| |
Main
Date: 01 Jul 2005 15:04:29
From: RM
Subject: Why Ball Guttered??
|
I've been bowling for a couple of years now and joined the league for the
first time last year. I averaged a 132 at the end of the season. Since
then, I've bowled about once a week. Something happened last week that I
can't really figure out why. My buddy and I bowled three games. I'm using
a reactive ball (Ebonite Showtime) and he's using a house ball and throwing
a consistent straight shot. First game, I get 160 something. Next game,
about partway into it, I throw like about 5 balls into the gutter
consistently. I don't think I was doing anything different but somehow it
hits the deck and seems to skid into the gutter. At that point, I switch to
my plastic ball and try throwing it like my strike ball and it didn't gutter
at all. Of course, I had a double digit score in that game. :(
Anyway, I was able to switch back in the third game and no more gutter
balls. What happened? The lanes, in my opinion, didn't seem oily as there
was hardly a need to wipe anything off the ball. Any help appreciated.
Thnx.
|
|
| |
Date: 11 Jul 2005 12:49:27
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
> I would think that topping it would make the ball go in the RIGHT
> gutter. Meaning the ball is just spinning, but not grabbing the
> lane...
In most cases, "topping" the ball is followed by a "hard pull" in the
direction of "topping," causig the ball to go in the opposite channel.
IOW, a right hander who "tops" ther ball will invariably pull it to the
LEFT because the arm, during the "toppoing" act, will cross IN FRONT of
the body rather than go straight up.
The most "logical" reasons for "topping" are: 1) the THUMB sticks (late
release, etc.) from clenching (usually) or tightness, and 2) TWISTING
the wrist/arm to artificially impart a spin.
|
| |
Date: 11 Jul 2005 01:19:00
From: Blue Hound Technologies
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
Sounds like you had two marks. One for the reactive, the other for the
plastic ball. You sound like you were throwing your ball on the plastic
ball mark, which the reactive ball will, well, react differently when
thrown.
"RM" <rmark@REMOVETHISshaw.ca > wrote in message
news:1Ycxe.1846482$6l.201099@pd7tw2no...
> I've been bowling for a couple of years now and joined the league for the
> first time last year. I averaged a 132 at the end of the season. Since
> then, I've bowled about once a week. Something happened last week that I
> can't really figure out why. My buddy and I bowled three games. I'm
> using
> a reactive ball (Ebonite Showtime) and he's using a house ball and
> throwing
> a consistent straight shot. First game, I get 160 something. Next game,
> about partway into it, I throw like about 5 balls into the gutter
> consistently. I don't think I was doing anything different but somehow it
> hits the deck and seems to skid into the gutter. At that point, I switch
> to
> my plastic ball and try throwing it like my strike ball and it didn't
> gutter
> at all. Of course, I had a double digit score in that game. :(
> Anyway, I was able to switch back in the third game and no more gutter
> balls. What happened? The lanes, in my opinion, didn't seem oily as
> there
> was hardly a need to wipe anything off the ball. Any help appreciated.
> Thnx.
|
| |
Date: 07 Jul 2005 23:35:32
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
> glad to help! tell me how it works out for you.
My first "trial" on Wednesday was VERY POSITIVE! as long as I kept an
even tempo in the count, my timing AND ACCURACY was markedly improved.
However, the "tough part" was the MENTAL DISCIPLINE to not let "outside
thoughts, etc." intrude on the counting - that screwed me up.
I'll definitely be practicing this technique more and more, "fine
tuning" things and such, to make it part of my "bowling psyche, etc."
Thank you again for sharing your tip! :)
|
| |
Date: 07 Jul 2005 19:51:40
From:
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
I can't ever remember throwing 5 gutter balls in a row, but I can
relate to being stubborn. You throw a bad shot and then repeat it. Once
you get good, you'll make the adjustment after the first gutter ball. I
still throw gutter balls and I consider myself to be good (not real
good, just good.) Read Ozio's book and Jowdy's book. They should help.
Ozio has thrown his share of gutter balls.
|
| |
Date: 05 Jul 2005 18:51:30
From: joo
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
glad to help! tell me how it works out for you.
|
| |
Date: 05 Jul 2005 18:36:56
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
> looks like i was unclear in some key areas in my last post.
You MORE THAN MADE UP FOR IT in this post. Thank you for the info!
Time to hit the lanes tomorrow and try it out... :)
|
| |
Date: 05 Jul 2005 11:37:25
From: joo
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
looks like i was unclear in some key areas in my last post.
The numbers correspond to each step you take on your approach. For
example (using the 4 step approach), I count 1 for the first
step/pushaway, 2 for the second step, 3 for 3rd step/top of the
backswing, 4 for the slide step/downswing, and 5 for the end of
slide/release. For the 5 step approach, count 1 for the first step, 2
for pushaway, etc... These, of course, can be adjusted slightly
depending on your foot speed. But the numbers and swing parameters
should remain about the same.
I think another benefit of this method is that it keeps you from
thinking too much about the "shot" itself. I know that I run into
trouble when I think too much about the shot itself rather than
relaxing and letting my body do what it knows from muscle memory.
|
| |
Date: 05 Jul 2005 10:18:55
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
>...what helps me in this type of situation is count
>to 5 in my head during my approach (I use a four-step
>approach). So I'm at the foul line on count 4 and releasing
>the ball on count 5.
