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Author Topic: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.  (Read 4788 times)

Magic Carpet

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Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« on: November 21, 2003, 12:28:39 AM »
I want to try an experiment. I know there are very few good coaches in the country or at least they are spread pretty thin. Many people simply don’t have access to a good coach. With this in mind I am considering accepting video tapes from bowlers for me to analyze. I would in turn send back a tape that would include my smiling face showing you things on YOUR tape that I think would improve your game. Although I will not promise the production value of the tape I send back to meet the standards of Steven Spielberg, I will promise that the returned tape will be packed with useful information.

I will be the first to admit that I may not be able to help everyone by simply watching the content of a video tape. Although you can get a lot of good information from watching a video tape of someone bowling, it is not nearly as good as seeing them in person. Should I receive a tape in which I believe I am unable help the bowler without seeing them in person, I will return the tape along with any fee I would charge.  

How much would I charge?  I am guessing I would charge about $40 for each tape. This would include the cost of sending the tape back. I would send the bowler’s tape back as well as my instructional tape. I am not sure as of yet the actual price because I expect this to be very time consuming. I know other coaches have done something similar to this and they charge a lot more. They may be more correct about the price than I, but I am willing to at least start out cheap should I decide to do this.

Why 3 guinea pigs?  I am looking for 3 people from this board THAT I HAVE NEVER WORKED WITH OR MET IN PERSON before. I will analyze their video tapes and send back my instructional tape for free. The only cost to the 3 guinea pigs will be the mailing of the video tape (Less than $5 Priority Mail) to me. I will pay to send the tapes back. The 3 guinea pigs must agree to review my instructional tapes and give a complete report back here on this board. Therefore, I want my 3 guinea pigs to be able to at least write in complete sentences and be able to express themselves here on the board. So none of this “I got da tape bak from Ron and it is Da Sht. Or “da tape I got back sucked”.  I am pretty sure that the instructional tapes I send back will be unlike anything other coaches have done. Those that have worked with me know I tend to do things that are very different than other coaches. I also want the 3 reviews to be totally honest. This is one time I don’t want you to play Mr. Nice Guy. I can only make my decision to do this if I am dead sure the bowler will get more than he or she expects for their money.

If you want to be one of my 3 guinea pigs, don’t go grabbing your video camera just yet. Please post here why you want to be one of my guinea pigs and I will pick 3 out of those that post and announce them here along with instructions on how I want you to be video taped.

Ron Clifton
AKA Magic Carpet
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Ishmael

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2003, 03:44:48 PM »
Hey Ron, I'm very interested.  I've been slumping lately, and have even been considering trying to come see you, as I'm only about 3 to 4 hours away.  I have never had any professional coaching, and I'm sure there are quite a few flaws in my game that need repair.  I have a friend who works in video production.  He has all the nice gadgets and should be able to put together some quality video for you.  Let me know.  Thanks.
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vlor

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2003, 03:51:25 PM »
Ron,
   I would like to give it a go. I have never had any real coaching in all the years that i`ve been bowling mainly because i`ve never lived in an area where a good coach was available. what I have learned is by trial and error and asking better bowlers for input about my game. I`m open to new ideas and thinking outside the box.
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Buzzhead

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2003, 03:54:10 PM »
I too would be interested.
I only have hi 8 video though.
I am currentally working thru a total
loss of bowling knowledge. I cannot hit the
same mark 2 times in a row when 3 weeks ago
I was consistantly laying the ball down in a
3 board area. I also have never once been coached, but
would love to try it.
--------------------
Saws are made to cut ANYTHING including 10 pins
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FAILURE IS FEEDBACK. AND FEEDBACK IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS THAT GOT DIGESTED!

Ten pin?????? Where?? I throw a BUZZSAW there is NUTTIN left on the deck...

Proud MEMBER of the FOS!!
Member of the FOS, if there happens to be a 9 pin standing just toss a saw and cut it down~~!

Doc Hollywood

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2003, 03:54:37 PM »
Hello Ron:

Great Idea.  I would be willing to be a guinea pig in your experiment.  I feel that most of the people on this site know who I am and feel that my opinion can be trusted.  I am an average bowler that could always use a little help.  But then again can't we all.  

