Expert: - 11/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: i am somewhat confused in the approach....do i walk as straight as possible to the foul line or do i walk towards the target..ie. if i am starting on 32 board and throwing to the 10 board for an example?? if i walk straight it is going to be pretty difficult to project it to the 10 bard is it not? your advice please....thnk you for your time...

ANSWER: LD,
To allow you to use the front part of the lane (heads) to control when and how much a ball reacts, you want to be able to use as much of the lane as necessary. So walking straight (standing on 32 and sliding at 32), will help provide more lane/oil to help control the balls path.

I've found the key to playing deeper on the lane, is getting and keeping your shoulders open a measured amount so your swing plane matches the angle you are trying to project the ball along. The Great Dick Ritger has a system where torquing your body and shoulders, and controlling the complexity of where your swing goes isn't a tedious muscle memory building series of practice sessions. He is a proponent of using your body to create the angle you want.

I keep my shoulders parallel to the target line by angling my feet (and therefore my body), setting up to allow my swing to parallel my expected target path, but once my feet are set at the angle I want, I still walk straight up the approach (starting on 32 sliding on 32). It takes awhile to get comfortable with your body pointed at one angle and still moving parallel to the boards. But, the huge advantage is your swing is controlled by the angle of your feet/shoulders, not by shoulders (opening and closing) or body position (that if they are out of position just a little will send the ball dramatically off target).

Keep in mind, the path of a bowler is also dictated by how much they drift. So, all the above is crucial to your being able to duplicate drift, if you have any, and still put your sliding foot where you want it to be at the point of release. (So, if you drift 5 left, set up on 27 to get to 32 at the foul line). Thanks for the question.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: thnaks for the help on the above i will give it a try...now i am looking to buy a new ball...in particular the new Rotogrip Mutant Cell which is due to release around NOV 19TH with the great success of the first Cell...there are a couple different pin and top weight choices....how do i determine which to get...i was looking at a 2-3 pin and 2-5-3.5 top weight....i am probably a tweener and not really a cranker...any other great balls out there right now i could or should consider....again thnanks for your great help and more important your prompt response...

Answer
LD,
The numbers you mentioned (2-3 inch pin and 2.5-3.5 top weight) are fairly standard (right in the middle range of what's made). I'd talk to your ball driller about what you need. Rev rate, speed, rotation and axis tilt will all influence what details you want in a new ball. To say nothing about lane conditions and the surface of what you bowl on.  

What kinds of pins and top weights do you have in other equipment? What's in your favorite bowling balls? Usually an indicator of what might still work in something new.

Thanks for the questions. Good luck with the new ball.