This sounds intriguing! question: where does "1" apply in your approach
(first step? pushaway?) and how do the other numbers correlate with the
"swing parameters"?
|
| |
Date: 05 Jul 2005 08:58:41
From: joo
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
I would venture to say that you were rushing your shot...as someone
below said, your delivery changed because you wanted to force the ball
do something rather than letting it do its own thing. This happens to
me once in a while...what helps me in this type of situation is count
to 5 in my head during my approach (I use a four-step approach). So I'm
at the foul line on count 4 and releasing the ball on count 5. This
helps me keep my timing consistent, my arms relaxed (I'm a stroker),
and hit my target. If you use the 5 step approach, count to 6.
|
| |
Date: 01 Jul 2005 12:54:20
From: twobirds
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
RM wrote:
> I've been bowling for a couple of years now and joined the league for
> the first time last year. I averaged a 132 at the end of the season.
> Since then, I've bowled about once a week. Something happened last
> week that I can't really figure out why. My buddy and I bowled three
> games. I'm using a reactive ball (Ebonite Showtime) and he's using a
> house ball and throwing a consistent straight shot. First game, I
> get 160 something. Next game, about partway into it, I throw like
> about 5 balls into the gutter consistently. I don't think I was
> doing anything different but somehow it hits the deck and seems to
> skid into the gutter. At that point, I switch to my plastic ball and
> try throwing it like my strike ball and it didn't gutter at all. Of
> course, I had a double digit score in that game. :(
> Anyway, I was able to switch back in the third game and no more gutter
> balls. What happened? The lanes, in my opinion, didn't seem oily as
> there was hardly a need to wipe anything off the ball. Any help
> appreciated. Thnx.
Which gutter and right or left handed?
I have a different opinion of how that may have happened.
Right gutter and right handed - or left gutter and left handed, then my
opinion is that you probably had "fast feet". In your approach/delivery,
your feet were ahead of your ball. It was bad timing.
If you tossed it in the opposite gutter from your blowing hand, then it is
more likely to be something wrong with your release. One of the things I do
wrong often is tug the ball. It isn't a big stretch from tugging to simply
not letting go and chucking it directly into the opposite gutter as the
weight of the ball carries your body off balance and turns you to be facing
towards the opposite gutter. Leaving your shoulder too far open can do that
too if you hold on too long.
|
| | |
Date: 02 Jul 2005 05:37:43
From: RM
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I'm right handed and it was the right hand gutter that was attracting the
ball.
Occasionally my shot might go into the left gutter down at the pin deck but
that's usually me 'topping' the ball instead of releasing it from the side.
|
| | | |
Date: 11 Jul 2005 12:11:06
From: Eldred Pickett
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
On Sat, 02 Jul 2005 05:37:43 GMT, "RM" <rmark@shaw.ca > wrote:
>Thanks for all the suggestions.
>
>I'm right handed and it was the right hand gutter that was attracting the
>ball.
>Occasionally my shot might go into the left gutter down at the pin deck but
>that's usually me 'topping' the ball instead of releasing it from the side.
I would think that topping it would make the ball go in the RIGHT
gutter. Meaning the ball is just spinning, but not grabbing the
lane...
Eldred
|
| | | |
Date: 02 Jul 2005 00:49:54
From: Darby
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
No, if you're topping the ball you probably are throwing a spinner that
wouldn't hook at all. If it goes into the left gutter at the pin deck you
threw it there. Where is your follow through going? Unless it's going toward
your target it's you throwing the ball straight at the gutter.
Dar
"RM" <rmark@shaw.ca > wrote
> Thanks for all the suggestions.
>
> I'm right handed and it was the right hand gutter that was attracting the
> ball.
> Occasionally my shot might go into the left gutter down at the pin deck
> but
> that's usually me 'topping' the ball instead of releasing it from the
> side.
|
| | |
Date: 01 Jul 2005 19:28:50
From: Tony R Smith
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
Isn't that getting a bit personal?
twobirds wrote:
<stuff irrelevant to my remark above omitted >
>
>If you tossed it in the opposite gutter from your blowing hand,
>
>
>
>
|
| |
Date: 01 Jul 2005 11:02:30
From: PromptJock
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
I agree with bowlingcentral.com: Something Changed in your delivery.
What I suspect is you were trying to "make the (reactive) ball do
something." that can happen IF you're not really used to a
non-polyester (plastic - aka "house") ball.
Just remember to RELAX and ensure you keep your grip, hand position,
swing, etc. consistent. Enlist the aid of a coach, etc. while you work
with the reactive ball.
Above all, ENJOY! now is the time to "iron out" any problems with your
bowling, BEFORE the Regular League starts in September. :)
|
| |
Date: 01 Jul 2005 08:55:00
From: BowlerCentral.com
Subject: Re: Why Ball Guttered??
|
Been there and have done that. If you would have said you were in the
gutter from the start, you could talk about oil, but into the second
game it would appear something changed in your swing.
For me, when I used to do that, my shoulder was dropping on the right
side and it put the ball out on a more outside line and would end up
fighting along the gutter and then just drop right in. I would come
back and grab the ball again, tap on my right shoulder while i was
setting up my mark to remind myself to keep everything level and it
would correct it.
Might also consider how you were gripping the ball. Over or under
pressure away from your norm might contribute to a big change.
There are quite a few slight changes that could have created those
gutter shots for you even though you could not tell what they were. It
takes time to be able to understand all the details of you own swing
and how to adjust them. Just have to bowl more and if you are really
in a slump or want to really improve, grab a coach and get some lessons.
|
|
