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General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: nowski1381 on November 18, 2008, 02:41:52 PM

Title: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: nowski1381 on November 18, 2008, 02:41:52 PM: Just wondering cause I look straight down at the foul line and people tell me I'm crazy...seems like everyone looks at either the arrows or the pins or a certain board...what's most popular out there???

Edited on 11/18/2008 11:42 PM
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: noturcuzin on November 18, 2008, 10:43:03 PM: I look at the foul line.
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: JessN16 on November 19, 2008, 12:09:16 AM: Anywhere from the dots to the breakpoint, depending on how I'm trying to shape the shot. There was a nice article recently in Bowling This Month about this that I highly recommend.

Jess
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: rockerbowler18 on November 19, 2008, 12:11:41 AM: quote:
Anywhere from the dots to the breakpoint, depending on how I'm trying to shape the shot. There was a nice article recently in Bowling This Month about this that I highly recommend.

Jess

Same here. I alter my ball motion by looking closer to the foul line or further down. Although, my range is pins to foul line, not just dots to break point...same principle applies.
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: JessN16 on November 19, 2008, 12:17:57 AM: quote:
quote:
Anywhere from the dots to the breakpoint, depending on how I'm trying to shape the shot. There was a nice article recently in Bowling This Month about this that I highly recommend.

Jess

Same here. I alter my ball motion by looking closer to the foul line or further down. Although, my range is pins to foul line, not just dots to break point...same principle applies.
--------------------
JAT Junior Amateur Tour

Robb's Pro Shops: Bakersfield, California

Rev Rate: 400-450
Speed: 17-18 mph
Current Average: 230

I can bring mine all the way back to the foul line sometimes, depending on how good I am that night.

If I try to look at the pins, I'm just as likely to hit you as I am them.

Ever used the "quiet eye" system for targeting that Bowling This Month advocates? It works.

Jess
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: nowski1381 on November 19, 2008, 01:42:29 AM: Didn't see that article but I'll try to find my latest issue and take a look...
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: dizzyfugu on November 19, 2008, 01:53:48 AM: I look at the arrows (or boards between then in that area) and keep my eyes on that target throughout the whole approach and delivery, until the ball passed it.
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Fender on November 19, 2008, 02:17:49 AM: Earlier I was looking only at the arrows, but now i'm looking at the breakpoint (overall ball motion shape, how do I want my ball to roll down the lane) and my average has increased
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Locke on November 19, 2008, 02:31:00 AM: That whole altering my break point thing has never worked for me. My shot is too ingrained so no matter where I look I get the same release and thus break point. i am always looking at my mark at the arrows.
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Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it

The Cell Pimp
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: ranAAchan on November 19, 2008, 06:21:50 AM: I look at the dots near the foul line or the arrows or a little past the arrows.
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: KingofKings696 on November 19, 2008, 08:03:44 AM: I look down to where I want to set the ball down and stare at it.
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: BowlingWolf on November 19, 2008, 08:21:02 AM: quote:
That whole altering my break point thing has never worked for me. My shot is too ingrained so no matter where I look I get the same release and thus break point. i am always looking at my mark at the arrows.
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Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it

The Cell Pimp

Same here.

The only times I may attempt a slight change is when lane conditions are at radical extremes.

If the lanes are crazy dry, I'll look about a foot or so past the arrows.

If the lanes are heavily oiled, which I hardly ever see (and I prefer lots of oil), I'll look about a foot or so before the arrows.

The idea is to keep the eyes riveted on the target no matter what, whether shooting strikes or spares, which ensures accuracy and eliminates spraying the ball all over the lane, which in turn enables proper lane reading/adjusting and good scoring.

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Regards,
BowlingWolf
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: fluff33 on November 19, 2008, 08:21:20 AM: Looking down at the foul line cannot be all bad. That's how Wes Mallot does it and he is no slouch.
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: BowlingWolf on November 19, 2008, 08:23:54 AM: quote:
Looking down at the foul line cannot be all bad. That's how Wes Mallot does it and he is no slouch.

A very good friend of mine does this, and he's an awesome bowler.

I've practiced many times over the years with him, and he's tried to show me how to do this without me feel like I'm going to trip, but I've never been able to do it.

