| Technique | ||
|---|---|---|
Technique Q&A [1-20] [21-40]
[41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] [241-260] [261-280] [281-300] [301-320] [321-340] [341-360] Adam February 22, 2005 Jeannette PA Hi Walter Ray! I am an 18 year old junior bowler and am very dedicated to bowling. I carry a 210 average in junior league and I constantly work on my form to try to achieve fundamentals to take me to the next level in bowling. I have had a problem recently, though. I have a very high backswing, about the height of PDW's. I do not try to make it this high, but it is what comes naturally. I believe that it is making me inaccurate and preventing me from improving. I have had private lessons, but have found no solutions. Can you offer me a way to lower my backswing? I do not require a "quick fix". If it is something that I will have to work on for a while that is fine. Thank you. Hi Adam, Having a high backswing is often a product of bowling as a youngster. It is possible that the high backswing can make a player more inconsistent, but like anything it can be controlled by practice. I don't really know what to do about lowering your backswing as you probably don't feel that it is that high. Even if you feel like you are lowering it, the odds are that it isn't as low as you think. The other side effect of a lower backswing is that you will have a lower ball speed. Sometimes that is a good thing, but to create more speed, a higher backswing is better. Shorter steps might help lower your swing, but probably only on a temporary basis. Dennis February 21, 2005 Castro Valley CA Hi Walter Ray, I remember reading an article and you said something like - kids these days don't want to learn how to release the ball like you do. My son loves to bowl, so how specifically would I teach him to release the ball like you? Hi Dennis, Basically what I meant by that article is that the young kids want to see how much they can hook the ball and also how hard they can throw it. It is natural for any young boy to want to do that. I didn't bowl that much when I was really young, so I didn't develop a big power game even though it was a bit more hook than most of the top pros at that time. If you son doesn't want to throw the ball similar to me, there isn't much you can do about it. But if he wants to I would recommend keeping his wrist in the same position throughout the release. Walter K. Williams February 19, 2005 Baton Rouge LA Walter Ray, Help my game has gone away. I am leaving a lot of nine counts. Mostly 10 pin 9 pin or a lot of baby splits on the right side of the lane. I can not throw a strike even when the ball seems to hit the 1-3 pocket. Any suggestions? I use a three step approach should I try to change to a 4 step. My average has dropped fron a 175 to 149 over the last six months. Thanks Walter K. Williams Hi Walter, Is it possible that you throw the ball very slowly? It is normally easier to generate more speed by taking more steps. If you are leaving a lot of baby splits on the right side and you are right handed, then you aren't allowing for enough hook. Speed would help or a ball that doesn't hook as much or even moving more left on the approach. Good luck! Derrick February 14, 2005 Brushton NY Dear Mr Williams: I would like to start off by saying how much I enjoy watching you bowl it is always so much fun to watch. Anyhow I am writing to ask a technical question. I am 6'2 220# in good shape and started bowling almost 2yrs ago now. I am slowly learning some of the techniques and tips to improving my game but am still struggling with a 127-130 avg although I have had games up to 194. I bowl in a weekly league. Well for my question. Everyone tells me that I have good form and control but I have too much power or speed on my ball. I have two 15# balls, one is a Ebonite V2 sanded and the other is a Columbia Wild. I start a 5 step approach at the second dot from the right and hold the ball on my hip with a straight arm. Could you make any suggestions that might be able to help without have seen me bowl at all? If you cant I understand, and I appreciate your time. Thanks and keep doing a great job :) Respectfully Derrick Manson Hi Derrick, If you are averaging around 130, you might need some lessons. Based on what you have told me you might be throwing the ball too straight and hard. It also takes a lot of practice to become good at anything. Good luck and hang in there. The most important this is to have fun! Glenn February 4, 2005 Long Island NY Hi Walter Ray, I have a question about spare shooting so I figured I might as well ask the best. I have averaged 215-225 for years (on a house shot) for a while, but my spare shooting is way behind the rest of my game. Since I started bowling on PBA and sport patterns, I have found that my regular release still would result in a hooking ball, even with plastic. I have recently went to a different drilling in my plastic spare