Solid Gold Tips
Most hooking ball not always best for tight lanes
By Ron Hatfield,
USBC Gold coach
A common myth in bowling is that if the lanes are extremely oily, you should use the ball in your arsenal that hooks the most.
Sometimes it is wiser to choose a ball that is less aggressive with a stable core (symmetrical weight block) that will produce an even arcing motion and not cover a lot of boards. This can keep the ball in play until the lanes finish transitioning and open up to some degree.
Hitting the pocket and converting easier spares will keep you in the match or tournament more often than if you choose an aggressive ball that forces you to play a line that uses too much of the lane and creates more chance for error.
Ask a Coach
Q:Where should my bowling ball’s break point be on short and long oil patterns?
A:On shorter oil patterns (less than 36 feet), you want your break point further away from the pocket because there will be more than enough dry surface for the ball to recover and get to the pocket. On patterns longer than 42 feet – such as the 44-foot PBA Experience Shark pattern - your break point should be closer to the pocket because the ball won’t have high friction area outside to recover.
Submit an Ask a Coach question to patrick.brettingen@bowl.com. It may be featured in a future edition of the Gold Approach. |
In this Gold Approach:
USBC Junior Gold Championships Competitors’ Guide is online on bowl.com
Be sure to check out the 2008 USBC Junior Gold Championships Competitors’ Guide, now online on bowl.com.
This comprehensive online guidebook includes everything you’ll need to know about the 2008 USBC Junior Gold Championships in Detroit including:
- Event schedule
- Registration and practice schedule
- Rules and format
- Scholarship distribution
- Side event entry forms
- USBC coaching video analysis schedule and sign-up form
- Selection procedure for Junior Team USA 2009
Stay tuned for decisions and developments on Opening Ceremonies and the Bowling Ball Express program.
Gold qualifying events going Sport in 2009
All qualifying events for the 2009 USBC Junior Gold Championships will be contested on official Sport Bowling oil patterns.
To prepare, gain valuable Sport Bowling experience by joining a PBA Experience league. Use the “Find a League” feature on the Sport Bowling section of bowl.com to find a PBA Experience league near you.
Coaching Corner
Andy Parker
USBC Silver Coach
Tips for tournament time
This is the time of year when many bowlers are gearing up for or competing in various local, state and national tournaments. These tournaments provide an avenue to test the bowler’s skills.
One of the best ways to be prepared is to have a checklist of items prior to and also during competition. Note: These items are not all inclusive; there are plenty of other items to be considered. This is just a good starting point.
Pre-tournament checklist:
- Plan how you are going to get there.
- If travel needs to be by air, make sure to check into flights at least 30 days prior, preferably 90 to 120 days prior to the event. Allow time to arrive there, get checked in, and travel time to the event. A good idea would be to arrive at least 12–24 hours before in case of delays.
- If traveling by car, make sure to get the directions, the estimated travel time and weather conditions prior to beginning the trip.
- Make sure equipment is ready for tournament play.
- Change the tape in each ball.
- Make sure all your bowling balls feel the same. You do not want to get there and find that you can’t throw one of them because it just doesn’t feel right.
- Clean each ball with a recommended cleaner.
- Check your shoes for any buildup or tackiness on the slide sole.
- Find out if the tournament has a dress code and then select the outfit that makes you feel the most confident.
- Miscellaneous
- Find out the type of lane surface at the site.
- Learn where others who had some success played the shot. Remember it may not be the same due to various reasons but it can still give you an idea of the tendencies of the shot/house.
Tournament site checklist:
- Arrive early enough to watch the bowlers competing ahead of you.
- Make sure to check in upon arrival and find out what brackets or specials are available.
- Once you report to your pair, check the approaches for any type of slick spots or tackiness.
- Stretch your muscles to have them loose for that first practice shot.
- Visualize in your mind what type of shot you want to throw on that first ball and then watch the ball to confirm whether your plan of attack is the right one or not. It may take a few shots to get loose, but remember to keep watching the ball and listen to it as it “talks.”
- Watch others around you to see if they are having the same type of reaction or possibly a better one.
- Take deep breaths to remain loose and focus on the task at hand.
- The last, most important item is to enjoy the competition. You chose to do this so you should be able to enjoy it regardless of your score.
Junior Gold Qualifier Events
Click here to find a complete list of upcoming Junior Gold qualifying events for 2008.
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