I started using the dots for everything a number of years ago, it helps a lot. moved my 10 pin line up to the right, normally between 14 and 11, (4th and 5th dots) from the right, stand around 30. Much easier to hit a closer target, changes the angles a lot, takes time to learn. But gotta believe they put them (dots) on the lane for a reason. good video, first time seeing someone talking about using them
Excellent reminder to look at a closer target. I do that for my strike shot, but NOT spares. I will try it! My other comment is that when you tell us you are standing on Board 31, tell us which foot is aligned there. I align with my left foot, but others align with their right. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching. At one point in the video, I think i mentioned that I line up with my left foot, but if not, know it is the center of my left for. I also drift, though, so knowing my exact targets isn't as important and knowing your own. 31 with left foot and 24 at the dots may not work for you depending on your drift vs. mine. But hopefully these tips help you out some, and thank you for commenting.
Good video. I have been working on this very same thing and have been having good luck with it. But last night in the last game for some reason I couldn’t hit either corner spare maybe trying too hard. I started with a 227,188 then fell to a 148 because I couldn’t get a corner spare but that’s the way it goes. Thanks for the advice
The name of the game is knocking down your spares for sure! You really made me think about your story regarding Walter Ray. I do pretty well on the right side spares. Even the 10-pin. I struggle when I get to the 3 and 2-pin shots. I noted that my ball was going farther left than I expected on all my left side spares. Years ago I put together a spreadsheet for my shots. I broke up the 60 foot lane into quarters (i.e., 15 foot segments). I also took into account the range finders down lane and especially the first ones which begin at 34 feet down the lane at board 15 and board 25. Most of the time I have been targeting at 34 feet especially for all spares starting with the 2-pin and the remaining shots to the right. For spares on the left side (I'm a righty) I target typically at the arrows for left of the 2-pin. My spreadsheet calculates where I should stand and where the ball should be (expecting to shoot straight) at 15 ft, 30 ft, 34ft, 45 ft and 60 ft down the lane. I've read so many books on bowling I recall that most of the writers say that the ball should laydown between 6 and 7 feet from your slide foot; however, I know that my laydown point is several boards more than that. I use a value of 10 and a half boards. I've tried working on reducing that distance without much success. Therefore, I'm just living with it. When you're older, it's hard to make changes; however, just recently I've incorporated a yo-yo type release which has really increased my rev rate. I can see the results especially on the back end and how hard I'm hitting the pins with a more continuous motion through the pins. I'm going to try to square up more for the left side spare shots and see what I can see. I've been using a Mix Blackout 14 lb ball for spares for years now. I have a 16 lb one and a 15 lb one, too, with different colors which I seldom bring to the lanes. Enjoyed your tips today, but I think I'll likely not try the dots for targeting, but I could do it as my spreadsheet tells me where I should shoot at automatically. :) Thanks for your great video...
Thank you for sharing. Yes, we all have to find what works for us. The dots is just an idea for those struggling, but the thing that works for each person might be different. I love that about the game. It's fun to experiment and find things that work. Your spreadsheet idea is similar to my journal idea where I track what my moves are for every spare. I love that you do that and might do that with some of the kids I coach. Thank you for watching!
So here’s a question for you: if you’re anyway moving your target closer to yourself, and you find that your new target is not actually a dot. It’s a board between two dots or actually between a dot on the left and a dark board in the middle, not to mention that not every house is gonna have a dark middle 20 board, why don’t you bring it even closer to the full range of dots at the foul line where you have an easier time targeting an actual dot? All you’re doing is extending your line that you are ready shortened a few feet more
Great question. I have tried the foul line, but looking straight down messes me up. I need at least some distance. It would be like in golf putting at a mark 1 inch in front of the ball. I don't think that would work for me, which is why I look a few feet out. When I get to houses that don't have the darker boards, it was a little more challenging at first, but I feel I can envision a spot however many inches left or right of a dot. So the first set of dots still works for me. But that's just me. If the foul line works for some, I say go for it. This was less about aiming at the dots and more about adjusting what you look at to try something different if you need a change. Thank you for the question.
I always take the circumference of the bowling ball multiply it by the length of the lane, allow for the corealis effect, divide by pi, square that number then say screw it and aim for the third arrow and forget all that dot nonsense. And once and for all could SOMEONE please explain how they came up with the odd dot placements on the boards?
@baldbrothersbowling Thanks for giving the regular folks some tools to help us out. The PBA trolls who have perfect games may not appreciate your help, but I damn sure do. 😆 Great footage too brother.
I have a question. When you make your approach, are you going straight towards the fowl line, or walking straight towards your target? Makes a huge difference!
I walk straight towards the line personally. I do this because when shooting right side spares, I don't want to be against the ball return to remain far enough left to still throw cross lane. I know a lot walk towards the mark, which I have no issues with, just not how I personally do it.
