As part of the improvement process, I also posted the video I rolled out yesterday to the BowlingCommunity.com forums with the expectation of finding out what I need to work on from the two USBC coaches I know from there. During the editing process, I noticed in the side view footage that my timing was late, and this was reiterated on the forums (including by my friend Chris from BowlSK). “Atochabsh” also suggested that I hold the ball higher in my stance, which she said would help free up my armswing, and it was that suggestion that I tried in practice today. Holding the ball higher had the effect of quickening the pace of my footwork, so much so that it felt like I had been running “gassers” by the end of practice. My timing was still late, but the good timing, I’ve been told, will come when I learn to slow down my footwork with the ball starting that high. Where I noticed the improvement the most, however, was in my spare game, as I started the third game with 6 spares in a row before chopping the 2-5, finishing out with 3 more spares and a final-ball strike fill.
I did get some bad news when I talked to Bob Hamilton before practice: Harry Thibeault, Sr., father of Harry Thibeault, Jr. (one of the best bowlers in the house) and a regular bowler himself on Wednesday nights, had passed away over the weekend. I was told the wake would be Wednesday night, so this throws the start of my summer league into question.
Grace and Rob from my winter league also hit the wood while I was practicing, and I delayed my trip home to say hello and watch them a bit. I gave Rob the tip about working the inside of the ball (the point of the ring-finger lead drill), and watched him throw a few before leaving for home; I think he’ll get that down with practice. Grace said she wouldn’t be bowling summer league, after all, because of getting surgery on one of her feet. I did notice a Bill Macomber on the summer league sign-up board earlier, and I’m hoping this is the one from the winter league.
The Tenth Board 