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Technique
Technique Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]   [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]  [121-140]  [141-160]  [161-180]  [181-200]  [221-240]  [241-260]  [261-280]  [281-300]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]



Vis December 1, 2004
Singapore

Thanks for the reply! I was so excited upon receiving it as you have been my role model in bowling. AND congrats on ur 40th title!!!
This time, I would like to know that how can a person increase their accuracy in bowling?

Let's assume that I am targeting 10/10 on the lane, however, my ball always drift 2 to 3 board from my target. Is there any way in which i could practice so as to strengthen accuracy?

Secondly, I would like to get to know more about 45 degrees release.(Although it is vastly explain on journals and articles.) When a bowler claim that he has execute a 45 degrees release, but the audience is seeing 50 degrees. What has actually gone wrong? Can a bowler actually keeps on repeating his release just like a robot? or is there always exist some errors in release?

thanks.. (*_*)

Hi Vis,
It is normal for a player to hit about 2 boards left (for a right hander) of their target. As long as they are consistent with that it isn't a problem. What a person does and what they think they are doing are quite often not the same thing. I am not familiar with what you call the 45 degree release, but if you are 5 degrees off I don't think that is such a big deal. Nobody can throw shots in exactly the same place, but if you keep your shots within 1 board at the arrows you are doing very well.



Scott November 30, 2004

How much have you had to change you game since the reactive resins came out?

Hi Scott,
I still throw the ball fairly straight, but every once in a while I will actually hook the ball. It really depends more on the lane conditions as to how I will try and throw the ball. I can throw the ball quite a few different ways, but I can't rev the ball like most of the young players can these days.



Grace November 16, 2004
Park Forest
IL

Walter Ray,
I've been your #1 fan ever since I started watching the PBA Tour.I love your new look. Your wife is super. I have a question for you: When you are standing on a bowling lane ,should you line up where the pins are, or should you stand there and just bowl .By the way, I'm 13 yrs old.

Hi Grace,
I think it is best to be careful where you stand, meaning which board you stand on. The other thing is to target at the 'arrows' which are about 15' past the foul line. By adjusting your feet and your target and making good shots, you should be able to throw more strikes and score better. Typically if your ball ends up right of where you want it to be, move your feet and target right with your feet moving more. Conversely, move left if your ball ends up left of where you want it. Good luck and hang in there!



Vis November 15, 2004
Singapore

Hi Walter Ray,
I would like to seek your comment on the following.

Is it possible for a person to use only one ball to conquer all types of lane condition?

Currently, I only play small tournamnets that is held weekly in various bowling alley. The problem is, sometimes certain balls which only suits certain lanes simply are not compatible. And this causes much frustration especially I am in the lead and are left with last 2 games. I admit that my mentality is rather weak as I tend to get pressurized esp I lead the tournament. Very often, I ended up in top 5 instead of champ.

Hence, I thought of using only 1 ball, that is medium shine, and a strong drilling combine with the fact that i bowl a high track and alot of people say that I am accurate to attack all lanes.. Will that be viable?

Hi Vis,
Bowling isn't as simple as it used to be. I don't know if it is necessary to have as many balls as most of the better players have, but it is probably a good idea to have at least 2 or 3 balls with you at a tournament as a very minimum. Good luck and hang in there in those tournaments.



Ben November 14, 2004
Davie
FL

My girlfriend is currently averaging 160,she could avg. alot more if she slow down her ball she throws it 18 to 18.5 mph how can I get her to slow down? She tries to and still break sound barriers! help help

Hi Ben,
I don't know that your girlfriend is throwing the ball too hard. There are many times that I will throw the ball at 18 mph. It is true that a slower speed will allow the ball to hook more. If she is using a lighter ball, then going to a heavier ball should slow her down a bit. Another trick to slow down would be to move closer to the foul line so that she would need to take smaller steps and maybe have a lower backswing. But in the end if she is comfortable with that high ball speed and she is having a good time, then let her be.



Karen November 13, 2004
Vacaville
CA

Hi Walter Ray,
Thanks for some great bowling. I have been trying to throw a spinner ball, but feel much more confident and have a MUCH better game when I throw backup balls. I am a right handed bowler and throw backup. Is there anything wrong with this? Can I get better throwing backup so I can compete? Or is it better to learn how to spin the ball. I just can't seem to be consistant or real accurate when I throw a spinner. It is a prettier ball, but my game is better throwing backup. I would really like your opinion and feed back on this.

