Terrible.
Let me elaborate. Today was just one of those days where nothing fell in sync for me. After bowling but 3 games in 3 weeks, I came into my new PBA Experience League feeling fairly confident of how I was going to attack the lanes, and what types of transitions I might encounter. Halfway into practice I felt that my release is at an all time worst. I'm completely on the side of the ball, about 90 degree rotation and 13-15 degrees of tilt. On top of that, after cleaning my equipment at home and taking out the tape, I had no bowlers tape with me, nor did my teammates. I use three pieces of tape in all of my thumbs, 2 front, 1 back for a proper feel, but without these it felt like I was swimming in my thumbs. This pretty much caused me to throw errant shot after errant shot, not to mention my footwork was downright horrible.
We were on the Chameleon Pattern, which from a glance did not look too difficult, but if you missed a pinch left, or was too soft with it at the bottom it was brroklyn. If you missed right, the ball didn't read and it was a washout. On top of all of this, I couldn't hit what I was looking at because my drift was varying from 5-8 boards a shot(my normal drift is around 4-5). Needless to say tonight was a complete disaster. On a pattern I should have nutted(I knew exactly where to play, with what piece, and what adjustments to make), I couldn't piece any of my mechanics together, nor get comfortable. On top of that I flagged just about every single pin spare by 1-2 boards left.
All in all, I have even more respect for the pros on what they bowl on and have to go through week in and week out. Not only are their patterns a reflection of how well you repeat mechanics and your release, but it's also a thinking man's pattern as it changed very quickly and you had to make the proper moves.
I am going to see my coach tomorrow and have him look at all of my equipment, mechanics, and swing plane, and hopefully, if I practice everyday I'll be somewhat ready next week to attack this pattern, and hopefully my house shot monday nights.
....the drama continues
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Experience, Shot Making, Wise Decisions......The best arsenal.
