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Getting inside the ball

Posted: February 27th, 2018, 11:30 am
by flibblesh
It's been a long time since I last posted for advice, and hopefully I've improved. I've been working on moving my weight faster to my slide leg, as well as reducing the space between ball and body and getting under and inside the ball at release.

The side view is possibly not ideal, as it was my phone on a tripod balanced against a wall on top of a 1inch border of the closet they keep the lane machine in. (Very precariously).

Rear view;

[youtube][/youtube]

Side view;

[youtube][/youtube]

Re: Getting inside the ball

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 3:03 am
by JMerrell
Hi Steven,
It’s been approximately a year and a half since your last video analysis. I see you have used that time to make some improvement in your physical game. Good, during that span I have expanded my coaching toolbox as well.
As for your release I think it looks good, I’d take that off your bucket list. Weight transfer has improved but still has requires some work in that area.
As for getting the ball closer to your ankle I have some suggestions on that.
Let’s first look at the spacing of your footwork in the side view.
Your current step lengths are: Long, Medium, Short, Medium and slide.
To maximize your physical game, I’d prefer to see your steps as: Short, Medium, Long, Short and slide.
This style would create what as known as a power step, which is also critical to creating lag in the swing.
Let’s now look at your footwork from the back:
1) First step goes in front of right foot
2) Second step crosses over left foot
3) Third step comes back in front of right foot
4) Fourth step looks good
5) Slide looks good
The second step crossing over changes the body/swing alignment to the line of play established at address.
From that position forward requires approach compensation to hit the target established at address.
Which often leads to the finish position at the foul line being too far left to hit original line of play, resulting in the swing moving away from the body in order to hit the targ

I am suggesting you work on both the spacing and direction of your footwork to get the ball closer to the ankle.

The images below are of your current footwork and my proposed footwork change.

In the back view slide adding more lateral spine tilt will help get your head over the ball.

Re: Getting inside the ball

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 4:04 pm
by kajmk
Thanks Jim for helping bowler's and taking an active part in growing the sport.

A disclaimer here, I am not an active coach, I look to see what Jim and others advise.
While I might see bits and pieces, the skilled instructor knows what to address and the proper order.

I take satisfaction when I see some of the things Jim points out. Furthermore reading his analysis, is a good thing for any aspiring coach. Sadly, our sport does not mentor coaches.
We have no master to apprentice system. That is an important thing, because a key thing is to "do no harm".

As an additional aid to flibblesh
Video three illustrates good foot work
http://wiki.bowlingchat.net/wiki/index. ... ence_video" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Of the golden points made by Mark Baker:
Emphasis on footwork (first thing he analyzes)
Analogy of release and jigsaw puzzle. Release is a center piece. One does not begin a jigsaw puzzle from the middle.
Good footwork allows better things to happen.

Cheerio

Re: Getting inside the ball

Posted: March 1st, 2018, 11:46 pm
by JMerrell
kajmk wrote: Sadly, our sport does not mentor coaches. We have no master to apprentice system.
As usual thanks for all the kind words my friend.

Approximately, 12 years ago I sent out an email to 40+ high school coaches in the Greater Cincinnati area. Explaining the idea of forming a local high school coaches association. The purpose was for the group to share knowledge, provide education programs for coaches, with the end goal being to help grow and strengthen the sport at the high school level and provide education/tools for those students to succeed at the collegiate level.

Short story 4 coaches showed up for the meeting!

My take......they were already coaches (in their opinion) and whether their students improved, excelled was strictly the athletes problem.

Here in Kentucky, I find it hilarious that at High School matches.........in 4" letters across the back of the high school coaches jersey's is the word "COACH".

Lack of educated coaches is why the sport is not growing at the youth levels.