Wow, so blogging everyday about the tournament didn't really happen.. I never really ended up with too much down time to myself, I was always hanging out with friends. Also, by the time we'd get back from the alley it was time for dinner and then we were off somewhere for a few hours.
This weekend was pretty epic. The first day was a slight struggle, but it was better than last year so I was fine with that. I ended up falling off in the last two games because I was tired, but was consistent enough to be happy about it. I ended up averaging 180. The problem with this shot (short: WTBA Stockholm), is that I didn't have the right equipment for it. It played really dry and my Reign was too strong and hooked too much. Because of that I didn't really know where the ideal place to play was. I knew it was down the 5 board or even outside of it, but I was making too big of an angle, swinging into it. I'm not used to that so I decided to try the straightest line I could, which clearly was not the best, but at least it got me through the day.
Scores: 181 180 188 217 158 163: 1087
Standing: 36/62
The second day was medium, WTBA Athens. This shot was better for my Reign. It played fairly short so I still got some good hook. The ideal line was around 7 or 8 and I'm pretty sure I stayed there all day. But once again I fell off in the last two games. Finally I actually balled up to my IQ because I realized that it wasn't hooking anymore, because I was too tired. The IQ did the trick, but at that point it was kind of too late and being tired didn't help, concentration was a bit shot. I was actually sore all day during this one. My triceps tendons by my elbow were killing me. Clearly I was throwing it too hard the day before. So this day was all about letting it swing, let it do it's thing, trust it.
Another challenge that I thought I'd have was bowling with one of the girls from my bowling alley. Let's just say we don't really get along, so whenever I can beat her I'm having a great time.. I took her for 4/6, she finally got it together in the last two when I fell off. It's actually kind of funny how that happens, I think she's too concerned with beating me and then she gets frustrated when I bowl well and it takes away from her game. This day ended up being better than the day before, as well as last year's medium series.
Scores: 191 204 224 210 163 176: 1168
Standing: 31/62
The third day was the long, WTBA Paris. Practice went horribly, I couldn't find a line whatsoever. I knew it was supposed to play around 12, but that is so tight, that for me, could be difficult since I got get enough roll on the ball. So during practice I was all over the place trying to figure it out, but once it got the game, I decided that I may as well just try to play it like it was meant to be. I suppose that means I ended up taking an educated guess of where I needed to stand, and maybe I got lucky until I was able to calm down and loosen up. Sometimes that's the problem and you aren't doing the technical things right. I was pretty anxious at the beginning actually, wanting to see everyones scores and stuff. Not sure why, but it took me two games to finally get into my own game and stop worrying about anyone else. I was bowling with two girls around my age for once which was a bit nice, but they had their parents as a cheering section, mostly acting like intimidation. I was not a fan of that so I texted my guy friends that were having some beers in the bar (they had bowled in the morning) and they came to cheer me on for a bit. It helped, it picked me up and I finished strong.
It surprises me how smart I played the lanes this weekend. I did my research for ideal lines to use and then figured them out, but no one really told me how to adjust to breakdown, and that's usually my problem. Usually I wait too long and then it takes awhile to figure it out. Maybe that happened in day 1&2 as well as the fatigue, but in day 3 there was no change. In the 5th game I was starting to get lucky, and was making all my spares but it just wasn't working right. I finally decided to ball down from Vivid to IQ just to change it up and it ended up working. I actually got lucky, missed where I wanted to hit, but it was a good angle, so I just had to move my feet to get it right in the pocket.
I was actually right next to the girl I have "issues" with from the day before and I think she was watching and was getting frustrated by me again, and her not having any great games until maybe the end. By far this day was my best day ever at CNCs and actually only 6 women beat me that day; all Team Canada members (4 adult, 2 youth), so that really is something!!
Scores: 232 204 151 258 206 233: 1284
Standing: 18/62 (6 spots and ONLY 101 pins out of making the final day cut!!)
**101 pins is not much by any means, especially when I have at least 2 games that, if they were like the other games that surrounded them (those 150s) I might have made the cut!
Overall, I averaged 197, miles better than I set out to do (180 goal). The scores were crazy high this year though, because going into the weekend I thought if I somehow averaged 190 I'd make the cut. Well I almost averaged 200 and I didn't, so that's insane. But I'm super proud of my showing, and my name is hopefully getting more and more recognized. Hopefully I can come back next year, keep improving and make the cut! I definitely need another ball in my arsenal though, something to play the short better, so I'll be saving my money all year long for the tournie in case I don't get the money (competing against the women now, though I did show I am 3rd best in Alberta this past weekend) and then maybe get the ball for xmas or as an early bday present or something. We'll see!
But of course, as usual, I just want to get back home and keep bowling! Especially after a showing like this, by the end doing everything really well and keeping focus really well. That ended up being key. Focus and hitting my mark. Once I could hit my mark consistently, the game actually felt pretty easy. This was why it was hard for other people, they couldn't hit their mark very well.
Definitely one of my best bowling experiences to date! Next year is Toronto and then hopefully in Edmonton for 2015!!
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
5 More Days!
About a week ago I ended up with tendinitis in my foot and couldn't do anything. Thankfully it got resolved a few days ago so I could get back to practicing. I really didn't feel like I needed to do much, especially since it's proven to be next to impossible to get any kind of pattern put down.
But my friend who bowls at a different house (at West Ed mall), also works there and managed to get at least something else than a house shot put down. It resembled a short pattern (a lot more hook into the pins) so it was a lot more relevant than a house shot or no oil at all.
I found a great line right away, using the 5 board, close to the outside of the lane. I was throwing it great; thumb out first and lots of fingers. I never throw it that way (ie. the "right" way), I've always struggled with it, but from my practice on the dry lanes, this came a bit easier.
The first game was great, but then part way through the second game I think it was, I was starting to lose the fingers and thumb out first release. Because I couldn't throw it consistently (I was also missing my mark every now and then), I couldn't really move to a new spot.
We finally took a break, I think part of the problem was I was getting tired too, and then I decided to try a different line. I moved inside by two boards and moved my feet right two board, straightening out my angle, basically driving the ball right into the pocket. I'm not sure why that worked/why it made sense, but it did and I was back to throwing a great game.
By then I was getting sore so I was close to calling it quits. We decided to do one last one though, two handed. Pretty much just for kicks. After that we were really fooling around, like taking my most reactive ball and lofting it two handed over the gutter into the other lane to try to keep it on the lane. I couldn't get it down far enough to keep it on though, it slid too much to the right and immediately would fall into the gutter. So a bit more of that, and then I was pooped.
So I guess I took away 2 things from that. 1) Play outside for as long as it works. Try what Scott does if it stops giving good results: if there are no strikes for three frames, make a pretty significant move and try something else. 2) On the note of moving, don't be afraid to do it, aka don't wait too long to do it. That's been a big problem in the past in a lot of tournaments. I always think that I can't move because I'm not being consistent so I think if I move I'll finally throw it right but then I'll be in the wrong spot. Which does sometimes end up happening, but maybe the move is good to reset and to start throwing it properly again? I guess at any rate, if you're not throwing a strike where you are originally, it doesn't hurt to move somewhere else at the risk of also not getting a strike. I suppose chances go up that you end up with a split if you're not close enough on the move, but I'd say chances could also go up that the move is a good one, resulting in a strike.
So with 5 days left, I feel fine not practicing until next Thursday when I get there for official practice on the actual patterns. Yesterday was good to just make sure I don't/had not lost the feel. But if I go again, knowing me, I could end up hurting myself some way, so it's probably better to just stay in a plastic bubble until Thursday.. I'm also still really sore so I need to let my body (back) get back to normal.
But my friend who bowls at a different house (at West Ed mall), also works there and managed to get at least something else than a house shot put down. It resembled a short pattern (a lot more hook into the pins) so it was a lot more relevant than a house shot or no oil at all.
I found a great line right away, using the 5 board, close to the outside of the lane. I was throwing it great; thumb out first and lots of fingers. I never throw it that way (ie. the "right" way), I've always struggled with it, but from my practice on the dry lanes, this came a bit easier.
The first game was great, but then part way through the second game I think it was, I was starting to lose the fingers and thumb out first release. Because I couldn't throw it consistently (I was also missing my mark every now and then), I couldn't really move to a new spot.
We finally took a break, I think part of the problem was I was getting tired too, and then I decided to try a different line. I moved inside by two boards and moved my feet right two board, straightening out my angle, basically driving the ball right into the pocket. I'm not sure why that worked/why it made sense, but it did and I was back to throwing a great game.
By then I was getting sore so I was close to calling it quits. We decided to do one last one though, two handed. Pretty much just for kicks. After that we were really fooling around, like taking my most reactive ball and lofting it two handed over the gutter into the other lane to try to keep it on the lane. I couldn't get it down far enough to keep it on though, it slid too much to the right and immediately would fall into the gutter. So a bit more of that, and then I was pooped.
