The Constant of Execution

This article is as much an advice column as it is a coaching article. More specific coaching ideas and techniques will follow in the future, but based on my experiences and observations, I wanted to discuss a perception which pervades a large percentage of the bowlers I come across these days.

Coaching bowlers for the last 15 years has exposed me to bowlers of different ages, sizes, and skill levels. During this time, I have also read and studied the coaching profession, attended clinics and seminars, attained my USBC certifications, read books, and watched videos in an effort to enhance my knowledge and expertise. If you are a serious bowler or coach, you have probably come across some of the same information I have during that time. Plenty of good, valid information exists now, which is the good news. However, despite the validity and accuracy of this information, there is some bad news.

The bad news, in my opinion, is twofold. For one thing, given the amount of never-ending variables involved in the game, it is very difficult to take generic information, no matter how accurate, and assimilate it to your own specific needs. Secondly, there is no established prioritization on how to best use the information available.

Information concerning bowling ball specifications, developing specific game plans on how to play lane patterns, creating versatility, changing roll patterns, etc. can be found all over the internet. More and more, bowlers are increasingly interested in gathering this information. On the surface, this seems to be helpful. However, I believe it often creates a problem of oversight, and more importantly, denial.

Much of the information available bypasses the highest priority of improvement:  fundamentals, mechanics, and all around execution. Having coached many levels of bowlers has led me to deduce that. The biggest issue I see with most bowlers is their ability to execute shots on a consistent basis, not ball selection, layouts, reading patterns, or making adjustments.

While all the aforementioned factors definitely may impact performance and success, many bowlers allow these factors to overshadow the real issue, the ...