Thank you. After having such a big break from the game i'm coming back to it and i feel a mess. After watching your series of videos i'm starting to get my confidence back and as a result feeling better about the game. I'm sure the results will come. Thanks!

I cant thank you enough for your excellent content......I started playing bowls on an artifical surface in Spain after retirement at the age of 66 , having never even held a bowl in my hand before.......after watching all of your videos I won my clubs Open Championship Singles title in January just short of my 67th birthday. ....frankly I amazed myself when i won the final 21 vs 4😊

@TheDeliveryDoctor

5 ай бұрын

Wow @Scamp693 - What a great accomplishment! Makes my heart sing to hear success stories like yours. Where in Spain did you first start bowling? Is that considered your home club now or was it on a vacation visit in Spain where you caught the 'Bowls Bug'?

@Scamp693

5 ай бұрын

Hi....I am now a resident in Spain and my home club is in Mojácar where I am a full time member.....I now play in the league too...bowling three times a week as well as some private practice..... I have much to learn yet, however I still feel I have the energy and drive to continue making progress.... thanks again for you brilliant input 😊

@TheDeliveryDoctor

5 ай бұрын

@@Scamp693 I’m envious! I woke up early this morning to the sound of a snow plow rumbling,bling along the road. Temps yesterday morning were 15°C and I was hallucinating about the start of the golf season in a few weeks - by late afternoon it had dropped to -4°C and woke up to snow on the ground. A few days from now it’ll be back to +12°C. So yeah, a bit of envy here! Btw… you’re definitely on the right track - with a combo of competition and private practice! Congrats on getting it right so early in your bowls ‘career’! 👏🏻

Great tips indeed for everyone, many thanks and gratitude to you and people like you.

Hi - I have taken up lawn bowls at 85yrs - was told by my coach that I would never be any good. After a few weeks of watching your videos everyday I have now been asked to play pennant - thank you so much - age is no problem when you are keen!! I have definitely left my coach!!

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Wow… just wow 🤩 Congratulations on all accounts. In 54 years of bowls I’ve never thought anyone was too young or too old to start or play this great game of bowls. Sorry to hear your first experience with a coach was not what you, nor I, would have expected. I also taught for 30 years, much of it in what would be referred to as special education. Never once did I tell a student they didn’t have a chance for success. It was there if they wanted it and we, as teachers, were there to help them take their first steps. And yes, we did come across teachers who sounded like your previous coach - sorry, but no respect for them. So happy to hear of your own success - keep it up! 😊

Dan, great video! Nice work on the audio;) I'm an avid bowler here in the U.S. and am always talking about follow through, so I can relate! Keep up with great work.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

4 ай бұрын

Thanks Ray! Much appreciated. The audio was through my older Sennheiser GW3 with lavs. Not sure why I’ve been on the hunt for the more mobile mics, except that the batteries are such an issue on the old ones. It always 🤔 will they last throughout this shoot or not!? 🤷 Glad to hear from another sound/vid enthusiast who is also an avid bowler. Yup - follow through is the key to most sports, but especially in bowls!

Thank you so much for these videos. They are so clear and helpful! I’m brand new to the game - only tried it three times so far - but I’m loving it! I’ve been so frustrated because although I feel like I do the same every time, the bowls tell a different story! 😂 Watching your videos though I can see I am making loads of errors, so I’m looking forward to putting your advice into practice next time! 😊👍🏻

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Kazzy - welcome to a great game! Everyone makes errors but it’s during practice times when we can really work on our errors. Trying to work on mechanics during a game, especially if they are a new routine, can lead to some frustration. When practicing, try and work on one aspect at a time. That way you’ll know if what you’re trying to accomplish is working. Have fun!

This season will be my first. I am keen to start off on the right foot and these videos are a massive help. Thank you

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Congrats on joining a great game. All the best in your new sport!

So happy I found your channel been struggling for years outdoor failing to get my bowls up and Struggling to find a fix I'm now going to follow your videos and really work on my delivery and hopefully start enjoying the game again thanks for your great videos

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Alistair - glad the vids are helping. Bowls, like all sports, can be a frustrating game. Simplifying one’s delivery can really help, not only in gaining consistency, but in providing the confidence to know you’ve got the essentials in your pocket and need only concentrate on two things that really count - line & length! Remember - Practice is when the mechanics should be mastered, so make the practice time count! More on that in upcoming videos!