So I guess I took away 2 things from that. 1) Play outside for as long as it works. Try what Scott does if it stops giving good results: if there are no strikes for three frames, make a pretty significant move and try something else. 2) On the note of moving, don't be afraid to do it, aka don't wait too long to do it. That's been a big problem in the past in a lot of tournaments. I always think that I can't move because I'm not being consistent so I think if I move I'll finally throw it right but then I'll be in the wrong spot. Which does sometimes end up happening, but maybe the move is good to reset and to start throwing it properly again? I guess at any rate, if you're not throwing a strike where you are originally, it doesn't hurt to move somewhere else at the risk of also not getting a strike. I suppose chances go up that you end up with a split if you're not close enough on the move, but I'd say chances could also go up that the move is a good one, resulting in a strike.
So with 5 days left, I feel fine not practicing until next Thursday when I get there for official practice on the actual patterns. Yesterday was good to just make sure I don't/had not lost the feel. But if I go again, knowing me, I could end up hurting myself some way, so it's probably better to just stay in a plastic bubble until Thursday.. I'm also still really sore so I need to let my body (back) get back to normal.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Reminiscing
After my last post, I went back and read all my old posts. It was really neat going through those memories and experiences again, I plan on using them.
So last year, opposite to my thinking (somewhat) I was good on medium, which I kind of foresaw, but was really bad on short and decently bad on long. Going in I was comfortable on long, but what happened is that whatever we practiced on in Edmonton was not the same so I think maybe that came as a shock to me and I couldn't rebound/get consistent.
Looking back, I guess I was a bit worried about the short as we didn't get too much practice on it, and safe to say I had reason to worry. What I remember from it (not my post) is that it played really dry. And it's funny because at the bowling alley yesterday I ran into one of the ladies that bowls in this tourney as well and she was saying to her friend who is going for the first time, that it plays really dry, so practicing on those dry conditions didn't hurt. She was saying to me "well you know, you've been there, it plays really dry!". I didn't know, I could not recall but I just said yeeaaahh... But now that these posts have refreshed my memory a bit, that is 100% true. I remember it was dry enough that I was trying to swing my ball in, like what I was doing yesterday, because nothing else was working, but neither was that line because it wasn't dry enough for that kind of line for me.
And now saying that, I realize that I didn't stick to the game plan. Game plan was, like I said, to "ride the rail", but I think I got uncomfortable with it and decided not too. So. This time around I am definitely not going to cast something aside that has proven to work. So that's a start for the short. I should definitely try and get a day of practice in on that shot, ideally one day for each shot.
It was also cool reading about my league stuff. Especially what my goals were for this year. I nailed one of them, average around 190. Well for quite a few weeks I was at 194, and ended up at 193! Booya! There was another: "win provincials or placed 2nd". Well.. the one I was looking like winning until the 2nd last game should have been 1st, then should have been 2nd after the strong surge by Chelsey, but ultimately ended up 3rd. And really, like I mentioned in a previous post about my health stuff, that's a pretty good achievement. Obviously not what I wanted, and had I been 100% health I would have that one for sure.
The there's also all the things that Dan and Ted have said that I've forgotten. I didn't receive nearly as much advice from them this year, maybe because I improved so much on my own, but then some of the things Dan have said never really came to fruition. But the one thing that I am looking at more seriously now that I am done youth bowling, is the two handed approach that they both were talking about. Now that there's really nothing on the line, I might look into it more. I'm not sure how feasible it is at this point financially, I'd have to get new stuff drilled for two handing, and I definitely won't have that kind of money. So more realistically might be in 2 years, once I'm done school and hopefully making decent money working. It'll still be something I should chat with Dan about.
But back to CNCs, hopefully this can give me a little edge going into the tournament, and I plan to keep this up, hopefully it'll payoff in future tournaments as well.
Oh technology!
So last year, opposite to my thinking (somewhat) I was good on medium, which I kind of foresaw, but was really bad on short and decently bad on long. Going in I was comfortable on long, but what happened is that whatever we practiced on in Edmonton was not the same so I think maybe that came as a shock to me and I couldn't rebound/get consistent.
Looking back, I guess I was a bit worried about the short as we didn't get too much practice on it, and safe to say I had reason to worry. What I remember from it (not my post) is that it played really dry. And it's funny because at the bowling alley yesterday I ran into one of the ladies that bowls in this tourney as well and she was saying to her friend who is going for the first time, that it plays really dry, so practicing on those dry conditions didn't hurt. She was saying to me "well you know, you've been there, it plays really dry!". I didn't know, I could not recall but I just said yeeaaahh... But now that these posts have refreshed my memory a bit, that is 100% true. I remember it was dry enough that I was trying to swing my ball in, like what I was doing yesterday, because nothing else was working, but neither was that line because it wasn't dry enough for that kind of line for me.
And now saying that, I realize that I didn't stick to the game plan. Game plan was, like I said, to "ride the rail", but I think I got uncomfortable with it and decided not too. So. This time around I am definitely not going to cast something aside that has proven to work. So that's a start for the short. I should definitely try and get a day of practice in on that shot, ideally one day for each shot.
It was also cool reading about my league stuff. Especially what my goals were for this year. I nailed one of them, average around 190. Well for quite a few weeks I was at 194, and ended up at 193! Booya! There was another: "win provincials or placed 2nd". Well.. the one I was looking like winning until the 2nd last game should have been 1st, then should have been 2nd after the strong surge by Chelsey, but ultimately ended up 3rd. And really, like I mentioned in a previous post about my health stuff, that's a pretty good achievement. Obviously not what I wanted, and had I been 100% health I would have that one for sure.
The there's also all the things that Dan and Ted have said that I've forgotten. I didn't receive nearly as much advice from them this year, maybe because I improved so much on my own, but then some of the things Dan have said never really came to fruition. But the one thing that I am looking at more seriously now that I am done youth bowling, is the two handed approach that they both were talking about. Now that there's really nothing on the line, I might look into it more. I'm not sure how feasible it is at this point financially, I'd have to get new stuff drilled for two handing, and I definitely won't have that kind of money. So more realistically might be in 2 years, once I'm done school and hopefully making decent money working. It'll still be something I should chat with Dan about.
But back to CNCs, hopefully this can give me a little edge going into the tournament, and I plan to keep this up, hopefully it'll payoff in future tournaments as well.
Oh technology!
Two Weeks To Go!
It's that time of year again! CNCs, or Canadian team trials, are upon us in 2 weeks time! I actually almost didn't "qualify" (aka get the $1000 scholarship) the first qualifying tournament at the beginning of the year. I came in 3rd despite averaging above 190. Then the second qualifying tourney (the more challenging one) I failed to make top 2 again. At this point of the year I was going through some health problems that HEAVILY affected my game, so after leading going into the last few games, I just couldn't hold on and missed the top 2.
A few weeks after this at provincials, I was told that someone dropped out and meant I was going. Normally I would have been really excited but for a few reasons I really wasn't. For one, I had already faced that fact that I would be missing out on it. Second, I was mad, because I knew the one girl that qualified in the first tournament wouldn't go, but she didn't drop out before the 2nd tourney so I had to pay for a second tourney, and I really didn't have the money to do it. Lastly, because of my health stuff I just couldn't get excited.
But things are a lot better now and I'm finally getting excited. More so just to get on a plane and get out of the city for a week I think, and also the possibility of visiting my friend in Ottawa afterwards. It also helps that, because the health issues are mostly resolved, my bowling is back to par so my confidence is up and I look forward to the challenge of a national tournament.
I went to practice yesterday, but the conditions were horrible since there was next to no oil on the lanes (aka SUPER DRY). Normally for league bowlers this is a pain in the butt and most would rather just not practice. But it's not a waste, if anything it helps your mental game, in my opinion. On these conditions, if you do something just teeny bit wrong, you'll notice. So if you can battle through that and focus, it for sure will help on more ideal conditions. It's also good to find what kind of lines work on dry conditions. We'll be bowling blocks of 6 games, and with the high levels of bowlers that will be out there, it could dry up fast, and that practice will come in use, though it won't be quite that dry.
Anyways, I found two different lines that could work depending on how dry the lanes get. One lane was drier than the other so I had to swing the ball in. Meaning I had to stand a few boards left of center (usually I'm about 10 boards on the right of center so this is a big move) but still throw at the same mark. I had to be careful to not let it get out further, or skid out to far, or else it wouldn't have enough time to get back into the pocket. This would be extreme and I doubt I'll ever use that line, but just in case, it was nice to work on getting comfortable with that shot.
The second line was on the less dry lane, going over the 2 board, so I was standing about 5 or so to the right of normal. This is a more realistic line, and really needs to be practiced because it's so close to the gutter. If I'm not used to it, then what would end up happening is that I won't trust the ball/myself and I'll pull it and will miss. Fortunately I've practiced this line (or something similar) in the past, so it wasn't too hard to get accustomed to it, but it was still good to get the repetition in, since with this line as well you can do one small wrong thing which could result in disaster.
