Absolutely. Understanding and converting spares is critical to any bowler's game.
SPARES
Learning the Art of Spare Making:
* The 3-6-9 method is what we are taught when we first start bowling. It's easy to remember, but sometimes this method does not work because of different oiling patterns and cross lane traffic from other balls traveling down the lane. It's called the 3-6-9 because this is the number of boards you need to move your feet to convert your spare without moving your strike target (All of these movements work only if you are at a particular spot to roll a strike.).
* If you should leave a 2 pin or an 8 pin or a combination of the two (2-4-5, 2-4-5-7, 2-7, or any other combination) then you should move your feet 3 boards right on the approach from your strike target to convert this spare.
* If you should leave a 4 pin or combination with a 4 pin you should move your feet 6 boards right on the approach from your strike target to convert this spare or spare combination.
* For a 7 pin leave or combination with a 7 pin, you should move your feet 9 boards on the approach from your strike target to convert this spare.
* For a 3 pin leave or combination with a 3 pin, such as (3-9, 3-5-6, 3-5-6-9, 3-6-9-10, 3-10) or any other combination, then move your feet 3 boards left on the approach, move your target one m your strike target to convert this spare.
* For a 6 pin leave or combination with a 6 pin, move your feet 6 boards left on the approach and move your target two boards left from your strike target to convert this spare or spare combination.
* For a 10 pin leave, move your feet nine boards left and move your target three boards left to convert this spare.
* Reverse everything for left handed bowlers.
* One reason this spare system may not work fo ryou is because you may not have allowed enough angle to convert corner pins or splits.
'Rolling the Ball Straight to Convert Spares'
* This requires learning your swing path so your direction is good. We know that you have 13 boards at 60+ ft to convert spares (ball is 8 1/2 inches wide + pins 4 1/2 inches wide = 13 inches, lane 62 1/2 + ft)
* Use a ball that does not hook much (the choice of some professionals) or learn to roll the ball straight to convert spares so you can create more angle with your feet and body to increase the odds of making spares.
* Become aware of your "lay down area" (this is the number of boards the ball is set down on the lane from the point where you end up sliding). This varies from bowler to bowler because our bodies are different shapes and sizes.
* Next, choose a primary target (a spot at the arrows that you would like your ball to cross). You can achieve this by drawing an imaginary line from the pin or pins that you wish to knock down, and then back to the arrows where you would like y our ball to cross over. You don't have to be perfect. You have an area so you don't have to hit your target exactly perfect, but you must have good direction.
* We know that the pins match the arrows which match the dots on the approach, and center dot is the 20th board, which s the head pin or pin #1.
* This is the formula that I use to convert my spares (this formula may not work for everyone):
1. First, I calculate my (LD) Lay Down point to my (PT) Primary Target and to the pin or pins that I want to knock down.
2. Example: My (LD) Lay Down point is 8 boards from my ankle; the 10 pin located on the 5th board at 60+ feet.
3. So, if I slide on the 36th board, I need to calculate where my (PT) Primary Target should be.
4. Slide 36 minus my (LD) Lay Down point. Thus, 36 - 8 = 28th board. Next, draw a straight line to the 10 pin and it should look like the ball needs to cross the arrows on the 23rd board. This now becomes your (PT) Primary Target.
5. To further explain this sequence: If a ball rolling straight on the 28th board at it's starting point, then crosses at a point 15 feet away and 5 boards right (23rd board PT) it will continue to go 5 boards right every 15 feet, thus when it gets 30 feet down the lane, it is now on the 18th board; and when it is at 45 feet, it is now on the 13th board; when it is at 60 feet, it is now on the 8th board. So we know we have converted the 10 pin which is located on the 5th board at 60+ feet down the lane.
Conclusion:
* Since we have an understanding that shooting spares from the center part of the lane with a straight line will increase your odds of converting spares much more accurately, then this is how we should do it.
* To achieve this, we must either learn t roll the ball straight or get a ball which doesn't hook much so it will increase the odds of our spare making ability. This way, we have also taken a major variable out of the equation, which is the oiling pattern on the lane.
* For more infomration on bowling and a 50% discount on your first bowling lesson, please bring a copy of this form with you when you visit me, so that we can go over all the techniques I have listed.
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