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I have been writing this monthly
column for BowlersParadise.com now, for a little over a year. And,
as I have mentioned before, it gives me great pleasure to be able
to share and pass-along information and knowledge. Learning something
new is something that we can all do for our entire lives. If we
stop learning, we also stop growing.
Initially, we promised to talk about a variety of topics, and have
done just that. In this month's column, we are going to expand on
an earlier column that was titled: "The Keys To Success". In that
column, we listed those "Keys To Success", as:
*ADJUSTMENTS
*LINING-UP
*EQUIPMENT
*MENTAL GAME
*PHYSICAL GAME
*SPARES
Two of those "KEYS" (Adjustments and Lining-up) are somewhat technical
for the average bowler. In order to fully understand them, more
information is needed, and we will provide that information this
month. First of all, you will need an understanding of: "Head Belly".
To become a "Top Level" or "Successful" Professional Bowler, one
must master several different disciplines. Those disciplines are:
- A). Having a solid Physical Game.
- B). Having a strong Mental Game.
- C). Having a "Spare-System" that works.
- D). Having knowledge of Equipment (bowling balls, shoes,
accessories, etc.).
- E). Having some knowledge of Lane Conditions.
- F). Knowing how to "Line-Up".
- G).Knowing how to make proper "Adjustments".
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The "Disciplines" listed above are in NO particular order. They
are also like a fine "necklace", with each "LINK" having equal importance.
Every "Successful" Professional Bowler has bowled tens of thousands
of games to achieve the level that they have gotten to. With all
of those games bowled, they have also established what "TYPE" of
bowler that they are.
In today's game, there are basically 6-types of players, and they
are:
- A). Straight
- B). Tweener
- C). Stroker
- D). Power
- E). Cranker
- F). Boomer
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A trained eye can identify what "type" of a player that they are
watching after witnessing just a very few shots. The determining
"factor" in knowing one's "Style", are the amount of boards that
a player covers from his "Lay-Down" spot near the Foul-Line in the
heads, to the Arrows at the 16-17 foot mark. This is commonly referred
to, as: "Head Belly".
A Straight Player covers 1-2 boards.
A Tweener covers 2-3 boards.
A Stroker covers 3-4 boards.
A Power Player covers 4-5 boards.
A Cranker covers 5-6 boards.
A Boomer covers 6-7 boards. *(This "style" is NOT recommended).
(*One reason that this style is NOT recommended is that the head
area (from foul-line - arrows) in most bowling centers is the most
worn and abused part of the lane. Also, crossing too many boards
in this area can lead to inconsistency and accuracy is usually lost.)
Once a player knows what "type" or "style" he has developed, it
is important that the player stays in their particular game, or
"comfort zone". Unless a player has dedicated countless hours, days,
weeks, months (and, in some cases years), developing more than one
particular "style", it is literally impossible for that player to
suddenly "change their game" on the spur of the moment. An extreme
example of that would be for a player like Ernie Schlegel (straight)
to try to play a "line" or "angle" that a player like Robert Smith
(cranker), would be playing.
Knowing what your exact 'head belly'is, is extremely crucial when
it comes to 'Lining-Up' and making 'Adjustments'. The example above
is obviously an exaggerated one. But, there are examples of each
different "style" that can be noted. To this day (and over the years)
there are only a small handful of TOP PLAYERS in the world that
possess or have possessed more than ONE GAME.
*A typical scratch bowler in league is capable of maintaining a
high average (220-240) in his home bowling center on an easy "House
Condition". These players usually have one (1) type of "style" (game)
and are extremely limited to what they can do.
**A top Regional Pro is capable of maintaining a high average (200-220)
over a variety of tournament conditions. These players usually have
"one" solid game.
****A typical Touring Player is capable of maintaining a high average
(200-220) over a variety of Tour conditions. These players usually
can do more than one thing with their games and are fairly versatile.
*****A successful Touring Player can easily go from his "A"-game
to his "B"-game and is comfortable doing that. They are usually
a Champion with a title or two.
****** Most of The Hall of Fame players and multiple champions can
(and could) do 2 or 3 things comfortably with mixing their styles
based on the environment. They are well practiced and possess the
knowledge needed to succeed.
******** The SUPER STARS can do it all. These are the ALL-TIME GREATS.
They can play anywhere on the lanes and can intermingle their games
from "straight" to "power" at any time because of their knowledge,
experience and ability to go from one "type of game" to another.
WHY? Because they know how to "Line-Up" AND "Adjust".
Next month we will talk about "Lining-Up" and "Making Adjustments". |
