Bowling Tips| What ball should I buy? What's wrong with my timing? Is my backswing too high? Walter Ray does this, but when I try it... | |
| You can read introductory articles to both the Mental and Physical games, read Quotes which are applicable to the mental game of any Sport, return to our menu of training material. |
|
As a coach I get lots of questions. Diagnosing problems over the internet is not easy but I don't mind if you want to email me with your questions. If you have ever called a technical support helpline for a problem with your computer or other such device, though, you'll know that the person at the other line has to systematically ask you a list of questions to diagnose the problem. This systematic approach takes a little longer than recommending quick fixes, but in the long run gets to the right solution. Think about it for a minute, even if I could see you bowl there is no simple magical "tip" I could give you to make you a great bowler: the bottom line is that it takes practise. Below you'll find a list of tips that I recommend. So, if you have a question, feel free to send me e-mail (read the kind of information that you can include in such a note). Revised August 26th 2000
My Bowling TipsThe table below lists some general tips that are applicable to all levels of players. In brief, if your average is less than 180 you are missing spares - you need to work on your physical game, develop more consistency and learn some simple spare shooting systems: buying an expensive new ball is not the answer and may compound your problems. When you average over 180,190 and above your physical game is good and you can make your spares: you need to find the line faster so you can string strikes together on any lane, with any condition and do it under pressure - you need to develop your Mental skills, your ability to play different lane conditions and match equipment to those conditions. | my Bowling Tips |
|---|
| #1. Get a Coach | That's my email address, and I mean it. If you want to get better find a certified coach to help you. Whether you are just starting and want to find a house ball that fits or are competing at international level there is no substitute for one on one coaching: if the PBA players have coaches there is no reason why you shouldn't either. Don't be afraid to move on to another coach as you get better, that's natural progression, or change if the first coach you get doesn't help you the way you want. You may not have such a person in your area, so ask a friend to help you work on your game. Two heads are better than one and the other pair of eyes will see things you can't. | | #2. Get A Good Fit | Your bowling ball has to fit your hand. See a good pro-shop operator (IBPSIA certified when possible). When you get a coach they may well do this as step one because, if your ball does not fit well, you will - without thinking - squeeze the ball to hold on, tensing up your muscles, or avoid a movement which causes some pain. This will hinder your ability to do what your coach is recommending. In extreme cases you may injure yourself. Sports injuries are too common and getting your ball checked by a certified pro-shop operator is a simple step to take to avoid such pain. | | Get a Plan | With your coach you can profile your current level of ability and come up with goals that will a) motivate you to practise and b) make the best use of your available time by working on the elements of your game which yield the best improvement. Working without a well formulated plan can be frustrating and lead to slumps but success, when you achieve the goals, is great for your confidence. | | Get a Life | There is more to life than money, winning and bowling. Bowling should be a part of your life. When you start to think that winning is everything, that you are out to "beat" the other person you are, in my opinion, going down the wrong road. Only time will tell. | | Practise | There really is no such thing as a free lunch. See above: when you have a plan, goals, you have something to work towards and practise can be fun. Develop your Mental as well as your Physical skills. You have to put the practise into play, too: enter tournaments and push yourself to higher levels by playing with as bowlers of a higher standard. | | Never stop learning | No one person can ever knows it all, when you think you do you'll get a nasty shock. Talk to as many people as you can, ask them questions and learn from them. Things change all the time. Nothing is cast in stone. Watch, listen, learn. Watch other sports: golf, basketball, whatever you like: how do the stars cope. Be open minded to new ideas, not dismissive and judgemental. | | KISS | Keep It Simple Stupid! Sometimes we make things too hard, chill out, stand back and ask yourself simple questions: here's whats happenning, here's what could be causing this to happen, which of these things should I try to address. It's not magic. Buy a plastic ball and throw straight for spares. | | Have Fun! | If you work all week why would you want to be frustrated in the bowling centre, you want to enjoy your bowling. If you follow the simple steps above you can improve your game, achieve goals, compete and get great satisfaction. You only get one shot at life, enjoy it while you can. |
SummaryThese tips are general, but cover most of the questions I get and can be used, not just in your bowling life, but in your life as a whole. Set high standards, never stop learning and have fun. I can't cover all specific questions here, so feel free to e-mail with any questions you may have (see also the kind of information you should include in such a note).
Contact Information  
|