I have a video camera and so it would not be a problem to send you whatever info you would need.  I am sure I could even post your services on my website along with a link in return for the service.

--------------------
Doc
Owner and Inventor of
DOC'S MAGIC BOWLING BALL ELIXIR
For more information click on the link below
http://home.comcast.net/~docsmagic/
or message me at:
http://Doc65@aol.com
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CountryClubBowler

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2003, 03:55:47 PM »
I am definitely interested.  I don't really have the money to hire a coach on a regular basis, but I do all I can to improve.  I am serious about bowling.  Ultimately I would like to make it a self sufficient hobby, that is I would make enough bowling, to cover the costs of bowling at the very least.  In the half hour I have ever spent with a coach, Jon Propst for those who know him, I was very impressed with how well he understood my game.  His tips and coaching for such a short time were extremely helpful in getting my ball speed a little more consistent, as well as increasing revs.  

I think coaching is absolutely essential to success in just about any endeavor, bowling included.  I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to be analyzed by someone as knowledgable as you.  Btw, I've read your tips on bowl4fun and have bought magic carpets from you.  Thanks.  

CCB
Matt Brady

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Buzzsaws are very, very dangerous.
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cooksey

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2003, 04:00:50 PM »
Hello Ron, I would like to give it a go. I am 36yrs. old and have been bowling off and on for probably 20yrs or so. I have never had any coaching at all as there is little to none available in my area and frankly I don't have that kind of money with 4 kids at home. I am always trying to improve my game and would very much appreciate any help this could give me. My specs are in my profile on this site and I would do my best to write a very informative review of how everyting went. Good luck with it even if I am not one of your choices.

Thanks, cooksey
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" Focus the next shot is critical"
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" Focus the next shot is critical"

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Soonermike

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2003, 04:03:42 PM »
Ron,

I am a bowler who hasn't had any coaching since back in my youth bowling days.  I think that I used to be a much better, or at least more consistent, bowler than I am now.
 
When we all used urethane equipment I averaged in the 195-200 range and shot 2 300's.  I now still average about 200 and while using reactive/particle equipment, I have not realized the scoring benefits of the new technology.    I'm sure part of the problem is that I don't bowl quite as much as I used to, but I think my biggest problem is I still have an "old time" style that needs some adjustment.  I don't use a wrist brace or glove.  I have noticed that a lot of guys that grew up throwing mostly urethane have some of the problems that I have.  I don't really know any good coaches in my area.  Heck, it's hard enough to find someone to drill a comfortable ball.  

If you choose me, I will give you an honest opinion of your product which I expect to be very useful.  I don't post on this board a lot, but look at the site often.  Hope this service is a successful one for you.

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SoonerMike
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SoonerMike

bwilling

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2003, 04:28:55 PM »
quote:
I want to try an experiment.


I love experiments... nothing is going to blow up, right?

Not having any idea what you are looking for in terms of current skill level, I would like to volunteer to participate in the 'experiment' anyway...

You will only select me if you are interested in taking on a beginning bowler with no prior 'coached' experience, heck, with not much experience at all. I am not concerned that I have flaws in my game, I am concerned that I have no game! As the proverbial open book, I am currently reading and digesting everything I can find on the subject of bowling (including information on your web site), having recently decided to actually learn to bowl in preparation for an upcoming mixed league with my girlfriend. You just throw the ball at the pins, right???

I am making some progress on my own, using the knowledge I have acquired from the various sources, but have decided this sport is a lot like golf, in that it is very diffcult to diagnose what you are doing wrong, because you can not see yourself doing it wrong! I have taken my 'game' from barely being able to break a hundred, to shooting in the 130-140 range in the last couple of months. I am currently working on trying to add more hand to my release, with some moderate success to date. I can now hook the ball into places I never intended for it to go. That is progress!

Coaching is very likely in my future, for the same reasons I took golf lessons when I first took up that game 20+ years ago... to build a solid foundation of fundamentals that I will have for as long as I play the game. You could seriously get me started out on the right foot here...
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Rock77

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2003, 04:36:47 PM »
Ron, I would love to be a "Guinea Pig" for this kind of experiment. How many are you taking??
--------------------
For a good time call
1-900-TEN-PINS
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rocnbol

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2003, 04:39:09 PM »
Ron, I would love to do this. After having read your tips and after seeing the response from the B.R. get together out there, it seems like you really know what you are doing.