Hi Karen,
Women tend to throw backup balls more than men due to their weaker wrists. To not throw a backup ball you need to keep your wrist at least straight or slightly 'cupped'. The other thing you need to do is get your hand in the right position at the point of release. Imagine that you are tossing a football under handed with a spiral. That is the type of release that would really get a nice hook.

Part of the reason that you are better at throwing the backup ball is that you have been doing it longer and it feels more natural for you. Once you get used to the regular rotation you should be able to make better shots. It is possible to get good by throwing a backup ball, but I can't think of any pros who are really successful. I have seen some very good bowlers who throw a backup, but all of the best ones throw a curve of some sort. Keep working on it and you should be better in the long run.



Steve November 13, 2004
Castro Valley
CA

I would like your professional opinion on a delima I'm experiencing. I bowl at Earl Anthony's Dublin Bowl. I'm in the pocket 90% of the time for 3 games. However, the results are not justified. I'm leaving nothing but ten pins. It dosen't matter how I hit the pocket, results are the same. One night I had left 21 tens pins. Two weeks later, I had left 18 ten pins. Its becoming a nightmare for me. I remember one tournament you couldn't "take out" the ten pin either. How do you attack this situation? Thx, Steve

Hi Steve,
It does sound like you are leaving an excessive number of 10 pins. Are they all solid? If you are leaving a lot of weak 10's then you might want to get the ball higher in the pocket by moving a pinch right. You might also ask a local pro if there is a suggestion that they can give you. Is it because you are throwing the ball too straight or too slow? Keep at it and good luck.



James November 10, 2004
Stanwood
WA

Walter Ray,
I just began bowling in a league last year, I currently bowl a straight ball, and am wanting to learn how bowl with a hook. What is the proper technique, and how should I get my balls drilled to help with this?
-James Navarrete

Hi James,
I would advise that you see a local pro shop operator about drilling a ball and getting lessons.

To get a good hook, imagine that you are tossing a football under handed with a spiral. That type of release should really get a nice hook.



Chris November 1, 2004
Wescosville
PA

How did you become such a good bowler?

Hi Chris,
I was a champion horseshoe pitcher first. When I started to bowl again when I was in college, it was a matter of practicing and then bowling in tournaments. The more I bowled the better I became, and the better I became, the more I bowled.



Allen October 25, 2004
Romulus
MI

Hello Paige & Walter Ray,
Thanks again for responding to my questions I've had in the past. Good luck with the 2004-05 season!
This past summer I spent most of my time working on a new release to shoot straight at spares and splits. My practice paid off bacause I have now eliminated my plastic ball and use my resin ball to roll it end over end straight up the lane. This has help my game alot but I still have problems with corner pins. because they are so close to the gutter, I sometimes roll the ball into the gutter when I'm not acurate enough. I have tried rolling the ball across the lane but still miss the corner pins alot. I was curious of where you stand and aim for the 7 and 10 pins.
Thanks for all your help.
Allen C

Hi Allen,
I shoot most of my spares somewhere between the 3rd arrows. I usually go across lane, especially for the 10 and 7 pins. You should have about 3 boards to hit at the arrows to still make those spares, so you need to practice them a bit see where it is you need to stand and at what target to hit. Good luck.



Dino
Calgary
AB

Hello Walter Ray,
What kind of adjustment can you suggest if I'm leaving alot of ten pins? This past Monday in my league I left 12 ten pins over 3 games. Luckily I converted 10 of them.

I was standing on 28 and throwing the 8 board.
Our house is using a short oil pattern.
Thanks very much,
Dino

Hi Dino,
First off, you might want to pick up all of your 10 pins. So maybe you should practice your 10 pins a little bit. Twelve 10 pins isn't an excessive amount. It is a bit higher than average though. If that happens every week then you might want to keep track of what type of 10 pins they are. With a solid 10, there is really nothing you can do in my opinion. But if you are leaving the weak 10 where the 6 pin lays in the channel, then you need to hit the pocket a bit higher by hitting more of the head pin. I would suggest moving a bit to the right. Is your ball speed really slow or fast? That could be one reason. Good luck.



