Here’s something that may
help a "bottom bulb" racer with his / her reaction times. There are
times when we feel "lost" on the bottom bulb. Those are the worst days
for any racer, you have a lack of confidence, and it may take you weeks to get
back "on track". This method may prove to racers that they may
or may not be using the correct rollout in the practice tree.
The main idea is to leave as soon as you see the bottom bulb, react to the "flash", that is what makes you consistent. Due to the "distraction factor" of the top two ambers, we can sometimes be inconsistent. Try the following:
Take the
top two ambers out in each lane. If you use the table version of "Final Round,"
unscrew the top 2 lenses, and pull out the
bulbs. You can do this with a Full Size Tree by simply unscrewing the
bulbs. This makes it easier to put your focus solely on the bottom amber (of
course you should make sure there is no handicap set in the unit, because you'll
want your bottom amber to come on before, or simultaneously with the bottom
amber in the other lane).
React to that amber as fast as you can, (for
those who are not used to this, it may take a few shots). This may take some
more concentration now, since we don't have the top two ambers giving us the
warning of the third coming on. Those two top two ambers are there for no
other reason but to distract you!!
With this method we can now figure out the
rollout to use in the practice tree by adjusting the rollout number until you
are in the 5 - teens, or 5 - twenties. After you have established an average
competitive reaction time, you are ready for the final step.
Put all the bulbs back in, leaving the rollout number the same, and "hit" the tree just as you did before. Try to forget that the top two ambers are there. If your reaction times are about the same and as consistent as they were before, you are learning to master the full tree. This is the hardest "tree" to conquer since it requires the most discipline. If you master that, set the tree up, so that you give the other lane a 1/2 second or full second handicap; that will create more distraction. If you can master that, then you are ready for anything!
Good Luck!