Never Miss A SPARE Ever Again!

[@bobbyt1shot224]

Elise, Thank you I am an old man and have been Bowling for 54 years and never new how to do that.. I would always through and hope.. Nate you are a very Lucky man to have such a wife that does things you both can do for a life time...

[@darrenthedude1]

Elise, the comment you made about "trust your alignment" is SUPER valid for me! So many times I was lined up perfect, and then "helped" the ball, only to have it miss, me cursing myself for not trusting, and shooting confidently. Another important thing I've learned from another more skilled player, is to stop, SLOW down, VISUALIZE your line, position your body to throw the ball on the MARK that intercepts that line, and ONLY then, shoot your ball!

[@mgbow-1982]

Great tips. I am a lefty one-hander and find I do better on the right side for spares. The 9 and 10 pins go down well. It is the 7 and 8 that are more intimidating. The other thing friends in league tell me is that if you are worried about corner pins, if it is a single pin corner, you can actually aim more for the 8 pin or the 9 pin instead of 7 or 10, why, because aiming there is aiming inside. Plus - for single pins, you have some wiggle room for misses. If you take two bowling balls and then a bowling pin and sandwich that pin between the balls, and you do this at the foul line, you will see it is about 13 boards long (bowl width plus pin width plus final ball width). If you notice that it is 13 boards total, and we have 39 boards total, we really have a margin for error here when you think about it. 13 boards is 33% of the entire lane. So having a reliable spare system allows for their to be a small margin of error. I often find too that 20 isn't always the best focal point. Sometimes, you might want to aim to the left or the right of that board. You have to maybe open or close out your angle. That is why I find aiming any spare with your eyes between 15-25 boards, no matter what side. That overall eye aim zone should be no more than 15-25. That gives you the middle zone to keep your ball into. I find the same thing, hooking at your spares from your strong side to your weak side is easy to do, but for a tournament sport shot, it is not going to work. If you get into the practice of always shooting spares straight, you don't have the guessing game you do with a more advanced pattern of how to hit your spare when it is being hooked. Great content as always. Keep it up for us and give Nate our best!

[@daviddeiss7907]

This is a huge helpful lesson video. Fall League is over and I'm going to spend a lot of time focusing on improving my spare shooting this summer, thanks for the video elise

[@kenhill6408]

I loved the explanation, and it is similar to what I do. I know where I stand and target. I pivot around that point depending on what pins need to be included. I have a similar spot for the other side. These spots are only for my spares. My friends talked me into going to practice with them. The first three threw their ball like it was a regular game. I said I thought we were here to practice. I picked up my ball and took out the 7, and the second ball took out the 10. I told them they needed to work on their spares. Their opponent gets ahead of them every time they miss one. Three years later, I heard one of them telling others how I practiced when I practiced. He told them the only ball I took out of my bag to practice that day was my spare ball. Hopefully, this video helps a lot of people.

[@gordonm125]

Thank you so much for describing your spare system. I've adopted it with great success! I am twice your age and have recently renewed my love for bowling after serious back surgery. My rev rate and ball speed closely match yours so I am a student of your videos. Could you PLEASE put forth a slow-motion video of your RELEASE? I and others would be so very grateful. Thanks!

[@theresaj1467]

The hardest part for me in picking up the 10 pin is getting the correct alignment. I'm getting better, but still too inconsistent to feel comfortable in picking it up. I've always kept my hips open, but until now I've never really paid attention to how much they're open. Im going to test out different placements of my right foot against my left to add into my spare shooting system. Thanks for the tips!

[@CliftonDon74]

Nice video Elise. I have been shooting straight at my spares for a few years now and everything you say is valid. I will be directing folks to this video when they ask about making spares. 👍

[@themachine8842]

After i watched this, a few weeks ago i went to my group coaching lesson and he told me to aim for 7s and 10s and i hit them all. Now i am a way better spare shooter thanks to Elise.

[@jenniferboone-sz1lo]

wow I l learned this but I've been lining up w my right foot instead of the left. Now it makes sense why I had to adjust 5 boards. I feel so dumb. Thanks for this....I'll practice today.

[@tc4680]

Love this video. I'm missing too many makeable spares by being mentally caught on whether to hook it the left side rather than using my spare ball. Thanks so much for helping my simplify my thought process. Got instant results practicing today on both sides! ❤🔥

[@bobbybearbowling]

This is a great video. Elise is good at breaking things down to make it easy to understand. When able to start practicing again, I will try this method.

