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Author Topic: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?  (Read 2156 times)

txbowler

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What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« on: May 16, 2007, 08:45:46 AM »
I have read a lot of posts on this board and many others about the skills of today's bowlers versus the bowlers in the 60's-70's etc.  Some people comment about being able to buy hook in a box, or average 200 without having any "skill".

So I'm asking every one out there to defining what makes a bowler better than another bowler?

If bowler A is super accurate and can hit a board 95% of the time with the same release, is that a good bowler?  Well if he only gets 11 or less revs on the ball he probably won't carry well.  But he is accurate.  He repeats his release on a consistent basis.

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because bowler 1 has an A,B,C and D game ability but bowler 2 only has an A game?  But what if bowler 2's A game is better than bowler 1's A game.

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because he can realize that he needs to make a ball change and does so 2 frames faster than bowler 2?

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because he can throw multiple releases and play multiple areas on the lane, when bowler 2 is still more accurate?

Is a right handed bowler better than a left handed bowler because typically the right hand must adjust more quickly due to the numbers of bowlers playing each side of the lane?

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because bowler 1 doesn't choke on a pressure shot was bowler 2 does?

I hope you get the idea of what I'm trying to define.

In today's game, what defines a "skilled" bowler?

 

chaos10187

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2007, 04:50:11 PM »
quote:
I have read a lot of posts on this board and many others about the skills of today's bowlers versus the bowlers in the 60's-70's etc.  Some people comment about being able to buy hook in a box, or average 200 without having any "skill".

So I'm asking every one out there to defining what makes a bowler better than another bowler?

If bowler A is super accurate and can hit a board 95% of the time with the same release, is that a good bowler?  Well if he only gets 11 or less revs on the ball he probably won't carry well.  But he is accurate.  He repeats his release on a consistent basis.

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because bowler 1 has an A,B,C and D game ability but bowler 2 only has an A game?  But what if bowler 2's A game is better than bowler 1's A game.

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because he can realize that he needs to make a ball change and does so 2 frames faster than bowler 2?

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because he can throw multiple releases and play multiple areas on the lane, when bowler 2 is still more accurate?

Is a right handed bowler better than a left handed bowler because typically the right hand must adjust more quickly due to the numbers of bowlers playing each side of the lane?

Is bowler 1 better than bowler 2 because bowler 1 doesn't choke on a pressure shot was bowler 2 does?

I hope you get the idea of what I'm trying to define.

In today's game, what defines a "skilled" bowler?

A skilled bowler, simply put, wins. He does so any way he sees fit, if he has to change balls, he does. If he has to change speed, he does, rev rate change? So be it. A skilled player take advantage any way he can.
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rackattack

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2007, 09:59:48 PM »
Practice makes a skilled bowler.There are many ways to bowl,he who is the most consistant wins.
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Xcessive_Evil

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #3 on: May 17, 2007, 01:36:33 AM »
Well.  I'll try to answer this.

If bowler A can hit the same board 95% of the time at the same speend, with the same number of revs...I would call that more consistent than actually good.  the number of revs it takes to hit the pocket I think is irrelevant.

I would say that bowler A is better than bowler B if he has more ways to get into the pocket than bowler B, regardless if bowler B's 'A' game is better.  I say that because bowler B's 'A' game isn't always going to work every single time out.  If that was the case, we'd all be pros.  Versatility pays.

Not necessarily.  Bowler B may not need to make a ball adjustment.  If bowler A makes a ball change, and keeps striking...and bowler B doesn't make a ball change, but keeps striking..then it's all the same imo.

Yes, I would say that bowler A is better if he can play multiple areas.  A person who bowls on a Cheetah pattern(just an example) absolutely cannot throw the ball that same way if he was on let's say the Shark Pattern.  Once again, verstility pays.  Even the climate differences we face throughout the year causes us to throw on different lines and angles.  Bowler B may be more accurate on one set condition-but this is exactly why we have more than one condition.  Once again, versatility pays.

This one is kinda hard to answer.  I don't think there is a "dominant hand" when it comes to the game.  I think they both have their advantages and disadvantages.

The last one, I would call more experienced.