ball, more away with the thumb and fingers, with the goal of throwing a perfectly straight ball. I break my wrist back, and when I pull it off, the ball rolls perfectly straight, sometimes even clipping the thumbhole (as you do). My problem is that I have trouble going back and forth from my "strike" release and my "spare" release - I can't help it, I just want to get around the side of the ball, which results in hook spin, a pull, and usually a miss left. Can you offer any advice what I should key on - physically or mentally - when shooting the spare shot. Of course I have to practice more, but any tips you could offer would be appreciated. I watch you do it, and figure you must be thinking about something ........... thanks! Hi Glenn, I don't really think of anything special when I shoot spares or try to hook the ball. It kind of becomes 2nd nature after a while. My suggestion is to keep practicing those releases and they will become more 'natural' for you. Keep working at it. Good luck! Kayla January 27, 2005 Raeford NC Hi Walter. I am a senior at hoke county high school and i am doing a senior project. It consists of an oral presentation, portfolio, and a physical product. I just need to recieve some info about different techniques of bowling. I love to bowl for fun, and love watching you on t.v. if we could e-mail back and forth to exchange ideas, i would really appreciate it. Hi Kayla, Since there is a time delay from me getting the questions to when I actually respond to them and then being put on my website, it would be best that you talk to some local bowlers to get your information in a timely manner. Sorry I couldn't be more help. Thanks. Josh January 26, 2005 Pensacola FL Hi Walter Ray, I have a problem of not getting my thumb out early enough and, in my back swing turning my hand/wrist to ontop of the ball instead of being under and behind the ball. So unless i follow through very string and really try to lift with my fingers...I spin the ball and naturally dont get the 10 out or i leave a 5 7 or something, things like that. I was wondering if you knew any good ways to help solve this problem, besides just sitting at the foul line rocking a ball back and fourth with my wrist behind it. Thank you very much..... Hi Josh, It is very difficult to help you without actually seeing exactly what you are doing. I recommend seeing a local teaching pro to help you with your technique Josh January 25, 2005 San Antonio TX I want to hook the ball but i don't know how. so what should i do. i still get good scores throwing the ball straight but now at the age of 12 i want to learn how to hook the ball. Hi Josh, To hook the ball takes certain technique. If you could deliver a ball similar to tossing a spiral football underhanded you would have a good spin for your ball. But I would ask the help of somebody to give you hands on help. Joe January 21, 2005 Perkiomenville PA Good Morning Paige and Walter Ray congraulations on a very successful start of the year-question people observe me having happy feet when that happens I chuck the ball when my feet are slow I roll the ball-Can you suggest any techniques on slowing my feet down ?? Thank you and good luck in tying Earl Anthiny's record. Hi Joe, Having fast feet is a tough thing to fix, but if you concentrate on it you should be able to help yourself. Try to visualize slowing your armswing down a pinch or maybe taking smaller steps. Darryl December 23, 2004 Franklin Village MI Walter Ray, I wanted to know do you ever use the dots as your target? If so, why do you think it is an advantage over using the arrows? Hi Darryl, I don't use the dots as my target and I don't think it is an advantage over the arrows, but there are many bowlers who do sight closer. It comes down to what is comfortable to you. Andy November 26, 2004 Naperville IL Walter Ray, I am am left handed bowler, and lately I have been finding that I have not been able to move the 7 pin. When I bowl league, I feel like I'm throwing the ball well, and my shot appears to be in the pocket, but I just keep leaving the 7 pin. So I was wondering what tips you had to help move the 7 pin. Sincerely, Andy Soukup Hi Andy, Leaving 10 pins for right handers and 7 pins for left handers is the most common tap. If they are weak, where the 4 pin or 6 pin is laying in the channel then you might want to move your feet a bit left if you are left handed or right if you are right handed. If they are solid 7's or 10's then you are making good shots and are hitting that unlucky spot in the pocket. I would keep hitting the pocket, because single pin spares are easier to make than splits. Jerry November 23, 2004 Glassport PA Hi Walter Ray, I know you are the best spare shooter in the world, so I need to know how to make the 7 pin and the 10 pin. I am a right handed bowler and I always want to hook the ball at the seven and throw the ball straight at the ten pin. There are 7 arrows on the