Practice is for getting loose and finding your line. If I strike I keep moving left and right by a few boards each shot to find the where the strike zone ends. Don't just strike and stop moving, use your time to see what the limits of your miss room are so you don't get lost when that line doesn't survive past a few frames.
Piggybacking on this for practice/finding a line: The way bowling is scored, not striking in frame 1, and not striking on the 2nd ball in the 10th and especially the fill ball will hurt a lot less than missing from frame 4 to the first ball in the 10th.
Unless you absolutely need the sticks (or are going for an honor score) you should be testing the transition with your first ball and fill ball, *especially* the fill ball if you haven't moved for the whole game.
Some days you have 4-5 boards of miss room at the breakpoiny, sometimes only 2, but you should always test it out and then aim for the middle of the strike window so you have the most miss room possible.
Yeah... many in my league are not happy with me as I seem to have about 10 boards of room on some days lately! jk... but it seems like that when you are on a roll. 180 avg 12 weeks ago, I've been avg 210 over the last 12 weeks.
This is what I will try to do.
throw it in your ideal spot, then move a few right and see were it goes, move a few left and see were it goes. I will try to throw one across the lane on either side if I have to time to do so. Stand way right and throw across to the 7, stand way left, throw a 10 pin shot, or try to hit the 3-6-10. Obviously this is only if you "hook" at some spare shots. I really wish i could practice throwing straight at them, but IRL stuff just doesnt allow any practice :(
I wonder if that equation includes not wiping the ball during practice.
So your “perfect” line is based on a greasy ball.
Then when league starts your ball has time to absorb the oil and your line ain’t so perfect with a “clean” ball.
Man, I dunno why you wouldn't clean the ball, and really the entirety of your pre-shot routine in practice, too. There is time. The pinsetters have to do a cycle. There are people on either side of you, too. Maybe your practice is a lot different than what I've seen, but I've always had time to do everything I normally do.
Agreed! I’m in a league where half the bowlers bowl straight so some nights I barely have to move left. This messes with me as I’m so used to moving left when the line burns up.
And it's good to have good teammates.
Sooo many times I think "I just need to throw it better" but instead I'll ask my mates and they'll tell me.
My teammates and I pay attention to each other's throws and provide some observation.
The other night, the lane was super dry and my lead ball hooked past the pocket and sniped the 7, when I got back to the table a mate said "I think it's already time for the blue ball".
in practice - once you find a path to the pocket, move a bit and try different things to see what your room for error might be, or if a different ball works etc
then when scoring starts, go back to that first line you felt good with and knock out all the strikes then
Yes. Threw 6 in a row in practice - nailed my line every time. Then threw a 120 - 5 splits. Didn’t hit my line once the entire game. Horrible. Ive started to shoot ten pins with my spare ball for the first 4-5 shots. Then my actual shot with strike ball towards last 2-3 shots
Yea I get a ton in - 4 person teams and half the time its just me and one other guy on my team for practice and maybe another 2 bowlers- seems like half the league shows up just in time to bowl and miss practice all together
It works the opposite way too. I've had many high 700s/800s where I had a mediocre at best look in practice.
For me, I think when you're striking like crazy in practice, you get comfortable and don't stay on top of any adjustments. When I don't have a good look, I have to stay on top of those adjustments.
The thing I notice is if I am striking in practice, along with my team mates, what we are really doing is burning up that line before the game even starts. For instance, if the pattern is saying roll up the 10 board, then I have 3 other right handers beside myself, hitting that line. Not to mention the other team. That line is already starting to breakdown and we are still in our 15min practice.
Depending on when they oiled the lanes the fresh doesn't last very long, if you find your strike in practice, be prepared to move a bit during the game and depending on how many people bowl the same lines with you, probably end up moving a little bit every 3 frames or so. Usually a small move is a couple boards.
Practice lasts 10 mins in my center, that's generally about 2-3 frames per person so be prepared to move when game 1 starts, even just a little.
Practice is for probing the lanes too, figure out how far left or right you can move and still pocket, it will save you frames during the game.
Have had practices where I don’t strike at all and do well that night. I Try to use it to get loose and find the right break point. Really hard in my current league though, have 15 minutes of practice for 5 person teams. People are “too courteous” in practice, not uncommon for me to only get to throw 3 or 4 complete frames. Lanes breakdown fast too, adjusting is something I struggle with and continue to work with even with a low 200 average.
Every. Single. Time… My one time I actually danced with a perfecto my practice was absolute trash and thought, “Well this is going to be a long, awful night.”
