Increasing ball speed for a 2-hander

[Smiley1994]

I am new to bowling 2-handed. I am into my 2nd season. Even though my ball speed has improved from when I bowled with my thumb in the ball, I am finding that with the large increase in rev rate, and the less volume of oil I typically bowl on, I am in a need for some more speed.

Any tips, drills, suggestions on how I can achieve this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[J Anderson]

I am new to bowling 2-handed. I am into my 2nd season. Even though my ball speed has improved from when I bowled with my thumb in the ball, I am finding that with the large increase in rev rate, and the less volume of oil I typically bowl on, I am in a need for some more speed.

Any tips, drills, suggestions on how I can achieve this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Traditionally bowlers regulated ball speed with changing the height of their push-away, generating a higher back swing and there for yielding a higher speed. Obviously the two hand approach limits the height of the back swing. You will have to increase ball speed by moving back on the approach and accelerating your steps. Or in the words of Dr. Who, "RUN!!!"

[chip82901]

I am new to bowling 2-handed. I am into my 2nd season. Even though my ball speed has improved from when I bowled with my thumb in the ball, I am finding that with the large increase in rev rate, and the less volume of oil I typically bowl on, I am in a need for some more speed.

Any tips, drills, suggestions on how I can achieve this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

There really is nothing to do with drill to increase ball speed. Being a 2-hander myself, most of it is in footwork and timing. I actually find that the faster my feet are, the slower the ball rolls. Try to develop a smooth approach, minimize any air time (trust me, no matter how hard you try to get rid of it, there is air between 3-4 step if you take a 5 step), and stay behind the ball. I have worked a ton in the last few years with my off hand placement. Further on top of the ball means more forward roll, which gets the ball to read a bit sooner, hand toward the side, ball picks up later down lane.

Biggest advice though, watch some videos, work on your timing, balance, and release. This will all help in picking that ball speed up.

[chip82901]

This is a multiple post from the other side. Check the other side as I responded there

[Smiley1994]

I did, thank you for your response. I wasn't sure where to post so I posted this on 2 threads. Some read just one, I am sure others read multiple sections. :)

[RobLV1]

A lot depends on your age. I will tell you that I've never seen a bowler who changed to two-handed after the age of 35 who was able to develop the required ball speed. Besides the feet, it is very important for a two-hander to get into a position where the spine is parallel to the floor. This is something that, physically, only the young are able to do.

[Smiley1994]

I am 46 years old. And other than the pain I had on my left side for about a month when I started last year, I am ok with how I feel now. I changed due to poor ball speed and a horrible looking delivery with my thumb in the ball....

[bowl1820]

I did, thank you for your response. I wasn't sure where to post so I posted this on 2 threads. Some read just one, I am sure others read multiple sections. :)

If you post the same or very similar question in multiple forums, it doesn’t increase your chances of getting help. Most of the forum community that regularly respond to help requests use the “What’s New?” link near the top of the forums.

We see your post no matter what forum you put it in. So please don't cross post on multiple forums.

[Smiley1994]

My sincere apologies.

[chip82901]

A lot depends on your age. I will tell you that I've never seen a bowler who changed to two-handed after the age of 35 who was able to develop the required ball speed. Besides the feet, it is very important for a two-hander to get into a position where the spine is parallel to the floor. This is something that, physically, only the young are able to do.

Spine parallel to the floor? I've been bowling this way for as long as I can remember (I'll be 30 next month). If I tried to get parallel to the floor with my back, I'd fly over the foul line and have zero balance. It's still a lot of knee bend.

[chip82901]

Big thing is footwork and balance. The faster my feet get, the slower the ball gets as my timing gets off. You have to find some kind of timing in order to bowl with 2-hands, otherwise you'll find yourself in a world of pain. Work on smoothing out your approach and your release. Try to avoid coming around the ball and staying under the ball. Adjust your off hand if necessary. I've noticed if my off hand is on top of the ball, I get more forward roll and the ball reads the lanes sooner. If I put my off hand on the bottom or side of the ball, it changes my axis tilt just enough that it puts a bit more side roll on the ball to get it down lane, but it also creates more overall hook. Also, try lighter equipment if you have to. A few years ago when all of this aggressive equipment started coming out, I dropped from 15# to 14# so that I could keep my ball speed a bit higher.

[bowl1820]

Ran across this and thought it would go good with this.

Two-hander Jason Belmonte discusses proper footwork in the two-handed bowling technique.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJhfioO58kM

[chip82901]

Ran across this and thought it would go good with this.

Two-hander Jason Belmonte discusses proper footwork in the two-handed bowling technique.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJhfioO58kM

This is exactly true. I see a lot of people trying to bowl with 2 hands that don't keep the tempo. Tempo is everything in any approach. Thanks for posting the videos!

[Smiley1994]

As a matter of fact, I dropped all my equipment from 15# to 14#. That has helped some. Last night I bowled and had some horrible pulls to the left causing 4 counts on my first ball. Embarrassing.

[chip82901]

As a matter of fact, I dropped all my equipment from 15# to 14#. That has helped some. Last night I bowled and had some horrible pulls to the left causing 4 counts on my first ball. Embarrassing.

I just did it because of how aggressive equipment became. As for pulling shots to the left, that's probably due to some poor timing. Sounds like you're getting to the line late with your feet and your hands are there first. I've had this happen before as well. I've had to speed my feet up a hair, or start my backswing a bit later. Best option, take in some practice, try to set up a camera so you can go back and watch yourself. Work on squaring your shoulders at the line as well. Any other questions, feel free to message me directly and I will help you out the best I can.

[Smiley1994]

If I get my shoulders square at the line, due to coming around the ball early, the shot is almost always yanked left.

[TCJ]

To avoid pulling shots I have really worked hard on keeping my elbow tucked in more and having my feet always pointed to the right. It works for me as long as I can maintain timing (another issue).