Next step is to practice on fresh oil, hopefully something similar to what they will put down in Montreal. They are actually doing 3 patterns this year: short, medium and long. I should be fine on short I think, and medium should be good too, but it's the long that I need to practice on a lot. With long oil the ball is in oil for a longer time, so once it gets out, it has less time to grip the uncovered part of the lane to get to the pocket. So for me, someone with very little hook, it means I basically have to play straight in. What sucks about this approach is that you don't get quite the right angle for optimal carry, so I think I'll have to play straight from the outside to get a better angle. But even after 3 years of doing this I still always struggle once I get out there, so I really want to practice before I go this year and get some confidence going for it.
I'll be catching a flight out of Edmonton at 6:30am on the 16th (ughhh) so that I can make it there in time to practice, ladies practice in the afternoon. Then the next three days will be qualifying, and a cut will be made (top 12 for women). The 4th day of competition will be just those that made the cut and the team will be decided that day. I don't see myself making the cut; I'd have to be really on my game and for some others to be off their game for me to do it. But I hope to make top 20, which could mean averaging around 185. It seems like that should be easy enough, but on conditions like these a solid day for me is averaging at least 170... But if I'm focused enough and have my thinking cap on, I think I have a chance.
So leading up to and during the tourney I'll be posting on here, mostly to keep a record for myself, to help me remember things for the future, but also for anyone interested to follow along on my progress!
A few weeks after this at provincials, I was told that someone dropped out and meant I was going. Normally I would have been really excited but for a few reasons I really wasn't. For one, I had already faced that fact that I would be missing out on it. Second, I was mad, because I knew the one girl that qualified in the first tournament wouldn't go, but she didn't drop out before the 2nd tourney so I had to pay for a second tourney, and I really didn't have the money to do it. Lastly, because of my health stuff I just couldn't get excited.
But things are a lot better now and I'm finally getting excited. More so just to get on a plane and get out of the city for a week I think, and also the possibility of visiting my friend in Ottawa afterwards. It also helps that, because the health issues are mostly resolved, my bowling is back to par so my confidence is up and I look forward to the challenge of a national tournament.
I went to practice yesterday, but the conditions were horrible since there was next to no oil on the lanes (aka SUPER DRY). Normally for league bowlers this is a pain in the butt and most would rather just not practice. But it's not a waste, if anything it helps your mental game, in my opinion. On these conditions, if you do something just teeny bit wrong, you'll notice. So if you can battle through that and focus, it for sure will help on more ideal conditions. It's also good to find what kind of lines work on dry conditions. We'll be bowling blocks of 6 games, and with the high levels of bowlers that will be out there, it could dry up fast, and that practice will come in use, though it won't be quite that dry.
Anyways, I found two different lines that could work depending on how dry the lanes get. One lane was drier than the other so I had to swing the ball in. Meaning I had to stand a few boards left of center (usually I'm about 10 boards on the right of center so this is a big move) but still throw at the same mark. I had to be careful to not let it get out further, or skid out to far, or else it wouldn't have enough time to get back into the pocket. This would be extreme and I doubt I'll ever use that line, but just in case, it was nice to work on getting comfortable with that shot.
The second line was on the less dry lane, going over the 2 board, so I was standing about 5 or so to the right of normal. This is a more realistic line, and really needs to be practiced because it's so close to the gutter. If I'm not used to it, then what would end up happening is that I won't trust the ball/myself and I'll pull it and will miss. Fortunately I've practiced this line (or something similar) in the past, so it wasn't too hard to get accustomed to it, but it was still good to get the repetition in, since with this line as well you can do one small wrong thing which could result in disaster.
Next step is to practice on fresh oil, hopefully something similar to what they will put down in Montreal. They are actually doing 3 patterns this year: short, medium and long. I should be fine on short I think, and medium should be good too, but it's the long that I need to practice on a lot. With long oil the ball is in oil for a longer time, so once it gets out, it has less time to grip the uncovered part of the lane to get to the pocket. So for me, someone with very little hook, it means I basically have to play straight in. What sucks about this approach is that you don't get quite the right angle for optimal carry, so I think I'll have to play straight from the outside to get a better angle. But even after 3 years of doing this I still always struggle once I get out there, so I really want to practice before I go this year and get some confidence going for it.
I'll be catching a flight out of Edmonton at 6:30am on the 16th (ughhh) so that I can make it there in time to practice, ladies practice in the afternoon. Then the next three days will be qualifying, and a cut will be made (top 12 for women). The 4th day of competition will be just those that made the cut and the team will be decided that day. I don't see myself making the cut; I'd have to be really on my game and for some others to be off their game for me to do it. But I hope to make top 20, which could mean averaging around 185. It seems like that should be easy enough, but on conditions like these a solid day for me is averaging at least 170... But if I'm focused enough and have my thinking cap on, I think I have a chance.
So leading up to and during the tourney I'll be posting on here, mostly to keep a record for myself, to help me remember things for the future, but also for anyone interested to follow along on my progress!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
First Week
We're already through the first week and I already feel so unorganized, but once I finally get the time to do it, I'm too tired or just don't want to. Oops. I really could have used a long weekend. At least it's only 8:30 then I guess. Though we may be playing a game later.. I'm hoping..
At any rate, I'm trying to get the views up on my new blog! Check it out!
At any rate, I'm trying to get the views up on my new blog! Check it out!
Saturday, September 8, 2012
First Week of League
I had been looking forward to this day for awhile! To get back to bowling every week, to seeing everyone. To get working on my game with a coach again.
No coaches today, since it IS the first day back; and I'm glad, because it made me think & feel which is always better than always depending on a coach. I felt that despite my scores, it was a good day of bowling. 173, 184, 163 & 191 is alright, if I didn't have that 163 I would have been happier, because I would have been trending more upwards. But that game was obviously a transition game that I didn't handle too well. The last game I finally made the right move and it worked pretty good.
By then I had to move a crap ton left (feet and mark) because the lanes were drying up so much. So because of that, I needed more hand. Aka getting around the ball better/more and using a lot more fingers. And I did! I was actually pretty impressed with myself; especially for doing it quite consistently in the last game. I found it in the second game but struggled to keep it up, so it was nice to get it going near the end.
One thing about going into this season, I'm kind of worried for the future of our sport in Alberta. There's at least 7 of us graduating from the youth program, and after that there's really not much talent left. There's a few really good boys left, but really no girls.. it's really unfortunate. Just 4 or 5 years ago, Alberta had so many youth bowlers, and all of them really good and always taking a handful of medals at Nationals. After this year, chances might be slim, with the exception of a few boys..
No coaches today, since it IS the first day back; and I'm glad, because it made me think & feel which is always better than always depending on a coach. I felt that despite my scores, it was a good day of bowling. 173, 184, 163 & 191 is alright, if I didn't have that 163 I would have been happier, because I would have been trending more upwards. But that game was obviously a transition game that I didn't handle too well. The last game I finally made the right move and it worked pretty good.
By then I had to move a crap ton left (feet and mark) because the lanes were drying up so much. So because of that, I needed more hand. Aka getting around the ball better/more and using a lot more fingers. And I did! I was actually pretty impressed with myself; especially for doing it quite consistently in the last game. I found it in the second game but struggled to keep it up, so it was nice to get it going near the end.
One thing about going into this season, I'm kind of worried for the future of our sport in Alberta. There's at least 7 of us graduating from the youth program, and after that there's really not much talent left. There's a few really good boys left, but really no girls.. it's really unfortunate. Just 4 or 5 years ago, Alberta had so many youth bowlers, and all of them really good and always taking a handful of medals at Nationals. After this year, chances might be slim, with the exception of a few boys..
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Discrepancies Across The Board
After watching performances of our Canadian talent at the PABCON championships in Vegas this past week, this issue is brought to mind with even more fervor than usual.
Everybody that has success in Canada at bowling, as in they are recognized world wide and are always up for medal contention, has something in common - the east coast. With 2 exceptions that I know of from BC and Alberta (Alberta because they were groomed at school in the states). None from Saskatchewan, a few from Manitoba but all from Ontario and Quebec. It's incredible really, the kind of bowlers they produce out there. I am very doubtful that anyone can say it's because of the population, there's a better chance of cultivating better athletes from a wider range of population.
No, the reason is opportunity. They have the Buffa studio in Montreal, which is where Canadian team training takes place, and they also offer private lessons, aided by computer programs, and of course the best coaches in the country. They are also close to the states, very well known for their success at the sport, so bowlers in that area of the country have many opportunities to experience many and different tournaments, starting at a young age.
For example, Junior Gold. You need to qualify in a qualifier first, but being an American tournament most of the qualifiers are held south of our borders, and it's easier (closer) for those in the East to get there.
