Lately i have been focusing on some things to improve my game. Some include backhand shots and short shots. I think i succeeded at the end of week of having a better understanding on how to really put those skills to work. I also have been working on, but not focusing on yet, positioning on the course because if you’re not positioned on the course well after each hit then you are almost guaranteed to lose every match. Another thing i have been working on also is moving the birdie around, so you can make your opponent move around and out of position. After the end of that week, I have took somewhat good strides in improving those aspects of my game.

As the weeks keep going by, I would like to keep improving on the above mentioned and hopefully by doing that put some games in the win column. I believe if i keep working at these things then huge strides would then be made in my game.

One of the issues I have is getting my hand to turn, thumb up. Before this class I never bowled like that. It’ hard breaking a style that I’ve been doing for years. I see how turning the hand will set the curve for the ball. This is something I’ve been trying  to learn for years. There have been times in the class where I’ve put a small curve on the ball, but I need to really work on turning that hand. I also need to work on turning in things on time. I know I’ve fallen behind, but I’m trying to make it up for a semi-good grade.

I’ve bowled for years, but I never took the time to learn the true techniqes behind it. There is a science behind everything, and I hope to better understand the science behind bowling and the techniques from Mr. Wilson. I’ve got a lot I need to work on in a short amount of time,but I’m know I can do it. I hope to improve my avrage befor this class is over, and I think I can with the skills I’ve learned.

Breaking old habits is the hardest thing to do. Firstly, in the beginning I would always throw my ball with my palm facing up. This maneuver always worked for me since my scores were never less than 100, but I should have been throwing my ball with my palm facing to the right since I’mright handed. I got the hang of that, but I am still having a little trouble keeping my hand straight when I release the ball.  Now that i have changed the way i threw the ball I had to change my steps, since the ball developed a curve. Finally, I am getting the hang of looking at the arrows in  the lane when I throw the ball. I noticed when I look up at the pins I get a split, but when I look at the arrows right after I have a nice clean up getting a spear.

Hopefully, with plenty more practice I will be able to throw an amazing curve ball with a perfect release and get more strikes. In order to achieve this goal I have to remember to keep my palm to the right and my arm straight when I throw the ball. Also, following the arrows in the lane will help me with guiding my ball in the dirrection I want it to go. Finally, I have to remind myself not to look up at the pins until after I throw the ball.

when i started bowling when i went up to the lane i did not pay any attention to the markers on the lane and i just let the bowling ball go any way and wonderd why it sometimes went into the gutter. then i got some pointers and learn that i was turn my body side ways and the ball ways coming arcoss my bdy and not going where it needed to and that i was taking to many steps because i was tip toeing like 7 steps and when i should only be taking only 4 steps.

the other thing that learn for this class is that the score keeping processes i never learned because of the computer doing it for me but know i know how to add a strike in and also a spare.

I noticed over the weeks my issues and developed solutions as well. I came into the alley unexperienced and left with creativity. My aim wasn’t on point. I practiced on my goal of aiming after class and other bowling alleys. I work at the NCCC bowling alley so i had alot of time to practice. I noticed that i was getting higher scores on my average sheet. I also was able to address my mistakes after i bowled a horrible throw.

Next week and for the rest of the year, i plan on keeping my game up and consistent. I have a little temper issue when i do horrible, but i am working on it more now and not hanging my head when everything doesn’t work out. Practice is the key to be successful. If i keep a positive mindstate, i will always do better when i bowl.

Anothet thing i was told to do was comment on someone else’s bowling. Nicole, sorry. You are not a horrible bowler at all. You have your good days and bad just like any other person. I’m not sure if anyone has commented on it but you are getting better by the day in my opinion. You seem to be very teachable and not get offended with criticism. Keep up the good work!

Also, this week i learned when to use a short serve and a long serve. These two techniques will make your opponent go crazy because they won’t expect the intial serve to be long or short depending how tricky you want it to be. Also, I learned how to complete drop shots and drive shots, both can score you many points and are very good techniques to use in single games. Also, we learned what a set point is. If the game ends up being a tie, the first player who reaches 11 first gets the choice to set the point or not. One thing i need to concentrate more on is how to get the shots that fling right at you. They seem to be the most difficult, but i learned how to move to the side quickly and smash it to the other side the best you can. Before, i just stood there attempting to hit it, but gave up because they are nearly impossible to hit. I know i can critique myself for this certain skill. It will take a lot of effort and determination.

This course has taught me so much. High school badminton is totally less competitive, but very fun, and college badminton made me perform better. I remebered when i could barely play the game, but with continued practice and just focusing,  led me to the best results, not only in badminton, but in just about everything that I’m able to accomplish. I see myself being a very avid badminton player in the future, especially for the rest of this course. I love a game with tough competition and sometimes just to play for fun.

    On Thurs 2/4, we played the one sided games. Jess won the right court 11-8. She also won the second game in the left court 11-10. Then we played the short court and I won 11-7. We then played doubles against Courtney and Candace and Jess and I won 15-6. I think my biggest issue is that i don’t move back, or at all for that matter, after my serve. Jess found it easy to hit the birdie on the opposite side of the court, where she knew i couldn’t get to it in time.

    I still need to work on the shot,low backhand. I try it almost everytime i get the chance. Its harder than i expected. Im used to hitting it hard, spiking and driving. I need to learn to be more gentle with it. I also need to start moving after I serve. Its harder to get to the birdies that aren’t hit directly to me when I  move.

   Im definatly good with directing where i want the birdie to go. I can put it anywhere I want it. My drive shots are also good. I have a powerful smash as well.