Bowling Tips

by Dick Ritger, Bob Rea and camp staff members

      TOP 10 REASON WHY BOWLING IS SO POPULAR

10. You never have a "rain out".

9.  In bowling, a "strike" is a good thing!

8.  Your ball comes back no matter how far off line your shot.

7.  There is no "generation gap" in bowling...all skills and all ages have a good time!

6. If you mess up on your first shot...you get a second chance.

5.  You can "rock", you can "roll"... you can "hip" you can "hop"...you can "swing", you can "sway" ...you can even "line dance" ... ...all while enjoying the neon, glow-in-the dark atmosphere.

4.  It's nice to the kids off the streets and into the "alleys".

3.  You can schedule a birthday party for a youngster...or an oldster and  no one has to act their age!

2. Throughout the ranks of the professional, collegiate and regional bowlers our kids have some great "roll" models to look up to.

1. You get to wear those "cooooooool" shoes!

Beware of the DARK SIDE

It comes out of nowhere…just when you least expect it. It takes control and you are at its mercy? Have you never taken the most smooth and effortless approach, and just at the moment of release…the DARK SIDE prevails? Of what do I speak?

You know, when some unknown force causes you to let go of the ball far too late and the hand goes way too far around the ball. The result is a ball off line and/or pathetically weak when it hits the pins. Yes, bowlers, anytime you let go of the ball – follow through and as you look at your bowling hand – you see the back portion of it staring you in the face, you can claim to have seen the ‘dark side’. Overturning the ball is an all too common fault many bowlers experience. If this is a problem for you, here are some potential solutions.

The source of the problem may be found in a number of areas.

1.     If, when you bowl and relax the thumb pressure, you drop the ball much too soon…add tape to the thumbhole for a more snug fit.

2.     ARM SWING: An arm swing that is controlled can also contribute to the overturning of the ball at release. It goes hand-in-hand (no pun intended) with establishing the correct grip pressure. To eliminate the control in your swing try this: Experiment to see if your starting position can be improved by moving up in ‘half-shoe’ increments. Take several shots at each new starting spot. You should find one fairly quickly that allows you consistency, balance, and a great release.

One last word about the ’dark side’. Take a piece of white tape and put it on the back of your hand. After each delivery, check your hand in the follow through position. If you see the tape, welcome back to the ‘dark side’. If you don’t see the tape…THAT’S GOOD, and your bowling scores will reflect that positive change in your game.

THE TEN PIN IS YOUR FRIEND

A fellow bowler once took a series of golf lessons. One of the sessions was entitled; The Sand is Your Friend. Well, I am here to tell you that so is the 10 pin (7 pin for the left handers). Let me start by explaining why I believe leaving the 10 pin is not such a bad situation as some might think.

First, the bowler’s primary responsibility is to deliver the first ball of any frame and have it reach the pocket. Strikes are produced most often when the ball enters the pocket. However, it only takes a small change in the release or ball speed to have a ball that is in the pocket leave the 10 pin.The more often you are in the pocket…the more chances to strike, but also more chances on that off delivery to leave the 10 pin.

Too often I have seen a bowler carry a couple of strikes and then leave a solid 10. The bowler gets upset that the 10 pin didn’t fall…fusses and fumes….then steps up and misses the spare. In many cases the rest of the game is affected in a negative way.

Secondly, there are only ten pins to knock down. On the first ball, if you get nine, you’ve knocked down 90% of the pins. Take a test in school, 90% is usually an ‘A’ or a ‘B’ at the worst; both great grades. Keep a positive frame of mind, step up and convert the spare. Still not a believer? Here are some helpful hints on how to better convert the 10 pin the next time you leave it.

1.     Stand far left and use the middle arrow as your target. (Left handers stand far right) By using the middle part of the lane you have a better angle of attack and there is generally more oil in the center of the lane to help the ball go long and straight

2.     Check your sliding shoe after you have delivered the shot at the pin. You should slide at or toward the channel side of the last foul line dot

3.     You may choose to use a ball that doesn’t hook as much as your strike ball

You may choose to change to a hand position that encourages the ball to roll straighter. And by the way, often the fear of leaving the 10 pin and missing it affects our confidence on the first ball. Remember, you are very close to carrying a strike when you leave the 10 pin.