[@jenbishop9238]

PERFECTLY timed! Just got my first spare ball, and been struggling with targeting since I've been hooking at my spares. Thank you!

[@NateandElise]

Glad it helped!

[@billylusk3515]

I hadnt picked up a 10 pin in months and months, lost a few games because of it. Watched this video today, also got my new venom shock in. Went to practice and was 3 for 3 shooting the stupid 10 pin! Turned my body like you said. Thanks for the video.

[@NateandElise]

Awh!!! I’m so happy that you were able to figure it out!!!!

[@Inquire703]

Thank you so much, coming from a woman with hips. Your tips are so helpful, it will definitely improve my spare game!

[@stevekeller3643]

Elise, thanks for another valuable tip, tho I struggled a bit with this video. You lost me early when you said “stand on the dot right or left of the middle arrow”- what lol ? Replayed a few times & noted the different scenarios except for that first one. Anxious to try it out. Thanks again !

[@ginadipalermo5109]

Thank you so much. I have been looking for someone to show me how to stand and where to throw. This is a great starting point and I am confident that I will be able to use this system. I can’t thank you enough for this information. 🎉

[@rexjohnson1081]

I shoot the 10 pin now from the middle of the lane so I don't have to covor so much of the lane. Everything you do with feet and hips I do. I used to shoot them though exactly how you showed have improved alot though from shooting them from the middle of the lane. It is just more comfortable for me

[@jaymiller9418]

Great tips once again! Would have liked to have seen where your feet ended up at the foul line vs where you were lining up.

[@CharlieD954]

I just bought plastic ball for spares, now I need to follow your guidelines. Thanks for the tips.

[@joehoenig7596]

Great vid, Elise and thank you, not just for explaining your spare shooting system, but also for explaining the rationale behind it! A few questions, please: 1. I struggle using 20 as my spare target area, because it looks as if it's in the middle of my chest. I know this is an optical illusion, but do you have any suggestions or thoughts about this? 2. Could you please explain more about the relation between foot position and the position of the hips and shoulders, when shooting spares? When we shoot strikes, we typically align our entire body toward our intended strike target, or at least toward our intended strike path: feet/hips/shoulders. Yet when we shoot spares going straight with plastic, it seems that other than moving our non-slide foot back or forward a bit, as you demonstrated in your vid, spare shooting angles seem to be determined more with hips and shoulders, not the feet, so there is a disconnect, between the feet and the hips/shoulders. What is the down side, if any, to aligning feet/hips/shoulders when shooting spares, just as we do when attempting strikes? 3. Do you have any tips or drills to help bowlers roll their plastic ball spare shots straighter? At the amateur level, simply switching to a plastic spare ball, even with a spare system, isn't going to work if we still rotate our hand around that plastic ball at release. If we release our spare ball the same way we release our strike ball, the slightest dry spot on the lane will cause even that plastic ball to hook and miss the spare. How can we get better at switching back and forth between strike and spare releases? Thank you, and wishing you success on the upcoming 2024 PWBA season!

[@slncr-uf8qx]

The funny thing about shooting cross lane, picking up single pins are harder to pick up at first, but at the same time, splits feel so much easier to pick up compared to before.

[@NateandElise]

Yes, using this system makes picking up splits way easier!!!!!

[@dinozuzic1765]

Excellent video Elise, thanks very much. I do have a question. For the 10 pin, you stand on 30. Do you slide on 30 and look at 20? Thanks again, love watching you and Nate.

[@NateandElise]

Yes and yes.

[@kevincastic805]

Thank you! I'm new to league bowling and have been struggling with the 6 and 10 pin on my spares. I will try this tonight

[@NateandElise]

Good luck! It will make a huge difference!

[@paktype]

Wow, you really break it down really well. I never knew how involved this is.

[@jesslong75]

I only have one ball, just changed to fingertip from conventional. I was throwing my spares with it 12lb Storm tropical surge. and doing pretty good cause its a pretty straight ball. Struggling with fingertip. and now wondering if I will be able to be as acurate with it for straighter angles for the ten , i was getting pretty good a tthose from the left part of the lane straight into the 10.

