TIPS

Ever wonder why so many bowlers throw around the second arrow?

Better yet: Ever wonder why you do?

It comes down to one thing "MARGIN FOR ERROR"

Years ago those in the bowling industry realized that there needed to be some sort
of lubrication to protect the lanes from the friction of the balls. Mineral oils were
soon used widely through the industry. It wasn't long after that they realized that
the placement of the oil (the oil pattern, condition, or shot) could have dramatic
effect on scorability. Many proprietors put out a condition called a "Block".
The block consisted of oiling heavily between the second arrows, and leaving the
outside of the lanes bone dry. This pattern created an outrageously easy scoring
condition for those throwing hook balls. The sanctioning bodies of bowling ABC
& WIBC (then in their infancy), stepped in to regulate the lane conditions, and
insure the integrity of the sport. The "Block" was outlawed, and rules were put
into place that require that there be oil from edgeboard to edgeboard for the
distance that the proprietor chooses to oil (Around 40' at most centers). The rules have changed slightly over the years, but to date do not set requirements for how the pattern is applied on a lane. Oiling pattern is still left to the proprietors.
Proprietors walk a tightrope. The condition should be difficult enough that the
sport isn't lost, but not so difficult that bowlers can't score, and improve.
Although proprietors have independent discretion on pattern most have come to
the same conclusion, a 10 to 10 crown is the pattern of choice. A Crown features
a drop from heavy oil to light oil, around the second arrow. The effect is that
bowlers throwing a hook ball at the second arrow will have a "Margin for error".
If the ball is slightly outside the second arrow, the increased friction allows the
ball to grab, and hook back. If the ball is pulled inside, the extra oil allows the ball
to slide longer, and helps the ball from crossing over. Note: The pattern utilized at
Foxfire is a Crown type pattern know as a Christmas Tree. This pattern not only
tapers off (laterally) at the 10 board (or second arrow), it also diminishes toward
the 45' mark.

So, are you wondering if you should make the second arrow your new home? I
can give you an unqualified NO! Oh, it is a great place to start, but as sure as you
can be that you will find some variation of the Crown in nearly every center you
walk in, also believe that oiling pattern can not defeat the traffic of bowling balls.
Since the second arrow is so popular, and so many bowlers bowl there, the oil is
taken off that part of the lane first. So either be ready to adjust, or have your
complaints about the conditions ready.

To make adjustment easier, practice different marks. Shoot a game at the third
arrow, the first arrow, and boards between. Then the next time you find that
"your shot" has gone away, you will be comfortable making the adjustment.

On a related topic, that few are aware of (and especially for those who choose to
complain rather than adjust): Several years ago a manufacturer of synthetic lanes
invented a lane that didn't need oil. It had parts of the lane with higher friction
coefficient in certain areas, to approximate a Crown condition With no oil, the
lane condition didn't change no matter the traffic. The lane was never authorized
for use, because the lack of challenge was a detriment to the sport.

See you on the lanes

Dan Simril

USA Certified Silver Level Coach

A BETTER WAY TO PRACTICE.

If there is one question that I get more than any other it is "What can I do
to get better?" The answer is nearly always the same P R A C T I C E!!!

So let me be a little more clear. Practice does not mean bowl more
leagues, or hang out with your friends a throw a few games. Practice is a
whole other thing. Practice involves finding out what your problems are.
Educating yourself as to the ways to correct those problems, and then
attempting possible solutions till you find the one (or more) that work for
you. Once you determine what works, then you should repeat the new way
until you are comfortable doing it. Remember change is by nature
uncomfortable. You should expect that doing things the right way would
feel better, but the fact is, you have become comfortable doing something
wrong, you have most likely done it for a while, and will therefore feel
uncomfortable making the change. Your scores may actually drop briefly
when you make a change in your game, but take a long term view, and you
will be fine.

Now, lets say you are doing everything right. Well we know that isn't true,
or you would be shooting 300 every time. But to get to that 300, or at
least your best game you do need to practice. Here are a few tips to help
you make the most of your practice.

1.Whether you are making a change in your physical game or just
trying to get better at targeting, do not pay attention to score. Score does
not matter at all in practice.

2.To make the most of your practice dollar: Throw your first ball at
the ten pin, then the second at the strike pocket. The next throw at the
seven pin, and then again at the strike pocket. Repeat this, and you will get
more balls for your money, and get more comfortable with those corner
pins.

3.If you aren't already, START USING THE ARROWS. If you don't
know the ways to utilize the arrows properly cough up $3 and get the
Bowlers Guide book. As you practice, bowl a game at the arrow you are
comfortable with. On the second game move a whole arrow left, and
adjust your game till you make it work. If you haven't made it work in one
game bowl another at that arrow. Then move back to "your" arrow. Bowl
a game, and then move to the right arrow, and repeat the process. In future
practice sessions try boards between the arrows. Do this until you have
the whole lane to choose from, and not just "your" arrow.

If these tips don't get your game where you want it to be you may want to
educate yourself with the many books and videos available, or consider
better bowler lessons.

Good luck and good skill.

Dan Simril, Certified Silver Level Coach