lane so what arrow or board do I throw over to make the 10 pin. I want to learn to throw the ball straight at the seven pin, so where do I stand and what arrow or board do i throw the ball over to make the seven pin? Thank you and best of luck. Jerry Hi Jerry, I try to throw the ball straight at most of my spares, that way I don't have to worry about making adjustments due to different lane conditions. I normally target the 20th board for 10 pins and the 19th board for 7 pins. I walk a bit unusual to the line. I tend to drift left when I am on the left side of the lane and have very little drift when I am on the right side of the lane. I line up using the insides of the front of my shoes with them together. So I stand 2 & 1/2 boards right of the left dot (27th board) on the approach for my 10 pins. For my 7 pins I stand 1 board right of the 2nd dot (crack between 13 14 boards) from the right for my 7 pins. But you will probably not walk to the line the way the same as I do so you will need to figure out on your own where you will want to stand and also what target is most comfortable for you. Chris November 22, 2004 Minot ND To my dearest buddy Walter Ray, When I bowl, I sometimes leave the bucket the 2-4-5-8. I know that is caused by the ball coming up light in the pocket. My question to you is. Where do you aim if you want to properly pick it up? I aim for the 2-5 pocket, and I usually leave 1 pin standing or sometimes 2 pins standing. This gets to be quite frusturating. You are one of my all time favorite bowlers off all time. You are a real big inspiration to me. Hi Chris, Normally I will shoot the bucket (2-4-5-8) and the 2-8 spare the same way. I will throw the ball straight at the 2 pin over the 14th board. If you are trying to hit the 2 pin straight on with a slight angle like I have then your biggest problem is chopping the 5 pin. Most pros will probably use their strike target and make a move like 3 right with their feet and 1 with their target, but I don't like to do that as we bowl on so many different lane conditions. If you want to practice shooting at the bucket shoot for a cross over strike on a full rack. That should be pretty close to sparing the bucket. Brett January 7, 2005 Red Lion PA Hi Walter Ray! I was wondering how I can increase my rev rate and get the track to be higher on my ball. I would say I currently have around 200-250 rev rate and a medium track line. I throw the ball at about 13 MPH. If it helps, I just got a Morich Ravage and want to get a higher track and more spin on it. Thanks, Brett Stermer Hi Brett, It sounds like some lessons would really help. A hands on experience would be very helpful. It sounds like you have a very low ball speed with low revs. I would try to get a more cupped position near the point of release and a bit more back swing to increase your speed. Search out a local pro for some good lessons and I am sure you won't regret it. Richard January 5, 2005 Cleveland OH Dear Walter Ray, I enjoy watching you bowl. I have two questions for you. First, I am a right-handed bowler who throws a medium hook from the third arrow standing around anywhere from 18 to 25. I wanted to know how can I become versatile by throwing the shot that I use. My hand rotates from a position of 2 to 12 around the ball. Secondly, how can I learn to "roll" the ball and not "throw" the ball? How can you tell when you are doing either? Thanks for taking the time to answer my e-mail. Good luck with your season. Your biggest fan. Sincerely, Richard Black, Jr Hi Richard, It sounds like you need a coach. But I would advise bowling on different lane conditions and even practicing those different parts of the lane, even if it means that your score would suffer. In league or tournament I would go back to where you think the best place to play is, but it is ok in practice to try a different line. Jeffrey December 29, 2004 Bayside NY Hello Mr. Walter Ray, I will keep things short and start off by saying congratulations for topping Earl Anthony and I must say that you are the greatest bowler of all time. Having that said my question is rather technical so here it goes. I've recently been starting to pick up a bad habit of topping the ball. Are there any tips you can give me that'll help me get out of that habit? Thank you in advance for taking time out of your life to answer my question. Hi Jeffrey, Thanks, but I haven't topped Earl Anthony yet. I have 40 titles and he has 41! I would advise you getting a local pro to give you some lessons. A simple analogy would be to imagine throwing your ball kind of like tossing a football underhanded. Good luck and have fun! Jason December 26, 2004 Reno NV Hi Walter Ray! First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and best of luck on tour in '05. I hope to drive down to Mesa to see you all in a couple of weeks. Now, onto my question: Is it true that a shorter slide creates more leverage (and thus more