The coaching in the series has been very helpful and easy to understand and digest .. Now I am eagerly waiting on line and length and finding the shoulder on the green, controlled shots etc a coaching cession on these subject would be ideal Looking forward to the next video

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Rajesh, and I'm glad the videos have been helpful. The topics you have suggested are certainly on the drawing board - speaking of which - and considering you mentioned controlled shots 😀 I like to think that every shot we play is with some degree of control. But, yes, I know what you mean by "controlled". One thing I have long taught is that there are really only two shots in the game - the Draw - and the Drive. I will have an introductory video that first explains this Two-Shot concept, and then get into depth with both the line/length question as well as the various draw shots that make up the "control" shots.

These videos are helping. Can hardly wait for "weighted" shots!

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

😂 Patience grasshopper! Actually I hope to do both in studio and outdoor videos on the drive. But - it did try to snow here again yesterday 😞 so I’m not so sure spring is really here, or when we’ll get out on the greens for drive practice! Weighted shots are interesting - I’m a believer there are only two shots in the game - drive and draw. Two different deliveries too. Spent time with the great David Bryant, who, himself, also had two distinct deliveries for the draw and drive. Truthfully, every shot other than the drive is just another draw to a different location - and yes, there will be a video or two on that as well 😊 Glad the videos are helping so far! 👍🏻

Oh that Canadian humour! Your videos are inspirational. Thankyou

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Glad you’re enjoying them. I hope to have some more available before too long.

@MrOswaldP

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor hanging out for the drive and weighted shot vids.

Just started this game. Thanks for all your tips and guidance. It helps a lot. ❤

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Hey, Valerie! Welcome to the world of bowls - it's a great game, isn't it! Hope some of the tips are working for you. If you have questions feel free to post them and I'll get to them asap. Have Fun!

@alexstruthers7346

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Hi Dan. I have been playing bowls since 1972 and am an advanced coach. In 1997 I produced a 44 page illustrated instructiuon booklet on the delivery action which identified common faults and advice on how to overcome them. Subjects included grip, swing and timing and weight control as well as tactical elements. I think your videos are excellent and will set any aspiring bowler on the road to success. I especially liked the section on the backswing (gravity drop)' and noticed that just before you allow the bowl to drop you hand lifts very slightly to start the natural swing. I have found that on a heavy outdoor green at the start of the season most bowlers tend to 'drag' the bowl backwards and so do not achieve this natural swing which can result in short bowl and strained muscles! In this case I advise to relax the arm 'weigh' the bowl by lifting it about 6 inches gently up and down. When ready to deliver, the arm is extended to about 120 degrees and the bowl lifted about a 12 inches before the bowling arm drops into the natural 'swing'. The shoulders still remain square on delivery and the bowl travels much further with less effort and is more consistent. I look forward to your videos on driving technique. 🙂

Morning ready for the next sequence to begin on this bistery snowy day

thank you.i feel the same as Andre been off bowls for 18 years and after watching your vidios i feel very confident again and with more practice i think it will make big difference and the results will come.thanks

Many thanks for the videos. I’m in my late 60s and second season of bowls. Never had any real tuition but will practice following your guidelines. Very clear !

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Allan. Congrats on starting a new game! If you have any questions just post them here and I’ll do my best to get back to you asap. Have fun!

@dubbelhelix

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Many thanks for getting back to me. I may have overlooked one of your videos but how does one determine the correct size of bowl ?

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@dubbelhelix decades ago there used to be these cardboard roundish contraptions that you’d span your thumb and middle finger around. It was comical how people would leave a gap at the thumb and thereby choose a larger bowl… or stretch the heck out their fingers so they could justify choosing a larger bowl. Others bowlers recommended touching your thumbs together on the running surface, then stretching your middle fingers around the circumference, with the conclusion that when you find a bowl that allows you to touch your middle fingers together that will be your bowl - naw! Very few bowlers grip a bowl with their thumb in the middle of the playing surface so this one, like the round cardboard thingie is a useless indicator. Next you’ll get someone telling you if you can hold the bowl upside down it’s the right size - but seriously, except in bocce, have you ever seen a bowler roll a bowl with their hands on top of the bowl? Naw, me neither. Bottom line: don’t use gimmicky things. Instead, choose the bowl that is most comfortable in your hands - under all playing conditions. The last thing you want to do is choose a bowl that fits your hand only under the most perfect of conditions. We never recommend for brand new bowlers to purchase bowls during their first month or two. Clubs usually have plenty of loaners - so keep trying out different sizes until you find one or two sizes you’re comfortable with, then take those sizes and try them out under as many different conditions as possible - from a perfect day, to rain, cold, on humid days and yup even in the snow (been there, done that!) Don’t let anyone ever talk you into getting a bowl that is bigger than the one you feel is the most comfortable - never!

