Author Topic: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach? (Read 2746 times)

9andaWiggle · « **on:** August 06, 2012, 04:14:15 PM »

Where I grew up bowling, there were no coaches. Basically, most of the groundwork for my bowling style is self-taught. Unfortunately, early in my bowling development, I went through a spell where I was hitting my ankle with the ball. In response, I developed a style where I kind of crab-walk - I shift my hips left, and have a short slide where my foot turns heel out (getting out of the way of my release). So I wind up with my toe pointing right, foot probably at a 45 to 60 degree angle to foul line.

I've been thinking about trying to rebuild/relearn my approach. Mainly this is due to a hip problem that seems to be developing. In the 2nd step (of 5 step approach) where I shift my body left and begin my crab-walk, I will occasionally have a sharp pain in the right leg - front hip/groin area. It's sharp enough to stop me in my tracks, and resembles a pinched sciatic in that it causes involuntary release of support from the leg muscles on that side - basically the leg gives way and I usually stumble a bit recovering. Did I mention it hurts like hell? Stays in my mind for a while too, taking concentration from the shot to hoping that doesn't happen again. Of course, this also puts a lot of pressure on my slide knee. It is often sore after bowling, and when bowling more than one night a week it gets really uncomfortable.

Anyway, wondering if anyone has undergone a rebuilding like this after years of bowling (25+ for me). Any tips or thoughts where to start and what to expect? I know coaching will come up, but I don't know of any that would be close/convenient to get to on a regular basis.

Impending Doom · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2012, 05:23:48 PM »

9~,

I had a really bad habit in my approach where my 4th step in my 5 step approach was not even a step. My 4th step was basically a hop because I was trying to build power and open my hips. Really limited me to only being able to throw the ball left to right, and my ball speed wasn't the best. I rationed that if I wanted to be better, I would have to get rid of it.

One day, when to the bowling center, grabbed something out of my bag, and started walking up to the line, hand in the ball, while watching my feet. Did that for about 4 hours. All of a sudden, my ball speed was up by 2 mph, and I was able to play straighter. However, that brought to light the other areas of my game that had been affected by the stutter step. My armswing was going above my head, due to me pulling the swing to keep up with the approach. My ball hooked less because my leverage point was different now. Trying to open up now was much harder.

So, basically, I had to relearn how to bowl with the correct cadence. Was well worth it, but it took a bunch to get back to somewhat competitive shape.

dmonroe814 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2012, 06:01:46 AM »

You might want to post a video of your style. It may only take a tweak rather than a complete change. Usually, hitting your ankle is a result of not bending forward enough at the line. The foot turn at the line could be from trying to keep your ankle out of harms way, but it combined withe the pulling up at the line could be the result of running to the line. Try to slow down your approach a little and keep your head over your knee when you slide. Good Luck and Practice.

Rightycomplex · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2012, 08:14:55 AM »

9,

I would look for a coach in the area, and if they were not in the area, I'd go to them (darn near wherever they are). I have bowling for over 15 years and when i came up, every one was there own expert. I would have 1 guy telling me to do this, another telling me to do that so i stayed away from coaching. It wasnt until i decided that i wanted to coach and drill equipment that i took lessons again because i wanted to be able to say that i practice what i preach.

I tell that story to tell you this, MAKE SURE THE COACH YOU GET TEACHES MO PINEL'S WAY OF BOWLING!! It works and if anyone is a testament of it, it's me. I was decent, but, I used to be a bear on the lanes, run up to the line, no kneebend, bend the body forward so i get the ball down, fall off the shot. For years i did this and in 15 years i had 1 300, 1 290, and maybe 280(x2) and spare shooting.... hit/miss. Developed knee problems, tendonitis, back issues, so on. Last season i went to my driller and told him that i wanted to see a difference in my game and the ability to repeat shots because I was getting beat by all the guys who could repeat. He and Mo worked with me for a while, and in just from last winter season (mid october) till now i have a 300, 298, 297, 288(x2), and bunch of other honor scores plus I'm a much better spare shooter. I've been in the hunt or cashed in most of the tourneys I bowl because I'm more consistent getting to the line, so shots that are maybes dont destroy the game. Nothing hurts!! Because everything is all natural and what my body intends to do. I'm not saying that Mo's method is the only 1 out there but, in my opinion, it works and you get your moneys worth.

glssmn2001 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2012, 09:00:20 AM »

I probably bowled for about 20 years with what as a self taught style, before actually learning how to bowl. For a little background, we, as a family always bowled, and, as a child I was kind of small. Being small, with short legs, I always took a lot of step to try and gain momentum or power to get the ball to the pins. As I grew older, the style remained and I turned into an adult bowlers who took a lot of steps (13, I think) and stood way back on the approach. I also started the ball real early into the swing so I basically carried the ball in the back swing, and all those years I could only muster a 190-195 average. 20 years I did this, until one year I was fed up.

Now we are here, 3 years into my new style, I am now a four step approach. To get this way I did seek a coach (Mullen) for help, because there was no self help that could fix me....haha. After some time with her i found another source of help and every summer we work on my game. We only do this during the summer because trying to learn something new and then bowl competitively really do not mix, you always end up resorting to old habits when you need to make a shot.

Anyway,the best tips or advice I could give is, that, one you have to want to really do it, not just try to do it. I would start your learning adventures when you do not have to bowl competitively, for league or tournament, as you may find yourself using your old habits without knowing it. Also, once you start to learn the new body positions/movements do not switch back and forth, but only continue forward with what you have learned and at all times have fun with it.

9andaWiggle · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2012, 03:25:21 PM »

Thanks all, you have given me hope! Haven't been to the lanes since posting this, but it's good to know it can be done. Will research more about Mo Pinel's method/style. It's becoming clear that as I get older either my style has to change, or I will have to quit for good.

My current style is so bad that during a "fun" league I bowled a game left handed (probably bowled 20 or less whole games left handed in my life). Afterwards, another guy in the league ( who also bowls competitively) commented that my approach/delivery left handed was a lot better than what I do right handed. So maybe switching to the easy side might be a better option? LOL

Author Topic: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach? (Read 2746 times)

9andaWiggle

Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach?

Impending Doom

Re: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach?

dmonroe814

Re: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach?

Rightycomplex

Re: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach?

glssmn2001

Re: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach?

9andaWiggle

Re: Thoughts/Advice on correcting approach?