Author Topic: What's the point of using the arrows as a target? (Read 8237 times)

chitown · « **on:** April 09, 2009, 09:33:37 AM »

What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

I recently started using the break point as my only target. My accuracy is actually better than using the arrows and break point as a target. A bowler can be consistent at hitting the arrows but be inconsistent at the break point. If a bowler is consistent at hitting the break point is doesn't matter where the ball crosses the arrows. In fact, if the bowler targets the break point consistently then their probably hitting a particular arrow consistently.

I bowl on very tough patterns at league. This is not a THS league. I bowled on a 42' flat pattern last week and was amazed with my accuracy/results using the break point as my only target. My league bowls on brunswick pro avalene synthetics. These are the synthetics that have the dark target boards down lane. I was targeting the 10 board at the break point. When my ball rolled over the 10 at the break, it landed in the pocket each time. If I missed two boards inside the ball went thru the nose. If I missed two board outside it didn't recover.

My point of this post is simple. Why even bother using the arrows as a target? Why even use the two point target system? The break point board is the only target that really matters. I should of just started using the break point as my only target years ago.

What are your thoughts about this subject?

pin-chaser · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2009, 12:08:15 PM »

I had developed a method years ago similar to Joe's method. I use points on masking units to align my shoulders correctly with the target line... then use a 3 point system... breakpoint, target *usually* arrows, and my sitdown area (sometime 6" out and sometime 24" out on the lane). To complicate matters... I draw this imagninary line from the masking until through the breakpoint, through my target, through my sit down area and continue it back behind me. This helps me to make sure that I walk down the approach and more importantly swing my armswing back and forth down my target line. I know this seems complicated... but once I incorporated this into my game and it became natural... the rest has been history.

Stan · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2009, 12:30:54 PM »

I've been targeting the break point for many years. I find that I extend more at the foul line to my target and also my ball speed is more consistent. I did a CATS lesson a few years ago, I told them about where my ball should be at the arrows and still used the break point for a target. The results were that my accuracy was outstanding. I had other issues, but at least it wasn't accuracy. I also find that using this method at the Nationals is a plus, especially when making spares. I try to use the same break point for most of my spares (if possible) because I know what the ball is going to do when I hit the target. I think use whatever works for you.

Danes07 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2009, 12:45:17 PM »

For me, its a necessity to target the arrows. I have an eye condition known as nystagmus. When I try to focus on something that is a little distance away from me, my eyes start shaking back and worth, and so does everything I am looking at.

When I try to target the breakpoint, this happens pretty badly and I'd be lucky to hit the lane, let alone my target. By targeting the arrows, I can cut down on how much my eyes shake, if they do at all.

I'd love to target the breakpoint because I think I'd be a lot more consistant...but I really can't, so I go with what I have.
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University at Albany 2007
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ImBackInTheGame · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2009, 12:53:10 PM »

I would love to bowl on lanes with range finders. I have a hard time finding a dark spot on the old wood lanes I bowl on.

ccrider · « **Reply #20 on:** April 10, 2009, 12:57:09 PM »

I use the arrows, but have been practicing with targeting the breakpoint. Using the arrows, if I miss, it tends to be inside, and I tend to miss inside way too often, so I am trying to change.

I have nystagmus also, but my contacts are toric 66 and are designed to address that issue.

I think I will end up using the arrows to line up, but ultimately focusing on the breakpoint downlane when I start my approach.

BTW, on the old wooden lanes that I bowl on Wednesdays, its the arrows and feel as you really can not concentrate on one bland colored board 43 feet down the lane. What a pain.

CC
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Those that can do. Those that can't complain. Pimpin ain't easy, but it's mandatory.

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Waldorf Salad · « **Reply #21 on:** April 10, 2009, 01:09:59 PM »

By targeting at the arrows you are minimizing the effect of the ball hooking to get a true judge of accuracy. The farther down the lane you go the more of an effect the ball's hook will have. If you are targeting at the breakpoint and the ball hooks early you don't know if you actually hit your target or not. This makes it harder to adjust.

ramimac · « **Reply #22 on:** April 10, 2009, 01:23:14 PM »

quote:
If you are targeting at the breakpoint and the ball hooks early you don't know if you actually hit your target or not. This makes it harder to adjust.

Not so. when this happens it tells me i need to move in and adjust my breakpoint inside of the dry zone.

