Bowling Execution: Master Technique, Maximize Your Score! by John Jowdy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Bowling Execution: Master Technique, Maximize Your Score!
Book Review: Very, Very Disappointing
Summary: 2 Stars
Jowdy may be a great teacher in person, but he is not a good explainer in print. His description of his "over and under drill," which he calls "one of the most effective keys to initiating a free armswing" and "a system I developed that has benefited many of my students, past and present," is described only in two brief, poorly written passages on different pages. In the first description, Jowdy says, "The drill is simple. It involves two imaginary bars. One imaginary bar is at the starting point and one is at the release point. Place one imaginary bar about four to six inches above the starting ball position. Push the ball over this bar, disengage all muscles in the forearm, and let the ball descend and swing with its own gravitational force. The under aspect of the over and under drill involves releasing under the other bar 12 inches above the foul line." That's it. The second description of the drill, in a shaded box on the following page, is different, though equally sketchy. This time, a second person is involved, there are no imaginary bars, and the ball descends but doesn't swing: "The over and under drill was the foundation for my coaching session with [professional bowler David] Ozio. I began by placing my fingers on his arm at the shoulder joint. I placed my right palm about 20 to 24 inches in a direct line of his right shoulder. I instructed him to hit my palm with the pushaway, relax all the muscles in his forearm, and let the ball descend from its own weight. We repeated this exercise several times until he sensed the flowing sensation of the ball from his shoulder." This drill is central to Jowdy's main instructional idea (the "free armswing"), yet there are no photographs or drawings of the drill, and no step-by-step instructions for performing it.
This shortcoming is characteristic of the entire book. Most of the photographs are unilluminating - almost all were shot head-on, so that arm and leg positions are confusingly foreshortened. Jowdy writes as though he assumes his readers already know what he's talking about and merely need to be reminded of whatever it was he told them during their most recent lesson.
Book Review: the bowling god speaks
Summary: 5 Stars
I read the book in one sitting. My first impression was that the game is just not this simple. then I read the book again more carefully and made notes where my game was out of whack. I went to a local house and tried two major changes; and threw the ball better than I have in years, if not ever. Part of John's genius is his unique ability to capture just the essential elements of his sport, but then to describe the common deviations and their effects such that you can discover your problems. I guess the game IS that simple to John.