I changed my style over the summer and have adapted fairly well. I do video tape myself from time to time but I dont have the knowledge to pick out the little things like you would be able to. Also I often practice the TWIG but am struggling with it. I am very open minded for changes and would look forward to implementing and reporting the results with an unbiased result. Also since I'm trying to guide my son down the right path it might help me help him.
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"Take the time to do it right and it takes less time" Pat Parelli

O

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #11 on: November 21, 2003, 04:53:44 PM »
Ron,
I would love the opportunity to be your guinea pig. I bowl in 3 leagues per week, including a scratch league that rotates national tournament conditions.  I am a very high speed/high revs player and feel just as comfortable playing the 5th arrow as I do the 1st. Through my teens and early 20's(I'm 25) I used a 4-step approach in which I began with my heels partially hanging off the end of the approach. My very large steps resulted in very fast feet.  About two years ago I switched from a 4-step to a 5-step appraoch and shortened my approach considerably aiming to slow my feet down and add versitility to my game for tournament bowling.  I also changed a few other things in my game, such as how I position the ball in my hand and where I hold the ball in my starting position.  In making the changes I have seemingly lost whatever 'A-game' I had.

Two years ago I was averaging over 210, leading my leagues in average and posting award scores.  Now, my average is down 10 pins and I find myself struggling to put 1 solid game together.  This is particularly frusterating since my knowledge of the game has gone up 10 fold in this time.

Edited on 11/21/2003 6:26 PM
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kendog

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #12 on: November 21, 2003, 04:56:18 PM »
Ron, I'd like you to consider me for a coaching experiment for the following reasons:
 
  • I'm constantly being told I should carry a much higher ave. considering the way I pitch the ball, but I lack consistency
  • I am a very coachable prospect who will do my best to implement your suggestions
  • The only coaching I've ever had was to release the ball as if I'm shaking hands and to end with my thumb up, and I've worked my way up to a 2 ave.
  • I'm tired of guessing what I should try next


I have a mini DV camera. I'm sure this will be interesting to view regardless of who you choose to coach. Thanks for Reading my essay.
--------------------
kendog
avoids spare shooting at all costs
'speshly 10 pins

Edited on 11/21/2003 5:53 PM
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kendog

billy brown

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2003, 05:20:59 PM »
Ron, I've thought of traveling to visit someone like you who could be my honest set of eyes and help me get my game working for me rather than me working for it. So, this would be a welcome opportunity.

I am a pretty good test subject. i am usually able to perform the tasks that a coach asks for as I have a lot of raw-subconcious talent and intentionally go into practice to perform certain physical requirements rather than just trying to score. I just need a little help getting my talent and my analytical side working together. I tend to have to be an artist or a scientist but, the two just don't want to mix for me, yet.

My needs are: swingplane analysis(inside and outside shots), release tips for dealing with the extremes, getting lower at the line, spare shooting alignment(increasing the odds), and like I said above how to use my game to an advantage so I can stay in the comfort zone longer...or a honest opinion on what i should totally revamp in my game to have a more reliable shot.

Thanks.
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mumzie

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Re: Would you like some coaching help from Ron Clifton? I need 3 guinea pigs.
« Reply #14 on: November 21, 2003, 07:16:55 PM »
Ron,
I would love to be a guinea pig. Over my lifetime, I have worked with three of the greatest coaches - and right now my game is broken.

I am NOT one of those people who work with someone and then say that I got nothing out of it. The last work I've done, in the last couple years, I applied through many, many hours of practice, and took my book average from 182 to 220.
I'm anxious to determine the weak points of my game, and figure out what I can fix, and what I need to learn to live with. I'm 47, so there are some limitations - I'd love your opinion about how to work around some of them.

Anyway - please let me know what you decide. I actually have a tape that was recorded last week - all I have to do is transfer it to vhs, and I could have it in the mail Monday.
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