Interview Reflection

    I picked out my expert to interview. I initially picked coach Tom to to be my expert since he is a USBC certified coach, but I never had a chance to ask him for time to answer my questions. Since I couldn't get to coach Tom, I decided to interview the next best person to talk to, Henrie Burke. Henrie, like Tom, is a USBC certified coach, and I asked him to be my expert and he agreed. He gave me his email and I sent him my questions; he replied in only 2 days.
    The questions that I asked Henrie included basics to bowling, proper ball release, how to get spare conversions, picking up splits, and the different types of bowling balls. He replied stating that the proper ball release needs to have proper rotation when rolling down the lane and that when you release the ball, you're hand should be in a handshake position. Picking up spares requires basic adjustments: 3 boards to the right for every left side pin, and 4 boards to the left for every right side pin (assuming the bowler is right handed). Picking up splits requires some luck and extreme skill. Lastly, the type of bowling ball used for a beginner would be determined by the bowler's age, weight, and physical abilities.
    Most of these responses that Henrie gave me were things that I already knew. For example, I already knew about how to get spares, basic equipment, and types of bowling balls. However, I didn't know that a beginner's age and weight would factor into what kind of bowling ball they would start out with. Even though most of the information that I was given I already knew, I figured that it would be better for newer bowlers to believe this information if I got from an expert. I felt a learning experience when reading some of his responses to my questions.
    I feel like this information has helped me a lot. Even though I felt that I already knew basic information about bowling, reading Henrie's responses reminded me of some things that I had forgotten and even helped me in my own bowling experience. After performing this interview, I began picking back up my scores and I made improvement. Overall, my interview with Henrie helped me and my project.

Project Update #10

     My overall project has come to a close. I wanted to complete a third video but I wasn't able to find someone to help me film. My first 2 videos however cover the primary material that I needed to cover. My first video covered the ball release: a straight ball and a curve ball. Both releases are essential to becoming a good bowler. My second video covered basic equipment and how to pick up spares. These topics are also essential to becoming a good bowler.
     I am currently working on my powerpoint presentation about my project. I have gotten 2 slides done and am still working to complete it. The slides that I have completed address the general overview and goals of my project. I will further complete the presentation by addressing the questions on the last page in the pvhaspassion packet. My project has shifted quite a bit but I will address that in my powerpoint. Overall, I will be working on the presentation and make sure that I have everything that I will need in doing so.

Project Update #9

   Today I researched versatility in bowling. The key to becoming versatile is to bowl on different patterns. Examples are to play on short patterns (such as the cheetah), which make you play near the gutter, and to play on long patterns (such as the scorpion), which force you to play closer to the center. Being able to play in multiple areas is versatility and it's what allows pro bowlers to be successful in many tournaments. This information came from http://www.bowlingball.com/BowlVersity/increase-your-bowling-versatility.
   My overall project is still a bit slow. Zev couldn't help me last weekend due to reasons unknown, but I still plan on making my final video. Hopefully I can find someone else to help me film. In the meantime, I will be making my powerpoint presentation about my overall project. The presentation will include the strengths, weaknesses, and obstacles I had to overcome to complete my project. In general, my project is almost complete and I'll be completing my powerpoint.

Project Update #8

   Today I did research on house shot vs sport shot. Similarities include that there is a pattern that affects how the ball reacts. The major differences are the purpose and design of the patterns. A house shot is designed to have fun while a sport shot is designed to test a bowler's skill. Another difference is that house patterns have a wider margin of error whereas the sport pattern has a very small margin of error. The small room for error makes the bowler be more consistent. This information came from http://tamerbowling.com/house-shot-vs-pba-or-sport-shot/.
   My overall project is slowing down a little bit but I'm catching up. I'm going to make my four static pages and add my expert advice to one of them. I'm going to film and edit my third video this weekend once again at Tucson Bowl. I will ask my friend Zev if he'd be willing to help me again. Overall, my project is a little behind but I will catch up and begin preparing for my TED talk powerpoint.

Project Update #7

   Today I researched sport oil patterns. Sport patterns are designed to test the skill of the bowler and their ability to bowl on these different patterns. For example, short patterns such as the Cheetah force bowlers to play very close to the gutter whereas longer ones like the Shark make players play closer to the center of the lane. These different patterns give less room for error than house patterns do. This information came from http://www.bowlingball.com/info/lane-pattern-length.html.
   For my overall project, I plan on filming my third video sometime this weekend. I will most likely have Zev help me again and I will once again use powerdirector for the editing. It will be about consistency and details of the oil condition. My expert, Henry, emailed me back answers to my questions and I will be making my expert video soon as well. Overall, my project is going smooth and I need to make these videos as soon as possible.

Project Update #6

   Today I researched adjusting to different lane conditions. Bowlers should generally be consistent when the oil pattern is fresh. If the ball is hooking too much, the bowler should left, and if it's not hooking enough, they should move right. These movements cause angle changes which will take into account the more or less friction on the lane surface. This information came from http://www.bowlingball.com/BowlVersity/changing-lane-conditions.
   Last weekend, I edited my second video and posted it to my blog. When attempting to post it, blogger said that my video file size was to big and I had to use a program called HandBrake to shrink the file size while retaining the quality of the video. I've gathered my questions and have sent them to my expert via email and am currently awaiting the response. I'm going to change my implementation guide to only have 4 videos since I'm behind. The change for my guide is also due to its topic: sport oil patterns. I would have to have the employees at Tucson Bowl reprogram their oil machine so that I could demonstrate the differences in reactions and I believe this to be a different task for them. Overall, my project is going smooth and with the change in implementation guide, I'm now on track for my projected finish date.

Project Update #5

   Today I researched oil conditions. Oil conditions are determined by how long the lanes have been oiled and how many people bowled on them. Fresher conditions have less friction and thus less hook potential. The more people have bowled on it, the less oil and more friction and thus more hook potential. This information from http://www.bowlingball.com/info/lane-conditions.html.
   Last weekend, my friend Zev helped me film the rest of my second video. I'm getting ready to edit and post it to my blog. My plan to catch up on my implementation guide is to film a video once a week since I'm one week behind. This weekend I will interview my coach about bowling tips. Overall, my project is going smoothly but I'm behind.