A Check Point

    I wanted to take some time out to ask you how you’re doing? Have all the posts you’ve read make sense to you so far? If you are confused at all, welcome to the rest of the Bowling Community. It’s NOT as easy as it looks. You can’t just stand anywhere on the approach and toss the ball down the lane (like you may see lots of people doing during open play at the bowling centers) if you want to get a high score.
 
    It takes lots of practice, devotion, and a real desire to get better. It’s like anything else, the more you really want something, the more you will do anything to achieve it. Do your best to fit in the necessary practice sessions, even if it means going in the evening after you’re a bit tired after a long day if your serious about becoming a 190-200+ bowler (most leagues are in the mornings and evenings, but sometimes there may be a few open lanes). Or go on the week end and bring the family if you have to. You can practice staying focused on some of my basic principals with some distractions, which is how it is in the league anyway. If you join a summer league (only about 12 weeks long), you can use that as practice for the upcoming winter league which usually starts up in September. Most of the Winter leagues are between 32-36 weeks long. 
 
    Bowling is a game where you can't just figure out things in your head. You need to physically get out there on the lanes to try different things, because each lane is different and a pair of lanes you my be bowling on can differ as much as 4-5 boards.Take notes on what you discover, and review them often to refresh your memory. It’s not easy to remember everything, especially if you're a beginner.
 
    Most importantly, DO NOT PANIC or GIVE UP!! If you can’t figure something out and it drives you crazy, move on to a different thing to practice and go back to it at a later time. As I previously mentioned, you can also consult the better bowlers in your league about what is happening and they may be able to offer you a solution. They'll also be flattered that you think highly enough of them to ask them some questions. Just try to come out swinging every time and keep going over the Basics I have mentioned in previous posts. Always start in the center of the approach (20th Board) and observe how your ball is working and where it's breaking (starting to hook). Then adjust by moving LEFT, RIGHT, FORWARD, or BACKWARDS. Don’t move more than a few boards at a time for each adjustment though. Remember if you miss to the right, adjust by moving to the right. If you miss to the left, adjust by moving to the left. If you know you did things right, maybe you are dropping your shoulder. Move your bowling shoulder up a little at the stance and hold it that way throughout the pendulum swing and release, and the problem will usually correct itself over time.

    Spot check where you stand on the approach and look down at where you end up after you release the ball to insure that you are walking up fairly straight on the approach. A little wandering toward the target is normal but you don't want to end up more than 1 or 2 boards difference. Wandering excessively can cause inconsistency!
 
    Have you incorporated all or at least some of the exercises I suggested to stay strong and help with stamina so you can bowl well all three games and not feel tired? Have you gotten that new ball you’ve been wanting? If you haven't gotten your own equipment yet, please try to do so as soon as possible. Consistency is the name of the game!!

 
 Join me in "2 WEEKS" when I will be discussing "How to stay calm while bowling".
 
 Good Luck and High Scoring!
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