To help you to understand what Pin and CG placements can do for you, I have compiled 4 basic layouts to illustrate the different characteristics achievable.

I hope you find this little piece of information useful. Enjoy experimenting with an old ball and see if it works for you.

Till my next post, happy bowling.

Jonathan

As far as bowling is concerned, it has proven to be the best for Sarawak. With a total haul of 7 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, they have surpassed their official goal of 4 gold medals. Wilayah Persekutuan gave them a good fight by amassing 4 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 1 bronze medal.

What this year’s results show is a far cry from past SUKMAs when powerhouses like Selangor, Penang and even Sabah, dominated most of the medals on offer. What went wrong? I suppose it’s back to the drawing board for some states to dissect their performance.

Having said that, the youths who dominated this year’s tournament have proven their worth. The majority of them are either in the country’s national backup squad or national youths.

Victorious Sarawak boys

Victorious Wilayah Persekutuan girls

The Masters Finals for both the Boys and Girls categories were thrilling to watch. With a final push for the last two medals on offer, it was a ‘now or never’ attitude for all concerned. It turned out to be Wilayah Persekutuan’s day. They captured both the gold medals, although it wasn’t smooth sailing at any moment of time.

In the Girls category, eventual champion Nur Umirah of Wilayah Persekutuan had to fight her way up as 5th seed. In the quarterfinals, she defeated Sarawak’s Jacqueline Sijore with games of 257-194 and 226-184 to set up a match with Siti Shazwani of Johore. With games of 211-184 and 213-168, Umirah emerged victorious. In the Finals, Penang’s Fatin Syazliana was no push over. Fatin bowled games of 212/202/175, but Nur Umirah replied with games of 165/245/259 to win her first SUKMA gold medal.

In the Boys category, top seed Syimir Abdul Razak of Wilayah Persekutuan had a close call with 5th seed Muhd Aizudeen of Selangor breathing down his neck. Syimir had earlier disposed off Dinie Faliq of Melaka with games of 239-183 and 258-222 at the quarterfinals. Aizudeen won the first game on 256-232 only to lose the second game on 189-257. Forcing a third game decider, underdog Aizudeen had finished on a 236 game. He could only wait to see if Syimir could do the impossible by striking home to beat him by 1 pin. Being the more experienced of the two, this National Youth proved he is no fluke…he finished on a 237 game to set up a final match with 2nd seed Jonathan Ding. What ensued was a thrilling match…with Syimir and Jonathan matching each other frame for frame. Syimir lost game1 on 198-202. He made up with a win in game2 with 246-179. The finale was a repeat of his match with Aizudeen…he won by 1 pin on a 259-258 game.

For more photos, please go to
http://www.facebook.com/pages/ABC-To-Bowling/53315535453

Will Sarawak be able to repeat their medal haul or go one up at the next SUKMA? Will the other states come back with a vengeance? Looks like only time will tell. For now…cheers everyone!

Jonathan

LEAVING THE 10 PIN: A Close Examination

Most of the time when a good shot is thrown into the pocket, we anticipate a strike. This does not always happen. Your first thought could be you were just unlucky. Let me tell you this…luck has very little to do with it. The two diagrams I’ve drawn for you will explain exactly what has actually taken place.

You are looking at the ball hitting the pocket at a 60-ft distance. The ball could have struck the head pin slightly heavy (diagram A) or it could have struck the head pin slightly light (diagram B). Of course there’s always the question of the ball’s angle of entry to consider.

Ponder the above scenario. If you wish, you can leave me your comments on my Facebook Page (ABC To Bowling).

To all the fathers out there, HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

Jonathan

TWO-STEP DRILL

- Accelerated Power Step -

The two-step drill is an integral part of a bowler’s bio-mechanical functions in the process of developing the power step. Besides acquiring good swing timing, the two-step drill also acts as a catalyst to developing an accelerated swing…a knowledge that is so advantageous in today’s modern power play.

HOW TO PRACTISE THE TWO-STEP DRILL

Start by positioning yourself about 4-5 feet from the foul line.

Place your feet in the staggered starting stance, with the take-off foot (right leg for right handed bowler) about 3-4” further back.

Hold ball stationary by the side of the body. Extend balance arm to 8-9 o’clock.

Begin by pushing the ball forward. During the backward downswing, take a small step forward with the take-off leg.

When the ball reaches the apex of the backswing, you should be in the set ‘pro’ posture and your body weight should be centered on your take-off leg.

NOW you are in the power zone. With your take-off leg, push forward strongly to drive into the slide with your sliding leg…as you accelerate the forward swing.

The result will be a higher ball speed with higher rev rates.

Practise this drill until you achieve the desired results.

I would once again stress that your Basic Fundamentals are the building blocks for a solid game. Once you get them right, learning new things become a breeze.

Look out for more bowling tips in the weeks to come. Till then…have a blast on the lanes!

