Expand your arsenal without any new equipment

[billf]

Learning to adjust isn't always easy. Like anything else worth being able to do, it takes practice and patience. I'm not talking about target and/or laydown adjustments.

By learning to vary axis rotation, tilt and speed independently from each other this takes a three ball arsenal to a twelve ball arsenal. Most league bowlers who only bowl in one place can usually get away without having to learn these things. However, if you're looking to take your game to the next level or want to start partaking in tournaments then being able to do more than just change balls is a necessity.

More tournaments are starting to limit the number of balls a bowler may use. Afterall, who wants to pay more in baggage than the tournament will pay?

Once you decide to put these variables into play there is an easy way to practice them in a competitive setting. Many times I will bring six balls to league. Once there I will pick one ball and use only that ball for the night. Too strong, too weak, it doesn't matter. That's the point really. Now I have to adjust rotation, tilt and/or speed to not only hit the pocket but carry as well. Even playing a line that shouldn't work and using these tools can create a braoder spectrum to your game.

[ArtVandelay]

Great post! I've been working on this type of thing for years. Being consistent with it is the toughest part.

I had a post about "going brooklyn," intentionally. You replied, but it didn't generate much interest aside from that. So I guess changing angles and axis isn't a very popular thing to do!

[TCJ]

You can see the results of these adjustments the most with the pro shots. Today I was trying different rotation angles on Scorpion. With a forward rotation I could throw with a lot of speed up the right side. Alternatively, I could move the rotation to be much more angled and throw an inside line. With that shot, if I messed up and had a forward rotation, the ball just would not react. On a house shot I could probably get away with that a little more.

[GeoLes]

So this begs the question. How do you adjust axis rotation, and tilt. (I think I can figure out speed). Us newbies need details.

[GeoLes]

I was hoping to get some insight into specifics on how to adjust axis roatation an tilt. Any takers?

[swingset]

I was hoping to get some insight into specifics on how to adjust axis roatation an tilt. Any takers?

Short answer: Changes in your release, hand position and swing.

For instance, staying completely behind the ball all the way through to release creates more forward roll, and a more upright axis...good for creating a later lane reaction and stronger drive through the pins where you need the energy down lane....whereas the same swing only coming around the ball would create more sideways rotation, slightly more axis tilt, so this would favor getting the ball to read the lanes earlier which might help on a longer pattern.

And, then changing speed (either by backswing, pushoff position or feet speed) can have marked effects on your ball's reaction.

These are, IMHO, very advanced changes and should be the final step for a bowler who has gotten very consistent and accurate with one release and delivery and should not be dabbled in until then. Changing these variables when you're inconsistent will result in a slurry of mechanical and motor-skill changes that are difficult to cope with.

[GeoLes]

Thank you so much swingset.

That makes so much sense to me. You stated it simply and clearly

[billf]

Sorry, this thread didn't show up as having new posts. I just figured it generated zero interest.
Tilt is the hardest to change. It varies by the angle between the thumb and fingers at release.

[got_a_300]

swingset pretty much answered the question but the time to
practice the changes is not during league play or definitely
not during a tournament but do practice them during open
practice sessions.

Once you are confident that you have them figured out and you
know for sure which one is going to give you the ball reaction
you are looking for on the shot you are bowling on then it is ok
to use the changes to get the ball reaction you are looking for.

Learning these changes is no overnight thing it takes hundreds
upon hundreds of practice games to learn them and it is IMO a
continuing learning process that never really ends.

[Tampabaybob]

Once again, Bill has hit upon a very good point that many bowlers do not realize. As soon as they see something different in an oil pattern or lane condition, they run to the proshop, checkbook in hand, and buy the latest "Ball of the Week". When they take it out and try it, maybe it'll work out ok, but just maybe, it'll give them the same reaction as what they had. You can find many of these "MISTAKES" on Ebay and a few other sites, where they tell you it only has 6 or 10 games on the ball. And you cant save lots of money buying one.

In reality, if YOU, learn to make simple, minor changes in the way you hold, and release your ball, you probably will save a lot of money. This is not brain surgery, this is many different aspects of what you should have in your mental tool kit to prepare you for these varying types of conditions. This is also not to say if you are a "one ball wonder" that will suffice. What I'm saying is you do not need a 10 - 15 ball arsenal and a handler to carry them around for you. 4 - 6 balls, on average should be enough in anyones arsenal to meet just about any condition they can throw at you. Different RG's, Different drillings and cover stocks, and THEN, learn to change speed, hand positions, and other small changes that will affect the roll of your ball and reaction at the pin deck.

Now I know there will be people that will disagree with this, But after 50 years in the game, managing a bowling center and working in a pro shop, and bowling in the PBA, I've seen just about all of it. If you had a couple or a few of the newer balls, go get a "GOOD" coach and ask him to teach you how to throw them in differing situations. Again, it's not rocket science, and the average Joe (or Mary) bowler can learn these techniques.

