Back in 2015, the PBA's Xtra Frame asked various professional bowlers about their practice habits. While some made light of the question initially, we can see from the answers that most elite pros tend to increase their practice sessions in preparation... [Read More]
Managing Your Expectations
The mental pitfalls of expecting too much
As most leagues enter the homestretch of their seasons, many bowlers have established some expectations for how the season will end. With this in mind, let us consider the role expectation plays and how it affects our bowling. The Oxford... [Read More]
Bowling Angry
Battlefield fixes and mental strategies
Have you had times when you seemed to be unable to hit your target, even if it was the size of an elephant? How about those nights when you have cycled through every possible adjustment you know or can execute,... [Read More]
Hand Versus Bowling Ball
Discussing the need for and purpose of wrist supports
Since the inception of many sports, the equipment has changed—sometimes dramatically. The impact of these changes upon a given sport is often a hotly debated topic. In this regard, bowling is certainly no different. From drastic changes in bowling ball... [Read More]
Spare Shooting: The Art of Filling the Box – Part 2
Strategies, philosophies, and best practices
In the first part of this series, we discussed ball choices, wrist supports, spare releases, and the mental game aspect of spare shooting. In this segment, we will summarize several different spare shooting systems, provide important considerations for each one,... [Read More]
Spare Shooting: The Art of Filling the Box – Part 1
Equipment, release, and mental basics
We are bowlers. We know that there are lots of variables in our universe that have to come together to yield a strike. Many times—thankfully—they do all come together and we enjoy watching the entire rack succumb to our efforts.... [Read More]
Viral Thoughts
Ideas for bowlers with time on their hands
In contemplating the topic for this article, I considered what things a bowler can do to prepare for our eventual return to the sport we love. While some areas have re-opened their bowling centers, many of us are still waiting to get... [Read More]
Bowlers Behaving Badly – Part 3
Lack of lane courtesy, watching the ball too long, tardiness, and moving other people's stuff
Over the first two parts of this series (available here and here), we discussed everything from lane pattern manipulation and noises in the approach to sandbagging and not "giving five." Even though we've covered a lot of ground already, we... [Read More]
Bowlers Behaving Badly – Part 2
Lane pattern manipulation, surface changes, sandbagging, and mid-competition withdrawals
In the first installment of Bowlers Behaving Badly, we discussed not “giving five," impatient bowler syndrome, slamming the ball on the rack and the lane, making noises while a bowler is in the middle of his or her approach, and... [Read More]
Bowlers Behaving Badly – Part 1
It has often been said that there is no defense in bowling. To an extent, this is true: you roll the ball, you attempt to make the pins fall, and once that ball has left your hand, you’re nothing more... [Read More]