win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2

Author Topic: SEEING the Line!?  (Read 3238 times)

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
SEEING the Line!?
« on: August 07, 2003, 08:06:18 PM »
I've been bowling for about 4 years.

A thing that made a big jump in my first year of bowling was watching the Dick Ritger tapes.  I call them "Scientific bowling from the foul line back".

The phyiscal concepts are awesome, the adjustment tools have worked pretty well for me in general. Dramatically changed from where I just always used the 2nd arrow as my target!  (he he).

However, there have been times where I just couldn't find the shot!

Lately, I've been practicing a lot and getting in to sort of a different sort of mindset.

I wanted to describe it and see if some of the top flite competitors and regional bowlers tend to use it also.

Lately in practice I've been sort of finding the area of the shot and deciding if the ball matches up or not.  After a yes no and finally settling on something with enough grab but energy and backend or no, I start zeroing in.

Then and this is the change, I'm starting at this point to then sort of watch the pins fall and make adjustments where I don't even look at the floor.
I just step up on the alley and picture the slight adjustment in the path and then look at a slightly different point on the alley and picture the slightly changed shot and try to adjust to it.

For example.  Say I'm standing 27 and throwing about 14 at the arrows and to 11 at the 30 foot mark.  All of a sudden it looks like the balls is travelling a little deep to the breakpoint and coming back with a big backend and leaving a weak 7.(lefty).  Now some carrydown is setting in I'll jump up on that alley and get on approach maybe on 27 maybe nearer 26. But I'll picture looking maybe at 11 down to about 33 or 35 feet.  I'll maybe look down and I might notice my heels are angled a little less.  I'll picture a slightly straighter flight to the breakpoint and all of a suddent I'm up higher on the head pin and the 7s go away.  

Other times I'll see even more is needed and I'll picture a shot through the 13 board at the arrows and look at 11 at 35 feet,  I'll notice now maybe my feet are creeping over in the 25 board area.

I had heard that Mark Roth supposedly never looked at the floor when setting up.
I'm still checking it and I still believe in checking one's fundamentals of starting point, drift and slide point and how far ball is from your slide angle, but I'm wondering are some of the top studs on this site doing a similar thing.

It seems to really let one react to changing conditions.

Last night was a great example, it was a shot I would normally sort of start to lose it on and many did, but this method really seemed to guide me to flushing the pocket more and more all night!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

 

Gravy

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2003, 12:00:20 PM »
The hardest part to adjust to changing lanes especially minor changes like leaving weak corner pins is making the actual move. The tendency is not to make the move and blame your self for not executing. For me if I'm close to my target after the second weak corner pin, I make an adjustment. The good bowlers make the adjustment quickly. The good bowlers tend to have much more confidence in their game to make the adjustment. The difference in scoring can be between 10-40 pins a a game. Example: Your scoring pretty well your throwing strikes on both lanes and then you start leaving weak corner pins on one lane. Its strike spare strike spare strike, you really don't make an adjustment just yet. So now you go 3 in a row without getting a strike on that lane. Your running out of frames at this point and you might get a low 200. If you carried just one of those shots between strikes that would add 20 pins to your score. So what I'm trying to say is adjust quickly on those weak corner pins, its probably not your fault that you left the weak corner pin, the lanes are slightly changing. It's very difficult to make these changes because we are not machines. It's all about confidence. Just my observations,hope it helps.
Logged

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2003, 12:05:05 PM »
SAw,

I'm not proclaiming victory over the game!  Not quite yet.

I'm just observing something that has come in to my scope and I was wondering if some of the old warhorses(you included) and studs,(like your son Hose)
used a similar method.

Or do most top bowlers stick with 2 and 1 moves, 3 and 2 moves, and other more scientific methods.

Major studs please!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Looking for responses from Multiple honor score types of people, Regional studs,
215 plus average studs, and all appropriate studettes! (is that politically correct?)

PPS Anyone know what Walter Ray does?
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

Jeffrevs

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11890
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #3 on: August 08, 2003, 12:16:45 PM »
Lucky,

I've started to do this on my single pin spares....I line up right behind them matching my right shoulder with the pin....drawing a line straight back thru the arrows then the dots then up my arm.....and go....so I can see this....

Today while practicing (3 ring freaking circus!!) I was doing this very thing...setting up my ball path/swing line with my shoulder and not paying attention to the floor....surprisingly nice results......
--------------------
JEFF
Just chimin' in !
Logged

T-GOD

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2141
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #4 on: August 08, 2003, 12:24:23 PM »
Sawbones, you said that...
quote:
Actually, having to adjust is what keeps this game from being more boring than it already is.