BE PREPARED

Something to consider that is often ignored, is the need to have an "accessory kit" of some sort in your bowling bag or, as part of your bowling equipment. Let’s look at what might be included in your ‘accessory kit’. Some of this material may need no explanation, some may. You may also have other items that you would include in your ‘kit’.

·        TOWEL: Use to wipe ball and dry hand. Best if the towel has two distinct sides. You then keep from wiping your hand on the side that is meant for the oil from the ball.

·        ROSIN BAG: Keeps the hand dry.

·        SCISSORS

·        NAIL FILE

·        NAIL CLIPPERS

·        PEN KNIFE OR SIMILAR ITEM

·        SHOE LACES

·        THUMB PATCH: Nu-Skin or Super Glue work well. If you use Nu-Skin and get tired of the nylon patches falling off, pack a two inch square piece of sheer panty hose and cut patches from it. The panty hose will allow you to cover the entire area and a little more…it also will adhere to the skin better than the nylon patches that come with the Nu-Skin.

·        MEDICATION: Advil, aspirin, etc.

·        EXTRA SET OF FINGER INSERTS: If you use the rubber inserts in your finger grips

·        SUPER GLUE: Anytime an insert (thumb or finger) becomes loose, you can put it back in place.

·        THREE BLADED BEVEL KNIFE: Like you find in the pro shop. Used to make subtle adjustments to finger holes or thumb holes.

·        RAT TAIL FILE: In case your thumb or finger holes get too small you can open them up with the file.

·        BOWLERS’ TAPE: White for the front and black for the back of the thumb.

·        TAPE TOOL: A special plastic tool that is designed to quickly put tape in and take tape out of the thumbhole. Can be purchased at most pro shops.

·        BANDAIDS

·        SAND PAPER OR SCREEN: This may be used in place of the ‘bevel knife’ to modify the size of thumb and finger holes.

·        BALL CLEANER

·        BALL POLISH: Remember, you cannot alter the surface of the ball after you have begun your competition

·        RECORD KEEPING MATERIALS: Some bowlers like to keep records of how they did. Lane conditions, equipment used, scores, etc. A notebook or pre-prepared form works well.

·        EASY SLIDE: Be careful to use in small amounts and do not get it in an area where another bowler might accidentally step in it or get it on their hands.

BEING PREPARED gives you the best opportunity to perform at your highest level.

LIGHTS, CAMERA ACTION! (the mental game)

We have all heard that scenario before, and you may ask, what does that have to do with bowling? If you look at what it signifies to an actor or director on a movie set, you can better get a perspective as to how it pertains to our sport

LIGHTS. This means that the time is getting close for a masterful performance by the actors in the scene. All the props are in place and the scene is setup for the perfect 'take'. This is very much like the bowler in the settee area preparing for a delivery. It may mean waiting for the opponent or teammate to take their shot. It may be the time when you focus on what happened on the last delivery on a particular lane, or how the ball felt coming off your hand. As with the actor, you may be seated or standing during this phase.

CAMERA. Now the camera begins to whir and the actors assume their places ready for the 'take'. Only time now for a few short cues to make sure the lines are correct, the tone and inflection are appropriate, last touch of makeup and maybe a few deep breaths before it's showtime. In bowling this would be the time when you step up to the ball return and pick up your ball, dry your hand, wipe the ball, visualize your shot...whatever your pre-shot routine is, now is the time for your final dress rehearsal.

ACTION! With no hesitation the actors speak their lines and make their moves in accordance with the script. Their style is fluid, automatic and flawless. Here, there is no time for thought, it must just flow. This final performance is the culmination of many hours of practice and numerous dry runs. In bowling we are now on the approach setting our feet and body in the proper alignment to make the desired delivery. Placing our fingers and thumb in the ball for the exact and perfect feel. One more breath, a final visual of the ball's path and then it must be allowed to happen...to flow...go on automatic pilot. Just like the many rehearsals in show biz, if you have rehearsed well during practice, your final performance may be worthy of an academy award! So, the next time you hear LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...you might just be getting ready to make the performance of you bowling life!

Best wishes and good bowling.