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Author Topic: How hard is the shot?  (Read 3772 times)

shipper50

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How hard is the shot?
« on: March 28, 2009, 07:58:41 AM »
One of the local bowlers who thinks he is great just got back from Vegas, he carries around 249 this year so far at the local house. He did shoot 869 which I give him credit for at this house.

He shot 1778 all events in Vegas, so my question is, How hard is the shot really?

Shipper

Edited on 3/28/2009 4:20 PM

 

Russell

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2009, 07:47:49 PM »
It can bite pretty hard...that is for sure.  I have a lifetime average at the USBCs near 210 and I shot 1707 this year.  Now don't get me wrong I threw it awful.....VERY bad....but you can't make mediocre shots and score there this year.

The low to cash scores are a little lower than last year if that tells you anything.
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novawagonmaster

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2009, 08:07:59 PM »
It's tough, but not impossible. If you leave yourself easy spares (and actually MAKE THEM), you will do fine. It's the big splits and whiffed spares that will eat you alive!

This was my first trip to Nationals. I knew it was not going to be easy. Honestly, I was prepared for what I was given (lane pattern). I just had a bad morning for singles and doubles. I am certain the 7:00AM start time had something to do with it! I was pleased with my 605 for team on day one. It was my goal to shoot 1800 all events, but I fell short. Way short

Looking forward to Reno in 2010!
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shipper50

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2009, 09:22:36 PM »
Thanks for the replies, but if you both could do one thing different, what would it be?

I know about the early morning shift, I had it in Reno and it was rough getting up that early.

Thanks
Shipper

luv2C10falll

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2009, 09:59:08 PM »
We had a guy on our team 4yrs ago who avg. 236 for the winter league an was high avg. for our assc..He did'nt shoot 500 in any series.Not to mention he pitch'd about 8 in the gutter.It hombold him for about 6 months then he was back into his trash talking all the time.It should be that tough,then when you score good it's worth it
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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2009, 10:51:32 PM »
Great advice, Mark.  Thanks for the insight.


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JessN16

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #6 on: March 29, 2009, 12:36:33 AM »
One of the house staff at my local house just got back -- lefty, older guy, low/medium revs, lots of axis rotation -- and he struggled badly. He loved the experience, but didn't bowl well.

He said there was a lot more hook than he was expecting to see. He'd heard all the stuff about how oily the lanes were and, because of costs, only took one bag with his two heavier oil balls in them. After struggling the first day, he had something a little milder drilled up at the Visionary booth but it didn't fix the problem. Said the downlane friction was a surprise.

He's going with me to the Alabama state tournament next weekend.

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WSUstroker

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #7 on: March 29, 2009, 04:12:01 AM »
The shot for me played quite tight, but it was certainly playable.  Went to the Mike Jasnau session the day before we bowled team.  I thought it was good, nice to get a feel for the pattern and how it breaks down if you play them right.  I found the lane to be tighter at Cashman than at Gold Coast and it was quite a bit slicker.  If I had the chance to bowl on the fresh again I would start further in than I did in team.  I had an ok look on the fresh but for me I needed pinpoint accuracy to get it to the hole and to carry.  We caught some nice pairs for minors as they played much like they did for us in team and when I jumped in I had a much nicer look but I don't think I could've hit a slot machine if I was playing in Bellagio.  The shot is there, the bowler just needs to be able to hit it.
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Russell

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #8 on: March 29, 2009, 08:21:00 AM »
quote:
Thanks for the replies, but if you both could do one thing different, what would it be?

I know about the early morning shift, I had it in Reno and it was rough getting up that early.

Thanks
Shipper


Well to be brutally honest....not drink as much the night before singles/doubles, and bowl a side tournament during the day to loosen up.

