AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 18 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator, Certified Coach since National Bowling Council and YABA days. Also Dick Ritger and USA Bowling Bronze certified. International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter member, IBPSIA Hands On Training Certified and 2X Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" and "Pro Shop Operator" Magazines. Member Bowling Writers Association of America.
Experience 18 Years operating Revolutions Pro Shops in 2nd Largest bowling ball market in the country, Chicagoland.
17 Years in Center operations as Marketing Director, Asst.Manager or General Manager, becoming GM in every Center I worked.
1 year Operating Revolutions Consulting, a pro shop and center operations consulting group.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member for 17 years, 2 time member of Board of Directors, presently, outgoing Secretary/Treasurer. IBPSIA Hands On Training (HOTs) Certified.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Publications “Bowlers Journal International” and “Pro Shop Operator” Magazines.
Chicago Bowler, Windy City Bowling News, Centennial Lanes.com, The Bowling Tree Blog, IBPSIA.com and IBPSIA Net News (e-newsletter).
Education/Credentials IBPSIA Hands On Training Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training. Extensive Trade Subscriptions. Several newsletter/e-zine/blog Subscriptions on trade topics.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance and the National Bowling Council as a coach in 1982. Other coaching credentials include: Dick Ritger Level One, Dick Ritger Coaching Coaches, and USA Bowling Bronze Level.
Awards and Honors Created and executed Promotions highlighted in Bowlers Journal Magazine and included in the “150 Promotions for Bowling Centers” organized by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA).
First Pro Shop featured in Bowling Industry magazine, for customer service and merchandising, October 1996.
Identified “One of the best ball fitters in the country” by then Track, Inc. President Del Warren, September 2005.
Tournament Promotions lead to top performance in center, or for center hosted events including: Chicago City Championships, US Open Qualifiers, Amateur Bowlers Tour.
Past/Present Clients Presenter at the IBPSIA National Convention.
Presenter at Bowling Proprietors Association Management School
Expert: Warren Friedl Date: 5/8/2008 Subject: how to hold and release ball
Question I have a Columbia The Beast bowling ball and have a tournament this evening (fundraiser), however have not bowled in over 8 years and cannot remember how to hold and release the ball so that I can get as close to a strike as possible. Your help is greatly appreciated.
Answer Lucy,
If you bowled with the ball at all in the past you've created muscle memory. Just like riding a bike, set yourself on the approach and just go.
To many bowlers think they need to think through (direct) every movement. The game is about teaching your body what you need it to do and letting it happen. You taught your muscles to throw your Beast, when you bowl tonight don't work so hard. Let your body do what you want it to, DON'T try to direct every movement. Micro managing your approach is a surefire way to mess up after 8 years of not touching a ball.
That being said, if your desperate for some direction, take a couple deep breaths while you do the following:
The easiest way to hold the ball is under your shoulder, with the ball just in front of your armpit, with most of the weight on your off hand. Position your feet slightly apart (side to side, and front to back, with the foot you start with back just slightly - a couple inches). Flex your knees, keep your back straight and GO.
Thanks for the question. Don't work so hard tonight, HAVE FUN.