I have no idea why this kind of transparency exists. Is it because there is more money out there? Is it because that's where the roots of canadian bowling started and it just stayed there and attracted the best and it just grew from there? I honestly don't know why we don't have more opportunities here. I know are numbers ARE indeed smaller, but we definitely have the talent. I suppose at least we do have elite coaching. We have two regular Team Canada coaches in Calgary, both of which have helped me in the past, and I know always will. And luckily we have an awesome pro shop guy in Edmonton who moved from Montreal, and who is also one of Canada's better bowlers - not as highly touted but has made Team Canada before and regularly participates in American tournaments.
I know quite a handful of kids in the East also going to school in the States, on scholarship, bowling on their school bowling teams. They will be the next big Canadian stars. This again, is because they are in the East. They are close to those good schools that it's more feasible. Out here in Alberta, I doubt it's the same (though I have not thoroughly researched this), which is why there have only been 2 girls who have gone to the US and have repeatedly made the Canadian team.
So it's days like this where I see a fellow Canadian winning gold with a perfect game, and wish that I could have the chance to someday get there. But I don't. I have to face that fact. Yes, I can be the tops in my province, but I'll never be able to call myself an elite bowler, I'll never have enough knowledge of strategy, equipment, lane conditions, etc no make it. If I lived out East I would have had a chance. Even moving to Edmonton gave me a better chance, it should have been sooner to maximize my growth, but I suppose I'll take what I can get.
In the end, it won't matter. I'll just be glad to be participating in a sport I love so much, and hopefully I'll be cheering on Canadians for the rest of my life. Maybe if I keep bowling as long as possible I'll have a chance on a senior team...? Ha I doubt it, my body will fall apart in 20 years.. But I can always dream, right??
Anyway, here's the video of George Lambert IV throwing his SECOND 300 of the tournament, on a SECOND pattern. He does it for Master's Gold, but more importantly he does it for his country.
Everybody that has success in Canada at bowling, as in they are recognized world wide and are always up for medal contention, has something in common - the east coast. With 2 exceptions that I know of from BC and Alberta (Alberta because they were groomed at school in the states). None from Saskatchewan, a few from Manitoba but all from Ontario and Quebec. It's incredible really, the kind of bowlers they produce out there. I am very doubtful that anyone can say it's because of the population, there's a better chance of cultivating better athletes from a wider range of population.
No, the reason is opportunity. They have the Buffa studio in Montreal, which is where Canadian team training takes place, and they also offer private lessons, aided by computer programs, and of course the best coaches in the country. They are also close to the states, very well known for their success at the sport, so bowlers in that area of the country have many opportunities to experience many and different tournaments, starting at a young age.
For example, Junior Gold. You need to qualify in a qualifier first, but being an American tournament most of the qualifiers are held south of our borders, and it's easier (closer) for those in the East to get there.
I have no idea why this kind of transparency exists. Is it because there is more money out there? Is it because that's where the roots of canadian bowling started and it just stayed there and attracted the best and it just grew from there? I honestly don't know why we don't have more opportunities here. I know are numbers ARE indeed smaller, but we definitely have the talent. I suppose at least we do have elite coaching. We have two regular Team Canada coaches in Calgary, both of which have helped me in the past, and I know always will. And luckily we have an awesome pro shop guy in Edmonton who moved from Montreal, and who is also one of Canada's better bowlers - not as highly touted but has made Team Canada before and regularly participates in American tournaments.
I know quite a handful of kids in the East also going to school in the States, on scholarship, bowling on their school bowling teams. They will be the next big Canadian stars. This again, is because they are in the East. They are close to those good schools that it's more feasible. Out here in Alberta, I doubt it's the same (though I have not thoroughly researched this), which is why there have only been 2 girls who have gone to the US and have repeatedly made the Canadian team.
So it's days like this where I see a fellow Canadian winning gold with a perfect game, and wish that I could have the chance to someday get there. But I don't. I have to face that fact. Yes, I can be the tops in my province, but I'll never be able to call myself an elite bowler, I'll never have enough knowledge of strategy, equipment, lane conditions, etc no make it. If I lived out East I would have had a chance. Even moving to Edmonton gave me a better chance, it should have been sooner to maximize my growth, but I suppose I'll take what I can get.
In the end, it won't matter. I'll just be glad to be participating in a sport I love so much, and hopefully I'll be cheering on Canadians for the rest of my life. Maybe if I keep bowling as long as possible I'll have a chance on a senior team...? Ha I doubt it, my body will fall apart in 20 years.. But I can always dream, right??
Anyway, here's the video of George Lambert IV throwing his SECOND 300 of the tournament, on a SECOND pattern. He does it for Master's Gold, but more importantly he does it for his country.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Final Thoughts
All in all the trip was kind of a bust. I didn't bowl nearly as well as I wanted to, averaging below 170. Because of this I didn't enjoy myself as much as I should have. But what can you do. We still partied hard and got to know some more people. Aka the people I knew by name but never spoke to now knew my name and I didn't seem like such a creeper.
Last night, after the final day of bowling for the ones who didn't make the cut, partied HARD. I woke up this morning with my legs covered in bruises and a massive headache. Who knows how much I actually drank; there was a tub full of beer though and there were about 3 left over this morning. I definitely slept until 11:30, did timmies for breaky and then just sat out in the courtyard in the gazebo for 3+ hours. I got good and tan, even burnt my thigh.
Then we headed to the banquet, decent food and lots of talking. Next year (if I go) I'm so not doing that again. It's a bunch of clapping, standing ovations for the inductees to the hall of fame, more clapping and nearly falling asleep.
We then headed back to the hotel, sat around chatting for an hour or two and then headed over to the 'toba boys' room to drink some more. Only a tall can of beer, can of rockstar & half a cooler. At the moment it's 3:40 and we head out to the hotel at 7am so there's no point in sleeping. I would love to, but I know I'd end up worse for wear if I were to sleep for just a few hours. Carla passed out, wouldn't keep her eyes open.
So we fly into Calgary about 12, layover and then land in Edmonton at about 12:45. Hopefully next year I can qualify the first time around, and book better flights. Fingers crossed. If only I had made CTF nationals.. because a good chunk of the people here will be there. Next year, next year!
So the plan now..? Most likely take a break for at LEAST a month. More so because I won't necessarily have the money to go out there week after week. I'm probably going to go there Wednesday to drop off my stuff, pay the proshop and talk to Ted about our plan of action. Figure out what I can work on during the summer. He won't be around though, and probably not Dan until about August.
While I'm disappointed at my performance, I still learnt new things, which is the next best thing I suppose.
Next year!
Last night, after the final day of bowling for the ones who didn't make the cut, partied HARD. I woke up this morning with my legs covered in bruises and a massive headache. Who knows how much I actually drank; there was a tub full of beer though and there were about 3 left over this morning. I definitely slept until 11:30, did timmies for breaky and then just sat out in the courtyard in the gazebo for 3+ hours. I got good and tan, even burnt my thigh.
Then we headed to the banquet, decent food and lots of talking. Next year (if I go) I'm so not doing that again. It's a bunch of clapping, standing ovations for the inductees to the hall of fame, more clapping and nearly falling asleep.
We then headed back to the hotel, sat around chatting for an hour or two and then headed over to the 'toba boys' room to drink some more. Only a tall can of beer, can of rockstar & half a cooler. At the moment it's 3:40 and we head out to the hotel at 7am so there's no point in sleeping. I would love to, but I know I'd end up worse for wear if I were to sleep for just a few hours. Carla passed out, wouldn't keep her eyes open.
So we fly into Calgary about 12, layover and then land in Edmonton at about 12:45. Hopefully next year I can qualify the first time around, and book better flights. Fingers crossed. If only I had made CTF nationals.. because a good chunk of the people here will be there. Next year, next year!
So the plan now..? Most likely take a break for at LEAST a month. More so because I won't necessarily have the money to go out there week after week. I'm probably going to go there Wednesday to drop off my stuff, pay the proshop and talk to Ted about our plan of action. Figure out what I can work on during the summer. He won't be around though, and probably not Dan until about August.
While I'm disappointed at my performance, I still learnt new things, which is the next best thing I suppose.
Next year!
Day 2
This day on medium went much much better. I think I just needed to get day 1 out of the way, get some nerves out of the way. I just threw the ball and it was fine! I started off with a bang of 226 (FINALLY A CLEAN GAME!!) and then dipped down a bit but I pulled the day together pretty good to average 184. I threw maybe 3 bad balls so I can't complain on the day. Everyone else struggled like crazy though! So I ended up jumping 10 spots into a tie for 38th. I was shooting down 5 and then ended up moving to 10 and then 12. Nothing much else to say about the day besides wishing I didn't have that 153 game and maybe the two 170s.
