Increasing Speed

[Greenday]

I've got a problem. My tilt is just right. I'm getting a decent amount of revs (Though I'd like to get more. I need to calculate it one of these days.) My track is about an inch away from the thumb hole. I'm getting much better at reading the lanes and making correct adjustments (Whether it's just moving my feet or switching balls). My only real issue right now that I'm concerned about is my speed. I typically throw between 13.6-14mph. I just feel like I'm not getting enough power into the pocket. It's causing less pin action which is hurting my scores.

This week I plan on going and practicing so I'll bring my laptop (I'd do it tonight since I have a ton of free games, but by the time I'd get there, cosmic would be starting). Any general tips for increasing your ball speed?

[J Anderson]

I've got a problem. My tilt is just right. I'm getting a decent amount of revs (Though I'd like to get more. I need to calculate it one of these days.) My track is about an inch away from the thumb hole. I'm getting much better at reading the lanes and making correct adjustments (Whether it's just moving my feet or switching balls). My only real issue right now that I'm concerned about is my speed. I typically throw between 13.6-14mph. I just feel like I'm not getting enough power into the pocket. It's causing less pin action which is hurting my scores.

This week I plan on going and practicing so I'll bring my laptop (I'd do it tonight since I have a ton of free games, but by the time I'd get there, cosmic would be starting). Any general tips for increasing your ball speed?

The old school way was to start the ball a bit higher in your stance so the ball would go a bit higher in the back swing.

The newer way is to start 6" to 12" back from your normal starting point so your feet will have to move faster to line in time with your normal swing.

[billf]

Do you power into your slide? That's the easiest place to increase speed the small amount you need.
You should get your rev rate. Then add the average of 3 mph to what your getting to find speed at release and see how close you are to being speed/rev matched. There's no reason to become speed dominant if your close to being matched.

After trying all that you will to increase speed, if after two weeks your accuracy is not there, go back please. Speed is great but not at the expense of accuracy.

As always, a video would help to see the easiest spot to add speed with the least detriment to your game.

[noeymc]

move back a inch or two at a time you will naturally increase your speed

[J Anderson]

Do you power into your slide? That's the easiest place to increase speed the small amount you need.
You should get your rev rate. Then add the average of 3 mph to what your getting to find speed at release and see how close you are to being speed/rev matched. There's no reason to become speed dominant if your close to being matched.

After trying all that you will to increase speed, if after two weeks your accuracy is not there, go back please. Speed is great but not at the expense of accuracy.

As always, a video would help to see the easiest spot to add speed with the least detriment to your game.

I was skimming through the FAQs in the General Bowling Discussions and didn't see any obvious reference for matching speed and revs. Is there a Slowinski article or a Bronze level chapter to reference?

[Greenday]

I was skimming through the FAQs in the General Bowling Discussions and didn't see any obvious reference for matching speed and revs. Is there a Slowinski article or a Bronze level chapter to reference?

I don't know of any off-hand, but really, if you throw a low rev ball really fast, you'll have a ball that won't really hook. Likewise, if you throw a high rev ball really slow, you'll always overshoot the pocket. You need to match your speed so it gets down the lane, but still hooks. Think about it. How many professional two handed bowlers are throwing 15mph or less? I've never seen anyone successful combine the two (Except for my coach's 3 year old son).

[billf]

http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s413/billf99/BallSpeedvsRevRate_zps4791105c.jpg (http://s1050.photobucket.com/user/billf99/media/BallSpeedvsRevRate_zps4791105c.jpg.html)

[noeymc]

based on what u said bill my ball speed and revs are pretty even but what about when u adjust speed or revs while bowling is it a bad thing i may just be adjusting my axis point but i am not really sure but if u adjust speed should u adjust your rev rate as well ?

[billf]

Adjustments are never a bad thing, if it's the correct adjustment.
The table was compiled based on research for the best results for strike %, carry % and ball reaction for the majority of oil patterns. Given all the possible variables there is no exact figure of what anything should be.