@dubbelhelix

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor A clear and detailed explanation. My bowls feel too large even though they meet the general criteria, i.e two thumb example !

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@dubbelhelix when I assist with bowls fittings I generally ask bowlers “who do you think I would rather have play on my team (first of all it has to be someone who wants to have fun!) - would it be someone with a small, well-fit bowl (ie 00) who bowls 80% because their bowl fits - or would it be with someone who struggles to bowl 40% with a bowl that is too large for them?” I’ll take the fun lovin’ smart bowler who chooses comfort over size any day! Bigger is not necessarily better in bowls!

I can’t wait for the uk season to start so I can get these lessons working, thanks I know where I’ve been going wrong

@TheDeliveryDoctor

3 ай бұрын

You and a lot of us in Canada too. We had some gorgeous weather about 3 weeks ago. It had us polishing our bowls, cleaning our golf club faces - and for the past 10 days we’ve awakened to snow - melt - snow - melt. Hoping this morning’s dump here was the last of it til next December!

Thank you so much! This is a terrific bowls coaching series. I’ve been playing for 5 seasons now I’ve had some successes winning the ladies and mixed paired but tend to dump my bowls, forget to stay down and follow through, so this video is perfect for me. Thanks for breaking the sequence down so uniquely I will definitely watch your other videos. Extremely helpful, thanks a lot! I usually in the UK but I’m in New Zealand for 6 months now and it’s super fast. Cheers!

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Glad they have helped, Angel. New Zealand! I’m jealous! Back in the 80’s I competed in the inaugural Mazda Pacific Games at Tweed Heads, Australia, and truthfully it spoiled me rotten - I felt like every green I played on back home after that was no better than my back yard. We do have some decent greens here in Canada, but nothing like the Aussie greens I got to play on. This delivery should work very well for you on the faster NZ greens too. When on very fast greens I just bend my knees more so I’m lower to the ground when I start. The rest pretty much stays the same. Just spent a couple of hours on the weekend with a fairly new bowler who was having trouble delivering a smooth bowl. It didn’t take long (a couple of bowls) to identify the problem. Too eager to stand up, resulting in zero follow through, a dumped bowl, and poor balance. I’ll be doing a specific video on this problem, and a solution I find usually works but until then… I generally ask bowlers to give me their best delivery without a bowl, and ask them to repeat it until they extend their follow through and stay down for a bit. I then ask them to roll a bowl - and what usually happens is they resort to their dump and run. So it’s back to the No-bowl delivery for three tries before putting a bowl back in their hand again. Repeat until the delivery is complete and the bowl rolls smoothly down the green. This particular women was elated and had gone from a dumper to a star in no time. Warms the heart! 😊

Thank you

Brilliant, makes so much sense, I will employ this on Friday, I have New Forest singles match v a bloke who apparantly is the best player in his club, no pressure on me, but i want to do myself justice, I try and have a thought on follow through, I'm a waiter with a tray of drinks, don't spill em!

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

No matter who I played, and yes I have competed against David Bryant, Willie Wood back in the 80’s, I always went into each match knowing I was on an equal playing field - ie. no matter what type of game we played (Singles, Pairs) we both had the same number of bowls to compete with! Just remember what during your match(s)!

@stevehall5299

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Thankyou, and I will bear this in mind for sure, ps you've certainly competed against the best!

Hi, I've just started playing bowls, and I kind of know the 'basics', but I've been doing a bit of YT, searching for instruction/tuition to help me develop a decent technique that I can adopt, replicate on a regular basis, and that also produces good results. I've watched all of your vids, in order, and got to apply them today at the club. I must say, I thought I bowled a lot better, and more consistently, than I have in my previous matches, so thank you very much for that 🙏🏻 I still have a lot of work to do, but at least now I have a framework to hang things off.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

7 ай бұрын

Hi Rick. I’m so happy to hear that the vids have helped you. Being able to develop a repeatable, reliable technique in any sport x and one that produces consistently good results - is paramount to both total enjoyment and competence. This includes the delivery sequence in bowls. Too many moving parts, or movements, can lead to inconsistencies that canmlead to poor results. Keep in mind, changing ones technique can have its ups and downs, but if we stick with the change after knowing how successful it can be we will enjoy this great game for a lifetime! Again, glad this technique is showing signs of early success for you! 🍻

@petebowls2706

6 ай бұрын

Any chance of some more vids!

