The 1 Thing Mark Baker Says We ALL Need to Change

In this video, the Clean Up Crew heads to Fountain Bowl in Orange County for a coaching session with renowned bowling coach Mark Baker. The main premise of the session is for Mark to grade their shots (giving them A's, B's, C's, etc.) so they can better understand the difference between a good and a bad shot. While Mark provides plenty of physical tips regarding footwork, balance, and arm swing, the overarching theme—and the "1 thing" everyone needs to change—is the mental game. Mark emphasizes the importance of body language, positive self-talk, and not being overly critical of yourself, especially when you get a strike! Chapter Markers & Timestamps [00:00] - Introduction: The crew introduces the session at Fountain Bowl where Mark Baker will be grading their shots to help them evaluate their game without being too hard on themselves. [00:30] - The Grading Begins: Mark grades the initial shots, handing out B's and C's. He points out early physical mistakes like slow feet and pulling up on the ball. [03:40] - Don't Complain About Strikes: Mark emphasizes a golden rule for bowlers—never disparage or complain about a strike, even if you missed your mark. Act like an athlete and take the good results. [06:26] - Struggles with the Swing & Footwork: The crew struggles with dropping the ball and keeping their feet in sync with their swing. Mark advises them to just focus on walking and firing it down the lane. [09:09] - The Danger of Unnecessary Ball Changes: Mark discusses why changing bowling balls for no apparent reason just creates more inconsistency, as bowlers will subconsciously alter their mechanics to make the wrong ball work. [12:47] - Body Language Matters: After a bowler misses inside and makes an exaggerated hand gesture to show what they "did wrong," Mark warns against this. He explains that your body doesn't know right from wrong, and acting out a bad release reinforces bad habits. [15:32] - Lane Conditions & Ball Selection: Mark notes that throwing a shiny ball on fresh oil while trying to hook it aggressively is a recipe for disaster. He recommends a smoother hybrid ball for the fresh conditions. [18:14] - Earning an "A" & Accepting the B+: The bowler finally throws an "A" shot. Mark explains that life is full of B+ shots, and if your B+ shots strike, you shouldn't be mad at yourself. [19:32] - The "Messenger" Experiment: The bowler tries to purposefully throw a "messenger" (a pin flying across the deck to knock down a standing pin). Mark uses the resulting bad shot to prove why trying to force trick shots ruins your balance and accuracy. [21:45] - The #1 Thing You Need to Change: Mark breaks down the most important lesson of the day—the mental game. He explains that the greatest bowlers (and athletes like Michael Jordan or Larry Bird) think differently. You shouldn't beat yourself up for trying hard, and your self-talk should be framed around being "close" rather than being "terrible." [26:11] - Outro & Giveaways: The crew wraps up the session, thanks Mark Baker, and promotes their merchandise and upcoming ball giveaways. 🎳 Want to book a virtual lesson or check out the latest instructional videos? Visit: https://markbakerbowling.com/ Produced By: ‪@AshmorePictures‬ & RichTV Interested in sponsoring a video? Reach out to us at: [email protected] #Bowling #MarkBaker #TheCleanUpCrew #BowlingCoaching #PBA #BowlingTips #BowlingDrills #LasVegasBowling