Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

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TrashHeap
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Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by TrashHeap »

I see it with plenty of youth bowlers. Example: My son has developed this skip in his approach this year. Funny thing is when I have him practice his throw without a ball, no skip. Put the ball back in his hand and he skips.

Should I be concerne? Is this something that needs corrected, or will he grow out of it.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by halfaclue »

As much as I hate to say it, but...It depends. A posted video would be most helpful to answer your questions about the "skip."

There are several things that are good for a "skip" or "power-step" if it is in the right place, and natural. The "skip" is especially useful to two handed players.

There are things that can be wrong with a "skip" if it is at the end of the approach when the bowler should be balanced.

Please post a video.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by kellytehuna »

I don't personally like to see a skip step. BUT, that doesn't mean I would coach it out of someone either. If they're balanced at the line, no problem. More than likely, with the ball his feet are lagging behind the ball a little. A skip step is a good mechanism to "catching up" with the ball. Most of the bowlers I've seen that use a skip step are slightly early in their timing up to that point.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by scotts33 »

Is it a "skip" or a timing step? Here is one of the best bowlers from my area who won the TOC. He still has that same timing step.

[youtube][/youtube]
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by TomaHawk »

How old is the child?

At any rate, through the years there has been at least a few PBA bowlers who used a "timing" step. This is quite a bit different than a skip step.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by TrashHeap »

We are heading to the lanes to practice on Wednesday. I will take the video camera with me. Thanks for your replies.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by halfaclue »

Any updates??
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by kajmk »

Does the step look a bit like a "hop"?

I believe - Often times a "hop" is symptomatic of the feet trying to catch up with a ball that us to early in the downswing. It's a subconscious compensation as opposed to the conscious skip step that a person marching out of step uses to get back into lock step with the rest of the troops. My uncle Nick had a hop step.

Marshall Holman and others use a short power step prior to the slide.
http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/index. ... sion_Tapes" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Jowdy Lesson 2 Footwork and Approach.jpg
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If it works is a style if it doesn't it's a flaw. :)

One makes changes to change results, hopefully for the better.
Does thus and such prevent the bowler from improving?
The first thing is to identify cause.

Someone may have suggested a video be submitted.
Well made videos "tell" all the facts ...

[youtube][/youtube]


Take a look at these articles by Ron Clifton as they may be germane to the situation.
The Force is not with you and Just let it fall
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http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip12.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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TrashHeap
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by TrashHeap »

Sorry for not replying. My video camera no longer works. His hop (skip) was on the 4th step (5 step approach). To me it seemed it was causing a balance issue at the line. I have worked with him on it, and he is gradually getting away from it. He throws the ball so much better when he doesn't do the skip.

He is willing to learn and listen (most of time - he is still kid). As this is a good learning experience for me as a new coach. Sometimes you have to know when to back off. I really think I am learning as coach just as much as he learning to bowl.

Last year's issue was releasing the ball on his right leg (he is right handed). It wasn't easy for him to figure things out, but he worked on it, and now it is no longer an issue. It just takes time and practice.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by distjamb »

I bowled with a guy in a tournement a couple of weeks ago who has a skip/gallup, he averages 246 on THS! If it works stick with it. His skip was on 3rd-4th step going into the slide.
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by steve s »

TrashHeap wrote:I see it with plenty of youth bowlers. Example: My son has developed this skip in his approach this year. Funny thing is when I have him practice his throw without a ball, no skip. Put the ball back in his hand and he skips.

Should I be concerned ? Is this something that needs corrected, or will he grow out of it.



There are going to be several things change as the youngster ages...Some things they have to grow into...not out of ....Just a different way of looking at the issue...Age,physical stature, mental maturity all play a part in the development of young people....Try to exercise patience when instructing ....Steve S
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kajmk
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by kajmk »

Tomahawk had asked how old your son is. That's a good question. One of the challenges of growing up is, growing. :)

A growth spurt here and there adds challenge.


See if Bob's advice resonates.

Here is some advice from Bob Summerville the founder of Bowling This Month Magazine.
July 1999 BTM excerpt
From " Recurring patterns" choosing the easy way to repeat shots.
by Bob Summerville

This is bowling made easy. Here's the order:

- First, you establish your swing pattern (length).

- Next you find the speed that will let your swing get to the leverage point ( 90 degrees
under your shoulder) without having to speed the swing or slow it down.

- Then you move to the starting place on the approach that lets you get to the foul line with that swing at that speed.

- Last, you lower yourself from start to slide smoothly and gracefully with no upward motion.
I'll throw in the Ritger cards as there are some useful drills for consideration.
Ritger Drills - Cards.jpg
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halfaclue
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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by halfaclue »

A video would answer so many questions for me. I have a thought, why not go 2 handed? I personally think teaching that step is the hardest. 2 handed might not be the way to go for your situation.

Does anyone you bowl with have a video camera or a smart phone? If they have a smart phone, I would be happy to upload for you.
Dan

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Re: Should a coach be concerned those with a skip?

Post by Mo Pinel »

halfaclue wrote:A video would answer so many questions for me. I have a thought, why not go 2 handed? I personally think teaching that step is the hardest. 2 handed might not be the way to go for your situation.

Does anyone you bowl with have a video camera or a smart phone? If they have a smart phone, I would be happy to upload for you.
When you look at the Marc McDowell video, he is NOT skipping! He has classic slow, slow, quick, quick, slide cadence! Perfect!
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