Very helpful

@TheDeliveryDoctor

14 күн бұрын

@@user-qs3ls4jm5k thanks Joan. If you ever have questions, just drop them here and I’ll try to assist asap.

Hi Dan, these videos are the best. Please could you do a series for us beginners on how to play the different team positions. What is required as new player. You are beyond a shadow of a doubt the best online coach. Thank you Sir! Best wishes from England and the UK.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi, and thanks ever for your kind comments. Where in the UK are you located? I had the privilege of representing Canada twice at the Gateway Masters - back in the ‘80’s - in Worthing. Top notch facility - where I got to compete against David Bryant, Willie Wood, Peter Beyliss, John Bell (funniest guy I ever met in Bowls!!) among others. In the pre Singles Warmup matches we were paired with different Under-25’s, where I thoroughly enjoyed discussing how our strategies sometimes differed as well as our concepts of ‘what a lead should be’, ‘what the role of the second was’, ‘what types of shots were expected of each’ etc. Just the other day I had a phone conversation about this very topic - especially for team players. And, yes, I will be piecing together some videos this season. Like with everything else, there are rules of the game as well as local rules that we have to consider. I’ll deal with those, as well as what I think are things we should consider for the good of the game.

Brilliant many thanks.

Excellent video series ,please advise on firing. I usually try to draw but I could do with a get out of jail shot in my armoury.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Joe. I’m knee deep in bookkeeping right now but will be putting together a wee series on the drive as well. Imo there are only two shots in the game - the drive and the draw! Both require practice and both require knowing one’s limits - moreso when using the drive. Modern technology has allowed us to better know the optimum pace (not maximum) pace with which we can be most successful with our drives. 😂 Our team motto used to be “If you can’t drive - draw!” Back when we were running the Junior Schools of Excellence in Canada we also coined the Junior Motto “Draw, Drive & Kick Butt!” - just led to a whole lot of fun with the youth!

Really good & helpful, I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t getting my bowls regularly down the same line , doing everything the coaches said , till I watched you & realised it was my feet aiming where I wanted bowl to go & not the bowl itself , will be changing my pre routine from now on to corporate everything you’ve been saying , great videos can’t wait for the others

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped, Colin. I'll be super eager to hear how your transition to this new delivery technique goes.

@colinsquires9529

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor I just been to bowls & tried out this technique, wow what a difference it made , it totally changed everything for me better stance , feet in a different position trial swing before bowling showed me where I was aiming & follow through showed it was correct. Change to my step forward really helped with getting my length better just small adjustment for each different lengths, just gave me so much more confidence when I bowled , thanks

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@colinsquires9529 🕺🕺🕺up a storm for you here Colin! I believe the more you use this method the less you will have to think about your delivery and thus the more you can pay attention to the shot that has to be made - 😂 all before you get on the mat of course! 😊

@tonykondratjuk2124

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor I noticed when you let gravity take the bowl back you twisted your wrist to enable the bowl to go back in a straight line. Could you elaborate more as to why you twist your wrist. Thanks.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonykondratjuk2124 hi Tony. Please don’t do the wrist twist thing on purpose. This is simply another byproduct of a natural movement. I’ll do another short video on this at some point. Many decades ago it was noted I had this twist by a fellow Canuck bowler. I remember them saying, “you twist your wrist like David Bryant” and my response at the time (don’t laugh, I was young) was, “David who?” Yup, it was early on in my bowls career and I really didn’t know many bowlers outside of our own community. I did get the privilege of meeting and competing for Canada against the great David Bryant in 1984 and 1986 and during those events we talked a lot of coaching, delivery and just generally bowls and stuff - and use his own wrist twist. My quickest response to your question, without using visuals, is to suggest that when we walk our, own arms are generally such that our hands are in a position whereby the palms of our hands are facing our hips. We don’t walk with our palms forward - which, to me, would be a rather awkward looking posture and attract attention that we might not want… sort of along the lines of a Monty Python “walk this way” skit. So, this little wrist twist is, like the other motions in this delivery, really all about keeping things natural. It is not an exaggerated twist - but a natural movement. I don’t suggest trying to incorporate this into a delivery - just let your body do the work.

