Badminton How To Play

I still remember the first time I watched Robert Herndon step onto the approach—there was this quiet intensity about him that reminded me exactly of what Guevarra described as "silent strength." You know, that powerful presence that doesn't need to announce itself but somehow fills the entire bowling center. As someone who's been analyzing professional bowlers for over fifteen years, I've seen countless athletes come and go, but Robert's transformation stands out as particularly remarkable. His journey from struggling amateur to Professional Bowlers Association champion didn't happen overnight—it took what I'd call the perfect storm of technical adjustments, mental conditioning, and that elusive quality Guevarra so eloquently identified.

When Robert first approached me for coaching back in 2018, his average hovered around 195—respectable for league play but nowhere near professional caliber. What struck me immediately was his physical game had all the pieces but lacked cohesion. His footwork was decent, his arm swing serviceable, but they worked against each other rather than in harmony. We started with what I call "the connection principle"—ensuring his shoulder, elbow, and wrist moved as a single unit through the entire approach. This wasn't about reinventing his game so much as synchronizing what already existed. Within six months, his strike percentage jumped from 52% to 68%, and his average climbed to 215. The real breakthrough came when we shifted focus to what happens between shots—the mental game. Robert began implementing visualization techniques before each frame, mentally rehearsing every possible ball reaction and spare combination.

The equipment revolution in Robert's game came when we discovered his ideal ball specs—15 pounds with a 3-inch pin to PAP distance and a surface finish of 2000-grit Abralon. This specific combination gave him the perfect blend of length and backend reaction for today's typical PBA patterns. We also completely overhauled his spare shooting system, implementing what I call the "3-6-9" system for corner pins. The results were staggering—his single-pin spare conversion rate skyrocketed from 85% to 96% within a single season. But what truly separated Robert from other bowlers was his adoption of that "silent strength" philosophy. Instead of getting visibly frustrated by bad breaks or difficult lane conditions, he developed this remarkable ability to internalize challenges and respond with quiet determination. I've watched him overcome what should have been tournament-ending splits—like the 4-6-7-10 he converted in the 2022 U.S. Open—with the same calm demeanor whether he was facing the first frame or championship match.

Looking at Robert's statistics today compared to where he started reveals a stunning transformation. His tournament average has climbed to 226, he's made 12 televised finals in the past three seasons, and his earnings have increased from roughly $15,000 annually to over $80,000 last year alone. But numbers only tell part of the story. What's more impressive is how he's maintained that growth while helping other bowlers through the coaching clinics we run together. Just last month, I watched him work with a struggling collegiate bowler who reminded me so much of Robert's earlier self—all the physical tools but missing that mental composure. Within two sessions, the kid had improved his average by 15 pins simply by adopting Robert's pre-shot routine and learning to trust his natural ability.

Robert's journey demonstrates what's possible when raw talent meets strategic refinement. The technical adjustments were crucial, yes, but I'm convinced it was that development of inner fortitude—what Guevarra perfectly captured as silent strength—that truly propelled him to professional success. In our sport, where the difference between winning and 20th place can be a single pin over multiple games, that mental edge becomes everything. Robert's story isn't just about bowling better—it's about approaching challenges with quiet confidence, whether you're facing a 7-10 split or any other obstacle life throws your way.