In today's game, I think what defines a skilled bowler is:

1. Being mentally prepared is the best part of your arsenal
2. Making the best shot you can make everytime.  We'd love to throw nothing but strikes, but this isn't always the case.  The easier the spares we leave for ourselves are, the better scores we'll have
3. Being able to play that different angle, speed, hand release, etc.
4. When something goes wrong, you don't put the blame on the house or the lane technician, you start brainstorming how not to repeat that errant shot.
5. Knowing what your equipment is supposed to do, and when it's supposed to do it.

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dizzyfugu

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2007, 02:36:23 AM »
Tough question, and I have ben thinking about this quite often, esp. with the discussion of arsenals vs. single balls.

Well, my 2 cents: bowling is a conglomerate of multiple factors or skill "fields" which, put together, make a well-prepared bowler who can be competitive anywhere he/she plays.

These are:
1) Sound and stable technique. Routine and practice is very important, as well as the ability to change the game when the lane calls for it. The basics.

2) Lane intelligence. That's what I like to call it. The ability to reda the lane and ball recation, from own shots or secondary information, e. g. from other bowlers and observation. The ability to guesstimate what's at hand and what might happen within a couple ogf shots, to make the right release and/or equipment decisions.

3) Equipment knowledge. Yes, I think it is important. With today's sophisticated and ever aggressive balls, I think it is vital to know when to use which ball, what each one in the arsenal does and when to put it away (correlates closely with lane intelligence). The ability to build an arsenal, ranging from a single ball to multi-ball avalanches. A discussion about how many balls a player needs is IMHO futile - it is about the effective use of them. Additionally, knowing other players' equipment will also tell you a lot about the lane. When you see other struggle with high end stuff, it tells you to be careful and look for weaker solutions. Saves a lot of trouble and wood

4) Mental aspect. Concentration, confidence, willingness to improve and a certain competitive spirit are also very important for a successful bowler, as well as a good attention to the things that happen on the lane or with other players. A player witzhout a sound cerebral appreoach to the game, also concerning the arsenal, is IMO lost to mediocrity, and I think this last aspect is quite underestimated.

For lane success, I'd weigh all those 4 aspects quite evenly, technique being the most basic one, and they depend on each other. You to make progress in each of them and you should not neglect any one since this limits your chances to stay competitive.
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Edited on 5/17/2007 2:34 AM
DizzyFugu ~ Reporting from Germany

billy sewell

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2007, 07:09:09 AM »
Look at it this way there are pros who shine on certain patterns and not so much on others.
 I think its a comfort zone of the a game that can get the best out of you, im not saying you dont need to get all the skills and knowledge you can,if you want to bowl in a lot of tournaments and such.
 but if the guy with the single game plan gets matched up with his condition and everythings flowing, he is gona be hard to beat by someone that is not in there comfort zone or a game.
This by no means says the a game is better in the overall picture but anyone can be beat at times even the best of them on a bad day.
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se7en

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #6 on: May 17, 2007, 09:03:20 AM »
Someone who can shoot no less than 200 every game, in any house. It only takes one double.
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APheLion

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #7 on: May 17, 2007, 10:08:58 AM »
the skilled bowler reads the lane and creates area for error for himself. also he can adjust according to what he sees and make the move before sorprises happen

the req for skilled bowler:

flawless approach:
1- swing motion is fluid
2- not muscling for the release (free armswing)
3- able to land the ball smoothly on the lanes (unless loft is wanted)
4- balance at the foul line, as well as start and end where is intented(footwork)
5- consistency and accuracy (for both strike and spare)

equipment selection and bowling knowledge in general:
1- ball selection, surface and drillin, and shoes to use
2- lane strategies

the above is essencial (there are more items obviously) for anyone who participates in tournaments

thats skilled bowler, but professionals they have to know more stuff
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When a house bowler misses the mark, misses the break point and strike, for many ppl its called a wallshot. When a pro does that its call adjustment

When a house bowler gets his finger stuck in the ball and fall on the lanes, for many ppl its called lame bowler. When a pro does that its called the Machuga flop! ha i like this one.

mainzer

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Re: What Makes a Bowler a Skilled Bowler?
« Reply #8 on: May 17, 2007, 12:54:43 PM »
The way I look at it is this, I think the bowler who can find a way to win is a skilled bowler.
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