Targeting is a personal preference based on one's comfort zone.
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Regards,
BowlingWolf
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: rackattack on November 19, 2008, 08:50:41 AM: Down and in and spares ---- Foul line dots--- very accurate
Small swing shot---- second set of dots---- + or - a board
Big swing---- break point--- + or - 2 board spray shot

The more area I have the further down the lane I look.
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It's all about the X
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: mainzer on November 19, 2008, 08:58:18 AM: arrows or first mark
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MainzerPower
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Aloarjr810 on November 19, 2008, 09:04:53 AM: quote:
Didn't see that article but I'll try to find my latest issue and take a look...

look here at Joe Slowinski's page
for his BTM articles and Quiet Eye System

http://bowlingknowledge.info/index.php
--------------------
Aloarjr810
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Necromancer on November 19, 2008, 09:08:53 AM: Dots usually before the arrows. I pay attention to the arrows more on PBA patterns. Why would anyone look at the foul line? I don't even know what the foul line looks like LOL. I see people in my league do that too and they carry low averages LOL.
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: BowlingWolf on November 19, 2008, 09:15:41 AM: quote:
well some Wes Malott guy looks at the foul line and he seems to be pretty good lol. no no i understand, it doesn't make alot of sense to spot at the foul line but oh well
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Spotting at the foul line is even more difficult than pin spotting, and neither is conducive to good scoring for the majority of bowlers. But, there are always exceptions.
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Regards,
BowlingWolf
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Necromancer on November 19, 2008, 09:15:43 AM: quote:
well some Wes Malott guy looks at the foul line and he seems to be pretty good lol. no no i understand, it doesn't make alot of sense to spot at the foul line but oh well
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I don't understand how you could aim anywhere looking at the foul line. That is about as bad as staring at the pins.
--------------------
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Brunswick Fury
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Hammer Black Widow
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Brunswick Quantum Helix
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Columbia 300 SuperBeast
Storm Hit Blue Pearl
Brunswick Target Spare Zone
Ebonite 14 Fun Ball
Averages:
Fall/Winter 2008 215.000
Fall/Winter Season 2006 206.467
2006-07 Year 213.067
2007 Tourney 178.029

2006-07 League Champions
2007-08 League Champions
2008-09 Three-Peat???

Hall of Fame BR Member Since: April 3, 2001

6'0" and ~210lbs @10% BF
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: BowlingWolf on November 19, 2008, 09:16:52 AM: Wow, Necro, we actually had the same thought at about the same time.
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Regards,
BowlingWolf
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Necromancer on November 19, 2008, 09:17:24 AM: quote:
Wow, Necro, we actually had the same thought at about the same time.
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Regards,
BowlingWolf

We are becoming friends!
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Brunswick Fury
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Hammer Black Widow
Lane #1 Cobalt Bomb Solid
Brunswick Quantum Helix
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Storm Recharge
Columbia 300 SuperBeast
Storm Hit Blue Pearl
Brunswick Target Spare Zone
Ebonite 14 Fun Ball
Averages:
Fall/Winter 2008 215.000
Fall/Winter Season 2006 206.467
2006-07 Year 213.067
2007 Tourney 178.029

2006-07 League Champions
2007-08 League Champions
2008-09 Three-Peat???

Hall of Fame BR Member Since: April 3, 2001

6'0" and ~210lbs @10% BF
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: BowlingWolf on November 19, 2008, 09:19:43 AM: quote:
quote:
Wow, Necro, we actually had the same thought at about the same time.
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Regards,
BowlingWolf

We are becoming friends!
--------------------
Current Arsenal (http://"http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/mikecart1/Bowling%20Arsenal/")
Greatest Ball of All Time (http://"http://s132.photobucket.com/albums/q21/mikecart1/Bowling%20Arsenal/?action=viewÂ¤t=092808017.jpg")
Brunswick Fury
Columbia 300 EPX T1
Storm Shift Gravity
Storm X-Factor Vertigo
Hammer Black Widow
Lane #1 Cobalt Bomb Solid
Brunswick Quantum Helix
Brunswick Quantum Double Helix
Storm Recharge
Columbia 300 SuperBeast
Storm Hit Blue Pearl
Brunswick Target Spare Zone
Ebonite 14 Fun Ball
Averages:
Fall/Winter 2008 215.000
Fall/Winter Season 2006 206.467
2006-07 Year 213.067
2007 Tourney 178.029

2006-07 League Champions
2007-08 League Champions
2008-09 Three-Peat???

Hall of Fame BR Member Since: April 3, 2001

6'0" and ~210lbs @10% BF

Hah, we've always been!
--------------------
Regards,
BowlingWolf
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: dolbydigital on November 19, 2008, 02:47:47 PM: fouline
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: leftyinsnellville on November 19, 2008, 02:58:44 PM: Usually a specific board, somewhere between the dots and arrows. Occassionally I'll focus on the reflection of a certain pin if I'm trying to "lengthen" my shot.
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220...221...whatever it takes.
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: pegleg42090 on November 19, 2008, 03:34:54 PM: arrows are my friends and i occasionally use the dots as well
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: jbuzz31 on November 19, 2008, 03:37:32 PM: i usually look at a specific board where they end before the next board starts, right past the arrows
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Ive Eaten From The Insane Root That Imprisons Reason
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: mrbowlingnut on November 19, 2008, 04:01:40 PM: I target the breakpoint through the arrows and change my lay down point from there, slightly changing the ball motion. Sounds harder than it really is and I can hit plus or minus a board but choose to what i call area bowl.

