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Bo-Fish Bowling News
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Bowling Better by Brian Dodds |
Article Archive #5
Relax, Change Angles or Add Speed to Improve Your “Transition Game”
One of the dichotomies of our sport seems to occur during transition,
the movement and/or dissipation of lane conditioner. As we struggle to quickly
recognize, and then adapt to, changing conditions we find ourselves trying to
physically overcome what we intuitively feel is a challenge to our strength
and/or lack of speed. Our attempt at adding speed will more often than not result
in a worse outcome than before we did nothing.
Adding speed is a natural response when we see our ball over or under-reacting.
Our adrenaline level rises and we prepare to do battle with the lanes when an
opposite reaction would serve us better. The first response should be to clearly
observe where the ball is over or under reacting. Is it in the heads (usually)
or further down the lane near our breakpoint?
If the ball is reacting by beginning to hook too soon, but with a gradual hook
that hits the head pin too high, your adjustment should be equally as gradual.
Move your feet a board or two in the direction of your slide leg side and change
your target a board or two in the same direction. This is referred to as a parallel
move. In this move you are trying to find the edge of the oil line again and
smooth out your ball path.
When the ball hooks more violently, your move must be more violent or angular.
In this case you will move toward your slide leg side several boards, three
or more, but only one or two with your target. Four and two or five and three
for example.
So far I may have told you something you already know. Let’s get back now
to adding speed as an adjustment but without that “flight or fight”
reaction we all have deep within us. The last thing you want to do is let the
adrenaline rule your thoughts when you are trying to get your ball back to the
pocket again. Forget about fighting the lanes and adjusting with speed unless
you are experienced with using it. Relax. Breathe, breathe diaphragmatically
and relax to get the tension out of your body. And focus on your hand position
as you follow through.
Speed best serves us when we are able to add it naturally. Step back a foot
or so and make your normal delivery. The subconscious has a way of automatically
adjusting your body pace and step length such that you still end up in the same
release position but with added speed due to the added distance. Relax your
arm-swing even more than normal but focus a bit more on your release and follow-through.
Do not overturn at release as this will change your axis tilt and probably rotation
which will affect your breakpoint. If anything, you need to soften your release
and push the ball through the heads.
Why do you have to think about this facet of adjustment? Because of the way
our body is built. Try this self-demonstration. Stand in your normal upright
posture. Extend your bowling hand straight out from your shoulder parallel to
the floor. Make believe you are reaching overhead in front of yourself to change
a light bulb or pick an apple. Is your hand in position to pick the apple/change
the bulb? Hold it there and observe the new position of your palm. It is turned
toward the center of your body rather than open and facing upward. That is the
natural tendency for almost everyone. When we try to muscle the ball to add
speed we usually end up forcing the release. When this occurs, we will naturally
overturn the ball and end up counteracting the speed we just tried to use to
adjust to too much hook. The result of our attempt will usually be an earlier
hook that counteracts the newly added speed. Practice adding speed on a house
shot before taking this adjustment to your league. You will be glad you did
as speed is often the first and best adjustment you can learn to make that will
most help your game. Good luck and good bowling.
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