lot of bowlers can finagle their way to 200. But to become even better than that, you really need to become a stu- dent of the game.” By that, Fagan means it’s going to
take a lot more than just having a feel for your shots and the adjustments you have to make. It’s all about know- ing why your shots are coming off like they do, how the lane surfaces and oil are impacting those shots, what physi- cal adjustments need to be made and why, what equipment changes need to be made and why, and knowing how things such as hand position, grip, ball surfaces and even your mental state impact your game. “At this level, you’re paying atten-
tion to lane transition and picking the right ball,” adds O’Neill. “Bowlers at 205 always seem like they leave the big four before they’ll move. To become better, you need make adjustments a lot earlier than that. You need to start understanding your equipment, learn- ing what each ball can do and under- stand the different coverstocks. “You won’t become the best in your area
until you really understand what’s happen- ing in this game. Instead of just choosing a different ball because that’s what’s worked in the past, or making certain adjustments because that’s what you’ve always done, it’s time to understand why you’re doing those things.” Study every one of your shots. When
your ball hooks is as important as how much it hooks. Watch your ball reaction
FIND A COACH: Click the video button (above left) to watch special video coverage of Chris Barnes discussing the importance of proper coaching.
on the lanes to see where the ball begins to move toward the pocket (the breakpoint). Also watch the shape of the line between the release and breakpoint and between the breakpoint and the pocket. Being able to accurately watch your shot requires that you remain in a balanced finish position until the ball hits the pins. Because the oil on the lane is constantly
changing, you need to know how that affects your shot. Top bowlers always watch their ball reaction and immediately start planning for whatever adjustment they’ll need to make on their very next shot on that lane. “It’s not a bad idea to live in the pro
shop,” says Fagan. “You can learn so much just by being in there, seeing what they’re doing in there and talking to those guys. And when you’re in there watching them drill balls all day, don’t be afraid to bust out your own equipment and play around with your grip. Tinker with your different balls to get the proper feel because if your release isn’t quite right, you’ll never become elite.”
“Bowlers at 205 always seem like they leave the big four before they’ll move. To become better, you need to make adjustments a lot earlier than that.” — BILL O’NEILL
Get Out of the House Once you’re ready to make the leap into the rarefied air of elite bowling, you may need to consider leaving behind the safe confines of the league that you started in, learned in and grew up with. It’s time to move beyond what you know and challenge yourself against other bowlers who are also looking to make that same step up. There are many competitive chal-
lenges available. Start with joining a USBC Sport league, like the new Team USA Experience leagues or an existing PBA Experience league. Local, state and national tournaments — such as the USBC Open Championships or Women’s Championships — are also wonderful opportunities to challenge yourself. “You definitely want to get experience
with a lot of other lane surfaces and differ- ent oil patterns if you’re looking to become a better-than-200-average bowler,” says Fagan. “They all make the ball read differ- ently so trying them out and understanding how your ball will read each lane will make a huge difference not only with your base knowledge, but with your experience and versatility.” Though it may be fun for awhile being
the big fish in the little pond as the top dog in your league, it will get old after awhile. As O’Neill says, “You can’t just keep beat- ing up on people who are worse than you. You have to get out and bowl against better players, see some different patterns and watch what others do. That’s really the only way to start challenging yourself.” Without those challenges, it’s easy to fall
into old habits. “A lot of people get to 200 and say, ‘I’m good,’” adds Fagan. “Don’t ever stop challenging yourself and don’t ever get complacent with your game because there’s always another obstacle you can overcome and beating the same people in your league season after season is going to get dull.”
FALL 2010 USBOWLER 25
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