Scores:
226 153 172 192 180 178 (1101)
2026 & 38th overall
Scores:
226 153 172 192 180 178 (1101)
2026 & 38th overall
Monday, May 21, 2012
Day 3
This was the final day of bowling. After jumping 10 spots the last day I wanted to aim to jump another 10. I think it was a mistake to set a bar because I really struggled; very similar to the first day, pulling it a lot. This time I reacted quickly and Stephen, one of the coaches actually helped and got me to use a different line, swinging in from the 10, instead of 5. It worked great for the 2nd game but then I struggled again. The carry down was tough to deal with; not being used to dealing with much of it I didn't know what to do. So I went through the thought process of, well what is my ball doing? It wasn't coming in so I knew it was carry down that was messing me up. So how to get it in? Well there's the standard move but I tried that and didn't like the line I had, I wasn't comfortable there. So I asked myself what else could I do? Then I remembered by abralon pad (like sand paper for bowling balls) to make it duller so it'll hook more. It worked perfect and so I dulled it down a bit after every game. If not for the 1st & 3rd games I would have been pretty happy with my day. Long was supposed to be my best because we had been practicing on it for about a month but at Gateway it was a lot slicker.
Scores:
144 196 129 181 197 173 (1020)
3046 & 41st overall
Scores:
144 196 129 181 197 173 (1020)
3046 & 41st overall
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Day 1
Day 1 was Friday, on short oil. Going into it I wasn't feeling prepared; I hadn't had time to practice on it at all. The shot at Gateway was more of a medium pattern so that wasn't going to help.
The first 3 or 4 games I was pulling it way too much. I knew it too. It took myself way too long to ask myself, "Ok. What are some possible reasons for tugging it?". So far I had only been trying to stay behind the ball. I then realized that I had been popping up at the end, so I needed to stay down. Once I figured that out, I had a few good balls. But by then I don't know if the problem was that it had broken down too much and I had too little a margin of error, that I was pre-turning or if it was a combination of both. All in all I just was not in the right "zone" to bowl. Dallas and Max ended up helping me out in the 5th game which helped a bit, even though it wasn't that great a game. I think the problem as well was that I was using the wrong line, I think I was shooting 5 for most of it. For next year I definitely need to figure that one out ahead of time.
Scores:
160 115 179 144 156 171 (925) & 48th place
The first 3 or 4 games I was pulling it way too much. I knew it too. It took myself way too long to ask myself, "Ok. What are some possible reasons for tugging it?". So far I had only been trying to stay behind the ball. I then realized that I had been popping up at the end, so I needed to stay down. Once I figured that out, I had a few good balls. But by then I don't know if the problem was that it had broken down too much and I had too little a margin of error, that I was pre-turning or if it was a combination of both. All in all I just was not in the right "zone" to bowl. Dallas and Max ended up helping me out in the 5th game which helped a bit, even though it wasn't that great a game. I think the problem as well was that I was using the wrong line, I think I was shooting 5 for most of it. For next year I definitely need to figure that one out ahead of time.
Scores:
160 115 179 144 156 171 (925) & 48th place
Monday, May 14, 2012
Last Practice
It was an odd night of practice. I almost didn't want to be there - I didn't have too much fun. And of course I got tired again. Maybe the secret is timmie's. 1/2 coffee, 1/2 hot chocolate. I'm SO bagged. But even through that I was doing alright, but throwing the ball only okay. Maybe 2 really good shots at most. Ted kind of stayed away from us and just let us do our thing - with three days to go I think it's almost more important that we go at it on our own and just get comfortable throwing a bunch of games.
I think I may have averaged 175 over 3, which isn't too bad considering the shot was pretty broken down by then. It just got really frustrating trying to adjust for that, and the two lanes were breaking down differently. I didn't quite have the mental capacities to deal with that tonight.
Then we shot a round of golf (low game). I won again with 61. Everyone else had at least a strike. That's when you know people are tired (yet they stayed and played one more!). So I'm comfortable sparing my 4, 6, 7, &10 pins at least. As long as I can manage to leave single pins if I don't strike I should do pretty well I think. I've figured out my game plan for the long. At the beginning try and ride the rail (1 or 2 board). Then keep moving inside, 8 board (maybe 5) and then 10. We'll see where everyone else is shooting though. If everyone is doing 10, that might not be the best line by the end, but we'll see.
Tonight was really not much of a confidence boost, so I'm glad I had it last Wednesday. I'm not really taking anything from this besides sparing because I was just too tired. A positive though since it's not like I was horrible. I'm much happier being consistent and being okay, than scoring high and then crashing back down.
So now it's a waiting game. No more bowling till we get to Mississauga for official practice on all the shots. We probably won't spend too much time there, maybe a game on each (if that). More so just to get a feel for the approach, pin action and of course the shots.
So next post will be from TO! 3 days! Takeoff at 8am.
I think I may have averaged 175 over 3, which isn't too bad considering the shot was pretty broken down by then. It just got really frustrating trying to adjust for that, and the two lanes were breaking down differently. I didn't quite have the mental capacities to deal with that tonight.
Then we shot a round of golf (low game). I won again with 61. Everyone else had at least a strike. That's when you know people are tired (yet they stayed and played one more!). So I'm comfortable sparing my 4, 6, 7, &10 pins at least. As long as I can manage to leave single pins if I don't strike I should do pretty well I think. I've figured out my game plan for the long. At the beginning try and ride the rail (1 or 2 board). Then keep moving inside, 8 board (maybe 5) and then 10. We'll see where everyone else is shooting though. If everyone is doing 10, that might not be the best line by the end, but we'll see.
Tonight was really not much of a confidence boost, so I'm glad I had it last Wednesday. I'm not really taking anything from this besides sparing because I was just too tired. A positive though since it's not like I was horrible. I'm much happier being consistent and being okay, than scoring high and then crashing back down.
So now it's a waiting game. No more bowling till we get to Mississauga for official practice on all the shots. We probably won't spend too much time there, maybe a game on each (if that). More so just to get a feel for the approach, pin action and of course the shots.
So next post will be from TO! 3 days! Takeoff at 8am.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Almost There
At today's practice I didn't work too much at using different lines like on Monday. I had enough of that and just wanted to get some confidence going. It definitely worked! I'm still not 100% there for the long shot though; it was supposed to be what it was Monday but it seemed like there was lighter oil or something, it was not as tough as Monday.. or maybe I was used to using the line I was shooting/I was shooting the right line.
Using my vivid, I ended up going down the 5, eye on the dots, just about a foot out on the lane instead of the arrows farther down. For some reason looking closer helps get the ball rolling into the direction of the pocket sooner, which is needed on a long shot.
Once it dried up a bit more I switched to my invasion since it's an older ball it has less energy to it, and changed my line to 10. I made the change instantaneously perfectly, guessing a movement of 6 boards with my feet to the left. Twice now it seems to be if I move 5 with my eyes, a move of 6 with my feet should have me close (if I remember correctly - I really need to start writing things down).
So I have a good feel for the long now, which will be the toughest pattern out there. Ideally I would love to get back on the short and find a good line. I did get some good practice on it, but instead of really trying to find a line, I was trying tough lines to see how they worked and I was working more on my hand placement and release. Unfortunately they're only putting out long from now on. But at least when we get there on Thursday we can practice so I'll spend most of my time on the short and the medium (I haven't had a chance on that one but it'll probably play more like a house shot Im thinking).
Overall I'm feeling a lot more confident now and just want to get there already. I'm going for one more practice Monday and then I'll rest until Thursday.
Side note: I lost ANOTHER thumb slug. I was using my larger one because once again it was really warm in the alley so my thumb was swelling. Dan, the pro shop guy, happened to be watching. I told him and he flipped his shit pretty much. He said here and Calgary are the only places he's heard of that happening so much (I've done it in both..). They couldn't find it so Dan said he'd do another for me. So frustrating. So that was the end of the night since I couldn't use my smaller one. I would have been done anyways, I only had 3 frames left and I was getting really tired. I ended up shooting 212 the first game by the way.
8 days!
Using my vivid, I ended up going down the 5, eye on the dots, just about a foot out on the lane instead of the arrows farther down. For some reason looking closer helps get the ball rolling into the direction of the pocket sooner, which is needed on a long shot.
Once it dried up a bit more I switched to my invasion since it's an older ball it has less energy to it, and changed my line to 10. I made the change instantaneously perfectly, guessing a movement of 6 boards with my feet to the left. Twice now it seems to be if I move 5 with my eyes, a move of 6 with my feet should have me close (if I remember correctly - I really need to start writing things down).
So I have a good feel for the long now, which will be the toughest pattern out there. Ideally I would love to get back on the short and find a good line. I did get some good practice on it, but instead of really trying to find a line, I was trying tough lines to see how they worked and I was working more on my hand placement and release. Unfortunately they're only putting out long from now on. But at least when we get there on Thursday we can practice so I'll spend most of my time on the short and the medium (I haven't had a chance on that one but it'll probably play more like a house shot Im thinking).
Overall I'm feeling a lot more confident now and just want to get there already. I'm going for one more practice Monday and then I'll rest until Thursday.
