I trying at practice to play deeper lines. I was fortunate last week that I had an odd number lane. So what is the best option to do when you are bowling in the other lane and the ball return is blocking you.

A. Stand in front of the ball return and develop a new approach style for the short distance.

B. Stand as close to the return as possible and try to move in front of it with one of your steps when you have cleared it.

I tend to line up more toward the center of the approach and then drift left at an angle to the spot I need to be at release. I have had a lot more success with this method than with shortening or stepping around the return a couple of steps into my approach

Stand left of it and drift right as you normally would?  Just make sure to notify the others so they don't think you've mistakenly chosen the wrong lane...

It's easier for me than most.I take a short 4 step approach, and my pushaway starts on the second step.When I have to go deep, I move in front of the ball return, take a three step approach, and start my pushaway on the first step.

At times when I read this thread, I chuckle to myself.. For a number of people here probably weren't around when the ball returns and tunnel were above ground, so you couldn't move in front of the ball return, as each and every time, you'd kick it.

I know there are times when the shot would call for it, but that doesn't always mean you have to stay with the big hook or try to rip the cover off the ball.. How about just balling down, or play go with wrist position instead of playing around with timing? A simple change in ball position to where you're holding the ball with the thumb at 9:30 takes a fair amount of hook out of the ball to where normally it would go straight enough for a down and in shot, but with that type of condition, would give you a decent swing. Same thing would apply for flattening the wrist, then trying to snap through the ball.

Obviously, this doesn't assume going to something like urethane, pearl urethane, or plastic. But as we all know, sometimes, the big wheeling hook or crank isn't the answer, and there is only so much you can change before your game starts to get inconsistent..

BL.

My friends and i bowled in a house in Oshkosh WI  that still has over the top returns and no auto scoring. Had alot of fun. Just balled down instead of going left the return is only a issue if you let it be a issue.

At times when I read this thread, I chuckle to myself.. For a number of people here probably weren't around when the ball returns and tunnel were above ground, so you couldn't move in front of the ball return, as each and every time, you'd kick it.

I know there are times when the shot would call for it, but that doesn't always mean you have to stay with the big hook or try to rip the cover off the ball.. How about just balling down, or play go with wrist position instead of playing around with timing? A simple change in ball position to where you're holding the ball with the thumb at 9:30 takes a fair amount of hook out of the ball to where normally it would go straight enough for a down and in shot, but with that type of condition, would give you a decent swing. Same thing would apply for flattening the wrist, then trying to snap through the ball.

Obviously, this doesn't assume going to something like urethane, pearl urethane, or plastic. But as we all know, sometimes, the big wheeling hook or crank isn't the answer, and there is only so much you can change before your game starts to get inconsistent..

BL.