Also, most people when they adjust speed also inadvertantly adjust rev rate accordingly. Some people don't and that's fine either way. It's a feel thing and you will adjust, see the reaction and make a decision based on what you see. What the rates are at the point are irrelevent.

Your normal delivery is what you should try to get matched. This is definitely an advance level design and not meant for every bowler. Greenday's experience and previous coaching sessions qualify him for advance level techniques, in my opinion.

[Tampabaybob]

It's also interesting to note that the ball speed on the chart is measured at the point of release and not at the cameras down the lane. Most bowlers don't know what their ball speed is at the release point only towards the end of the lane where the camera is. Your ball will typically slow down 1 - 3 MPH by the time it gets to the camera, so you have to interpolate that to use the chart. But as Bill said, there are SO MANY variables in ones approach/release that almost every person and every situation will be different. Watching what the ball is doing, the reaction towards the break point and where and how the ball is going through the pins will tell you what your change should be. As mentioned, a higher level/average bowler does this routinely and that's what separates the 220-230 average bowler from the 190-200 average person. Many games of practice and years (in most cases) of bowling, yet you will still see the best and most experienced bowlers making mistakes.

[Greenday]

Haven't had a chance to practice it, but tonight at league, I just tried starting have my ball a few inches higher. Instead of just at waist level, I was just above my stomach. I was throwing between 16.5 and 17 mph. Got up to 17.5 mph by the last game. My hook was stronger than usual. Much better carry. Good accuracy with it. I only left two ten pins tonight. I'm pretty damn excited.

Also, we were getting slaughtered one game and my head-to-head opponent was bowling amazing. I decided to experiment with my throw. Moved deeper inside, brought out the Sync, and was cupping the wrist. Accuracy wasn't great, but when I go it out where I wanted, it was hooking back and HARD. Gotta practice it more.

All in all, very happy with tonight's results. 829 scratch series (Four games).

[billf]

Good job!
One thing I tend to do when moving deep (especially if it's been awhile) is you mentally try to put more on the ball. All this causes is early turn which causes a pull condition and no ball going out :(

[GeoLes]

nice chart, but how do you compensate for variation in release from player to player? I am in the 15 mph category, but am not sure if my rev rate matches my ball speed, exceeds it, or is behind it. I suspect that I may be a type 2 bowler, but how do I tell?

[Greenday]

nice chart, but how do you compensate for variation in release from player to player? I am in the 15 mph category, but am not sure if my rev rate matches my ball speed, exceeds it, or is behind it. I suspect that I may be a type 2 bowler, but how do I tell?

Have you measured your rev rate?

[Tampabaybob]

Haven't had a chance to practice it, but tonight at league, I just tried starting have my ball a few inches higher. Instead of just at waist level, I was just above my stomach. I was throwing between 16.5 and 17 mph. Got up to 17.5 mph by the last game. My hook was stronger than usual. Much better carry. Good accuracy with it. I only left two ten pins tonight. I'm pretty damn excited.

Also, we were getting slaughtered one game and my head-to-head opponent was bowling amazing. I decided to experiment with my throw. Moved deeper inside, brought out the Sync, and was cupping the wrist. Accuracy wasn't great, but when I go it out where I wanted, it was hooking back and HARD. Gotta practice it more.

All in all, very happy with tonight's results. 829 scratch series (Four games).

Nice series. It's always been my experience, that when you do put more speed on the ball you do end up lifting/turning the ball a little harder, which in turn, will give you a little more hook. That may be what you experienced. Great nite though, keep 'em coming.

[billf]

nice chart, but how do you compensate for variation in release from player to player? I am in the 15 mph category, but am not sure if my rev rate matches my ball speed, exceeds it, or is behind it. I suspect that I may be a type 2 bowler, but how do I tell?

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, there's no reason to compensate for different releases. The speed of the ball at release is the speed of the ball irregardless of release type. How to tell where you are is to calculate your speed and rev rate. Stop watch and high speed cam corder do wonders there.

[billf]

Let me find the time for speed chart and I will post it. I have it on my laptop in .pdf which photobucket won't load and it's too large for here. Was on the powerhouse bowling site but not anymore.