Side note: I lost ANOTHER thumb slug. I was using my larger one because once again it was really warm in the alley so my thumb was swelling. Dan, the pro shop guy, happened to be watching. I told him and he flipped his shit pretty much. He said here and Calgary are the only places he's heard of that happening so much (I've done it in both..). They couldn't find it so Dan said he'd do another for me. So frustrating. So that was the end of the night since I couldn't use my smaller one. I would have been done anyways, I only had 3 frames left and I was getting really tired. I ended up shooting 212 the first game by the way.
8 days!
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Wednesday & other
Last night was another good work, with good work being done on my swing. It was also a bit frustrating though, mostly from getting tired though I think. But I've also had problems really focusing on my mark, hitting it, staying down and getting the proper lift on the ball. I think that a few days before we leave, I'm just going to bowl for fun, not worry about technicalities..
Exciting news (for me) though! I finally got my new ball! It's the Vivid by Storm.
Exciting news (for me) though! I finally got my new ball! It's the Vivid by Storm.
It's drilled specifically to be stronger for me; to get to the pocket with more hook & power. Dan also had me trying out some different surfaces on it (sanding it) to see the different reactions. This is all the purpose for the long oil shot. Long oil means 45ft of oil, so there generally isn't much hook to be had on those types of shots. I unfortunately didn't get to practice with it on long, we were on more of a short shot, so there was a lot more hook than needed. Next Monday we're doing long so maybe I'll get to use the new ball on it (Dan doesn't want me using it too much so it doesn't burn out before the tourney).
It's kind of crazy that there's only 2 weeks left until we leave! That means 4 more practice sessions, but I'll probably take the last one off, since it'll be Wednesday - we leave Thursday and will be practicing later that day, then bowling 18 games in the following 3 days.. so that's a lot of bowling.
In the last post I was saying how maybe there would be a plan of attack for CNCs.. well I suppose there was, talking about different surfaces to use on the new ball and such. But we also talked about for next fall. Dan said that when he gets back from doing expos in August that he's going to fit me into a new wrist brace contraption. Sounds like it's going to keep me from being the full roller that I am, which will immensely help my game. He didn't put me into it right away because that's a big step to go to. I guess it basically forces/holds my hand into the proper position. That being said, my stuff will no longer be drilled properly for me so Dan said that if we get to that point he might be able to just give me a ball so that we don't have to plug and re-drill everything. To me it's not the end of the world, but when it comes to tournaments it could probably make a difference, since there's "foreign" substances in the ball now, it would change the overall reaction of the ball a bit I guess. So we'll figure that out when we get there, but it sounds promising for next year.
Oh also, I was comparing last year's average(s) to this year's and I actually didn't fall back to badly. Tournament scores had a significant difference I was -5 from last year, and that was even with averaging 206 in the scholarship tourney... League average was -2 and Monday sparing I went +4 (but I had less games played this year so that doesn't mean a whole bunch). Overall I am -3, averaging 183 throughout the year (even though I haven't factored in CNCs like I did last year, it would probably be about the same). So really, it's not that bad.. it's just disappointing that I didn't improve my average, especially after averaging 190+ during the summer. But that IS a totally different environment so I guess that's not much of an argument... haha, whatever.
Alrighty, 14 days!
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Fun Bowl & Awards, Year End Wrap Up
I suppose I should write an entry about how the year finished off.
The last day was just a 3 game, glow in the dark, family fun bowl. It was 8 pin no tap - if you get 8 pins or more; it's an automatic strike; so of course scores were going to be huge. I don't remember what I scored, except I got a 300 the last game - of the 12 strkes, only 5 of them were from no tap so I still would have had a great game going. It was also an easy shot which was nice to get back to.
Then we had our banquet - free food and awards!! I had highest score for senior girls (267) and my team won high handicap single (812). I also won a draw for a $50 gift certificate to the pro shop. That honestly doesn't cover too much, but not like it matters anytime soon, since I'm getting Joe to pay for anything (he HAD said to keep it under $500 for new balls but now I'm getting one, I had to get two new thumbs done, I have to get my balls certified for the tourney and they will also resurface my balls so I don't see why he wouldn't pay for that stuff too).
So looking back at the season... it was bad. It really was. I only made one provincial tournament and then bowled like crap in it. My average went down. I missed a lot in the beginning because of stupid partying and other things (I honestly don't know what was wrong with me the first semester). I also failed miserably in the first qualifier for CNCs.
There definitely was SOME good though, like the scholarship tourney and making all the money I did. That was the highlight. Also placing 5th in world cup & beating everyone I wanted to beat. And I guess qualifying for CNCs though it wasn't a challenge.. I also started to do some good work in the last month or so. I haven't totally revolutionized anything yet, but I'm getting more lift on the ball and better reaction which if definitely a step in the right direction.
Goals looking forward:
-Place top 25 at CNCs (same as last year but there's almost a guarantee there will be many more women entering) OR just bowl well - be above average.
-Work on my game during the summer. I don't know what the chances of getting Ted out there once a week might be, but maybe Dan would be willing to help.. I would love to have the chance to change some things by the time league rolls around again.
-For next season, see my average close to 190 or up (definitely realistic)
-Make all provincial tournies
-Make nationals or take 2nd place at provies
These are some adequate goals, not sure how lofty they may or may not be, but whatever the case it's always good to have goals. It will also be my last year in youth so I have to make it count.
Tomorrow is organized practice 6-8 which I will of course be attending and it'll be the third day in a row of bowling (good practice for CNCs - 6 games/day, 3 days in a row). I maaaay get my new ball! Also get to chat with Ted and maybe figure out a plan for the summer, but at least maybe talk about a plan of attack for CNCs?
I love this sport.
The last day was just a 3 game, glow in the dark, family fun bowl. It was 8 pin no tap - if you get 8 pins or more; it's an automatic strike; so of course scores were going to be huge. I don't remember what I scored, except I got a 300 the last game - of the 12 strkes, only 5 of them were from no tap so I still would have had a great game going. It was also an easy shot which was nice to get back to.
Then we had our banquet - free food and awards!! I had highest score for senior girls (267) and my team won high handicap single (812). I also won a draw for a $50 gift certificate to the pro shop. That honestly doesn't cover too much, but not like it matters anytime soon, since I'm getting Joe to pay for anything (he HAD said to keep it under $500 for new balls but now I'm getting one, I had to get two new thumbs done, I have to get my balls certified for the tourney and they will also resurface my balls so I don't see why he wouldn't pay for that stuff too).
So looking back at the season... it was bad. It really was. I only made one provincial tournament and then bowled like crap in it. My average went down. I missed a lot in the beginning because of stupid partying and other things (I honestly don't know what was wrong with me the first semester). I also failed miserably in the first qualifier for CNCs.
There definitely was SOME good though, like the scholarship tourney and making all the money I did. That was the highlight. Also placing 5th in world cup & beating everyone I wanted to beat. And I guess qualifying for CNCs though it wasn't a challenge.. I also started to do some good work in the last month or so. I haven't totally revolutionized anything yet, but I'm getting more lift on the ball and better reaction which if definitely a step in the right direction.
Goals looking forward:
-Place top 25 at CNCs (same as last year but there's almost a guarantee there will be many more women entering) OR just bowl well - be above average.
-Work on my game during the summer. I don't know what the chances of getting Ted out there once a week might be, but maybe Dan would be willing to help.. I would love to have the chance to change some things by the time league rolls around again.
-For next season, see my average close to 190 or up (definitely realistic)
-Make all provincial tournies
-Make nationals or take 2nd place at provies
These are some adequate goals, not sure how lofty they may or may not be, but whatever the case it's always good to have goals. It will also be my last year in youth so I have to make it count.
Tomorrow is organized practice 6-8 which I will of course be attending and it'll be the third day in a row of bowling (good practice for CNCs - 6 games/day, 3 days in a row). I maaaay get my new ball! Also get to chat with Ted and maybe figure out a plan for the summer, but at least maybe talk about a plan of attack for CNCs?
I love this sport.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Now it's all about preparing for CNCs. Today we asked for a long shot but it was more medium than anything.. I was using my lower end ball and still getting quite some hook on it; not what I'm used to. So the oil was a bit thin I think then, but I'm also throwing it a lot better, getting more lift and rotation on the ball.
All we did was throw games, I ended up shooting 7, trying to work up the endurance to throw 6 in TO. Usually that would be no problem but for some reason I've just been tuckered right out after like 4, so I made myself push through it. I just need to find a way to keep the energy up to keep my ball speed up so that it doesn't have too much time to move on the lane.
It was a frustrating practice though; had to be right on your mark or you'd leave crap. I definitely did not have the energy to focus that hard; I was having enough trouble as it is staying down at the line - which helped tremendously. I realized I had stopped doing it, started again and then was throwing sooo much better! So I definitely need to make a mental note of that.