On tough shots I firm up my arm swing and get more accurate if needed, which in my case is very rare anyway to even not be bumper bowling anymore.
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: sheppy335 on November 20, 2008, 09:21:10 AM: I look as close to the foul line as i can with a target in mind.
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: chitown on November 20, 2008, 11:39:24 AM: The guys that look at the foul line (aka wes mallot) are bowling by feel. They have a target in mind but once lined up it's all about feel. I'm shocked Mallot is as good as he is. Generally this type of bowler will not be very good on tougher patterns.

Whatever works is my philosophy!

I look at the breakpoint back to the arrows before I start my approach. I look at the arrows when releasing the ball. I don't take my eyes off my target until the ball crosses over it.

One of my teammates at league is a "feel" bowler. He's been struggling all season. We bowl on some tough patterns at league so accuracy is key! He finally decided to target the arrows last week at league and I was amazed at the results! His spare game was instantly better. His strike ball was more on target than i've seen him bowl in a long time.

He did admit that it is hard to change. He said he caught himself several times taken his eyes off the target when releasing the ball. The more he looks at the target the easy it will become!
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Xcessive_Evil on November 20, 2008, 11:47:49 AM: For strikes I look at the arrow I want to target. For spares, I look at the pins.
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Does it really matter?
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Kid Jete on November 20, 2008, 11:49:25 AM: I'm actually not sure. I think they kinda cross at release.

Come to think of it... I think I look at my hand sometimes and other times I kinda watch the lanes to the left and right of me from out of the corners. Yeah I know I have issues.

Edited on 11/20/2008 12:52 PM
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Reijn on November 20, 2008, 11:52:05 AM: Typically, I keep my eyes on my break point. If my release is consistent and shot is going well, I will expand that to a general area. If my release is inconsistent, I will cut my viewpoint back to the arrows.
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If I dove head-first into the universal pool of knowledge and common sense, I would break my neck.
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Xcessive_Evil on November 20, 2008, 11:59:10 AM: quote:
Typically, I keep my eyes on my break point. If my release is consistent and shot is going well, I will expand that to a general area. If my release is inconsistent, I will cut my viewpoint back to the arrows.
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If I dove head-first into the universal pool of knowledge and common sense, I would break my neck.

I tried targeting my break point, but it always seems to make my timing later than it already is-to the point it feels like I'm about to fall over. It's probably mental since I'm still not use to doing that. I need to get past it though as I see that this could help with the shorter/lighter patterns I think.
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Does it really matter?
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: jbruno6 on November 20, 2008, 12:02:04 PM: Quote
I look at the arrows (or boards between then in that area) and keep my eyes on that target throughout the whole approach and delivery, until the ball passed it.
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+1
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Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: backswing_aplenty on November 20, 2008, 02:19:21 PM: For some high speed high rev guys trying to spot the ball before the arrows is difficult. While picking it up at the breakpoint is easier.

For myself I don't use the arrows for trageting at all, mostly because I spot the dots and can't pick the ball up until it's past the arrows anyway.

I can hit 10 board from anywhere, standing on 40 hit 10 into the right ditch, stand on 1 hit 10 into the left ditch. For me the arrows are non-existent, the breakpoint down the lane connected to where I'm starting (and going to finish my slide) are all I need. If I get to my breakpoint I can miss with my trajectory a borad or two at the arrows on most typical patterns and still strike. If I nail 10 every shot but my trajectory sends the ball 2 left or 2 right of my breakpoint, no strike. But I hit what I was looking at!

It is all feel for some or numbers for others. But I believe everyone should be focused on hitting their breakpoint more than the arrows or where they are looking. Scores will improve.

*backswing

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*...Got the 5 out clean!

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Edited on 11/20/2008 3:20 PM
Title: Re: Where are you looking at the time of ball release?
Post by: Xcessive_Evil on November 20, 2008, 02:26:19 PM: quote:
For some high speed high rev guys trying to spot the ball before the arrows is difficult. While picking it up at the breakpoint is easier.

Interesting you say that. Changing my target just may be something I need to try again. I've been in a slump the past almost 2 months and really don't have anything to lose at this moment.
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Does it really matter?