TipOfTheWeek | Ravena Fence Company

Tip of the Week

Bowling Tips to help improve your game

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Below you will find our top 5 tips for improving your game

"3-6-9 Spare Shooting Method", "A Steady Head for a Steady Shot", "How to Strengthen your Wrist",

"Concentration: The Winning Edge" and "At Home Practice for Consistency"

Tip of the week - 3-6-9 Spare Shooting Method

The spare method we are going to use is the 3-6-9 spare shooting method. For left handed bowlers reverse this method.

For every pin to the LEFT of the head pin you leave, you move to the RIGHT on the approach according to the chart below.

2 Pin – Move 3 boards to the right – Shoot for 2nd arrow - (Your strike target)

4 Pin – Move 6 boards to the right – Shoot for 2nd arrow - (Your strike target)

7 Pin – Move 9 boards to the right – Shoot for 2nd arrow - (Your strike target)

5 Pin – Do not move – Shoot for 2nd arrow - (Your strike target)

8 Pin – Move 1 board to the right – Shoot for 2nd arrow - (Your strike target)

Based on the amount of oil on the lane you may need to adjust the move by a board or two but for most normal lane conditions this method will work perfectly.

For spares on the right side of the lane for right handers there is a slight variation of the 3-6-9 method.

For the 3 Pin – Move 3 boards to the left – Shoot for 2nd arrow. - (Your strike target)

Here’s where this method has to be modified.

For the 6 Pin – Move 8 boards to the left – Shoot for 3rd arrow

9 Pin – Move 9 boards to the left – Shoot for 3rd arrow

Again, based on the oil pattern of the lane you may have to make adjustments. That is what practice is for. To learn the lane conditions and what will work that night.

Now for the Dreaded 10 pin!

Everyone hates the 10 pin (or 7 pin for you lefties). It’s the most frustrating leave in bowling because usually when you leave a 10 pin you made a perfect (or so it seemed) shot. It’s also the only pin that has that magnetized (or so it seems) gutter that draws the bowling ball over the edge!

The most consistent way to make the 10 pin is to NOT hook the ball. I move 16 boards to the left of center dot and roll my ball over the center arrow directly at the 10 Pin with no turn on the ball. Flatten out your wrist (sort of like throwing a horse shoe

(Palm up with palm and fingers horizontal to the flat bowling lane))

and extend your arm straight out toward the 10 pin (almost like you

are reaching out to pick it up).

This may take some practice but making that 10 pin

will improve your game.

10 pin spare shot release.

Proper Perspective - A Steady Head for a Steady Shot

One of the most important aspects of your approach in bowling is to maintain a steady, level, nonmoving head. If you move your head two things will happen.

(1) You will lose sight of your target. If your head moves up or down, your target (the arrow) will move up and down and it will be that much more difficult to accurately hit that arrow.

(2) If you move your head left or right, the angle that you throw the ball to get to the arrow will change. You may hit the arrow but the angle may have changed so you will not hit the pocket.

To the left are some graphics that will illustrate this point.

The very left one shows the bowlers head to the left. The ball misses the pocket to the right.

The middle one shows the bowlers head lined up with his target and the ball hits the pocket.

The far right one shows the bowlers head a little to the right. The ball hits high. His feet never changed but his head did there by making the mark appear to move which in turn caused him to roll the ball at a different angle.

If you are hitting your mark and the ball is not going where you think it should, possibly after you initially line up with your target, as you do your approach your head is moving right or left which will change the trajectory of the shot.

A simple illustration to do yourself.

Hold your finger up to an object a few feet in front of you and line your finger up dead center on that object. Now without moving your finger, move your head a few inches to the left and then a few inches to the right. Do you see how that object appeared to move? If that was your mark and you were rolling your bowling ball you would get a different finishing point (the point where your ball hits the pins) with your bowling ball. It is extremely important to keep your head as steady as possible through your approach and swing. If you move your head as you roll the ball the target will move and your shot will not be true.

Proper Wrist Exercises for a firmer shot

A Final Thought

You want to alternate between hands. Do 12 reps with your right hand, then 12 with your left hand. Repeat once or twice, as you feel comfortable with. Do not overdo it. Consistency is the key. Do this daily and you will notice a difference.

It is always recommended that you check with your doctor before beginning any exercise.

Tip of the week - Concentration, The Winning Edge!

Bowling is a game of consistency and consistency begins with concentration.

There are 4 mental checks you should do before every shot.

Check 1:

Look down and be sure your feet are in the proper position for your shot. Are you standing on the proper board? Are your toes pointing directly down the lane?

Check 2:

Are my eyes looking at my target? You must look at where you are going to roll the ball.

Now you are ready to begin your approach. This is where you MUST have 100% concentration. Tell yourself to keep your eyes on that target during your approach, swing and follow through. Your head must always remain steady with your eyes locked on the target.

Now is where concentration is a must because the next 2 checks need to be done DURING your approach.

FYI: Usually when a bowler hits his/her ankle with the ball it was because they did not have full concentration. When the approach and arm swing are done correctly the bowling ball will only miss your ankle by about an inch. That is not much room for error!

Check 3:

Is my elbow locked and my arm right next to my leg? The proper arm swing is essential to your release. If your elbow is not locked and it bends and moves away from your body your hand will turn around the ball and spin it like a top rather than lifting the ball, giving it the drive toward the pocket.

Check 4:

Is your wrist locked and your hand under the ball?

You turn the ball with your wrist NOT your arm or elbow.

The After Shot Check:

1)Did you turn the ball by lifting through the ball so that it will make the turn to the pocket?

2)Did you watch your ball go over your target?

3)Did you follow the ball with your eyes and see where it made its break (or turn) toward the pocket?

If you said no to any of these then you were a spectator of your shot and will not have a clue what you did wrong (if anything) to make a bad shot or what you need to change or adjust to make a good shot when the lane conditions change and you stop hitting the pocket.

At Home Practice for Consistency

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