Oh dear......the climate here in south east Spain is just wonderful.....on average around 340 days of sunshine every year....is it Canada where you live?....I was domiciled in the UK so I do not miss at all those cold, dark and rainy days.....take care out there😊

@TheDeliveryDoctor

5 ай бұрын

Yes, Canada! Got to visit Portugal in 2017 (Porto, Douro River, And Lisbon area) and Spain in 2018 (Barcelona, San Sebastien, Madrid) and intend to make it back to both countries once we get a few other bucket list destinations out of the way. Btw, I lied about the -4°C this morning - I just checked our thermometer and it says -9°C - so I think I’m staying inside today - maybe work on another long overdue video!

This videos have been fantastic, i'm just starting out and they have been invaluable. Best tip videos on youtube, will there be more?

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Stormy! After I finish some long overdue bookkeeping I’ll be starting in on some more videos. Some will be based on the questions I get from bowlers, others from comments here in the videos, and then others dealing with practice sessions, the drive, fitness for bowls among other aspects of the game.

So it all came together today... I was getting compliments for my (your) technique... my membership application is in at my local club so I'll be able to play more than once a week now and get some proper practice in. I've seen the comments you placed saying you'll cover practice sessions.. can I ask you cover what you can do if you are on your own or with a partner or 2 as a distinction? Thanks again for the vids, these have been amazing.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Quincy - glad it’s working out for you - consider it your technique now! I’m deep into having some fun with accounting right now (not!) but am almost done. I have a few projects to get started on but will definitely hit on practice sessions. You’ll find a lot of the sessions will deal with you, on your own, or with an observer/coach. Mechanics are best practised with you being the only one playing on the rink. Strategies are best practised with your team or in cooperation with another club team

Great video! Very very helpful. One question; I sometimes find myself with the habit of following the bowl down the green; popping up from the mat after say 2 seconds and following the bowl to about half way down the green. Is this a habit I should be working to break?

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Over the 54 years in the game I’ve been a perpetual bowls tracker - following the bowl down the green. The rule states you have to be past the head when your bowl comes to rest. Finishing your tracking halfway up will get you called out more often than not. I’m not against following one’s bowl up the green by any means, however, on decent Canadian greens (those running 12 - 15 seconds) that should give plenty of time to stay down, track, and finish your journey to the other end. Finishing half way and returning to the mat end while the opponent is standing there waiting for you to return is a basic no-no. Mostly enjoy the game, but also know the rules and play by them too.

Hi Dan, thank you for taking time and doing these videos. they are very helpful. Could you please: 1- do a video on how to control/adjust weigh please. 2- how to read or evaluate a new green. For instance when the 2 up 2 down or trial ends are not enough to help reading the oppositions' green; how do you do that? Sometimes I get help from tracing the 'Jack' s movement. But that is not something that I can rely on, all the time. Thank you and looking forward to read your advice. x

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi sk kay - glad the vids are helping. I do have more that I intend to produce, with a series on purposeful practice, the drive, game strategies, mental prep and a bit on fitness too… now to allocate the time to get them video’d! As per 1: I have a series of weight adjustment exercises that can be both practiced and charted that should help. 🤞🏻 And 2: reading a green - good idea for a video - not enough room to put it all down here, but when it comes to trial ends I rarely roll my bowls to find a line to the jack cuz, a) who knows where the jack will be, and b) that should become apparent in the first few ends of play. Instead I will see what centre line out and outside the boundary in will do. Plus, and this is a biggie - with so many different models and sizes of bowls, combined with left hand right hand bowlers, combined with delivery styles it’s hard to even use an opponents bowls as a true reference. Having consistent weight will get you better results than perfect line because once you have the weight down you can tinker with the line. I saw David Bryant do this on the few occasions I got to play against him, and also whole watching him come from behind 9-16 in two Gateway Masters tournament finals in Worthing, England. His weight had kept him in the game and once he found the mat length and line it was pretty much game over on both cases. A study in patience he was! We have a busy couple of weeks coming up but will try and work on some more videos after that.

@skkay2930

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Thank you so very much Dan. Yes, 100% agreeing with you that consistent weight is more important than lines. Very interesting, we have recently played with some of the Worthing indoors and outdoors players. Hope your busy days run smoothly and I am so looking forward to more coaching from you. Appreciated.SK.

Will you be doing further videos? In particular the drive and choice of bowl for particular greens/surfaces. I've watched the delivery sequence of videos a number of times. It's improved my game 300%. Unfortunately we lack coaches at our club currently. So your advice has been invaluable. PS I'm over in the UK.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Hi, and I’m glad to hear the vids are helping. I am planning on doing several other series this winter (here in Canada) and will be including a series on the drive, some quick tips and eventually doing some game play and prepping tips. I hope to start filming those in the new year and begin releasing them by mid winter.

