The improvement over the last few weeks wasn't particularly in evidence this evening. Less than half the ends had two or more bowls close. Only five with a bowl within one foot of the jack. A poor result end eleven onwards. This would not have been a winning performance. Maybe after Sunday's final win I've shot my bolt.
Here's the scorecard and all the graphs below. Aiming for a further marked improvement when I start solo practise next spring ~:0(
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When we keep statistics from our practice sessions, what question are we trying to answer? Are we improving; right? By trying to make our testing sessions as much like an actual match as possible, I suspect that we are introducing so much randomness derived from game variables that we cannot see the incremental effect of improvement. I propose that a different approach be tried. Let us set a more controlled bowling test by fixing the jack distance. Let us choose our favorite distance and favourite mat position and judge improvement over time by how much better we can perform this simplified test. In theory, if we get good enough to win every end played with our favorite mat position and favorite distance, we can hang onto the mat until the game is complete and we have won, so the situation is not completely divorced from reality.
ReplyDeleteIsn’t getting within a foot of the jack more likely when the jack is just 23 meters away rather than 30? The assumption of your test assumes there is no difference. It seems that to test the consistency of a bowling delivery by measuring that final separation, the length of jack should be kept fixed.
For convenience the test could be conducted on two rinks side by side. Each would be arranged with the mats the same distance up the rinks and with the jacks your favorite distance from the front mat edges. Jack positions should be marked with chalk and the jack replaced if it is moved by any bowl. A bowl already delivered close to the jack should not be penalized by having the jack moved. Keeping score as you do should now give a result less affected by other errors. The score should reflect the consistency of your bowling delivery.
Of course mechanics are only part of improvement as a bowler. Estimate of distance and transmission of that into the correct weight on the bowl are essential but there is no reason to not believe that these will improve as your physical consistency improves.
Finally there is strategy and shot selection which are entirely a separate matter.
Hi Clarke... Thank you for your comments. I have been doing my solo sessions to s fixed length for some time (see the post dated 21 June 2014). Deduced as you have that I'd better get accurate at one length before trying multiple lengths. So I opted for a medium length.
DeleteIf has helped me greatly. Even if an opponent sets a long or short length jack, I only have to adjust slightly.
Has your outdoor season finished yet? How did this year's bowls end up for you?
Regards, John
My outdoor season in Canada ends October 4th. I have been having some trouble with knee pain in my anchor leg when I deliver. I have been taking physiotherapy. It has helped somewhat. I have had my best competitive bowling these last few weeks (anecdotal evidence without measurements). What helped me most this year was your advice to imagine a steel rod through elbow and wrist. My line varies less from the intended and my weight is much better.I will bowl indoors for a few months and then head to Australia for the winter. My sister-in-law has a granny flat at her house near the bowls club! Retirement has many advantages.
DeleteGood on you Clarke! Hope there are a pile of antipodean wins to come and you record them on your blog.
DeleteI'm doing a bit of an update on Bowling for Gold to include an icon for 2015. Part of that is an inclusion of a 'Useful links' icon. Hope it's OK if I include a link to your bowling blog.
Regards, John