I was looking forward to this lesson with Ray today, as I felt I’ve been losing it the last few weeks, not just in my spare game, as I’ve documented, but on first ball, as well. Ray spotted something in today’s “before” video, however: my wrist would flex at the top of my backswing, making my hand come on top of the ball through the downswing and driving my release into the floor. I forgot what one of the two options Ray presented me for fixing this problem, but I chose what seemed to me to be the most comfortable one…shortening my backswing, as I appeared able to stay behind and under the ball until my backswing got up to shoulder height.
The practice work after this involved the usual towel on the lane, but this time I focused on keeping my backswing short. It appeared to be the ticket; at one point, I had 7 strikes in a row, and early on, I was resetting the full rack when I left something, as ball reaction is usually one gauge (in my mind) of how I’m doing. I did work on doing the same thing with my spare attempts eventually, and even then it seemed I couldn’t miss, getting one clean game (a 235) in the bridge between my solo work and Ray taping my “after” video. As an added benefit, I was also playing further inside (standing around the 24 and 25 board) than I’m used to and still getting to the pocket, something I’ve wanted to learn. The next few practices will, of course, focus on keeping my backswing short.
Local tournament note: The Brockton Foxvale & Tri-City Women’s Bowling Association will run their 21st annual mixed doubles tournament on Feb. 21 & 22 at Westgate Lanes. Entry fee is $41/team, with the prize fund being returned to about 1 in 10 entries at 70% handicap and 30% scratch. Handicap is 80% of 220. Squad time is 1:00 PM on both days. See entry flyers at all area centers for further details. Entries close on Feb. 11.
The Tenth Board 