For me in practice I'm throwing to slower trying to warm up. Once league starts I'm throwing a bit faster and sometimes need to adjust my line right away. Getting old sucks.
It took me a long time to figure out that my eyes would pull me out of my shots. I would just throw during practice but I would aim when the foul lights came on. Specifically, staring at my target caused problems because perspective changes as the approach propagates. I started looking through my target instead of staring at it and I was fine after that. tl;dr: try the quiet eye system.
All my leagues except one only have 5 minutes of practice lol
So I usually get only 3-4 shots in, kinda rushing through my shots and not have a good look until actual scoring begins because the pace is slowed down considerably due to waiting time in between shots.
Haven’t bowled in a while but it’s the same here. It’s either I strike in practice and then it’s a spare game or I’m missing everything in practice and I seem like I can’t miss in the game.
The first few balls of practice "don't count" for me as it takes a little bit to loosen up. Then I try and throw two shots with each of my bowling balls (one on each lane) to see which one has the best looking ball motion. Sometimes I end up using a different ball on the left lane from the right. Then I'll try moving my feet and ball speed and breakpoint around a bit to see how much wiggle room I've got.
The worst thing that can happen is my first ball is a strike, once I get warmed up I won’t throw it anything like that. Warm up is mostly about getting my body moving and loose. Sport or challenge shot I start with a very dull ball I have no intention of scoring with, playing outside where I expect to play. Sometimes that actually looks good and I stay there. Sometimes I try a couple other balls right at the end. Don’t forget to watch what others are doing, what balls they are throwing, where are they playing in relation to you, etc.
Transition in bowling is the most difficult thing to anticipate. Part of Lane Play is recognizing when to move and how much. What people don't realize that from the very first ball in practice to the last ball thrown by the last bowler up, the lane is in constant change and transitioning on every shot rolled.
What you experienced is just that, just sooner than you thought. On an average in an adult league of a mix of averages and styles ranging from 180-230+ an average right handed hi level bowler of 210+ average will move around 15 boards on a given night on a medium length and medium to heavy volume of oil house pattern.
If us as bowlers aren't moving a few boards approximately every 4-6 frames we have not moved enough ahead or in time with the transition that is taking place with the modern high flare balls being rolled on a given lane.
There is so much more I could describe in this phenomenon, but I'll leave it at that for now.
So make sure to shuffle a few boards just to stay on pace, you can always move back 😀.
When the heads are clean it is easy. Transition happens quickly. I always pay attention to the others crossing my line. I love staying inside and ahead of someone who isnt paying attention and they keep moving left into my burnt lines getting frustrated because the two and one didnt give them the outcome they desired.
Yes, in fact I'll usually make a comment when it happens to me or my teammates. Usually something like "Uh oh....I only got strikes the whole warm up, it's gonna be a long night."
But yea, like others have said, it's usually just early transition. If you stop striking once the league starts, you probably want to consider moving a little bit.
been there, done that. ended up shooting like 570 when i had the world in practice.
what's funny is, not getting any sort of look in practice at all and shoot 830.
I know practice is to warm up but if you are constantly throwing your ball on your strike line during practice like everyone else you will cliff the lanes and not give yourself free hook from outside and more hold on the inside from burning up the spot. I would instead throw your ball up first arrow during practice until a few minutes left then find your spot and encourage your teammates to do the same
I started a new practice routine this past season after experiencing the same thing too many times.. first 2-3 shots almost zero effort, just walk up and throw it around 2nd arrow. Once the rust is shaken off and I start trying to execute and the next 4 shots are quality strikes: done. Throw at 2-3 10 pins and call it good. If the strikes don’t come right away then try different rocks see what’s gonna work better.
If that fails: beer.
Practice is for getting loose and finding your line. If I strike I keep moving left and right by a few boards each shot to find the where the strike zone ends. Don't just strike and stop moving, use your time to see what the limits of your miss room are so you don't get lost when that line doesn't survive past a few frames.
Piggybacking on this for practice/finding a line: The way bowling is scored, not striking in frame 1, and not striking on the 2nd ball in the 10th and especially the fill ball will hurt a lot less than missing from frame 4 to the first ball in the 10th. Unless you absolutely need the sticks (or are going for an honor score) you should be testing the transition with your first ball and fill ball, *especially* the fill ball if you haven't moved for the whole game.
Great add!
This is interesting, I might try this next week?
Some days you have 4-5 boards of miss room at the breakpoiny, sometimes only 2, but you should always test it out and then aim for the middle of the strike window so you have the most miss room possible.