[@2fast4ulsr]

I wish I had KZbin as a kid. I could never bowl correctly. These videos are great

[@551Newf]

That is basically what I do, but I have never created an actual "method". I think I tend to go too far to the extremes for the 7 or 10. So, corner to corner. (I'm a beginner hack rolling a hook). Having a method to practice will certainly help with my consistency. I have one ball that I'm presently using as I just came back to bowling after ~40 years and it is a Rhino reactive pearl, 14# ball. I need to get a spare ball and was wondering what you recommend, and do you drill it the same as your hook ball? I was thinking 13# for spares but not sure and have no idea what to look at. My hook is coming along, but my release I can see that my fingers are about an inch above the equator of the ball and that I need to work on getting my hand more underneath. Anyhow, I love how you teach, and appreciate your video! I'll follow you and hope to learn more from you.Thanks!

[@TheAnbaricuda]

Omg this helped me in just Two visits to bowl I can see improvement. Thank you so much.

[@NateandElise]

I'm so glad! Yayyyyy

[@RickyGonzalez-i6x]

Hi thank you for your feedback, I will surely try it and let you know how I'm doing. Have a question I have the Columbia 300 super cuda and the Roto Grip Excel. My sister wants to get me the ion max. Would this be a good addition to what I have. Our house pattern is oily in middle but dry outside.

[@NateandElise]

It all depends on how you throw it. The ion max is meant to dig in heavy oil and give the bowler a smooth but strong reaction

[@RickyGonzalez-i6x]

Elise I am 68 years old and started back bowling with my son, It's my first time back after 20+ years and my son's first-time bowling. I'm having problems with my release and spares. I used to average a 200+ average but fracture my wrist and had to go down to a 15 pound. I was a very good spare shooter but now my whole game is bad. How can I rectify my release and how can I get more revs on ball. Because of my wrist I've had to wear a brace so any hint would help. I've watched a lot of videos, but I found your channel more informative. Please help as I know I can do it. I'm very competitive. Thank you.

[@NateandElise]

You could go down in weight and that’ll allow you to gain rev rate and speed. You could do foul line drills to strengthen the wrist. I hope you keep going !

[@roberttsikretsis5014]

A saying I was taught was.Trust is a must or your games a bust. Trust your alignment.👍👍👍

[@cherylsmith7401]

Thank u! I need to practice this I will keep reviewing to get a complete understanding and take to lanes and practice😊

[@BrianGsell]

Great instruction! You really do a great job. Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@NateandElise]

You are so welcome!

[@badknees82]

Great video ms. lady....for corner pins.i use my strike ball...

[@SirJoelsuf1]

Love the info here but I think before any of it can be utilized, bowlers gotta change their mentality/attitude towards leaving spares. It is SO easy to get mad at spares when you leave em and that will affect how most shoot em. Would see this SO much in college: Even though I was mostly on the JV team because I only struck a third of the time, my single pin spare rate was in the mid to high 90 percentile while those who struck more than a third of the time could barely hit 90% on single pin spares. My multiple pin spare rate was even more ridiculous: It was close to 75%, and that INCLUDED washouts and splits. Highest across both teams by nearly 10%. The one underneath me was at 62.5%. Wasn't even a good bowler back then, average hovered around 205 or so, was super duper speed dominant. Like 175 RPMs but threw the ball close to 18 MPH...I was that a$$hole who would get my most aggressive ball, take it down to like 360, and hurl it out to the 10 board from the 15 board...lofting it to the markers haha. Everyone hated it. Even me, but it was all I knew at the time. WAY too one-dimensional to be part of ANY college team. Everyone I bowled with was like "what is your secret? You strike like four times a game at most but only run MAYBE two opens a game." My response was "well spares are free sticks if they're not splits. And if it's a single pin you have literally half the lane to cover it (unless it's a corner then you have a third of the lane). Those are like the 'free throws' of bowling: There's no defense, don't need to worry if your throw was on time, it's just ball to pin just like in basketball it's ball in basket." You could have the best and most optimized technique for spare shooting but if you're getting mad because you left a ringing 10 that should have carried, left a blower 7 that should have carried, or went light and left a 2 pin, went high and left a 4 pin, that mentality will get you to whiff it. It's even worse if you got mad at a spare you left on a bad shot and you thought it was a GOOD shot, cuz now you're mad for the wrong reason lol. I've run into so many bowlers in league who will leave 2s and 4s and complain that those should have carried. Um, no. If you leave a 2 pins and 4 pins you should consider yourself lucky there aren't other pins WITH it. Gotta treat single pins (and most 8 count multiple pins like 6-10, 4-7, etc) like how basketball players treat free throws in that they are pretty much guaranteed to improve scores.