Then you say...
quote:
alas, I miss the days when we could throw over the second arrow all nite long).

It seems to me that the game was more popular when you didn't have to move your mark/feet every 5 frames. Also, I don't think striking ever gets boring..!! =:^D
Logged

Curly

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 748
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #5 on: August 08, 2003, 12:26:59 PM »
I would agree with some of PERIs post. I am a feel bowler. To me, the strict principles are meaningless and somewhat irritating. Though, I can see how they could help an inexperienced bowler. I am a decent scratch bowler, certainly no PBAer, but after 30 or so years of bowling, its all about feel.
--------------------
CURLY-
"$21.00 for a six pack of Heineken?!"

Logged

Gravy

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 162
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #6 on: August 08, 2003, 12:29:33 PM »
I guess I after my long essay, I forgot to mention that my moves for weak corner pins is usually one board with my feet left. That will send my ball a little right of my orginal target which should hit the dry A little sooner and in turn hit the pocket a little bit more flush. By the way I'm right handed , lefties would be reversed.
Logged

T-GOD

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2141
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #7 on: August 08, 2003, 03:07:22 PM »
OK Bones, but it seams that you enjoyed the old days better. I feel it's better also. So, let's make it easier to get to the pocket, but harder to knock them down. Ala, MORE OIL..!! =:^D
Logged

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #8 on: August 08, 2003, 03:19:47 PM »
OK 211.1 on a tougher condition.

Or 210 on a really tough.
Or 214.9 on a normal condition.
Or 2.14.99 on easy!

I'm sure all conditions above are tough!

I know mine are!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #9 on: August 09, 2003, 10:13:54 AM »
Seriously mean no disrespect by term "old warhorse".

I call my Dad that.  

It means old strong competitor!

800, club champion, State hall of fame in two sports = Older Stud= Old Warhorse!

Admiring REgards,

Luckylefty
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #10 on: August 09, 2003, 11:28:19 AM »
Oh by the way,

I'm finding this topic fascinating(The topic is "Seeing the Line") and any more comments from our upper level participants, 214.6 and up unless condition is tough would be much appreciated.

REgards,

Luckylefty
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

T-GOD

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2141
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #11 on: August 09, 2003, 11:31:44 AM »
Bones, you're absolutely right. I totally agree with you. Now, what can we do about the game today..? Is it going to a sport condition, or should I say the sport condition we have now..? How do we get back to being able measure the good bowlers..? =:^D
Logged

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #12 on: August 09, 2003, 11:42:49 AM »
OOOooops, Hijacked topic!

The topic is "Seeing the line" Or lining up techniques of the masters!

Chime in.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS topic is NOT "Was bowling better in 1961"?
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

T-GOD

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2141
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #13 on: August 09, 2003, 11:54:42 AM »
Sorry Lefty..!! Getting back to the TOPIC, personally I do both. What I mean is that I'm a feel bowler at my release, but I'm a target bowler with my eyes and feet.

If I make a move on the lane, I will use some sort of system with my moves, i.e. 2 and 1 with my feet and eyes, 3 and 1 or whatever.

But, instead of moving, to get better carry, I will change the feel of my release. Meaning I will maybe hit the ball harder, roll it more end over end, roll it sooner into the lane, turn it more, ect...ect...

On an oily lane, this feel at release is most important and my best weapon.

On a dry lane, bowlers can release the ball anyway they want, as long as they throw it into the dry, so lining up with your feet is most important. =:^D
Logged

seadrive

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1988
Re: SEEING the Line!?
« Reply #14 on: August 09, 2003, 01:30:01 PM »
I can't bowl for crap, but I'll put in my two cents anyway.

I guess I'm a combination of a method player and a feel player.  I use standard procedures to find a line, like rolling the ball up 1st arrow, then up 2nd arrow and 3rd arrow to test the pattern length, and moving my feet a board left or right to get the right ball path shape, but from there, it's more a matter of feel.

For example, although I always start out with my left foot on a certain spot on the approach, I'll start shuffling my feet left or right, forward or backward, as I'm getting the proper feel of my hand in the ball.  Which way I move is simply intuitive, based partly on where I'm focussing on the lanes, which also changes from shot to shot for mostly unconscious reasons.

Of course, maybe this "move a little here, move a little there" is one of the reasons that I still suck!
--------------------
seadrive
Cogito ergo bowl
Logged
Pages: [1] 2
« previous next »