If you are not a fan yet, go to the link on the top right of this page to join my Facebook Page (ABC To Bowling) to connect with me. Exciting things coming up soon.

Jonathan

THE BALANCE LINE DRILL
- Your Finish Position & Pendulum Swing -

Let’s start with your BODY POSITION.

1. Begin with the in-step of your sliding foot on the middle dot at the foul line. Bend your body forward so that your toe, knee and shoulder are above each other in a balanced line through your body.

2. Develop a deep knee-bend with the balance leg, while you develop a straight waist bend to get your shoulders above the knee. The trailing leg should be stretched back slightly.

3. The toe of the trailing leg should be UP ON THE APPROACH or should be turned over on its side. The trailing leg should be OFF TO THE SIDE to provide for balance. (About 45 degrees, creating a triangular base). Keep your body weight OFF THE BACK FOOT.

4. Your non-bowling arm should be stretched out parallel to your body between 8.00 and 9.00 o’clock for balance and counter resistance.

Now, let’s discuss the DRILL TECHNIQUE.

1. Begin by building the correct balance line at the foul line.
2. Do five swings starting with the ball motionless at the side.
3. Start the drill with the backward motion of the ball by pulling gently, and relax.

Swing # 1: Gently pull back and relax, let the ball swing freely.
Swing # 2: INCREASE the backward pull more, relax, let the ball swing freely.
Swing # 3: INCREASE the backward pull EVEN more, relax, let ball swing freely, and release the ball on this third swing
Swing # 4: Arm swing back, and relax.
Swing # 5: Arm swing back, and relax.

The 4th and 5th swings after the ball has been released are to determine if you can maintain your balance position (if you lose your balance, it indicates that you have pushed or pulled the ball and have not created a FREE PENDULUM SWING).

All swings must be the same, especially the 3rd one, where the ball is released.

Work on this drill and see if your consistency improves after a while. You can check out more FUNDAMENTAL TIPS here:

http://www.abc2bowlingstrikes-spares.com/special_offer.php

http://www.abc2bowlingstrikes-spares.com/special_offer_all.php

If you have any coaching queries, feel free to contact me at abc2bowling@gmail.com

Have a great day on the lanes…

Jonathan

Kelly Kulick and Carolyn Ballard were the only two American PBA bowlers to take part this year. Carolyn was here to defend the title she won last year.

The lane conditions were described as ‘challenging’ and even Kelly, who has been bowling for 27 years (since she was 6 yrs old) had to dig deep into her experience to lift this year’s crown. In the quarter finals, she defeated 2005 Champion, Siti Safiyah of Malaysia with games of 196/212/224 against Safiyah’s 178/238/197 (won 2-1). Kelly had a relatively easy match against Liza Del Rosario of Philippines in the semi finals when she bowled lines of 191/216 to beat Liza’s 188/178. In the final matchplay, Kelly was stretched to the limits when she had to face a ’spinner’ from Chinese Taipei in the name of HL Chien. Kelly lost the first game 184/211. She recovered to win the second game by a mere 6 pins when she shot a 218 game against Chien’s 212. Again in the decider, she had a close call although she finally clinched the title on a 211 game against Chien’s 201 game.

With her win, Kelly took home RM15000 prize money and a chance to defend her crown next year. HL Chien had to settle for RM7500.

In the Men’s Division, defending Champion Zulmazran Zulkifli of Malaysia was unable to make it a 3-times hattrick after crashing out in the quarter finals. However, team mate Adrian Ang was able to keep the title in the country when he beat Osku Palermaa of Finland in an exciting match to claim his first Malaysian Open title.

Adrian had earlier disposed off Shaker Al Hassan of UAE with wins of 279-191 and 238-202 in the quarter finals. He however did not have an easy passage against Hussain Al Suwaidi, also of UAE, in the semi finals. He was stretched to games of 261/238/199 against Hussain’s 187/247/169 (won 2-1) to set up a meeting with Osku who had earlier disposed off another Malaysian youngster, 18 yrs old Yusof Abdul Raof in the semi finals.

Both Adrian and Osku succumbed to apparently challenging lane conditions on their opening games…with Adrian shooting a poor 163 game and Osku with an even poorer 147 game. However, after many ball changes, they were able to get their act together in game 2 with Osku levelling the points to one each. In the decider, Adrian was able to prove he was a better bowler on that day, when he shot a 222 game against Osku’s 214 game.

An exciting match to watch overall. Home ground, home advantage, plus a hot streak after coming in second and beating a few PBA fellows at the Brunswick Euro Challenge in Paris just a week ago may have added to this young gun’s confidence to win his first Malaysian Open title. 

Adrian pocketed RM35000 for his win and Osku took home RM17000.

For detailed scores, please go to MTBC official website.

Have a HAPPY EASTER!

Jonathan