[@danielvickery]

Unfortunately the angles change depending on where you start from. I bowl from the up dots and not the back dots. This changes the board placements and the bowling angles. From my position each angle is steeper. THUS I don't use the center arrow and must use the 17 board more which causes difficulties by sliding out of the oil and more into the dry on the 10 pin side,,, which is my harder side to pick up spares on [my straight shooting side].

[@Thekingpin01]

Should be the goal... doing perfect spares on every game sets are all ok all the way. Strikes will come on a calm manner.👌

[@derankweert]

Thanks for the tips Elise, Great Video. I can try this also. Love from Holland

[@bruceherbertiii5267]

Love your content! Question? What is your go to Pearl ball on house shots vs Solid ball?

[@kendalberry9058]

I like that you showed the trailer playing in the regal theater

[@RahmesRolls]

I line up with my left foot still when shooting at the 7, but I still position my right foot up as if to trap the ball. It was pretty vindicating to see your right foot is very close to where mine is/would be. My left foot goes to 18.

[@joker3dx]

Best video in a long time!

[@adamfield4119]

I love all your videos u are absolutely incredible u bring good information and u are absolutely awesome at bowling I love it and u

[@NateandElise]

Thank you so much 😀

[@adamfield4119]

@@NateandElise u are welcome have a good weekend I love u guys 💜💖🤗

[@dougpt10]

Why is your starting point 2 dots over from 20 for the 10 pin and only 1 dot over for the 7 pin? Wouldn't you want to create the same angle? ty?

[@smokey6965]

broken down very well, thank you for this

[@jimsalabim9203]

I won't say why I clicked on this video 😅

[@remington1439]

I just caught this video a few weeks late. High Avg I have but say 75% spare shooter.😂 When I practice for spares as you are shooting I use a plastic ball. I also carry a urethane ball’ I drilled the ball pin between fingers and a 6” pin. I use that and I pick up every spare, when I use the plastic I usually miss. So what should I do, I have a feeling what you’re going to say. Plastic ?

[@TraumaRider]

Really great breakdown. I'm going to have to practice this next time around

[@NateandElise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@GrumpaBaggins]

As a newer bowler who has been using whatever ball is in my hand at the time (Rhino, Infinity, Perfect Mindset, Theorem, Slingshot) to hit spares, are there certain spare balls that are better than others? I know it's mostly the responsibility of the player to aim correctly, but I was curious if there is a clear winner out of the various brands?

[@silverwingshg]

It sounds to me that you are saying to position your body (hips & shoulders) toward your pin, walk toward your target and I assume cross over step with your target being the middle arrow and your starting position in alignment with your target and middle arrow. Is that correct?

[@davidseeburger8448]

Very good training video. Thank you.

[@lexie7918]

Excellent video! Very well explained!

[@NateandElise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeffjensen4577]

I know straighter is greater for spares and I switched to shooting straight at all spares this past league season which has helped a bit. Still looking for the right system for me and I think I'll give this a shot, it makes sense to me. However, I was also told that "you shouldn't shoot straight at all spares" like the 2-8 for example or 3-9, or a bucket. My question to you is, do you shoot straight at those? Or do you hook? And is it all personal preference? I see pros shoot straight at 2-8, 3-9, buckets, with a spare ball and I see others hook at them.

[@lonestarpatriot876]

I think the biggest thing is having a system. I have seen all kinds of different systems from bowlers at every level. Do what works for you, practice it, and stick to it. I think a lot of bowlers miss spares because they have no system and do not have structured practice sessions where they work on spare shooting.

[@Sloanjr507]

this was extremely helpful. thank you!

[@NateandElise]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brianholdridge1860]

Thank you. I can’t wait to try this out.

[@NateandElise]

Awesome! Practice practice practice! You will get it down!

[@lynnmcmahan2227]

Love watching your videos has shown me a lot

[@SHADOWMAN_24]

I think this video has great tips but i think it would be way more helpful if we had the camera looking at the lane with a line pointing at where her intended target is from where she is standing before she throws the shot.

[@marksears558]

So if your target is 20, do you walk towards 20 or stay on the line you start on and keep your body towards 20?

[@osfcross]

When shooting crosslane, do you still do a crossover step? I couldnt see your approach

[@NateandElise]

Yes… nothing changes with your physical game 😃

[@rickyponzie7083]

What foot did you lead off with and which one was your first step

[@MarilynWhite-sc4zv]

If you're using a spare ball, why does it hook at the last second?

[@alfredsaril1865]

Thanks for the tips. Works for me.