Questions, Comments ? Fire away. This is just my two cents.

[classygranny]

I'm gonna agree with Bob. In just one session with my coach, he convinced me that he could teach me to make a 3 ball arsenal work for me. First we worked a bit on my stance, footwork, and balance. Then he sent me off to his proshop guy with a list - the new balls are on order, and my next lesson is mid-June. I am sure, from the first lesson conversation, that a lot of my lessons will be on this very subject. I already use some finger dancing to make minor adjustment.

Also, I'm not one that enjoys trucking eight balls around to every bowling center I bowl in, so he agreed there was no problem in building my 3 ball arsenal to work. I already "know" the basics, but like swingset and got_a_300 said, it will take practice. Although, I'm sure most of us have already experienced the difference affect the release has just in the "mistakes" we have made learning to be consistent. Sometimes I think the biggest mistake bowlers make is not "watching" their ball as it travels down the lane and into the pins. They watch to see if they hit their mark and then what reaction the pins are giving, but not what the ball is doing on its way down the entire lane.

[Tampabaybob]

Gayla, You hit the monster right on the head. When bowlers "don't watch there ball" all the way down, they are missing out on a great deal of information that the ball will tell you. For example, where does the ball "start to hook up", where is the break point, why am I leaving weak tens or seven pins, why am I leaving 8 or 9 pin leaves ? With out watching your ball, you will never be able to fix these things and make the proper adjustments to overcome them.

Glad you were able to hook up with a good coach. It's invaluable, and you will see the results. Stick with him.

[billf]

I will openly admit I go through stages. Stage 1, I bring only two balls to the center. I grab a bag and use whatever balls are in there. Stage two, I bring three bags (6 balls) and use what I want.
I bowl for fun. Could I average a little higher if I would consistently play the same line? Sure but what fun is there in that? Don't get me wrong, there isn't a whole lot of times I grab the Misfit and on a sport shot say I will play from 40 across 18. But if I want to use a ball, I do and just adjust to what I think it will take to score well. It helps me a lot with tournaments.

Tournaments or any time I'm bowling for money is a different story. Then it's the best ball, best line to carry the highest percentage. Very, very seldom is a 90° axis rotation the best rotation for me, to carry well on a sport pattern. For me, 90° is too snappy at times while 60° seems to read the lane great and carry also. I'm talking the longer or heavier patterns. The short, dry ones are more like a modified house shot.

[GeoLes]

Again I can't thank you enough for the assist.

I bowled this weekend on dry lanes with a reactive resin ball. After moving a far left as I could and playing as much oil as I could find, I finally snugged in the undex finger. The ball still went Brooklyn but hit the 1-2 pocket in a good spot (got a couple of strikes and a couple of splits). I tucked in the picky and the ball found 1-3 pocket.

I love new tools.

[Tampabaybob]

Again I can't thank you enough for the assist.

I bowled this weekend on dry lanes with a reactive resin ball. After moving a far left as I could and playing as much oil as I could find, I finally snugged in the undex finger. The ball still went Brooklyn but hit the 1-2 pocket in a good spot (got a couple of strikes and a couple of splits). I tucked in the picky and the ball found 1-3 pocket.

I love new tools.

There are many, many of these "little tricks" that you can use from time to time. They won't always work in every instance, but as you found out it worked for you in your circumstance. Read all that you can and put these tips in your bag of tricks. While others struggle on a particular shot and you've made a slight change, you can smile, because you "Knew" what to change.

One source of finding these "tricks", and I can't stress this enough, is to subscribe to 'Bowling this Month'. It should be called the bowlers bible. It will give you more information than you'll ever believe. Try it, you can get a trial issue for free.

[Gunz1911]

With a 3 ball arsenal, does that include a spare ball for most of you? I plan to sell my motorcylce as I do not get to ride it much anymore, and my wife agreed, If I do I can buy 1-2 balls, then the rest goes to other things. I have a DV8 Brutal Nightmare right now and I am thinking to go with a DV8 Diva (Yeah, I will rock that Pink and black beast) or a Too Reckless, then a Mistfit or Mistfit Pearl.

I do not really want to get beyond a 3 ball arsenal right now, so if I did pick up a spare ball I would probably drop the Misfit out of my line-up. Anyone have decent success with shooting spares with a mistfit/pearl?

[Tampabaybob]

I've carried 3 balls for years, including a spare ball. Then I bought a "joey and started carrying 3 balls + the Joey. last year my Wife bought me a new 4 ball bag for my birthday (the old 3 ball bag was about10 years old and showing the wear & tear). I can say that the 4 ball bag is much easier to handle and having 3 strike balls has definitely worked to my advantage. So I guess my suggestion, if you have a 3 ball bag start with 2 strike balls and one spare ball. If you eventually decide to get another strike ball, just buy a Joey (they're cheap) and start carrying 4. Or if you want to go all in, buy a 4 ball bag.

