed at the 2 pin).  What is going on and where should I aim and why?
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shelley

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2007, 12:53:38 PM »
Your "mild but consistent hook" is from right to left, correct?  You're not throwing a backup ball, are you?

When you hit the 1-3 pocket, what's left?  A mild hook with a lighter weight ball (14# or less) can easily leave the 5-pin due to deflection and not much angle.  5-10 splits would be possible, too.

SH
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9andaWiggle

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2007, 12:55:28 PM »
Use it to your advantage and purposely throw brooklyn.  You start shooting high scores and stringing strikes on the "wrong" side, and most house hacks will go nuts with the mental torture that they're getting their *censored* handed to them by someone who "Can't even hit the pocket".   They'll mentally crumble and victory will easily be yours!!

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Dan Belcher

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2007, 12:59:16 PM »
Getting to the 1-3 pocket is the (relatively) easy part.  Getting all 10 pins to fall when you do is the hard part.  You most likely need to move your feet to the right a few boards and your target a little less (though that's hard to say without seeing a video of you bowling).  Your goal is to create a bigger entry angle into the 1-3 pocket so that your ball goes through the pins as much as possible rather than bouncing off them.  Watch how the 6 pin reacts.  If it falls flat in the gutter, you need to hit more of the head pin.  If the 6 pin goes up and wraps around the 10 pin, you most likely need to make a small adjustment left or right and slow your speed slightly.

The best way to find out how to carry in my opinion is to watch as many bowlers as possible, including yourself.  Find out how much of the head pin you need to hit and at what angle.  Working with a coach may also help this.
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Renault78law

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2007, 02:16:10 PM »
OK, so I should definitely keep aiming for the pocket and try to change my entry angle?  Does anyone have a link to an article or thread discussing why hitting the pocket is the best way to get a strike?
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LuckyLefty

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2007, 02:18:15 PM »
I was going to give 9's answer but he beat me to it!

Great post...thanks!

REgards,

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Dan Belcher

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2007, 02:22:34 PM »
There was a great article a few years ago in one of the bowling magazines that actually mapped out the results of a study on the optimal entry angle into the pocket to get the most strikes.  However, I'll simplify it a bit.

The reason that hitting the 1-3 pocket as a right hander is the best way to strike, as opposed to crossing over and hitting the other side of the head pin, is it gives you the most consistent results, plus it gives you the most margin of error.  (If I was to try pointing the ball across to the left side of the head pin, I would be effectively guaranteed to leave a 5 pin or a 5-9 almost every single time if I missed just one board left, for example.)

Hitting the 1-3 pocket with sufficient angle sends the 3 pin into the 6 pin which then hits the 10 pin.  The head pin hits the 2 pin into the 4 which hits the 7.  A combination of the ball and the other pins takes out the 5, 8, and 9 pins.  Watch a slow-motion video of a good, flush pocket strike.  You'll see what I mean.  You can also see why hitting too much of the head pin results in leaving a lot of 4 pins (and even 4-9 splits), or hitting too little of the head pin results in leaving 7 pins, 5 pins, 10 pins, or any combination thereof.
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qstick777

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2007, 03:31:10 PM »
quote:
Use it to your advantage and purposely throw brooklyn.  You start shooting high scores and stringing strikes on the "wrong" side, and most house hacks will go nuts with the mental torture that they're getting their *censored* handed to them by someone who "Can't even hit the pocket".   They'll mentally crumble and victory will easily be yours!!

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9~

Ain't Skeered!


The best part about this is that it's true!

I subbed in a sport league a few summers ago and purposely throwing brooklyn was the only way for me to get a decent count!  For some reason I just couldn't find the right spot to hit the 1-3 pocket - either it would come in heavy or extremely light.  Splitsville galore!  I had no problem hitting around middle arrow and crossing over, so I did.  At first you get the half-hearted high-fives from people just trying to be nice, then you start saying "I meant to do that" and watch them get steamed!  After doing it for 2 1/2 games they start to believe you when you say it!

The best part was watching everybody else still trying to stand left and throw right and still not understanding why they were consistently hitting the 3-6 pocket!
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Artimust

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #8 on: August 09, 2007, 04:19:25 AM »
ok, i'm kind of like Renault78law, I hit the pocket but leave a LOT of 10 pins.  I keep trying to make the adjustments, but not getting the results.  What kind of changes should I make to lessen leaving the dreaded 10 pin!?
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dizzyfugu

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2007, 05:00:12 AM »
quote:
ok, i'm kind of like Renault78law, I hit the pocket but leave a LOT of 10 pins.  I keep trying to make the adjustments, but not getting the results.  What kind of changes should I make to lessen leaving the dreaded 10 pin!?


When you conistently leave single pins in the back row, the hit is good but needs a minute change. 8 and 9 pins are mostly bad luck, or the results of very powerful hits where the ball just went by this pin and the rest splattered around.

For a stubborn 10 - it stand because pins fly around it, not into it, due to a too steep angle - you can try a half-board movement to the left or right, or just move your starting point on the approach for as little as 5" towards or away from the foul line. You might have to experiment what works best for you (I like to get a little closer to the foul line, rest stays 100% same). The result is a marginal change in entry angle that will hopefully cause a slightly different chain reaction that takes out everything upon a pocket hit. Sometimes, a little more speed can change the entry angle, too.

In other cases (esp. when 8 and 9 is involved), try an overall weaker ball and/or take out some hand to tame the back end reaction. Breaking the wrist back a little can be a great help here (rest same).
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MaidenheadBandit

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2007, 08:30:08 AM »
Keeping it simple

On a pocket strike line(normal not back up) the ball hits 4 pins, 1, 2, 5 and 9 which gives better pin carry.

On the other side crossing over (brooklyn) the ball only hits the 1 and 3 pin, this type of strike relies on pin carry not ball carry, you see a lot of 5 10 splits instead of just 10 pin leaves on true pocket side
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Have no fear of perfection - you'll never reach it.....
Beer for the man, white wine fruit based drink for the lady.
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Renault78law

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2007, 05:36:34 PM »
My ball weighs 13lbs.  

I went bowling last night to try your collective advise.  I slid right by 8 boards, and scooted my aim right 5 boards to change my entry angle.  It didn't result in many strikes, but I noticed that the resulting spares were easier to hit.  I'd leave pins standing on the left side, (instead of say, the 10 pin) so spares were easier to pick up.  I guess I'll keep working at it.  Bowling Brooklyn style just works though.  I get great pin action.  The strikes from hitting the pocket were much weaker, more "domino effect" than explosive.
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Dan Belcher

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2007, 08:49:12 PM »
quote:
My ball weighs 13lbs.

That explains a lot.  13 pound balls do not have anywhere near the pin action of 14, 15, or 16 pound balls in general.
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Artimust

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Re: hitting the pocket doesn't work for me
« Reply #13 on: August 10, 2007, 03:26:00 AM »
Thanks dizzyfugu!  That's also one of the problems I have, as my foot is at least a foot from the foul line at the release.  I'll try and make the adjustments and get closer to the foul line.  BTW, my balls are 15#.
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