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Author Topic: Advice For A Tall Bowler  (Read 9021 times)

Frederick

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Advice For A Tall Bowler
« on: August 12, 2007, 05:42:35 PM »
Being tall (6'5) really sucks for bowling!! I'm having the hardest time deciding on whether I should stay tall through out the shot or as my coach says "Land the plane" With each step I get lower and lower. When I stay tall, I loose alot of revs but i'm a little more accurate. when I land the plane I get much more on the  ball plus I create alot more area which allows me to be a little less accurate but I do get leg pain when I try to land the plane. Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

 

Xfest

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2007, 01:54:18 AM »
There are alot of taller players in the PBA. Look at Wes Mallot, Walter Ray, especially Mika the Big Fin.. Look at how they bowl. Being tall as well, around 6'3 here, I bend my knees a little more.
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Dan Belcher

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2007, 08:06:59 AM »
I'm only 6'0", which is still fairly tall.  The best results I've had are to only bend my knees enough to feel like I am in balance.  "Standing tall" for me keeps my center of gravity too high and makes it hard to repeat shots.  The key is not so much to "get low" as it is to "get balanced."  Shot repetition is the biggest factor in bowling well -- the best way to repeat shots is to get yourself in a position that you feel comfortable in AND a position you can repeat each and every shot consistently.

dizzyfugu

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2007, 08:35:19 AM »
Hocckynut, my suggestion: Try to play with flexed knees. I am pretty takll, too, and had hard times with revs and accuracy when I tried to stay upright all the time. I'd bend from my waist forward, lofting and killing the shot. I also use all the approach length for my delivery, due to step size. Pretty much like Dan Belcher's case.

Then a fellow bowler suggested to start my address position in a half-sitting position, knees flexed and buttoms, er, set back. Upper body stays upright. Looks and feels wacky - but the CG is shifted backwards and this helsp a lot a the foul line in the delivery and a proper leverage point. It also gets your hips lower, and you find it much easier to "land the plane", gradually descending with each step.
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budcotten

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #4 on: August 13, 2007, 08:36:59 AM »
Im 6`2 myself and i think the key is find what works best for you. Try to find somewhere in between like dont bend too far to where it herts your leg. but dont stand up. If u find somewhere in the middle u might be able to hold on to some of the revs from bending low and keep some ove the consistancy from standing up straight. Also dont forget your ballance arm that is also very important good luck good bowling

Goof1073

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #5 on: August 13, 2007, 08:43:41 AM »
I think there is a time and place for both styles...but I'm not totally sure how to suggest which is better as your everyday styel.  I'm 6'3" and I get fairly low at the line, with a good number of revs.  Over the past year I've also been working on trying to stay more upright for when I need the ball to push a bit further down the lane...basically it's another adjustment in my "bag of tricks."
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justdale

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #6 on: August 13, 2007, 08:56:57 AM »
The one thing you have to ask yourself is, how do fell about each style, are you more comfortable doing one over the other. Do you fell good about the accuracy, or do you feel better opening the lane up. There are positives about both, and a few negatives too. We can sit here and give you advice, but in the long run, it is you that has to live with these decisions. Good luck on what you decide, and remember, practice practice practice

htotheizzo3561

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #7 on: August 13, 2007, 08:58:40 AM »
I'm 6'5 and large, you have to do both to be a successful player.

Walking tall and using your strength and height is great for dry and playing up the boards and some medium conditions, but on oil and tighter stuff you need to plane the ball usually by flexing your knees or taking a shorter approach 3v5 steps. This helps carry lighter hits.

 But you don't have to get a knee bend like Paul Flemming or plane like Duke.  Because that will never happen!
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KDawg77

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #8 on: August 13, 2007, 09:09:17 AM »
The one thing we all have to remember is that there's no one correct form. While we understand that we must do many things roughly the same, our bodies do not let us all have the exact same deliver as the next guy. I would do what is most comfortable and make sure you do the correct things with your upper body. Take your natural/normal delivery and tweak it for improvement; don't rewrite the book.
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apocalyptic_rabbit

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #9 on: August 13, 2007, 09:17:01 AM »
htotheizzo3561 has it on the bullseye there..

I'm 6'2 and have always been a planer...

And when I bowl in longer Tournaments, and the lanes are drying out. sometimes its hard to keep in on the right side of the headpin.

being able to do both (and well)will make you so much better.

cause standing up and powering through dry heads is something short people jsut can't do .

that and we know first if it is raining
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c-hop

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #10 on: August 13, 2007, 11:32:33 AM »
me being 6"4 i try to stay taller and not bend my back since then i end up getting the ball off my hand early. I try to remember my balance points and have a good knee bend.
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Frederick

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #11 on: August 14, 2007, 01:07:17 AM »
Thanks for the responses. I'm working hard on trying to land the plane. I think I need to stop bending over at the waste as much and keep my back a little straighter like C-Hop said. I'm learning how to slide instead of planting so its been a rough go but i'm slowly getting there.

chitown

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #12 on: August 14, 2007, 09:12:00 AM »
I'm 6'2" and understand what your saying.  I personally feel you should do what is the most comfortable to you.  If getting lower at the line physically hurts your knees then don't do it.  Fine the most comfortable approach and stick with it.

Take a look at WRW, Mika, Big Wes, Chris Barnes ect... These are tall bowlers that do pretty well for themselves.  Big Wes is the only one out of that group that seems to get really low at the line.
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Krumpy300

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #13 on: August 14, 2007, 09:21:58 AM »
I'm 6'5 and I get pretty low at the line.

Do what is most comfortable and a style that let's you repeat shot after shot.

The rest will take care of itself.

Good luck.
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williamrox1

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Re: Advice For A Tall Bowler
« Reply #14 on: August 14, 2007, 09:31:56 AM »
I'm 6'0 and growing. I used to get really low to the ground. (BigBHammer278 on youtube, check out the vids). But I don't get that low anymore, and I don't crank the ball either. I stroke it.
Don Genelo was a really tall bowler. He had good success on tv. Wore 15 shoes and had the longest span on tour.
CK Moore was a tall fella as well, he took 4 steps from the back of the approach.
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