[billf]

I have used a plastic ball for spares three weeks out of the last 52. As long as your able to create 0° of axis rotation you can use any ball and shoot straight at spares. The BN, Diva and Misfit Pearl would make a great three ball arsenal, in my opinion. The Misfit and Diva combo would leave too big a gap on the drier end of the spectrum if three is the limit.

[Tampabaybob]

Bill, I'll agree with you to a point. I also, used to use my BVP Punisher as my spare ball. All I'd do is kill the ball so straighten it out. In most circumstances I had a good percentage with the right hand corner shots. Then the backends at our house started getting drier and I'd miss a few of those key shots. (cost me some points in the league)I had given away my spare ball to one of the guys on my team, so I went looking for a new one. Bought a used Roto Grip "World Ball" (for $20 bucks) and have been using that for the past couple of years. Every couple of weeks I put a coat of polish on it, so I make sure it'll slide further and my corner percentage is in the high 90"s.

Some people have trouble flattening out, killing the ball, or breaking their wrists, to be able to make those spares. That's where the polyester balls come in handy. IF, they can learn to kill it, then there's no need. IF they're bowling in a house with exceptional dry backends, then I'd say, spend the money and by plastic. Just my 2 cents !

[billf]

Bob, I spent the little bit of money for a T-Zone but still working on getting the thumb to fit correctly. That's the downside to being on staff when you have to use them exclusively and they're not close by. My old spare ball I gave to a teammate so if need be, it's available to me.
Also, I was talking strictly league bowling. I wouldn't dream of doing a tournament without a plastic spare ball. No reason to chance it when money is at stake.

[GoodGravy]

Great discussion!!!

If you buy into the hype, you will think that you do need every ball on the market to bowl well.....just a testament to the unmitigated over-consumption of the American Bowler (of which I can say I am a proud member!)...

My two biggest go to adjustments: Ball speed and hand placement. I have found that a 1 inch movement of my pinky finger (tight on my ring finger or spread out) makes a significant difference in the motion down lane. Also, my 'go to' adjustment on the fly is ball speed. A 1 foot break early or break late adjustment down lane could be the difference between a 160 game and a 240 game....as evidence by what happened to me last week at league! I was throwing the ball past my break point in my first game, only changed my speed--slowed down--- and threw 10 strikes in my 2nd game. Didn't change balls, position or anything else, just speed.

And yes....still working on the right 3 ball mix....a work in progress....

[GeoLes]

I have to give a report on what I learned. I took my strongest ball - Raw Hammer Jacked - reactive resin cover stock that grabs lane all the way to the pins. It was difficult to keep the ball off the brooklyn side until I tucked both pinky and index finger in with broken wrist and dialed-down wrist position. This produced a full roller with less hook.

Now when I hit the pocket I often left splits. Not a problem because the object was simiply to adjust in order to get the ball on the right side of the pins. I learned a lot about this ball release. If i roll that exact ball through 3rd arrow it cleanly picks up the 3-10 split. I was even able to easily pick ut the 5-10 split simply because I knew the ball's path. I also just missed a 2-8 split by a hair the same way. ( I was a tad heavy on the 8 pin.)

I have heard bowling being compared to golf, only with invisible sand and water hazards - requiring the same kind of adjusment as golf course management demands (more roll, or spin, hook, flat or fade, etc.) Now I really see it. What lesson I learned.

[Tampabaybob]

Ray & George...... It's great that both of you have found out that very small adjustments can really come in handy when you need them. If and when you shoot tournaments, large or small, you'll be running into patterns and lane oil breakdowns that will require some quick thinking as far as what type of adjustments to make. These "tricks" are just that, things that you can pull out of your bag of tricks to overcome just those types of situations. You know darn well that the guys on tour face the same problems from one week to the next and they have to make the same kind of decisions and adjustments that we all need to do. The guys you see each week on TV are the smart ones that knew how to overcome those adversities and come out on top. Good job for both of you, don't forget what you've learned, and by all means feel free to pass them along to your ten members as someday, you might be in a title match and your team member may need some advise to overcome a situation they're facing. (just don't tell your opponents - LOL !!)

[GeoLes]

I have enhhanced respect for the pro bowler. i made adjusments that eventualy found the pocket with mixed results (splits and pinleaves). They seem to make the adjustment and find both the pocket and strike zone virtually all the time.

My best day on a THS will never compare with their profomance on the most demanding lane conditions.

[Tampabaybob]

That's very true, and those guys have run into the same types of problems we all do, the exception is they know WHEN to change almost immediately. Lane conditions are like the weather.....if you don't like it, wait a minute, because it's gonna change !!