Q. I want to go into coaching bowling as a profession, I have a lot of bowling experience and have been coaching juniors at my home center for years. I think I know enough of the basics to skip at least the first set of coaching classes like the USBC bronze class. Is there a test I could take to be able go on to the next level?

A. No, there is no test that would enable you to skip the bronze class.
In order to go to the Silver level you must first take the Bronze class and
pass that test. I know that may seem unfair to you but believe me as much as you think you know about bowling there is always more you can learn. I thought I knew all the basics when I went to the bronze class but I quickly found out how many things I didn't know. The Bronze class was very informative and well worth the price. The best part is by everyone taking these classes it standardizes the language used in coaching so no matter what part of the country you teach in everyone is talking the same game. So bite the bullet and take the Bronze course you will not be disappointed.

Q. I never have the feeling at release that my thumb comes out first, and then my fingers follow. It feels like the thumb and the fingers come out together. What do you think might be the problem?

A. This could be one of two things, you could be turning the ball too early in your down swing. Going around the ball or topping the ball does rob you of finger lift. The other is a timing problem, if your swing is not
properly aligned with your steps this can cause early turn. This is the most likely culprit. The best cure for this is a lesson. Contact a coach and tell them what your feeling or not feeling and they can look for a timing problem. You can't get proper lift on the ball if your timing is not there.

Q. I have a two-part question. 1. I want to learn tougher tournament conditions, where can I go to practice on these conditions? 2. Does the ball make a difference or is it just a matter of accuracy to be able to score on the tough conditions?

A. The summer is a good time to learn how to bowl on tougher shots, many centers run sports condition leagues in the summer. If you can't find one ask your center if they would condition a couple of lanes for you with a sports condition to practice on. It is not as busy in the summer and if you ask nice they might be willing to put out the sports shot on one or more lanes for you. Another way to talk the center into that is to get some of your friends together that like you also want to learn and have some small pot games or a small singles or doubles league once or twice a week at a designated time on a sports shot. Most bowling centers will do the lanes, as you want them in exchange for your promise of new business. Question 2. The ball does make a difference. On tougher shots you want a ball that is more controllable, this is achieved with less track flair, or a little more surface or both. Accuracy is still the biggest contributing factor but if the ball is hard to control or has little or no mid-lane read you won't be able to overcome that with accuracy alone.

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