I am really frustrated this week.

 I have left 6 sanctioned 7-10 splits in a week. Wednesday last week, pocket 7-10, takes me from a 230-240 game to a 200. Sunday mixed doubled tournament, pocket 7-10 kills another 230 game in the 7th. Monday night league, pocket 7-10 in my 10 frame fill shot not a big deal. What was a big deal was the back to back 7-10's on the same lane. Stuffing balls in the pocket, then a 7-10. Strike on the left lane, another pocet 7-10 on the right lane. That was a heartbreaker. Tonight (wednesday) league I leave another pocket 7-10 to kill another 230 game.

 I also left up another one in practice yesterday.

 Its like a kick in the crotch.... the jewels can't take anymore :)

I havent left many up this season untill now. They are coming in droves. I havent changed anything in my game, except tonight and last night playing deeper. Middle arrow targetting with a breakpoint at the 10 board. monday night I was throwing my normal 3rd arrow to 7 board shot and left all of the 7-10s on what looked like good solid pocket hits. Tonights came in late behind the headpin a bit so I can see why I left it, but mondays were what looked like flush hits to me. the 10pin was ringing and the 7 was swishing.

Well, I can officially say that I am out of my slump and back to normal. I tossed a 298/764 series on the 29th of november, right after shooting a whopping 490 series. I read Focused for bowling and Bowling execution. After reading Focused for bowling, I shot the 754. Greatest book.... EVER!

 Since that 754 and not including it, in the last 15 outings (between 2 leagues) I have been averaging 209. The 15 outings prior to the 754 (and not including it) I was averaging 195. Big change. My confidence is high, my tecnique is way better and I am enjoying it again. I think the biggest difference is that when I throw a 3 bagger, my mind isnt saying "you suck and you are going to get a big split here". I get up on a 3 bagger and think "I am going sheet". I am no longer choking in the 9th and leaving a split every game like I was. I did leave a 2-8-10 in the second game's 9th frame wednesday, but I shot 202, then followed it up with a 247. 2 months ago I would have finished with a 190 and then shot 170. As Danny Ozark said,  Half of this game is 90% mental :) hee hee.

 I posted a video of myself bowling. Went and tossed 5 games on one lane. Used 3 different balls. A 2004 PBA Inferno (original inferno) with Rico Drilling (pin in the grip centre with the cg at 45 degrees, sanded to 600 grit), a 2005 PBA Inferno (Ultimate inferno polished) with the pin over the bridge, CG kicked out about 2" from GC and a weight hole (brunswicks 3L drilling), and a Primal Rage. The Primal Rage has the pin about 2" right of the ring finger with the cg straight down from the pin and a weight hole. I tossed that ball into the Lustre King and it goes stupid long despite the drilling. I still love that ball. I got it sanded down to 600 grit on monday and it took all the snappy late reaction off of it. I love it. Just what I wanted.

 I have been bowling most of my games (about 90%) with the Rico drilled inferno lately. I find I am getting a good consistant reaction with it. It doesnt jump on me like all my pin high equipment does. I made some drastic changes in my game over the last couple of years and now it seems I can't throw aggressive stuff anymore. I have an Ebonite Fire with the pin over bridge with CG in GC and I simply cannot use this ball anymore. It will either hook through the headpin or not make the turn for me anymore. This used to be my favourite drilling 3 years ago. I used to plant and crank and stroke it more now. I still turn the ball pretty hard but have taken a ton of speed off the ball. I think this is why most of my balls seem too jumpy to me. Maybe I am crazy or something, maybe I just hit this ball more than any of my other balls. Who knows, all I know is that it has spend more time on the dining room floor than on a ball return. The other balls I have used a lot this year are my Ti Super Beast drilled axis leverage. I love this ball due to its consistant reaction. It still hits like a truck and I feel confident throwing it. Only problem is carrydown makes this thing leave corners like mad. I have also been using my Polished Ultimate Inferno. This is drilled as I mentioned earlier. I like this cause it has a consistant reaction. I don't like it cause I have a tendancy to try and hook it too much. Hits fantastic though. Carries almost any pocket hit. I sometimes throw my Primal Rage when the lanes are fried and I need more hook than a plastic ball. I have also thrown quite a few games with my Ebonite Maxim. I use it only at my monday night league. Really dry and I have a hard time throwing reactive equipment many times. 2nd shift and they don't usually put much oil in the first place. Threw some really high games and series with it down there. I used it all summer long and averaged 203.8. I would kill for a Lane #1 XXXL but no one around here sells Lane #1.

Anyways, I have been throwing the ball well lately and havent let bad shots get to me. Words can't describe how much "Focused for bowing" by Dean Hinitz and "Bowling execution" by John Jowdy helped me. I feel like I am twice the bowler I was before the slump.

 Now if I could just work on reading lanes better and get better and moving when the lanes transition. I am 10 times better than I was a couple of years ago but still wait too long to move (IF I even move!).