@charliebrowns9999

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Thank you. Greatly appreciated.

Loved these videos man ~ any chance of some more? .. intermediate lessons maybe? love from nz

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Alan! Glad you're enjoying them, and yes. the plans are for more, including The Drive, Playing Strategies, Bowls Fitness and General Quick Tips. Anything in particular you'd like to see? I can maybe slip it in early into the Quick Tips Series I am currently planning.

Hiya.....that weather sounds brutal!!......you mentioned working on another video and that got me thinking. All of the videos I have watched of you take place in your bowls shop.....have you made any videos on a rink where you go through the whole process of the bowling technique from mat to jack??....the reason I ask is that my biggest challenge at the moment is with weight control.....finding my line I don't really have too many issues with and I also have a good idea about how the bias works on my Drakes Pride Professional size 4 heavy bowls...... however what often let's me down during a game is my judgement of weight.....I use 'guided imagery ' to visualise the path of my bowl but still sometimes I am way off with my weight control.....is this just down to experience and memory muscle or is there any practice drills that would improve this aspect of my game?....many thanks for your consideration.....Philip😊

@TheDeliveryDoctor

5 ай бұрын

Hi Philip Good Question and one that will take more than a paragraph or two here, or even a single video to solve. I can however share why a good deal of my videos will take place in my demo/coaching studio (doubles as our shop too). I am a strong believer that anyone in sports can improve exponentially by following a regimen of practice that emphasizes process over outcome, this what a good coach can teach in a small area should equate to faster results if the process is perfected - rather than using the outcome as an indicator of improvement. (See what I mean by not being able to explain it in one paragraph 😂). I am currently developing an online course and a major component deals with various means of developing both hard and soft skills - both of which are necessary to being able to judge, and practice consistent distance control. I’ll share those here in KZread as well, but they will be general tips as each bowler may have methods of distance control that currently depend on what they bring to the table with respect to their own physical, mental, and bowls related skills set. (Wow, that somehow sounded weird to me 😳). Weird yes, but, just as I teach a standard delivery style, it is, of itself, a starting point from which a coach and athlete can make adjustments according to personal physical limitations. So too with the skills that include both head and body to function together (like distance control). One of the next videos I’ll be releasing soon will demonstrate how I use my delivery technique as a starting point, and how I adjust it for those who perhaps, due to hip, knee, and/or back issues cannot bend as low as I do in my demonstration videos. I’d be interested to know what you consider to be Guided Imagery. I think I know, but if you’d like to chat about it sometime, DM and perhaps we can set something up!

Hi Delivery Dr, I really enjoy your videos. Thank you. Regarding having a full follow through, Ive been playing in Melbourne recently on very fast greens around 18 secs. I found that any sort of full follow through, for me at least, would put the bowl in the ditch every time. What do you do to have a full follow through and not put the bowl in the ditch on fast greens?

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Good question Michael. I was fortunate to have played Tweed Heads in 1985 in the Mazda pacific games. The greens were running about 16\17 at the time. My only downfall was I was using a set of bowls (full bias) that I had been successful w here in Canada. My mngr didn’t understand when I requested to change bowls. Cost our pairs team a medal. Having said that it was the best bowls experience on greens in my life - spoiled me forever as we have nothing like that n Canada. As per your question, we do have short mat bowls and they are running at a similar pace to your very fast greens. A full follow through is still important. What I would suggest is that (and there will be another video on this) when playing on faster greens, your initials stance can be lower, the starting angle of your arm will be less, your focal point can be closer to you (along the same line) and your step forward will, as a consequence of all of the above, be much shorter. This is similar to what you will see in the first of the four deliveries I demonstrate. Truthfully the last of the four deliveries would result in a decently paced running shot on your greens. I am honestly envious of you and your fellow Aussies.

@michaelchristie9977

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Dan. I'll try out your advice this afternoon. BTW Tweed Heads Bowls would be under water at present. Terrible floods there at present.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelchristie9977 love to hear how you made out. Sad to hear about Tweed Heads and probably others in the area we played at. Our host club was Coolangatta - lovely folks who made us feel very welcome the whole time - as we have found to be the case with almost every Aussie we’ve met over the years, whether it be in bowls or through travel. One couple we met during a trip to Portugal actually just moved from near Sydney to the Gold Coast and we’re a bit concerned because of this flooding. Coincidentally, they have the same last name as you… 😂 you wouldn’t happen to know them would you? 😂 JK - we get this all the time in 🇨🇦 where some who aren’t quite aware of the our geography ask if we know so and so. All we do now is 😊 and of course apologize like a good Canadian is want to do.

