Carrying Corner Pins, part 2
9/26/11
 
 

The best thing to do when leaving corner pins is to adjust your mark on the lane or where you stand on the approach.  You will have to take in account your ball reaction and the way you are leaving the corner pins to know which way you should adjust. For example, if I am playing straighter up the lane and leaving weak tens (6 pin lays in flat gutter) I will move my feet inside a couple boards and keep my spot on the lane the same to try and create a little move angle as the ball hits the pocket. 


If I am playing more of an inside angle where the ball is covering a lot of boards anyway, I will tighten up the shot (move mark on lane left and feet to the right) to try to save more of the balls energy for when it hits the pocket rather than using it up to get to the pocket. 


If moving your mark or your feet doesn't seem to help, then you can try to adjust your ball speed.  I will always try to move my marks first because it is a lot harder to control your ball speed when you are throwing the ball faster or slower than you usually do. 


If you are leaving weak corners, try to throw the ball a little softer.  If you are leaving ringing corners, then a little firmer might help.  You will probably have to adjust your mark as well, though.  The harder you try to throw the ball, the more lift you will get on and vice-verse. 


It all comes down to trying different things to see what works for you.  I have people tell me that they move forward or back on the approach to help them carry.  That will probably work, but not for the reason that you think.  If you move forward on the approach, you will be forced to take smaller steps which leads to less momentum and slower ball speed.  If you move back, whether you like it or not, you will finish your slide in the same place.  You will automatically take longer steps, which will lead to more momentum and faster ball speed.


In conclusion, when someone asks me how they can carry better...PRACTICE. Try different things and see what works best for you, and what you are more comfortable with.  I was always told "If you want to do better, you have to do different".  I can't think of a more fitting context for that bit of advice.

 
 
Made on a Mac

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