So as I scroll down this timeline and look, I just feel like theres too much talk about the tools that people think they'll buy and make them better and not about that magical time of (you guessed it) PRACTICE!!!! I wanted to make a post to see put some ideas out there. Maybe we can help one another by bouncing ideas. IDK, but its a break in pace than talking about 30 or so balls that haven't even come out yet.

For me personally, lowering my axis rotation some so that my equipment is more playable on the tougher and flatter patterns. To me it seems like most of the sport patterns want the lefties left and that isn't what I do for the majority. I discovered that the more I lowered my AR obviously the better front to back motion I get so my mediocre shots are makeable single pin spares instead ugly combos. Its not something I can do consistently yet so to the lanes I go. But it has also given me great information about my bag, layouts that work and needing more asymmetricals which I hardly ever throw. I also get a lot of great visual pointers from watching guys like Anthony Pepe and Gary Faulkner Jr. as to things that I can do with my hand and how fast these guys are getting the ball into the swing with minimal effort. Im hoping to bowl more and have a more productive season as I feel I'm kinda stuck at 220 THS and 200 Sport.

Working on more versatility with my release. Different hand positions and rotation. Secondly, playing different parts of the lane and different angles. My outside game is pretty solid. Need to work on the weaknesses.

It's tough right now with playing a lot of softball, but still trying to find some time for practice.

Every thursday the past month I have been working with a coach. We have done some drills including, one-step drill, finish drill and some others. We worked on my grip, my stance and I am even purchasing some new equipment. I promised myself at the end of the 2016-17 season i would work harder in the off season and hopefully get to the goals i have already set for myself, including multiple 300's, 800's and an average goal of 235+ for the 2017-18 season. Its not always about buying new equipment.....

After throwing the ball like crap when I subbed for doubles/singles at nationals, the last month plus I've been consistent in repeating my release.

I'm looking forward to when our scratch league switches to last years doubles/singles pattern in a couple of weeks to cap off the summer.

My main goal has been to stay balanced at the line. Staying balanced has definitely seemed to have improved my shot repeating

During the summer time I bowl on A men's trio which is 4 game for 12 weeks. This is the time I try to fix my game. About 2 years ago I move my feet up on the approach to get my release
point  close to the foul line. It slowed my ball speed as well and My carry % has suffered because of it. Last night I moved back and my speed increased about 2 mph. Great! Along with the speed increase came more strikes. So that will be what I will work on this summer and also getting more leverage and balance.

I'm working on taking shorter steps to the line and staying taller at the line. I throw it so well and on time when I have to get deep and in front of the ball return. I want to replicate that tempo and timing no matter where I have to stand on the lane, just about 6-8 inches in front of where I normally stand. I'm also trying to lose another 15 lbs this summer to help with my endurance overall. Too often I find myself lugging to league, feeling like crap at 7 at night when all I want to do is sleep.

I wanted to add to this thread that there's nothing wrong with "working on strikes". A game that I often play with a practice partner is "Strikes". Usually, a friendly wager is on, but we will pick a number, usually 20, and the first player to 20 strikes wins. The caveat is, you have to win by 2 and if any pins are left on the deck, and or gutter, that strike does not count. All ten have to be back, in the pit and non-visible. There's going to be times where you have to throw the back 6 or 7 for the cash and these confidence builder drills have helped me a lot, especially in those times where you're in brackets or side pots on the china and you have a 9/ early. 270+ is making all the money and there's going to be a handful of guys that have front-9 potential in them every game. You're going to have to strike for the dough eventually, and for me these drills help...especially when in a slump.

This places a premium on shot repetition and having the proper match up with ball/surface to get the proper angle through the pocket to "strike" in this game.  Usually when I practice, I pay for 6-8 games and do not keep score. This allows you to block off parts of your practice session and by eliminating score as a variable, you truly get to work on specific needs.

Never ending Jim, never gets old.