I'm going out again on Wednesday, there's practice Mondays & Wednesdays 6-8 at Gateway. It's mostly been set up for the CTF provincial team, but it's still good for us to go to. They'll have the CTF long shot put out which won't be what will be at CNCs but it's still better than nothing.
All we did was throw games, I ended up shooting 7, trying to work up the endurance to throw 6 in TO. Usually that would be no problem but for some reason I've just been tuckered right out after like 4, so I made myself push through it. I just need to find a way to keep the energy up to keep my ball speed up so that it doesn't have too much time to move on the lane.
It was a frustrating practice though; had to be right on your mark or you'd leave crap. I definitely did not have the energy to focus that hard; I was having enough trouble as it is staying down at the line - which helped tremendously. I realized I had stopped doing it, started again and then was throwing sooo much better! So I definitely need to make a mental note of that.
I'm going out again on Wednesday, there's practice Mondays & Wednesdays 6-8 at Gateway. It's mostly been set up for the CTF provincial team, but it's still good for us to go to. They'll have the CTF long shot put out which won't be what will be at CNCs but it's still better than nothing.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Saturday Practice
No more league :((
Just fun bowl next Saturday and banquet; food + prizes. So since there was no league, I headed out to practice.
It was Max, Brendan, Chelsey, Jeremy and I; all of us going to CNCs but unfortunately not Brendan. We actually had a really great practice. Usually I don't like to score when practicing, but it was ok. Our first 2 games we did strictly scoring. I can't quite remember my scores but I did better than the others.. The shot was ridiculous, I asked for hard and man did they give us hard. There was a ton of oil 5 and out and like right in front of the pins, it would just stop hooking... SO STRANGE. So naturally the score were pretty low, and I think I had the high the first game with a 180 something.. actually Brendan might have gotten my in the last frame with a 188. I can't remember the second game.
Then we went to a low scoring game. The goal is to take out only the 10 pin and then the 7 pin, working on spares. If you got a gutter on the 1st ball, that gives you a srike. If you had a gutter on the 2nd ball, that's a spare for the frame. And since you're trying to score low, that's bad. I was definitely the best at my 10 pin. Snipe shot 5 times about. I won with a low of 58, narrowly beating Brendan who had a 59. Chelsey and Jeremy were in the 70's I think, and Max had about 90 something.. lol. He had about 2 strikes in there.
Then we shot another game, and since we had been shooting all over the place, we were all able to find a good line. I was getting tired though and focus was slipping, so I didn't shoot that great of a game, a low 170 maybe? So I was done after that. Jeremy had left after the 3rd game, and everyone else shot a 5th game. I really should have pushed through maybe, but I think it was just the lack of sleep. Because 4 should be no problem. We'll be doing 6 a day for 3 days out in TO.. Gotta get the game numbers up, but that'll have to wait til after exams now. No more bowling til I'm done!!
Note: I've been using a brace now and it definitely helps me get a bit more on the ball, not a big jump, but maybe it could contribute to a few more pins here and there so I think I'll stick with it.
Just fun bowl next Saturday and banquet; food + prizes. So since there was no league, I headed out to practice.
It was Max, Brendan, Chelsey, Jeremy and I; all of us going to CNCs but unfortunately not Brendan. We actually had a really great practice. Usually I don't like to score when practicing, but it was ok. Our first 2 games we did strictly scoring. I can't quite remember my scores but I did better than the others.. The shot was ridiculous, I asked for hard and man did they give us hard. There was a ton of oil 5 and out and like right in front of the pins, it would just stop hooking... SO STRANGE. So naturally the score were pretty low, and I think I had the high the first game with a 180 something.. actually Brendan might have gotten my in the last frame with a 188. I can't remember the second game.
Then we went to a low scoring game. The goal is to take out only the 10 pin and then the 7 pin, working on spares. If you got a gutter on the 1st ball, that gives you a srike. If you had a gutter on the 2nd ball, that's a spare for the frame. And since you're trying to score low, that's bad. I was definitely the best at my 10 pin. Snipe shot 5 times about. I won with a low of 58, narrowly beating Brendan who had a 59. Chelsey and Jeremy were in the 70's I think, and Max had about 90 something.. lol. He had about 2 strikes in there.
Then we shot another game, and since we had been shooting all over the place, we were all able to find a good line. I was getting tired though and focus was slipping, so I didn't shoot that great of a game, a low 170 maybe? So I was done after that. Jeremy had left after the 3rd game, and everyone else shot a 5th game. I really should have pushed through maybe, but I think it was just the lack of sleep. Because 4 should be no problem. We'll be doing 6 a day for 3 days out in TO.. Gotta get the game numbers up, but that'll have to wait til after exams now. No more bowling til I'm done!!
Note: I've been using a brace now and it definitely helps me get a bit more on the ball, not a big jump, but maybe it could contribute to a few more pins here and there so I think I'll stick with it.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sparing - Rolloffs
I forgot to write a post up last week about practice but there's not too much to share. It was a lot of good work, so it was tiring and also a bit frustrating. It was also a bit.. disappointing? I was really in the mood to BOWL not practice I guess. So I really wanted to throw some normal balls at the end of the night, but Ted told me to call it quits and I wanted to catch the bus so I didn't.
Lately, because I've been working at fixing my game, I haven't felt very confident in my game or very comfortable either. I've been about average, but in the weeks leading up to all this playing around with my swings and stuff I had been doing pretty great, so it was a bit of a let down. I was just really unsure about my self.
And then comes a night like tonight, just got back from Calgary so I'm all relaxed and just want to bowl (I had missed Saturday league). I got there early to warm up with everyone else who was practicing and didn't really make any nice shots or anything so I was uneasy about sparing in an hour - it was rolloffs, basically like playoffs. So it was important for the team I was bowling on that I bowled well.
Well I did! First game (once again against my coach that I had beaten 2 weeks prior) I came out with a bang. 226. Take that Brian! I won that match. Then we switched opponents. 203, lost to Carla who was also sparing. She had a heck of a game, a 236. She always bowls better when I'm around, she loosens up. For me it depends. If we get too chatty I lose focus and then suck. But it was alright today. I ended up losing a bit of focus, but having Ted coaching on the lanes right next to us was kind of making me paranoid for some reason. So I missed a spare or two that I should have had. Next, we changed opponents again, and I was up against Chelsey's mom. I shot a 201, I was definitely losing focus, I was getting tired - it had been a long day (3hr bus ride from Calgary). She shot a 204. I had left an open, a freaking easy spare to make (hence I knew I was losing focus), so she was able to beat me.
But I averaged 210 which I'm not complaining about. And I think I helped the team take 3rd place. I'm really just glad that I was able to just go out and bowl, and bowl well! It helped that it was an easy shot though.. Oh well.
Lately, because I've been working at fixing my game, I haven't felt very confident in my game or very comfortable either. I've been about average, but in the weeks leading up to all this playing around with my swings and stuff I had been doing pretty great, so it was a bit of a let down. I was just really unsure about my self.
And then comes a night like tonight, just got back from Calgary so I'm all relaxed and just want to bowl (I had missed Saturday league). I got there early to warm up with everyone else who was practicing and didn't really make any nice shots or anything so I was uneasy about sparing in an hour - it was rolloffs, basically like playoffs. So it was important for the team I was bowling on that I bowled well.
Well I did! First game (once again against my coach that I had beaten 2 weeks prior) I came out with a bang. 226. Take that Brian! I won that match. Then we switched opponents. 203, lost to Carla who was also sparing. She had a heck of a game, a 236. She always bowls better when I'm around, she loosens up. For me it depends. If we get too chatty I lose focus and then suck. But it was alright today. I ended up losing a bit of focus, but having Ted coaching on the lanes right next to us was kind of making me paranoid for some reason. So I missed a spare or two that I should have had. Next, we changed opponents again, and I was up against Chelsey's mom. I shot a 201, I was definitely losing focus, I was getting tired - it had been a long day (3hr bus ride from Calgary). She shot a 204. I had left an open, a freaking easy spare to make (hence I knew I was losing focus), so she was able to beat me.
But I averaged 210 which I'm not complaining about. And I think I helped the team take 3rd place. I'm really just glad that I was able to just go out and bowl, and bowl well! It helped that it was an easy shot though.. Oh well.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Sparing
Instead of my usual practice, I was a sub for someone in the adult league. I was looking forward to it so I could sort of redeem myself from Saturday's league results, or at least make me feel better about myself.
Well it worked. Ted had wanted me to try cupping my wrist all night long, but I just don't have the strength to do that, to throw a good ball over and over, so once we started our game I said enough with that. I then proceeded to throw a 196, 189, 179, 169. Ya the scores went down, but honestly I was throwing a better ball by each game. The oil was starting to break down by the end of the 3rd and by the 4th, I just didn't have enough time to make the right adjustments. I finally had it all in place by the 10th frame.. drat! At least I was above average, 183!