But for me I am a feal player i have a picture of the ball movement in my head, and if actual differs from pictured i make adjustments based on that diffence. I do use the arrowes as a judgement point but I look at the breakpoint as my target. It realy helps me project the ball down the lane better since i am a rev dominat player.
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In the Bag
NVD 14lb
Gamebreaker 14lb
Playmaker 14lb
Bash Re/Black 14lb
Bam Blue/Black 14lb

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ramimac · « **Reply #23 on:** April 10, 2009, 01:28:36 PM »

Also by using the arrows as your target when you move an arrow left or right(since they are in a x-mass tree patern) It can cause targeting problmes. moving one Dot with you feet is not moving one arrow with you ball..

if you are trying to jumpo from third to 4th arrow you actualy have to put the ball to the riht of 4th arrow a little to acomplish the move since the arrow itself is further down the lane.

so unless you use the second set of dots before the arrows or the breard break as someone pointed out earlier, You do not have alevel playing field to adjust with
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In the Bag
NVD 14lb
Gamebreaker 14lb
Playmaker 14lb
Bash Re/Black 14lb
Bam Blue/Black 14lb

Viper R.I.P (Cracked all the way arround ball)

Jesse James · « **Reply #24 on:** April 10, 2009, 02:40:18 PM »

I kind of agree with Chitown, Ramimac and others on here, that breakpoint bowling actually helped my accuracy.

Before this year, I was breakpoint bowling and my average went up! As one other bowler mentioned...it forces me to stay down and extend the ball downlane. I also seem to have better form than previously, though I haven't looked at myself on camera lately.

This year, I've been not looking at any target and primarily bowling by feel. The only thing I get to see is my ball reaction after release, when it's reading the mids, and the eventual downlane reaction going into the pocket. I tend to adjust my positions on the approach, based on the downlane ball reactions I see. This has been very successful on the easier THS shots.

Not so much on demanding patterns however. On flat patterns and dry patterns, I have to use every technique available to me.
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Girlscout · « **Reply #25 on:** April 10, 2009, 03:50:04 PM »

This always an interesting topic. I like to target like pin-chaser.
Joe Slowinski refers to a focal point, that is the point where your ball would finish if it did not make the turn toward the pocket.This can be the masking unit or the gutter at 40 feet.The pins are good focal points. If I can line up and make a straight swing on the right angle and trust my swing I will do ok.The house shot gives some margin for error. That helps. All the above posts support the breakpoint bowling method. I agree. If you have not been to bowlingknowledge.info check it out. GS

another300 · « **Reply #26 on:** April 10, 2009, 05:46:30 PM »

quote:
Trajectory to the breakpoint.

What he ^ said.
Trajectory is very important on tight lane conditions. Say your stike ball is 13 at arrows to 10 at break point. Throw a ball over the 15 board at the arrows and hit the 10 boards at the break. Now throw one at 11 to 10 at break point and see the difference. 11 to 10 probably hits high flush on THS but on tougher conditions it goes through the nose. 15 to 10 hits light on THS but probably washes out on tougher conditions.

chitown · « **Reply #27 on:** April 10, 2009, 06:42:52 PM »

quote:
quote:
Trajectory to the breakpoint.

What he ^ said.
Trajectory is very important on tight lane conditions. Say your strike ball is 13 at arrows to 10 at break point. Throw a ball over the 15 board at the arrows and hit the 10 boards at the break. Now throw one at 11 to 10 at break point and see the difference. 11 to 10 probably hits high flush on THS but on tougher conditions it goes through the nose. 15 to 10 hits light on THS but probably washes out on tougher conditions.

Many bowlers I watch are consistent at the arrows but are all over the place down lane at the break point. Let's say you stand in one spot, roll over the 3rd arrow, then hit 10 at the break point for a strike. The next shot the bowler stands in the same spot, misses the arrows inside by 2 or 3 boards, chances are that shot isn't going to hit the 10 board at the break point. The same applies if the bowler misses outside 2 or 3 boards. I just don't see how someone can hit the 10 board at the break point while missing their target arrows 2 or 3 boards either direction?

I do agree that angle into the pocket is important. I myself just find it much easier and am more accurate only using the break point as a target. For me it's much easier to hit one spot on the lane than it is to hit two. If I need to change angle then just move left or right a couple boards while keeping the same break point, or change bowling balls.

Everyone has there own way of targeting. My moto has always been to do what ever works. For me i'm finding that using one target down lane allows me to be the most accurate.

Thanks to all that replied. I think this post is informative.

Author Topic: What's the point of using the arrows as a target? (Read 8237 times)

chitown

What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

pin-chaser

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

Stan

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

Danes07

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

ImBackInTheGame

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

ccrider

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

Waldorf Salad

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

ramimac

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

ramimac

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

Jesse James

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

Girlscout

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

another300

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?

chitown

Re: What's the point of using the arrows as a target?