I started using the dots for everything a number of years ago, it helps a lot. moved my 10 pin line up to the right, normally between 14 and 11, (4th and 5th dots) from the right, stand around 30. Much easier to hit a closer target, changes the angles a lot, takes time to learn. But gotta believe they put them (dots) on the lane for a reason. good video, first time seeing someone talking about using them
Excellent reminder to look at a closer target. I do that for my strike shot, but NOT spares. I will try it! My other comment is that when you tell us you are standing on Board 31, tell us which foot is aligned there. I align with my left foot, but others align with their right. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching. At one point in the video, I think i mentioned that I line up with my left foot, but if not, know it is the center of my left for. I also drift, though, so knowing my exact targets isn't as important and knowing your own. 31 with left foot and 24 at the dots may not work for you depending on your drift vs. mine. But hopefully these tips help you out some, and thank you for commenting.
Good video. I have been working on this very same thing and have been having good luck with it. But last night in the last game for some reason I couldn’t hit either corner spare maybe trying too hard. I started with a 227,188 then fell to a 148 because I couldn’t get a corner spare but that’s the way it goes. Thanks for the advice
The name of the game is knocking down your spares for sure! You really made me think about your story regarding Walter Ray. I do pretty well on the right side spares. Even the 10-pin. I struggle when I get to the 3 and 2-pin shots. I noted that my ball was going farther left than I expected on all my left side spares.
Years ago I put together a spreadsheet for my shots. I broke up the 60 foot lane into quarters (i.e., 15 foot segments). I also took into account the range finders down lane and especially the first ones which begin at 34 feet down the lane at board 15 and board 25. Most of the time I have been targeting at 34 feet especially for all spares starting with the 2-pin and the remaining shots to the right. For spares on the left side (I'm a righty) I target typically at the arrows for left of the 2-pin.
My spreadsheet calculates where I should stand and where the ball should be (expecting to shoot straight) at 15 ft, 30 ft, 34ft, 45 ft and 60 ft down the lane.
I've read so many books on bowling I recall that most of the writers say that the ball should laydown between 6 and 7 feet from your slide foot; however, I know that my laydown point is several boards more than that. I use a value of 10 and a half boards. I've tried working on reducing that distance without much success. Therefore, I'm just living with it.
When you're older, it's hard to make changes; however, just recently I've incorporated a yo-yo type release which has really increased my rev rate. I can see the results especially on the back end and how hard I'm hitting the pins with a more continuous motion through the pins.
I'm going to try to square up more for the left side spare shots and see what I can see. I've been using a Mix Blackout 14 lb ball for spares for years now. I have a 16 lb one and a 15 lb one, too, with different colors which I seldom bring to the lanes.
Enjoyed your tips today, but I think I'll likely not try the dots for targeting, but I could do it as my spreadsheet tells me where I should shoot at automatically. :) Thanks for your great video...
Thank you for sharing. Yes, we all have to find what works for us. The dots is just an idea for those struggling, but the thing that works for each person might be different. I love that about the game. It's fun to experiment and find things that work. Your spreadsheet idea is similar to my journal idea where I track what my moves are for every spare. I love that you do that and might do that with some of the kids I coach. Thank you for watching!
I look at the reflection of the pins on the floor for my spares!!. Sounds crazy but it works for me.
Not crazy at all. I have a good friend that does the same thing.
Dang...I aim at the dots already and still missing em 🙆🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ 😅
That happens. Do you square your shoulders?
So here’s a question for you: if you’re anyway moving your target closer to yourself, and you find that your new target is not actually a dot. It’s a board between two dots or actually between a dot on the left and a dark board in the middle, not to mention that not every house is gonna have a dark middle 20 board, why don’t you bring it even closer to the full range of dots at the foul line where you have an easier time targeting an actual dot? All you’re doing is extending your line that you are ready shortened a few feet more
Great question. I have tried the foul line, but looking straight down messes me up. I need at least some distance. It would be like in golf putting at a mark 1 inch in front of the ball. I don't think that would work for me, which is why I look a few feet out. When I get to houses that don't have the darker boards, it was a little more challenging at first, but I feel I can envision a spot however many inches left or right of a dot. So the first set of dots still works for me. But that's just me. If the foul line works for some, I say go for it. This was less about aiming at the dots and more about adjusting what you look at to try something different if you need a change. Thank you for the question.
I always take the circumference of the bowling ball multiply it by the length of the lane, allow for the corealis effect, divide by pi, square that number then say screw it and aim for the third arrow and forget all that dot nonsense. And once and for all could SOMEONE please explain how they came up with the odd dot placements on the boards?
Damn, I always forget about the corealis effect. Sometimes screw it works the best. And the dot placement? Must have been drunk. Lol.
@baldbrothersbowling Thanks for giving the regular folks some tools to help us out. The PBA trolls who have perfect games may not appreciate your help, but I damn sure do. 😆
Great footage too brother.
I have a question. When you make your approach, are you going straight towards the fowl line, or walking straight towards your target? Makes a huge difference!
FOUL!😂
I walk straight towards the line personally. I do this because when shooting right side spares, I don't want to be against the ball return to remain far enough left to still throw cross lane. I know a lot walk towards the mark, which I have no issues with, just not how I personally do it.