Once thing about the Monday league is that it's scratch. You have 3 bowlers on a team, labeled A, B & C. The best bowler is A and C is the worst. I was sparing for the B bowler. So each player is against, the other same labeled player on the other team. For example B bowls against B. Whoever wins gets 2 points for the win, same with the other players, and then there's another 2 points for the team with the highest total.
Tonight I just so happened to be bowling against one of my coaches, Brian, who is also my teammates Dad. He usually gives me a hard time with stuff, and he actually gets on my nerves a lot, because he basically always tells me the same thing - stay behind the ball. But I can't just do it at your command!! I've been bowling this way for many years, it doesn't just go away. And he always makes these jokes about how if we miss something or get a brooklyn, he's go "I would have gotten that". It gets old now. So I definitely wanted to beat him tonight. I beat him 3 out of 4 games, and only lost to him by 1 in the last game. So ha.
One thing though.. I have respect for coaches who can actually throw high games, it shows they obviously know what they are talking about because they can apply it to themselves. Now Brian and I have basically the same average. He doesn't look like a very good bowler, BUT he is a pretty old guy and has knee trouble and maybe even joints in the hand problems. So I can't be too judgmental about that. BUT the fact that I beat him tonight kind of makes me want to tell him to shove it the next time he tries to "help".
On a side note, I kind of really feel bad for Chelsey. She bowls full time in this league, and the past few weeks I've seen her just tear it up, averaging over 200. To do that in league and then to come out to a provincial tournament and average only about 180 must hurt. She definitely needs to get her head space figured out for those tournaments. She just wants to win SO badly that it just consumes her and affects her game. She really is an incredible bowler, and if she was as cool & nonchalant in big tournaments as she is in league, I would have no chance, she would be right up there. But, alas, life doesn't work that way. Too many times do really good players bomb in tournaments because their head games aren't anywhere near their physical game. I also realized this today of Summar, 3 years post-youth. Incredibly good in league, but I beat her in World Cup this year, and last year at CNCs. Man, if I could only get my physical game where theirs are... I would be scary good! Actually I'm pretty sure Ted had said that once; that people would be scared of me.. But I don't know when or if that will ever happen. I might decide to work at it every week in the summer - if possible. But I would need Ted or Dan to help me out. Once again, we'll see!
Well it worked. Ted had wanted me to try cupping my wrist all night long, but I just don't have the strength to do that, to throw a good ball over and over, so once we started our game I said enough with that. I then proceeded to throw a 196, 189, 179, 169. Ya the scores went down, but honestly I was throwing a better ball by each game. The oil was starting to break down by the end of the 3rd and by the 4th, I just didn't have enough time to make the right adjustments. I finally had it all in place by the 10th frame.. drat! At least I was above average, 183!
Once thing about the Monday league is that it's scratch. You have 3 bowlers on a team, labeled A, B & C. The best bowler is A and C is the worst. I was sparing for the B bowler. So each player is against, the other same labeled player on the other team. For example B bowls against B. Whoever wins gets 2 points for the win, same with the other players, and then there's another 2 points for the team with the highest total.
Tonight I just so happened to be bowling against one of my coaches, Brian, who is also my teammates Dad. He usually gives me a hard time with stuff, and he actually gets on my nerves a lot, because he basically always tells me the same thing - stay behind the ball. But I can't just do it at your command!! I've been bowling this way for many years, it doesn't just go away. And he always makes these jokes about how if we miss something or get a brooklyn, he's go "I would have gotten that". It gets old now. So I definitely wanted to beat him tonight. I beat him 3 out of 4 games, and only lost to him by 1 in the last game. So ha.
One thing though.. I have respect for coaches who can actually throw high games, it shows they obviously know what they are talking about because they can apply it to themselves. Now Brian and I have basically the same average. He doesn't look like a very good bowler, BUT he is a pretty old guy and has knee trouble and maybe even joints in the hand problems. So I can't be too judgmental about that. BUT the fact that I beat him tonight kind of makes me want to tell him to shove it the next time he tries to "help".
On a side note, I kind of really feel bad for Chelsey. She bowls full time in this league, and the past few weeks I've seen her just tear it up, averaging over 200. To do that in league and then to come out to a provincial tournament and average only about 180 must hurt. She definitely needs to get her head space figured out for those tournaments. She just wants to win SO badly that it just consumes her and affects her game. She really is an incredible bowler, and if she was as cool & nonchalant in big tournaments as she is in league, I would have no chance, she would be right up there. But, alas, life doesn't work that way. Too many times do really good players bomb in tournaments because their head games aren't anywhere near their physical game. I also realized this today of Summar, 3 years post-youth. Incredibly good in league, but I beat her in World Cup this year, and last year at CNCs. Man, if I could only get my physical game where theirs are... I would be scary good! Actually I'm pretty sure Ted had said that once; that people would be scared of me.. But I don't know when or if that will ever happen. I might decide to work at it every week in the summer - if possible. But I would need Ted or Dan to help me out. Once again, we'll see!
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Saturday Youth League
Bowling hungover is the worst. And yesterday wasn't the worst I've ever been. But because of that I felt totally out of it and bowling wasn't much fun. I couldn't make very good shots, the ball just didn't feel good in my hand. I was consistent enough at least I suppose, but the scores weren't near where I wanted them to be. I averaged 170 with a high of 180. My average is 182, but will drop once again.
I decided to stay after league to practice; why not? I didn't feel like going home to just sit around. Ted also stayed and we got some good work done. One of the things to note that we worked on was a two handed release. I had a lot of trepidation to do that (if you don't know what that looks like, google Jason Belmonte). Compared to the "normal" way it just seemed like it would be really difficult to change.
I was surprised to discover it wasn't!! Of course I look nothing like Belmonte, I have way less power going through the ball. It was also a nice break on my thumb - because of the use of the second hand, there's no need for the thumb to be in the ball to be able to hold onto it, thus you get waaay more rotation and rpms on the ball.
The purpose to get me to do that was to get me extending further over the lane, to end up with more fingers and less thumb. Or at least that's what I felt I got out of it. Now I'm kind of thinking I might like to actually change completely to that style, but we'll see. Ted and Dan had been talking about doing that actually; I think they were only ever half serious, but the fact that Ted got me doing that and then probably went to tell Dan about it, tells me it was more serious an idea than I thought.
So overall it was a great 1.5 hrs of practice and my arm is still sore today. Next up is sparing for the adult league (as in subbing for someone) so I can't practice, but I'm still going to go for the start of practice and warm up, maybe chat with Ted about what he wants me doing coming up soon. We've decided to give me a few weeks to see where I can get in maybe changing things, before drilling some new balls. I need at least 2 weeks to break in new stuff so I have about 3 weeks to figure stuff out.
So while all this sounds very promising for the future, it doesn't make me feel good about CNCs. I think it's really going to throw me off, there are so many different things that I've been trying, that I don't know what to do to be at my optimal best. But at least I'll have those 2 weeks to settle into "normal", I'll ask Ted to come out or even Dan if Ted is busy. Even though I know I can't win, I still want to show everyone that I am a force, and that they should be watching out for me in the future..
I decided to stay after league to practice; why not? I didn't feel like going home to just sit around. Ted also stayed and we got some good work done. One of the things to note that we worked on was a two handed release. I had a lot of trepidation to do that (if you don't know what that looks like, google Jason Belmonte). Compared to the "normal" way it just seemed like it would be really difficult to change.
I was surprised to discover it wasn't!! Of course I look nothing like Belmonte, I have way less power going through the ball. It was also a nice break on my thumb - because of the use of the second hand, there's no need for the thumb to be in the ball to be able to hold onto it, thus you get waaay more rotation and rpms on the ball.
The purpose to get me to do that was to get me extending further over the lane, to end up with more fingers and less thumb. Or at least that's what I felt I got out of it. Now I'm kind of thinking I might like to actually change completely to that style, but we'll see. Ted and Dan had been talking about doing that actually; I think they were only ever half serious, but the fact that Ted got me doing that and then probably went to tell Dan about it, tells me it was more serious an idea than I thought.
So overall it was a great 1.5 hrs of practice and my arm is still sore today. Next up is sparing for the adult league (as in subbing for someone) so I can't practice, but I'm still going to go for the start of practice and warm up, maybe chat with Ted about what he wants me doing coming up soon. We've decided to give me a few weeks to see where I can get in maybe changing things, before drilling some new balls. I need at least 2 weeks to break in new stuff so I have about 3 weeks to figure stuff out.
So while all this sounds very promising for the future, it doesn't make me feel good about CNCs. I think it's really going to throw me off, there are so many different things that I've been trying, that I don't know what to do to be at my optimal best. But at least I'll have those 2 weeks to settle into "normal", I'll ask Ted to come out or even Dan if Ted is busy. Even though I know I can't win, I still want to show everyone that I am a force, and that they should be watching out for me in the future..
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