Solid Gold Tips
Make deep breathing part of your pre-shot routine
USBC Coaching certification courses teach that a full breath into the diaphragm helps take the body out of an over-excited fight-or-flight response; it helps you to become centered and present in your thinking. It also fuels physical energy.
As part of a pre-shot routine during competition, taking a breath takes almost no extra time. Try breathing down the back of your throat and filling the back of your lungs. That process will result in a full and complete breath.
- By Dr. Dean Hinitz, author of “Focused for Bowling” and leading authority on sports psychology. Hinitz has a PhD in psychology from the University of Nevada.
Ask a Coach
Q: Is it always best to use the heaviest ball I can?
A: The key is to determine a ball weight that will work best for you. Don’t think that you must use the maximum 16-pound ball. It is incorrect to assume that the heaviest ball will generate the most momentum going through the pins. The simplified equation for momentum below will show that this may not be the case:
mass x speed = momentum
Inserting the following values into this equation shows that a 15-pound ball may actually generate more momentum than a 16-pound ball:
15 lbs. x 18 mph = 270
16 lbs. x 15 mph = 240
In terms of longevity and wear and tear on your body, using a lighter weight ball might be a smarter option.
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: 10 years of excellence
It's been 10 years since the Junior Gold program was launched to help high-average youth bowlers hone their skills and have greater chances for success as they advanced to collegiate and adult bowling competitions. The current issue of USYouthBowler.com pays tribute to several Junior Gold alumni who have made their marks on the sport of bowling.
Read more
Gold qualifying events not required to be held on Sport Bowling oil patterns
USBC has decided that its Junior Gold qualifying events for the 2009 Championships will NOT be required to be contested on USBC Sport Bowling lane oil patterns.
However, the USBC Junior Gold Championships will continue to use Sport Bowling oil patterns. So it’s still important to hone your skills on Sport patterns 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.
Junior Gold membership now concurrent with regular USBC Youth membership
As of Aug. 1, your USBC Junior Gold membership will coincide with your regular USBC Youth membership for the 2008-09 season.
Junior Gold members will be notified of new USBC membership policies as their membership comes due for renewal.
Coaching Corner
By Teresa Ross, USBC Silver coach
Making adjustments on USBC Sport Bowling patterns
When you are practicing on a USBC Sport Bowling pattern, explore the lane to find your best reaction. Let the ball be your guide.
On a shorter pattern, you can usually play outside and keep your break point farther from the pocket. On a longer pattern, you normally want to play inside and keep your break point closer to the pocket. Once you find the area you want to play on a Sport pattern, stay there until you think you no longer can play there.
If the lanes start to transition, try to keep your moves parallel. For example, if you move your feet two boards right, you also should move your eyes two boards right. If you move your feet three boards left, move your eyes three left. This will help maintain the same shape of your shot.
Remember that there are exceptions to every rule. If you make angular moves (moving your feet and target different amounts), keep the ratio small so you don't send the ball too wide. If your ball goes high on a house shot, you usually can move your feet left, keep the same target and change the angle to get back in the pocket. If you move your feet but keep your target the same on a Sport condition, the ball will not recover to the pocket and probably leave a wash out or similar leave.
You might also have to change your ball rotation to adjust to transition on a Sport pattern. If you want to keep the ball in a smooth roll, keep your hand behind the ball all the way through the release. To achieve a sharper move at the back end, keep your hand on the side of the ball as you release it. This will cause the ball to skid farther and have a sharper movement on the back. Read what your ball is doing, then figure out what changes to make to achieve the desired reaction.
Do not second guess yourself. Trust your instincts. If you think you should move, then do it. If you think you need a different ball, than change. The only way to find out if you are right is to try it. If you don't like the change, you can always go back.
Editor’s Note: Teresa Ross is a USBC Silver coach, USBC Coaching Level I Instructor and USBC Junior Team USA assistant coach based in Manteca, Calif.
BowlTV has Team USA video tips
Take your game to the next level with tips from some of the world’s best bowlers on bowlTV, showing exclusively on bowl.com.
USBC Queens champion and longtime Team USA member Lynda Barnes, along with Team USA’s Diandra Asbaty, Derek Eoff and Stefanie Nation offer video tips on spare shooting, timing, making adjustments, the two-handed approach delivery and more.
Also check out new video clips from some of the world’s best coaches who were in Wisconsin for USBC training.
Junior Gold Qualifier Events
Click here to find a complete list of upcoming Junior Gold qualifying events.
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