Jason October 13, 2004
Littleton
CO

Great website - particular thanks for all the generous answers for the kids.

Two related questions:
1) Do you find that a relatively straight shot is actually disadvantaged by some oil conditions or is just that other more hooking styles come into their own under some conditions? In other words, does the straighter shot continue to perform as it always does, with just the relative performance of other styles changing?

2) When you are rolling your end-over-end, or nearly end-over-end shot, do you usually find it necessary to move outside for it to carry or do you find going right up the 14 to 17+ board will generally work as well as outside? The somewhat high speed you put on that shot is obvious but your targeting is often harder to see clearly.

Thanks

Hi Jason,
I think that throwing the ball straighter or with a big hook will have its own advantages depending on the lane condition and how well the bowler is playing the condition.
I tend to start to hook the ball when I play left of the 2nd arrow. That doesn't mean that you can't strike playing a tight angle, but I have found that a little bit more angle is a good thing. But if you start to miss the pocket too much because of more errant shots, that could be worse.



David October 11, 2004
Lansing
IL

Dear Walter Ray,
Less than a year ago I decided to learn to hit my target and get a consistent break point and for the most part it's working out well. After bowling on pba patterns and in a house which is sometimes even more difficult(due mainly to lane maintanence problems) I've realized how much of an advantage it is to really get a sharp hook on the back end so I,m going to start working on cupping the ball. I had been holding my hand slightly to the out side of the ball than getting my hand under the ball as I reached to my target.
I notice that when I cup my hand my forearm tightens up causing unwanted tension. I'm 44 yrs old 5'6" and have a low backswing trying to to get to the the line in a nice low balanced position trying to be some what in time or I should say a little late. I'm asumming I'll get used to the tension and it'll go away.
If you have any suggestions please let me know.

P S, Good luck breaking the title record. You could do it because your good!!!!

Dave
Lansing IL

Hi Dave,
If the tension you are creating is causing you problems with your arm or hand, then maybe you shouldn't do that. But if it is just causing a different feeling in your arm, then you should be ok. Hooking the ball is great for some conditions, but remember that there are also many conditions, especially difficult ones, where throwing the ball straighter can be an advantage.



Richard October 11, 2004
Cleveland
OH

Dear WalterRay,
How r u? me. I'm fine. I'm a right-bowler who has been bowling for four going on five years. I wanted to know why is it that during my rlease I have a tendency to "hit up" on the ball? What are your suggestions as to how I can stop or delay my "hitting up" on the ball? Also, I throw thw ball somewhat simliar to you. Hope that helps. Thank you for reading my e-mail.
Sincerely Yours,
Richard Black, Jr.
P.S. Please write back when you can.

Hi Richard,
Is there a problem with hitting up on the ball? That pretty much describes how I like to bowl. I like to have a very strong follow through and sometimes I hit up on the ball. If you feel that you have a problem with your release and can't figure it out on your own, then I would recommend that you seek out a coach in your area.



Andy October 9, 2004
Naperville
IL

Walter Ray, I have relized that when I throw my ball i tend to have a very end over end roll, and I was wondering it that was something i wanted, and if not what can i do to fix that?
Sincerely,
Andy Soukup

Hi Andy,
I tend to have an end over end roll compared to most of the other touring pros, so in that sense I would say it isn't a problem. But if your ball truly has an end over end roll and doesn't hook, then you might want to learn how to get some side turn on the ball so that you can hook the ball. Imagine that you are tossing a football under handed with a spiral. That is the type of release that should really get a nice hook.



Cameron September 23, 2004
Bennettsville
SC

Dear Walter Ray,
Hey my name is Cameron. I am 15 years old and a second year bowler in the YABA. I am currently averaging 176. I practice once a week. I usually have to help my self, meaning I really have nobody to help coach me. I was wanting to know if there are any tips maybe that have helped you or you recommend. Also for Christmas I asked to recieve a copy of the movie you made about bowling to help me that way. If you have any advice and tips for better bowling, would you please at your convenience and if you will send them possibility to me.

