02/05/2024
(5min Read)
Spare Shooting - Fit
Are you a horrible spare shooter?
Basically, when you need that one pin and everyone is watching, or even when no one is watching, still you miss it!!!
I cannot believe with all the literature I have read and written myself, I have never written about spare shooting...
Like any coach, I believed each of you will eventually find your own system of spare shooting. Basically doing it your way until you have no other choice but to do something different.
Still, there is one significant factor that is never talked about when it comes to spare shooting.
That factor is "ball fit".
The best in the world, the best in the nation, the best in the state, the best in your county, and the best in your bowling center, will often have a great fitting ball.
So when it comes to spare shooting or strikes for that matter, a great fit is number one above all else.
Personally, whether you are professional or an amateur, if you're fit does not allow you to "hit your targets" then you have more work to be done.
Pro Shop operators give us their best everyday! Of that I am extremely confident. However, even with their expert guidance more can be done. Especially, if you still are not hitting your target with a great release.
Some will blame your swing, your timing, your inability to line up properly to the lane, your inability to put in the practice time necessary to get better at your craft, or lastly even your eyesight! As coaches we have to look at all of that.
Again though, how does any of that help you if you're spraying the ball all over the place because you're "fit" is wonky when you try to release at your spares.
Most people like to use their strike ball "fit" to throw at their spares. Especially, when they use a plastic or low flaring spare ball.
Being a good coach, and working with a horrible spare shooter is not easy, but it is fun to conquer the adjustments needed to be a successful spare shooter. You just need to address the elephant in the room!!!
**** People just don't throw the ball as straight as they would like to! *****
So your ball fit, your ball, and where you target for you spares become priority.
As they say in bowling. "It's hard to out throw a bad ball fit!" So that is always the first priority.
You don't have to be cynical about it. Nor should you adopt the attitude of "my ball driller should be able to fix my release" so I can throw straighter. No, this is a team effort and the bowler just needs to be understanding!
However, you should work with your ball driller to alleviate hanging up in the ball, finger grips being too tight or too loose. If you are a person who shrinks and swells with your fingers or hand. You have to be mindful to add or remove tape when needed.
Most people nowadays throw a great deal of strikes, however there are those days when you throw your spare ball with every other frame, if not, every frame....
When it comes to spare shooting, dropping the ball, is what I see most often that sabotages the spare shot.
We want a good span that lets us hold onto the ball. Yet, an overstretched span will cause us to throw or turn the ball early to get out of it sooner as not to injure ourselves. To which you may experience more of a spinning release verses a rolling release.
There is a line between proper fit and dumping the ball to get out of it.
Once you find a release fit that can stay on your hand, give you follow through, loft, fast and slow speed control, all without pain, or injury you are well on your way to being a successful spare shooter and bowler.
If you are an ordinary bowler missing too many spares, then you may want to discuss the matter with an coach/instructor and work toward developing a reliable spare alignment system or if needed a better ball fit that will allow you to hit your targets more accurately. Don't be a horrible spare shooter. 😉
- Coach