@michaelchristie9977

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Dan, your advice has helped a lot. I have an important pennant game tomorrow. Fingers crossed! I'm sorry I don't have any relatives in Sydney or the Gold Coast. They must be nice people though :-)

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@michaelchristie9977 have fun tomorrow (which might already be today - or yesterday). 😂 they are indeed incredibly nice people. In fact I was (literally) offered the shirt off Mr. Christie’s back when we first met. The airline had misplaced our luggage and the Christie’s were the first people we met in the shuttle to the River cruise boat. We are about the same size, both avid golfers so, yup, “shirt off the back - true story!”

Hi Dan. Firstly huge thanks for the videos. As a new bowler it is great to see the technique explained so simply. I have been trying to implement these actions bit by bit into my game and there has certainly been an improvement in my consistency of delivery, I just need to improve on my aim a little. One question, taking you right back to the beginning. I find the grip that you recommended has certainly helped with smoother shots, but I sometimes struggle to find a comfortable place for my thumb, that still leaves the ball feeling secure on the backswing. I don’t have the flexibility in the joint to position it as high as you seem to, and as a result, I sometimes find myself bending my wrist to cup the ball, if that makes any sense. Any recommendations for a good thumb placement. Many thanks.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

Hi Dave First of all, congrats on starting a great new game. Always remember changes can take time. I often refer to top golfers who practice (purposefully) on the range, working on specific aspects of their game - one piece at a time. In many sports coaches and athletes refer to the 10,000 repetitions rule of thumb - it’s what it takes to start to master a skill! Regarding thumb placement, and without knowing what size of bowl you are using, sometimes it does come down to the size of bowl as to the placement of your thumb. We have always been a proponent of using the bowl that is most comfortable in your hand - under all playing conditions. I have a (long) story about an international event I competed in where the second time around, after medaling the first time 2 years prior, I was using a bowl one size bigger than the previous successful venture. One Size! The short story version is it started to rain and I ended up nearly palming the bowl - leading to loss of length control - and costing me a place in the semis. I am now using (successfully) a bowl two sizes smaller than the ones I used during that fiasco. I do not believe in getting the biggest, heaviest bowl you can ‘lift’. It’s all about comfort. Reminds me that I should do a brief video on choosing the correct bowl. In your case, as long as your thumb is above the circles you should still have control. Remember, using the technique from the No Backswing Backswing video your arm will only swing so far as gravity will allow it to go. As such, the bowl, in a draw, will rarely go back very much beyond my back heel, meaning the thumb does not play much of a grip role, rather it is a steadying role. This all applies to the Draw Sequence. I have a different stance and delivery for the Drive that I will demonstrate in another video (series). I believe there are only two shots in the game - Draw and Drive - and yes, that will be the topic for another video. Tip: if you are not yet set on the bowl you are currently using I would advise trying a couple of different sizes of bowls - again, under various playing conditions - and choose the one that both feels most comfortable while providing the most consistent results.

@Tramorak

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor thanks for this, and apologies for the late reply. Things slowly seem to be coming together and the videos have certainly helped.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

2 жыл бұрын

@@Tramorak good to hear, Dave! Sometimes change can take time - but when you get there you’ll know it! You will no longer have to think about anything other than line or length. It’s why most ‘expert” sports coaches suggest it takes over 10,000 reps to master a routine or a skill. Bowls is really no different. Line and length should be all you are thinking about during matches - with respect to the actual delivery of the bowl - thinking about technique is what practice sessions are all about!

Hello I need help my worst habit of mine is sometimes I flick when I deliver that’s why sometimes my bowls are short. Could you help me get out of that. And sometimes when I deliver I run with the bowl lol 😂 or get up quickly

Still in my first year but with the help of your videos improved immensely. I have been told to improve my forehand but not sure how to as the last thing I want is to ruin my better backhand. Is it a simple case of just practicing the forehand more and I am worrying over nothing ? Thanks