Hi Cameron,
It sounds like you are doing very well. I really didn't have much coaching after I was taught the basics. I do think that pitching horseshoes helped me to become a better bowler. The best way to get better is to bowl more games, so you might see if your local bowling center can use another employee so that you can get a discount for practicing. A good follow through will go a long way to helping anybody. Good luck.



Matt August 21, 2004
Caro
MI

Is it true that left-handed bowlers generally come off the top of the ball? my coach has me throwing the ball trying to get me to come off the side of it. but i cannot do that because it rips up my thumb more than ever. he told me to go home and watch walter ray williams jr. and watch how he throws it. but i think the problem is that walter throws right handed and throws a bigger hook than i do. i am not a bad bowler either, i average 183, my highest game is 290, and i say don't fix it if it isn't broken. please help me find an answer.

Hi Matt,
If you are satisfied with your 183 average then don't change anything. If you are interested in improving then I would suggest going to pro shop operator and have them work on your grip. That should help with your thumb problem. Hang in there and good luck.



Gary July 20, 2004
McAllen
TX

I just asked you a question very recently so I apologize for the flooding but how do you line up for spares? For strikes I can pick a board and adjust from there but since the spares are in a straight line and I don't have a 'system' for spares I dont ever know what mark to hit. Do you have a system or do you just align yourself? If you just align yourself what do you look at? I find it difficult to look at a pin and then pick a mark at the arrows since the displacement of the approach messes with the angle. How do you overcome that if you look at the arrows? Any information towards this is what I'm looking for.

Thanks once again sir...
Gary

Hi Gary,
I like to throw the ball straight at my spares using a plastic ball. For spares on the right side I stand on the left side of the lane and shoot near the 4th arrow. Likewise for spares on the left side of the lane I stand on the right side of the lane and shoot between the 3rd and 4th arrow. I will usually keep my feet in the same place and pick a different board to pick up different spares. For instance I might target the 18th board for my 10 pin, the 19th board for my 6 pin and the 21st board for a 3 pin. You need to figure out where you would start and what target will work for what pin. You will need to practice this and also pay attention regarding the quality of shots you make.



Gary July 15, 2004
McAllen
TX

How do you align yourself to your mark at the beginning. I notice that your feet are typically pointed way to the right. Do you do this to make it easy to create that figure 8 swing you have? It seems to make it easier to swing the ball away from your body... I've been a bit confused on how to align my swing up to my mark and was curious to what you had to say on this. I'm currently averaging around 215 but for some reason I feel a little uncomfortable lined up for my down and in shots (basically my 7 pin is my worst enemy). Let me know!!! :)
Gary

Hi Gary,
I line up with my feet pointed a bit to right as it feels more comfortable. Getting a swing to align so that it is coming up close to your body can take a bit of work. My swing is that way naturally. I didn't need to do anything special to get my arm swing the way that it is.



Christopher July 14, 2004
Modesto
CA

Dear Mr. Walter Ray,
Hi, I wrote a letter to you asking you if I can tell you what I bowled, my problems, and if you have any tips to helping me. This week I had only 2 not-so-good games in league play. I bowled a 205, 191, 233, 235, 184, 171. I did pretty well considering I couldn't throw the ball straight out in front of me (I was throwing it to the left and right). We also went on vacation to Santa Cruz and I bowled in the bowling alley there called Boardwalk Bowl. I had a lot of trouble there because I have a resin-reactive and a urethane ball so I couldn't get the ball to hook. So I stood way to the right, threw the ball towards the pocket, and the ball still didn't hook. Is there anyway to get the ball to hook more on oily lane conditions. I tried to throw the ball slower and get more revs but that still didn't work. Thanks for your time.

Hi Christopher,
On extremely oiling lanes it is difficult to get as much hook as a player may like. Cupping your wrist and bending your elbow at release can increase your hook. Sanding a ball can also help. Keep practicing on those tight lanes, that is best way to get used to tight lanes.




Technique Q&A  [1-20]  [21-40]   [41-60]  [61-80]  [81-100]  [101-120]  [121-140]  [141-160]  [161-180]  [181-200]  [221-240]  [241-260]  [261-280]  [281-300]  [301-320]  [321-340]  [341-360]

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