I shot 648 in team and threw it pretty decent.  I just had too much fun that night and was a little stiff/dizzy when we bowled the next day.  I played the lanes right I just couldn't pry the ball off my hand or execute a decent shot.  Ive done this two years in a row now and it's all my fault.  The shot was there both times....I just couldn't execute.
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earmite26

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #9 on: March 29, 2009, 09:17:55 AM »
Just a wierd question but of all of the posts here that bowl pretty decent what is your style?  Are you crankers, tweeners or strokers?  Just wondering.  It maybe me just complaining or jealous but I feel the shot plays to crankers.  I guess if you hit your marks you will bowl good any style but I just feel that crankers have a lot more room on patterns like this.  I did shoot a 613 in team but struggled in S & D because I didn't have the hand to get the ball to recover from having to play deep.  Probably could have tried something different if I had some other equipment with me.  Good luck to everyone at the tournament this year.
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Dunkirk79

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2009, 09:18:02 AM »
Mark answered the question right on the money....

The condition is very playable if you match up correctly and convert your spares and avoid big mistakes. It definately shows who the better Bowlers are by the scores. Let me retract that....it definately shows who is prepared to bowl on this condition. People make comments about the folks from the midwest who usually score big at the USBC's but those folks apparently bowl on some very tough conditions and if you get a chance to watch them....take a good look because most of their teams have bowlers of very similar styles and target the same area.

I didn't fair nearly as well as I had hoped this year but I learn new things every year. I watched some squads before mine and thought I had a good plan of attacking the lanes but it just didn't work out for me. I don't think I would do anything differently as far as playing the lanes but I do know I didn't have the right ball/surface in my hands.

agroves

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2009, 12:47:00 PM »
Nationals is a ole dose of reality for alot of folks.  Those that can't accept the truth say things like "the shot is unplayable" or "i got drunk every night...[insert excuse here]".  

The truth is, they build their games to shoot big numbers on the wall.  The don't want to average 190-200 on a sport pattern, they would rather have their 220+ on the china.

As for this years shot, I can't comment as I will be unable to make it this year[financial and other reasons].  Last year, I thought the shot was very playable from 15-17 to 10.  I never saw any scores from right of 10 board.  If I had 10 guys, I'd want them all to started around 15-10 and move in from there.  I hear the "team practice" is once again promoting the "burn it up from the outside" approach.  I didn't see that last year and I'm not hearing that is working this year either.  

Mark is right, 1800ish means you did some things right.  1900+ means you bowled pretty good.  -1700 means you probably need some practice and/or more experience on more demanding conditions.
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NOTHUMB

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2009, 07:54:09 PM »
I agree with alot of what has been said. I'd be careful labelling someone shooting 1700 as needing work though. Some people go with modest goals etc. Personally, I look to throw the ball well on a demanding condition. If I bowl very well, make spares, and make the right moves---last year happens.

Ive had a couple years where one facet of my game wasnt great and it resulted in just under 1800 (1799 twice). I have 2 very successful years, but sometimes helping my team to a big night outweighs my personal struggles. Just my 2 cents.
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Bowler19

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #13 on: March 31, 2009, 08:00:58 PM »
If you have the right look and get lined up you can score as long as you make your spares. I shot 1747 and missed 15 makeable spares. Had I been on my ame for spares I would have shot close to 1900. I threw the ball well and had the right look.

Aswell some of my teamates who I am not much better than did not match up and scored very bad.

The shot is there you just have to have the right read.
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spankdaddy300

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Re: How hard is the shot?
« Reply #14 on: March 31, 2009, 08:36:45 PM »
quote:
1) Bring reasonable expectations
2) Keep an open mind about what you may see on each pair
3) Have a plan before you throw your first shot
4) Pay attention and stay focused
5) Be prepared to make different moves from what you ever see at home
6) Rely on your spare game and not your strike game. Make spares.
7) If you are in the pocket keep it there. Don't go on a goose chase for free carry. You generally won't find it.


This is really excellent advice.  This year was my fourth time to Natl's, and I really struggled in the past (I don't think I broke 1650 once).  I generally throw some pretty high ball speed and revs, but this year I came in with the plan to throw straighter and more up the boards.  I finished with 1802 all-events and was pleased with my overall performance.