We
need to become better bowling students. The problem is that we're trying to
get our games to come together quickly because we have to bowl in
leagues all week. We need to step back and begin to practice in the
right way until we actually get each piece correct and then put it
all together.
I
was told at age 15 that I should learn “timing” first - out on
one, down on two, back on three, and through on four (4-step
approach). The problem was, I became very mechanical with this type
of thought process and it didn't matter how good my “timing” was
if my “release” was all out of whack.
So, I concentrated on my “release,” which really helped me to be more consistent, but I lacked “power,” because my “timing” got thrown off and I couldn’t get into a very good “leverage” position. I suppose this is why I eventually started "muscling" the ball, forcing my body to be in the right position at the right time.
Now. I've gone to a Free Swing and suddenly, “timing” means a lot more, but so does my “release.” So, I've now come to the conclusion that “timing” and “release” should have equal weight of importance. However, trying to get both right at the same time may not be so easy.
So, I concentrated on my “release,” which really helped me to be more consistent, but I lacked “power,” because my “timing” got thrown off and I couldn’t get into a very good “leverage” position. I suppose this is why I eventually started "muscling" the ball, forcing my body to be in the right position at the right time.
Now. I've gone to a Free Swing and suddenly, “timing” means a lot more, but so does my “release.” So, I've now come to the conclusion that “timing” and “release” should have equal weight of importance. However, trying to get both right at the same time may not be so easy.
I
think Brian Voss has it right. Get the “timing” correct first,
but do so by breaking it up into segments. Right now we’re still
trying to work on what he says ALL AT THE SAME TIME. We’re finding
that getting our games to a higher level difficult and confusing at
times.
Why
do we find it so hard to follow the instructions of the "Master"
and do what he asks us to do? I believe it's because of bad habits
we’ve developed over time. We have the tendency to want things to
happen “overnight.“ We’ve become poor students when it comes to
learning new and different things. There are no “quick fixes.”
Therefore,
here’s how I think we should proceed (4-step approach, but for
5-steps, it’s the 2nd step, for 6-steps, the 3rd, and so forth):
Segment
1 - Get the first step and swing correct before anything else;
Segment
2 - Get the first two steps and swing correct;
Segment
3 - Get the Power Step correct;
Segment
4 - Get the Finish correct correct;
Segment
5 - Get them all together into one continuous and flowing approach.
Then,
and only then, can we can work on releases and ball speeds, and
whatever else we feel would improve our game. If we attempt to fine
tune our bowling without getting a firm, solid foundation of the
basics, we’ll be setting new techniques on shaky ground and not
really be improving anything.
In
between leagues, at home or on the lanes at practice, we need to get
each step correct piece-by-piece. I feel that Segment 1, above, seems
to be the most critical and that‘s why Brian Voss begins his elite
training classes that way. If you get that one right, then the rest
of the segments, should follow.
Practice, practice, practice - at home, at the office, or on the lanes; but, get the First Step and Swing in the right position so it becomes second nature instead of trying each night in league to get all the steps right.
Practice, practice, practice - at home, at the office, or on the lanes; but, get the First Step and Swing in the right position so it becomes second nature instead of trying each night in league to get all the steps right.
No comments:
Post a Comment