BJI recently featured a story on a mechanical ball-thrower called "Throbot." How can this help the average bowler? - Marsha Eberhard, Akron, Ohio

THROBOT CAN simulate the release of any type of bowler and help the manufacturer describe drilling information for each of its bowling balls. I remember many years ago when a salesman asked a ball manufacturer how a new dual weight block ball for a full-roller should be drilled, and the product development man had no idea how to answer him. He could've answered this question with the information provided by this machine. Throbot allows a ball manufacturer to give the pro shop operator complete drilling information for each ball, and shows how a ball can be customized to enhance the ability of all bowlers buying that ball.

Which is better: the long slide or the plant-and-swing release? My teammate contends that a bowler who plants and throws gets more pin action. What's your take? - Peter James, Bowling Green, Ky.

TRUE, A bowler who plants and throws like Rudy "Revs" Kasimakis gets more power on his ball and greater impact on the pins, but I still opt for the more conventional long slide. Bowlers who slide, like Mike Aulby or Marshall Holman, will have a much better chance of having more accuracy; with today's high- impact bowling balls, the need for power on the ball is not very important. Also, a long slide is less stressful on your knees and back, while a plant-and-throw game can lead to knee, shoulder or back problems.

Consistency is my problem. My ball goes left on one shot, right on the other. I am fairly strong, but have no direction. Most of the bowlers on my team say I have a pretty good approach. Any suggestions? - Myron Jackson, Jacksonville, Fla.

ONE OF the most common problems among all bowlers, but especially strong ones, is that they try to control the ball through arm strength. You should think of your arm as a string and the ball as a weight at the end of that string. When you push the ball away to start the armswing, let the weight of the ball pull your arm back; don't pull the ball back with your arm. When the ball is pushed straight out, the weight of the ball will carry your arm back, and then into your downswing. If you let the ball carry the arm, you will improve your consistency.

On television, I've noticed that many professional bowlers will remove their wrist brace when shooting spares on the right side of the lane. I wear a wrist brace and wonder if I should try this. - Matt Clemenson, Toronto, Canada

WRIST BRACES are designed to put your wrist in the proper position to generate a hook. When shooting right-side spares, particularly the 10 pin, most top bowlers opt for throwing the ball perfectly straight. They achieve a straight shot by dropping the wrist back during the release and throwing the ball with little or no lifting action of the fingers. By removing the wrist brace, they can drop the wrist back during the release and achieve this straight shot. You might try the above during practice and see if it can improve your right-side spare-making capabilities.

As an avid tournament bowler, I used to do pretty well. Lately, it seems I throw the ball through the nose in critical situations. I've watched many instructional tapes and pored over the how-to books, but none focuses on performance in pressure situations. Help! - Marcos James, Scottsdale, Ariz.

THE BIG problem with most instructional books is their focus on the physical nature of the game and factors that affect the game, like lane conditions and ball reactions. These factors are important, but are of little help in pressure situations. To throw that key strike, get your mind into a very simple state. Some call it the zone; others call it a child-like state wherein you attain a positive feeling as opposed to a thought process. Tip: visualize a perfect shot as you get up on the approach and concentrate on nothing other than that visualization. All great athletes can visualize success and are very adept at this total focus during all situations. So when it's time to throw that important shot, let the child come out of you and let it happen.

Mike McGrath is a PBA and ABC Hall of Famer. Send your questions to him c/o Bowlers Journal International, 122 South Michigan, Suite 1506, Chicago, IL 60603.