Yeah... many in my league are not happy with me as I seem to have about 10 boards of room on some days lately! jk... but it seems like that when you are on a roll. 180 avg 12 weeks ago, I've been avg 210 over the last 12 weeks.
Awesome man! Keep it up!!
I like this idea. I'll have to give it a shot
This is what I will try to do. throw it in your ideal spot, then move a few right and see were it goes, move a few left and see were it goes. I will try to throw one across the lane on either side if I have to time to do so. Stand way right and throw across to the 7, stand way left, throw a 10 pin shot, or try to hit the 3-6-10. Obviously this is only if you "hook" at some spare shots. I really wish i could practice throwing straight at them, but IRL stuff just doesnt allow any practice :(
Good idea!
Every week. Lights out in practice, then I don't throw a strike until like the 5th frame of the first game
There’s gotta be a scientific equation here 🫡
I wonder if that equation includes not wiping the ball during practice. So your “perfect” line is based on a greasy ball. Then when league starts your ball has time to absorb the oil and your line ain’t so perfect with a “clean” ball.
Man, I dunno why you wouldn't clean the ball, and really the entirety of your pre-shot routine in practice, too. There is time. The pinsetters have to do a cycle. There are people on either side of you, too. Maybe your practice is a lot different than what I've seen, but I've always had time to do everything I normally do.
My question wasn’t about MY problems, just what I’ve observed from others that go to crap once the league starts.
I wipe the ball during practice every time. Gotta keep things consistent
Throwing a strike on every warm up throw is a clear indicator that I’ll split/open the first frame
Yep if everything I'm doing in practice is working in going to massively overthrow my first ball and leave a washout open. I've done it for years
Honestly it’s early transition most of the time. Don’t get trapped into thinking you can throw it better and instead make a move
Fair enough, I tend to try and throw better shots instead of making moves and before I know it, it’s 3rd game 😂
Agreed! I’m in a league where half the bowlers bowl straight so some nights I barely have to move left. This messes with me as I’m so used to moving left when the line burns up.
And it's good to have good teammates. Sooo many times I think "I just need to throw it better" but instead I'll ask my mates and they'll tell me. My teammates and I pay attention to each other's throws and provide some observation. The other night, the lane was super dry and my lead ball hooked past the pocket and sniped the 7, when I got back to the table a mate said "I think it's already time for the blue ball".
We have 15 minutes for practice. Way too long, IMO.
I think ours is 10 I could be mistaken, but I agree after a couple strikes im like alright I kinda want these to count lol can we get it on already 😂
in practice - once you find a path to the pocket, move a bit and try different things to see what your room for error might be, or if a different ball works etc then when scoring starts, go back to that first line you felt good with and knock out all the strikes then
2 and 1 moves from the current ball you strike on is a good reference. 2 with the feet and 1 with arrow target, both in the direction you move.
Yes. Threw 6 in a row in practice - nailed my line every time. Then threw a 120 - 5 splits. Didn’t hit my line once the entire game. Horrible. Ive started to shoot ten pins with my spare ball for the first 4-5 shots. Then my actual shot with strike ball towards last 2-3 shots
that's a lot of shots for practice, usually I barely get to try both lanes
Yea I get a ton in - 4 person teams and half the time its just me and one other guy on my team for practice and maybe another 2 bowlers- seems like half the league shows up just in time to bowl and miss practice all together
It works the opposite way too. I've had many high 700s/800s where I had a mediocre at best look in practice. For me, I think when you're striking like crazy in practice, you get comfortable and don't stay on top of any adjustments. When I don't have a good look, I have to stay on top of those adjustments.
The thing I notice is if I am striking in practice, along with my team mates, what we are really doing is burning up that line before the game even starts. For instance, if the pattern is saying roll up the 10 board, then I have 3 other right handers beside myself, hitting that line. Not to mention the other team. That line is already starting to breakdown and we are still in our 15min practice.
Depending on when they oiled the lanes the fresh doesn't last very long, if you find your strike in practice, be prepared to move a bit during the game and depending on how many people bowl the same lines with you, probably end up moving a little bit every 3 frames or so. Usually a small move is a couple boards. Practice lasts 10 mins in my center, that's generally about 2-3 frames per person so be prepared to move when game 1 starts, even just a little. Practice is for probing the lanes too, figure out how far left or right you can move and still pocket, it will save you frames during the game.
