Post by: LuckyLefty on August 07, 2003, 08:06:18 PM
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
Post by: Gravy on August 08, 2003, 12:00:20 PM
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 08, 2003, 12:05:05 PM
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?
Post by: Jeffrevs on August 08, 2003, 12:16:45 PM
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 !
Post by: T-GOD on August 08, 2003, 12:24:23 PM
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
Post by: Curly on August 08, 2003, 12:26:59 PM
--------------------
CURLY-
"$21.00 for a six pack of Heineken?!"
Post by: Gravy on August 08, 2003, 12:29:33 PM
Post by: T-GOD on August 08, 2003, 03:07:22 PM
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 08, 2003, 03:19:47 PM
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
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 09, 2003, 10:13:54 AM
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
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 09, 2003, 11:28:19 AM
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
Post by: T-GOD on August 09, 2003, 11:31:44 AM
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 09, 2003, 11:42:49 AM
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"?
Post by: T-GOD on August 09, 2003, 11:54:42 AM
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
Post by: seadrive on August 09, 2003, 01:30:01 PM
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
Post by: LuckyLefty on August 09, 2003, 06:37:46 PM
My understanding is that Mark Roth often didn't look at the floor or if he did he would then "SEE" the shot and move around the approach till it fit what he saw.
This is sort of what I feel I've been doing a little. Finding a area that looks favorable, and then moving without looking down. Or if I feel I can't move due to too much dry outside then just using same swing board, say looking at 11 at 30 and maybe moving my eyes out to 11 at 35 feet. Thus tightening up the line from the same starting point. Or vise versa, maybe looking at 11 at 20 feet to swing more.
Just talked to one of the all time greats and he said many are using still very rigidly 2 and 1 and 3 and 2, but moving their eyes dramatically forward or back to vary how early or late the roll the desired roll is.
Again I'm not saying I found it A few good practice sessions and a set in a home house means nothing. Just interested.
Others?
Also, anyone know what Walter Ray does?
REgards,
Luckylefty
PS even though he is brilliant in application I wonder if he would or could describe to us his thinking. He is just an application genius! Anyone know more?