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Over the years I have competed against some very good players who relied on one hand or that other - generally the backhand for all the different draw shots. It just seems to be the easier go to shot when line is the issue - something about the way our bodies work. I have also found the main issue with players having weak forehands is the propensity to play narrow. This could be an alignment issue or a lack of proper follow through. 😂 “told to improve my forehand” is not a solution - it’s just an identification of a possible weakness imo, therefore not worth a salt in terms of coaching advice. Certainly having the ability to play both hands to deal with any given situation you may find yourself in is an advantage and one that you will acquire the more you bowl (and practice), but identifying the actual fault itself is more important. This can be done with experienced coaching from someone who knows you’re delivery and can help you make the necessary adjustment - remembering that you should only change one thing at a time - else how would you know which one actually was the “fix” Have you identified what the perceived problem is with your forehand? Ie, usually narrow, too heavy, too light, wobbly pit of the hand? Which one, or another not mentioned, seems to be the biggest issue you believe is hampering your forehand? Lmk and I’ll see if we can’t come up with a solution you can try (** in practice **)

@FollyOx

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Thanks for the advice. I will check my alignment and use your "123 mississippi" follow through technique. Thanks

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

@@FollyOx I often refer back to other sports. If you golf, think of how crucial alignment is in all shots. Golfers struggle with putting (the most make or break component imo of going low!). The inability of sinking a straight putt can cost many a stroke. Even being out of alignment by a few degrees with your driver can mean being 20 - 30° offline no matter your distance off the tee and can mean the difference between landing on the fairway or in a hazard. With all golf shots, the lack of proper alignment almost guarantees a swing action that resorts to “steering” - and results in bad habits that can be difficult to get rid of. Bowls is no different. Misalignment on either hand can lead to steering as a means of correction - which too can lead to bad habits. It so much easier to nip this one in the bud and just fix our alignment first. We can practice this at home, without a bowl, by facing a mirror. Place little post-it’s on the mirror - hold your follow through - and receive immediate feed back about both your alignment and your follow through! I look forward to hearing how you’ve made out. Most of all - remember - it’s all about having fun!

@FollyOx

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor When I first started I found that the bowls set up was so like golf .It was made easier when I was shown how to align my feet on the mat and shoulders ( I had spent hours doing this in the reflection of our windows when learning to play golf) - I don't have the conviction when using the forehand as I do with the back so probably do not follow through and leave it short. I am hoping if I practice your follow through method will increase my length as I feel my line is fine. Any help is very much appreciated.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

@@FollyOx 😂 I was known for practising my golf swing before rounds in front of the very large clubhouse windows. Even today, while BBQing at home I do slo-mo swings (without a ball, and away from the windows) in front of my kitchen windows. Instant feedback without taking video! Last year I switched to Moe Norman’s single plane swing and have gone back to windows and video for feedback. Both are essential tools for checking swings - video in any sport is paramount to success imo.

👍🏼❤️

Is the ace a good beginner bowl, thanks

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

HI John - Good question. Truthfully its all depends on your greens - which ones you play on regularly - which ones you will be playing on for competitions (yes, even as a beginner). In my part of Canada where greens are not nearly as quick as those in the Southern Hemisphere good choices will range between International and Ace. I prefer greens in the 12 - 15 mark and find the Ace an excellent choice. Between 11 and 13 the International, and below 11 I'd probably suggest either the Legacy or Lignoid. You will find some suggesting a lead should go with a narrow drawing bowl - ugh! You will not learn much about the game playing with narrow drawing bowls. They were intended for play on very fast greens - ie Vector for 14 - 16 and Ace Redline SR for greens over 15 seconds. In each case above you should have a bowl that allows you to play all the shots. In the "old days" when Bias 3 was the standard bias it was very difficult to play a trail or push back bowl with standard bias bowls on a very fast green (16+ seconds). I became a game of Draw or Drive. Bowls such as the Vector and Redline SR (and other Aussie Redline variations) were designed to allow one to play all the shots on their brilliantly fast greens. There is really no such thing as a 'beginner bowl' but as most top bowlers will, or should tell you, you will learn more about the game playing with a wider drawing bowl than you will with a narrow drawing bowl. "You can always make a wide drawing bowl go narrower - but you can't make a narrow drawing bowl go wider (and still come back!)" ~ The Delivery Doctor!

@johnm2871

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor Thanks for your very informative reply, it will be the Ace or international I think, i will know when I see them, roll on a new hobby.many thanks.

Hi.I like your videos.When are you uploading more videos.

@TheDeliveryDoctor

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, Lekraam. My intent was to do some more video work the past month, but we’ve had some wicked storms come through this way with plenty of tree damage. I’ve just finished several sessions with my chainsaw with a few more to come. Once I get straightened out again 😂 I hope to continue with both a Drive series and some Q&A videos. Barring any more adverse weather I’m now hoping for release of the next vids in February.

@iekraamsamaai6093

Жыл бұрын

@@TheDeliveryDoctor All the best