My thought process of aiming.

[Timothy Small]

I have noticed a lack of material on what is going on in the mind of a bowler when he selects his target and his aiming process. I have had to develop my own system which is probably not all inclusive. Since the ball is set down about 5 or 6 boards to the right of a right-handers ankle at release; I started aiming my big toe 5 boards to the left of my intended board of delivery. For instance; if I am trying to set the ball on the 18th board I aim my left big toe at the 23rd board and try to end up there at the foul line without looking, of course. Depending on lane conditions I view the 18th board just over the foul line, and (for instance) 13th board at the arrows, (15 feet) and maybe 11th board at around 25 feet. I draw a straight line down the three targets (18 at the foul line, 13 at the arrows and 11 at the final target) trying to keep the ball in line with all three targets all the way through the shot, looking only at the final target. If I leave a 10 pin I look three inches closer on the lane at my final target than I did previously. If I leave a 4 pin I look out three inches farther at my final (third) target than I did previously. This system seems to work pretty good for me. I may not be putting the ball exactly on the 18th board but if I think I am my perspective is still the same shot after shot. Maybe I put the ball down on the 16th board when trying to put the ball down on the 18th board, but it is put down in the same place each time a close as I can come; which is the important thing. Consistency in the entry target is as important as consistency at the arrows or your final target (where ever that might be). Hope this helps someone with their thought process and aiming. I would like to know how you go about the process of aiming.