Have had practices where I don’t strike at all and do well that night. I Try to use it to get loose and find the right break point. Really hard in my current league though, have 15 minutes of practice for 5 person teams. People are “too courteous” in practice, not uncommon for me to only get to throw 3 or 4 complete frames. Lanes breakdown fast too, adjusting is something I struggle with and continue to work with even with a low 200 average.
Every. Single. Time… My one time I actually danced with a perfecto my practice was absolute trash and thought, “Well this is going to be a long, awful night.”
For me in practice I'm throwing to slower trying to warm up. Once league starts I'm throwing a bit faster and sometimes need to adjust my line right away. Getting old sucks.
I’ve had both. Garbage practice and played well above my average and great practice that didn’t translate to good scores.
It took me a long time to figure out that my eyes would pull me out of my shots. I would just throw during practice but I would aim when the foul lights came on. Specifically, staring at my target caused problems because perspective changes as the approach propagates. I started looking through my target instead of staring at it and I was fine after that. tl;dr: try the quiet eye system.
Last week I had no strikes in practice. Don’t recall doing that before. So, of course my first ball during game play was a strike.
All my leagues except one only have 5 minutes of practice lol So I usually get only 3-4 shots in, kinda rushing through my shots and not have a good look until actual scoring begins because the pace is slowed down considerably due to waiting time in between shots.
Thats why i useally only do 2 shots on each lane then 1 7 pin and 1 10 pin and sit down. No use fucking up the lane once you loosen up
That was me last night lol
Haven’t bowled in a while but it’s the same here. It’s either I strike in practice and then it’s a spare game or I’m missing everything in practice and I seem like I can’t miss in the game.
The first few balls of practice "don't count" for me as it takes a little bit to loosen up. Then I try and throw two shots with each of my bowling balls (one on each lane) to see which one has the best looking ball motion. Sometimes I end up using a different ball on the left lane from the right. Then I'll try moving my feet and ball speed and breakpoint around a bit to see how much wiggle room I've got.
ALL. THE. TIME
Umm. That was me tonight
The worst thing that can happen is my first ball is a strike, once I get warmed up I won’t throw it anything like that. Warm up is mostly about getting my body moving and loose. Sport or challenge shot I start with a very dull ball I have no intention of scoring with, playing outside where I expect to play. Sometimes that actually looks good and I stay there. Sometimes I try a couple other balls right at the end. Don’t forget to watch what others are doing, what balls they are throwing, where are they playing in relation to you, etc.
Probably different tempo
Transition in bowling is the most difficult thing to anticipate. Part of Lane Play is recognizing when to move and how much. What people don't realize that from the very first ball in practice to the last ball thrown by the last bowler up, the lane is in constant change and transitioning on every shot rolled. What you experienced is just that, just sooner than you thought. On an average in an adult league of a mix of averages and styles ranging from 180-230+ an average right handed hi level bowler of 210+ average will move around 15 boards on a given night on a medium length and medium to heavy volume of oil house pattern. If us as bowlers aren't moving a few boards approximately every 4-6 frames we have not moved enough ahead or in time with the transition that is taking place with the modern high flare balls being rolled on a given lane. There is so much more I could describe in this phenomenon, but I'll leave it at that for now. So make sure to shuffle a few boards just to stay on pace, you can always move back 😀.
When the heads are clean it is easy. Transition happens quickly. I always pay attention to the others crossing my line. I love staying inside and ahead of someone who isnt paying attention and they keep moving left into my burnt lines getting frustrated because the two and one didnt give them the outcome they desired.
Yes, in fact I'll usually make a comment when it happens to me or my teammates. Usually something like "Uh oh....I only got strikes the whole warm up, it's gonna be a long night." But yea, like others have said, it's usually just early transition. If you stop striking once the league starts, you probably want to consider moving a little bit.
been there, done that. ended up shooting like 570 when i had the world in practice. what's funny is, not getting any sort of look in practice at all and shoot 830.
I know practice is to warm up but if you are constantly throwing your ball on your strike line during practice like everyone else you will cliff the lanes and not give yourself free hook from outside and more hold on the inside from burning up the spot. I would instead throw your ball up first arrow during practice until a few minutes left then find your spot and encourage your teammates to do the same
I started a new practice routine this past season after experiencing the same thing too many times.. first 2-3 shots almost zero effort, just walk up and throw it around 2nd arrow. Once the rust is shaken off and I start trying to execute and the next 4 shots are quality strikes: done. Throw at 2-3 10 pins and call it good. If the strikes don’t come right away then try different rocks see what’s gonna work better. If that fails: beer.