Expert: Chip Aki - 12/7/2005

Question
Chip....thanks loads.   I had already done the imaginary line visualization....but Im pretty sure I was walking straight to the foulline instead of TOWARDS the pin...at an angle.   so yeah therefore i would be all screwed up in the armswing.  Ill let you know how it works.   it drives me absolutely crazy to miss that.   I'm gonna fire another question soon .... this is a great site....kudos bigtime to all who volunteer here to provide free advice.    Lee


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Followup To
Question -
Shoot.....I'm sorry.  forgot to include that. My regular equipment includes a Core Power LRG, a Swamp Monster, Absolute Inferno, Hammer Vicious, and a Hot Rod (that one I find almost absolutely worthless..lanes haven't hardly ever been dry enough to use it.) But I use a plastic ball for spares, and I throw it "flat"....thumb at 12, and fingers at 6.  
Last night was a good example of my trouble...ditched one, and went to the right on 2 or 3.   Hope that helps.   Lee
Answer -
Being right handed, it is a little hard for me to visualize your problem, but I am sure it is an alignment thing.  I forgot where you said you line up at, but it sounded like you are farther right than most lefhanders..............which is a good thing.  If you walk fairly straight, you may be tryig to throw the ball towards the 7 pin.  When you get in your stance, try to line up your belly button with the line that you are wanting to throw the ball towards.  This will get you to walk slightly towards the seven pin, but allow for the swing to be straight.
One other thing, once you get set up, try to draw a line from the 7 pin back through your target towards the foul line.  Then just try to follor that line and not concentrate on the target quite so much.  In this way, if you walk a bit offline, you will throw the ball on your imaginary line, and not at your target.  Sounds strange, but it will work.

I used to have the same problem with the 10 pin, but i may miss one a month now.

Good luck,
Chip

Answer
I hope it works.  One other thing to try, especially if you tend to miss the 7 pin by sliding by into the gutter.  Lightly sand you plastic ball with 1000 grit wet/dry sandpaper.  Some of the women when they were on tour would do that so the ball would not overskid.

Good luck,
Chip