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I often get asked questions about building arsenals. A lot actually. The main concept of an arsenal is to always be prepared no matter what the given situation might be. If Ball X reads too early, then switch to Ball Y if and only if the lanes haven't carried down, because Ball Z would have the best continuation and yadda yadda. Sounds complicated huh? Well, there lies the problem. I believe there is too much focus on arsenals and the technicalities of lane conditions (don't even get me started on the CG/side weight issue), that people lose sight of what is really important... EXECUTION! I don't care if your magic core from La La Land "creates" 20% more energy, it will not help you strike if you throw the ball 20% worse than your opponent. |
So rather than tell you what the best 2, 4, 5, 8 ball arsenal would be, I'd rather turn focus on some of the key elements I feel are ABSOLUTELY CRUCIAL to success in bowling: |
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Without a doubt, having a ball that feels great on the hand is the most important piece of this puzzle. There is no way you can be competitive if only 4 out of 10 shots get off your hand well. An ill-fitting bowling ball can make a great bowling ball roll awful and yield sub-par results. Once you get the "perfect fit", there is upkeep involved! Finger inserts and tape do not last the life of the ball!! Running a pro shop, I see things first hand that are sometimes unbelievable. Next up, basic fundamentals are key to success. Do whatever it takes to perfect your approach and balance... Get on video. Get a coach. Practice. Repeat. I've had success with simplifying my game over the last couple of years, mainly gearing down. I've sought out guidance from the best in the business and will continue to do so until I feel that I no longer want to bowl competitively. Mark Baker, Ric Hamlin, Johnny Petraglia, Robert Lawrence and Billy Orlikowski have all been instrumental in my success. |
The next key to success is what I feel really separates the good bowler from the great ones. So many times do I see league bowlers walk up to the ball return, grab their ball and whooosh! It's almost like a 20 step approach starting at the settee area with a brief stop at the ball return. Having a pre-shot routine allows you to get into the mindset of how to attack the next shot, and maybe more importantly, to tune out the distractions. |
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Finally, having motivation to excel is very important. A person can have all the talent in the world, but without the drive and expectation to win, they are hopeless. Being indifferent or apathetic to the outcome is not the mindset of a champion. YOU HAVE TO CARE! YOU HAVE TO WANT TO WIN! So what do I feel about arsenals? I think a proper arsenal consists of key elements for success, all of which happens before the bowling ball even touches the lane. |