[billf]

http://powerhousebowling.com/images/uploads/pdf/Ball_speed_rev_rate_chart.pdf

If the image doesn't appear, right click your mouse and select open in new tab.

[GeoLes]

Originally Posted by GeoLes
nice chart, but how do you compensate for variation in release from player to player? I am in the 15 mph category, but am not sure if my rev rate matches my ball speed, exceeds it, or is behind it. I suspect that I may be a type 2 bowler, but how do I tell?

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, there's no reason to compensate for different releases. The speed of the ball at release is the speed of the ball irregardless of release type. How to tell where you are is to calculate your speed and rev rate. Stop watch and high speed cam corder do wonders there.

Thanks. Remind me to pack the speed cam and stop watch in the bowling bag when I get home tonight.

[Perrin]

If you have an Iphone (probably android too but not sure) you can record on it and use the Coachmyvideo app to break it down to frame by frame and be able to calculate speed and revs pretty easily. if you have the time and inclination you can also use it to find or verify your pap.

[Tampabaybob]

Unless I'm misunderstanding you, there's no reason to compensate for different releases. The speed of the ball at release is the speed of the ball irregardless of release type. How to tell where you are is to calculate your speed and rev rate. Stop watch and high speed cam corder do wonders there.

Bill.....Really ?? Does every bowler you know carry or at least have a stop watch and a video recorder ??

[GeoLes]

Speed cam and stopwatch are very helpful.

I almost have it....

by the time I finish my shot, and grab the speed cam, the sweeper has already dropped, darnit!!!!

[J Anderson]

Bill.....Really ?? Does every bowler you know carry or at least have a stop watch and a video recorder ??

Almost every bowler I know carries a cell phone, and even mine, which is like 107 in cell phone years, has a stopwatch function.

[billf]

Bill.....Really ?? Does every bowler you know carry or at least have a stop watch and a video recorder ??

No but every pro shop I know of does. If you want to do the stuff yourself then you need the tools.

[JPbowl]

I will be taking my tri-pod and 10 year old digital camera down to a small local place tomorrow to practice.
it even does 60FPS... just a 320px

[Greenday]

I bring my laptop to film stuff. Easy to film stuff, easy to keep track of times and different angles.

[billf]

I will be taking my tri-pod and 10 year old digital camera down to a small local place tomorrow to practice.
it even does 60FPS... just a 320px

Not being sarcastic but that must have been a fortune back then. I actually had to look hard for a digital camcorder that could do 60fps. A week or so after I checked my laptop and found that it would do 60fps.

I've tried it with my phone several times. It skips frames and it so slow it doesn't even show the swing arm at all.

[JPbowl]

Not being sarcastic but that must have been a fortune back then. I actually had to look hard for a digital camcorder that could do 60fps. A week or so after I checked my laptop and found that it would do 60fps.

I've tried it with my phone several times. It skips frames and it so slow it doesn't even show the swing arm at all.

Not at all, The camera was around $150-200 3.2MP Cannon SD200. its only at 320x240 resolution tho.
It does 480res 30fps for standard. Never planned on using it for videos, my cell phone might be slightly better at this point but it doesn't have the threads to tripod mount.
You got me reading a few newer camera reviews and im seeing some that say 60fps are just duplicating frames @ 30fps, so whats the point? ill have to test mine.
always have to read the fine print.

[Tampabaybob]

Ok John, yes I do have a cell phone, older, takes pictures (low res) and no video. I also have a stop watch on my wrist watch, but from the time I set it until the time I'd finish "posting my shot"....aw' crap...3.1 minutes !! Can't quite figure out how to do that !! LOL

[billf]

Bob, why can't you just take the time from the video you need to figure the rev rate? It's the only way I know of to do with one person.

[Tampabaybob]

I can...just haven't video'd myself in several years. One of these days...... Well you know.

[JPbowl]

I can...just haven't video'd myself in several years. One of these days...... Well you know.

Starting to remember why i haven't video taped my self in several years..
Things are much simpler without