[@NateandElise]

Good to hear!

[@sharynguercio4433]

What if you do not have a spare ball, do you still use the same alignment?

[@NateandElise]

Yes. Just make sure you flatten your hand out

[@sharynguercio4433]

@ thank you

[@dalewilliams6440]

Thanks for your tips

[@NateandElise]

You're welcome 😊

[@johnnyrock852]

So, when shoting spares like 3-4-6-7-10 do you feel shooting straight at it is better than hooking at it? I seem to have better luck hooking at it, but on a sport shot tghat can be challenging. Also, 2-10. What would you recommend for converting? No leaving it is way better, but happens....lol

[@NateandElise]

Depends on what you’re bowling on. On something that’s not completely flat, Nate may hook at it but for me, I have found success hooking my spare ball a little bit that the spare but the spare ball is still going fairly straight.

[@del1550]

Great video Elise!!!

[@NateandElise]

Glad you liked it!!

[@brucebrotman]

piece of cake then I'll forget what I had just learned during League play!

[@randycartwright7180]

Great explanation video gives me a lot to work on

[@NateandElise]

Awesome! Put it to good use!

[@johnwillock6787]

Not to be rude, but you need to drop this video right in Nate’s lap. Missing single pins has been a real nemesis for him. Might of cost him a win on the weekend😢

[@NateandElise]

New spare ball time lol problem solved

[@severoferova5928]

Boring

[@kallel6588]

Nice dumper on this one!

[@vickieworthington8263]

What is a wash out?

[@pcolesjr]

What is this method or style called.

[@nnapsR]

this was amazing sure wish i would have known this when i could bowl

[@osfcross]

Need to try this next practice.

[@NateandElise]

Yes, it will change your whole game!

[@javigarcia4629]

For 7 pin yo start on 15, but you have to finish 15?

[@JoeBrrFan]

How do I remove balls I no longer own from app please?

[@4G64SicKShoT]

I use the 369 spare system and flatten out for 10pins

[@singram1978]

Great video!! Thank you

[@TraumaRider]

I still struggle at the 10pin every so often

[@NateandElise]

You can fix it!!

[@dominickabbriano-ns6nf]

How do you make a 10 pin spare

[@NateandElise]

It’s all in the video.

[@operationdirtFN20]

Great video!

[@NateandElise]

Thanks! 😊

[@EdisonZ06]

Great info, easy to understand!

[@christopherjonathynbrooks]

​@@NateandElisehey nate and Elise

[@joshwest4543]

Poor nate never wins an arguement... because he can never remember his point.

[@skategeezer1810]

The rg spare ball is 81 hardness urethane..

[@NateandElise]

The black one yes. Not this one. It’s clear plastic.

[@jerseymoore4102]

I think when you’re showing people how to shoot a spare need to see more of your body of what you’re doing so that we can actually accomplish what we want with trying to pick up my spares

[@williamhaynes2414]

moving from 6-10 to 3-6 made zero sense...oth with left foot on the 30?

[@williamhaynes2414]

your looking at 20 but rolling 15 or 18??? none of that makes any sense.

[@Jeffery_USBP]

She said "full Rack"

[@PROFF420]

How come more pros can't flatten her hand out greatest thing I ever learned was how to flatten my hand out and I could take my most hooking ball and throw it dead straight.

[@christopherjonathynbrooks]

Hey nate and Elise

[@allentraylor5659]

why does Everything looks so appealing , when a Beautiful woman does it ??.............

[@havenrab]

I literally heard nothing

[@colbyepps2434]

Then you literally were not listening. Slow the audio speed down smh 😂

[@havenrab]

@@colbyepps2434 I was distracted by the other green bowling ball behind her

[@renetaylor1186]

right😂

[@PROFF420]

You're gorgeous

[@bigmadbad]

I came for the thumbnail, stayed for 5:45 😂🎉

[@GrCent]

She's a full-on snack. 😋

[@JohanthanSwift]

Those ButtCracks makes everyone came here 😂

[@kaosaechao56]

I hate the 10

[@raycft]

Bend ova girl show me what you working wit 😮

[@michaelmaston4702]

My fucking ears are bleeding.

[@waynemoore3236]

You talk way to much, just bowl the damn ball

[@NateandElise]

Wayne… that is not the point of this video.

[@robertlosasso4222]

Who are you kidding? Even the best bowlers miss spares . How are you at making the 7-10 ? I don’t think you could make one out of ten .