chance for a bigger hit on the release)? I have a fairly long slide and don't feel like I get much leverage but anytime I switch my shoe sole to try to stick the landing I'm lucky if I don't nose-dive into the lane. Any suggestions on timing or any other factors? Thanks, Jason Hi Jason, A person with late timing is going to have a shorter slide which allows them to get under the ball a bit better. If you have a long slide you would have to learn how to delay your armswing or else you will be taking nose dive onto the lanes. I don't have late timing, so I have a similar situation. You could ask a local pro to help you with that if you really want to change. Charles December 23, 2004 Denison TX Ronnie Peterson mentions "Carry". What is it and how do you improve it? The dictionary definition is "The ability to knock down more pins" But I think it's more subtle than that. I know more about what it's not than what it is. It's not speed. Lately it's not even accuracy. I work hard to control my ball to hit high in the pocket, but it doesn't always result in a strike. Remember "hit 'em thin and your bound to win"? That doesn't always work either. I've seen the ball hit anywhere including the head pin and split or leave the 10 pin. I've seen the same hits including "dead flush" as Ronnie Peterson would say, also get strikes. I try to bowl slow because little old ladies get strikes too. I am a little old man with a 148 average, built like Norm Duke, but I can't bowl like him. I sure wish I could. I try to throw very little hook because I have enough trouble with the 10 pin without throwing a hook at it. Bowling is a fascinating game. I wish I understood it. Merry Christmas. Hi Charles, Carry is striking when you hit the pocket. Obviously it is better to have good carry. If your throw the ball very slow, your carry is going to suffer. Also if you throw the ball with very little hook, your carry will suffer. If you do learn to throw the ball with more hook, remember how to throw it straight for your 10 pin and other spares. Cliff December 19, 2004 Seabrook TX Walter Ray, I have been bowling for 10 years. I can't break my bad bowling technique. I can generate ball speed but can't translate any of it to a good release(small hands). I have a weight issue that interferes with a close to my body arm swing. My main issue is that I can't get the ball to swing out and roll back into the pocket. What tips would you consider to get a good push through my shot that will translate into ball reaction. Is lower to the lane better, what motion must my fingers make, where should my thumb come out of the ball, swinging across a certain number of boards? Any drills you can suggest to create an agressive release? Hi Cliff, It sounds like you need to see an instructor. Getting your armswing closer to your body during your release would be most beneficial. Having a good knee bend would also help. A good release to imagine would be similar to tossing a football underhand with a good spin, but there are many ways to release a ball. Marc December 10, 2004 Aurora CO Dear Walter Ray, I was fortunate to get to watch you in Denver last week in the round of 32. I was disapointed to see you have as much trouble carrying as you didn't, but I was very impressed to see how you handled it, even playing up to the crowd at the end when you finally carried a few... I noticed though that you don't wipe your equipment off in between shots, and I wondered if there was a reason behind that or not. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing you win your next title soon. Marc Hi Marc, I was pretty frustrated in my round of 32 match in Denver, but that is part of bowling and happens way more often than I would like. I normally don't wipe my ball after each shot as it doesn't seem to make that much difference and I am a bit lazy. Chris December 5, 2004 Palatine IL Hey, I am a 15 yr old boy that can not pick up my spares consistantly..... I keep trying to pick most of my single pin spares up with my spare ball.. and I was wondering if you have time would you please tell me where i need to stand and what arrow to throw the ball over for all single pin conversions. It would help me a lot and maybe one day i will be like you haha just kidding... thanx a lot bye Hi Chris, I can't tell you where to stand and what target to aim for because everybody is different and what I do won't necessarily work for you. I would target somewhere around the middle arrow for all of your spares and move your feet depending on the spare you are shooting for. You need to figure out for yourself where you need to stand to pick each and every spare. You might want to practice them for several games and keep track on a piece of paper until it makes sense to you. Technique Q&A [1-20] [21-40] [41-60] [61-80] [81-100] [101-120] [121-140] [141-160] [161-180] [181-200] [201-220] [241-260] [261-280] [281-300] [301-320] [321-340] [341-360] | ||