Adjusting Axis Rotation

[JCasey1992]

Hi all,

I was just wondering how I adjust my axis rotation. Could somebody explain that to me and if possible, the characteristics and best uses of each adjustment?

Thanks,
Casey

[bowl1820]

Hi all,

I was just wondering how I adjust my axis rotation. Could somebody explain that to me and if possible, the characteristics and best uses of each adjustment?

Thanks,
Casey

First Axis rotation is the difference between the direction the ball is spinning and the direction that it is going down the lane, and basically is determined by how far around the side of the ball your fingers get during the release.

To keep it simple break axis rotation down to about 4 releases.

No Rotation (0-5°) you release the ball with the thumb at 12 o'clock
Would be good for the straighter shots, like shooting spares or possibly pointing at the pocket.

Minimal Rotation (15-30°) you release the ball with the thumb at between 11 & 12 o'clock
Would be good for the tighter conditions, when your playing outside, whern you would want a more even response down the lane ( like over/under conditions). In heavier oil it can help read the lane earlier.

Moderate Rotation (45°) you release the ball with the thumb at between 10 & 11 o'clock
Kind of the typical starting point, you get this with the normal handshake release.

Maximum Rotation (up to 90°) you release the ball with the thumb at 9 o'clock
For when your playing deep and you want length and the ball to come off the dry hard.

Check these links out-
Starting on page Page 6–40
Read this first USBC Bowling Ball Parts & Dynamics Chapter 6 (http://www.athletics2000.com/andrew/Documents/USBC%20Bowling%20Ball%20Parts%20and%20Dynamics.pdf )

Then this next Experimental Tip # 6: Finger-Tip Pressure to Adjust Axis Rotation2 (http://bowlingknowledge.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=133&Itemid=62)

[billf]

Bowl, how did you get the bronze cert manual in pdf?

[billf]

More technical info about releases and axis rotation
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip35.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip36.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip37.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip38.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip20.htm

Any questions just post them here and we will be glad to try to answer them all the your satisfaction

[bowl1820]

Bowl, how did you get the bronze cert manual in pdf?

I Just Googled it. Several places have it, But You can only get chapters 6-7-8.

[billf]

Ok, thank you. It just seems like a lot of work to scan the whole manual but it looks like my best option.

[bowl1820]

Ok, thank you. It just seems like a lot of work to scan the whole manual but it looks like my best option.

What do you just have a hard copy? and not the disk version. If you have the whole manual on pdf, there's programs that will let you split it into individual chapters.

[nev]

If you have the whole manual on pdf, .

Care to share;)

[billf]

I will supposedly be getting a hard copy of it July 13th when I take the class

[TheSheibs]

I had the pro shop guy who drilled the ball I currently use show me the differences doing this. It is amazing how moving your hand to the side any degree amount changes just how much the ball curves. I have noticed that I can do this type of adjustment while having the same start position if my ball is curving too much or too little. I believe this is a necessary tool to have in your tool box.

[martin]

mine is usually a 60 degree axis rotation.. struggling to get it to 45 degrees (which i want).. anybody can help? bill maybe?

[billf]

Martin, the way I learned them all was to lock my wrist in that position and bowl or at least the full bowling motion, with my wrist locked the whole time in that position. Over time I was able to adjust on the fly from one to another. The downfall of that is when I do it mid-swing instead of using the rotation I said I would when getting on the approach. Never second guess. That's my biggest down fall. Well, that and lack of talent.

[bowl1820]

mine is usually a 60 degree axis rotation.. struggling to get it to 45 degrees (which i want).. anybody can help? bill maybe?

The 45 deg. is the simplest one to do. It's the handshake position.

PWBA champion Carolyn Dorin-Ballard shows the "handshake drill" for better hand position and overall bowling consistency.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNtwJQLzE4A

[billf]

It's a great drill but the thing I've noticed when trying to hold that throughout the swing is the total lack of revs. This happens with all the positions as you are not rotating at all to create revs, just the rotation.

[TheSheibs]

The "hand shake" position works great for left handed bowlers. Don't need to try to put revs on it at all. It is very natural.

[bowl1820]

It's a great drill but the thing I've noticed when trying to hold that throughout the swing is the total lack of revs. This happens with all the positions as you are not rotating at all to create revs, just the rotation.

Well there's not a "Total lack of revs", just a minimal amount of rev's. The drill is about hand position, not about generating revs.

[billf]

True but that's not a 45 degree rotation either. Fingers at 6 is zero, 3 is 90 and 4:30 45, correct? Assuming the release is held as CDB says wouldn't the fingers exit at 3:00 generating a 90 degree rotation? I'm going on almost no sleep so I may just be brain dead.

[bowl1820]

True but that's not a 45 degree rotation either. Fingers at 6 is zero, 3 is 90 and 4:30 45, correct? Assuming the release is held as CDB says wouldn't the fingers exit at 3:00 generating a 90 degree rotation? I'm going on almost no sleep so I may just be brain dead.
Yes when the ball is released by the ankle the fingers are at about 4:30.
Here's a pic.
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/New%20Releases%202/Release%20angles2.gif

Now in regard to the video, they didn't film it at the best angles to see the hand position. But if you look when she holds the guy's hand out, the palm is at a 45 degree angle to the floor.

And she say's to hold it like that through the swing, that would place the fingers at the 4:30 position which would give you the 45 deg. rotation on the ball. You can't really see the angle of the palm because they filmed from the side.

For it to been a 90 degree release his palm would have had to been perpendicular to the floor. You can't go by where his hand was at the end of the practice swing either, because they grabbed each others hands and you have to turn your hand to grasp the other persons hand. But at that point you would have long been out of the ball.

Another view of the 45 release

http://www.bowlspot.com/pages/coaching/media/mediumRotation.flv

Bowling Ball Axis Rotation vids here
http://www.bowlspot.com/coaching/axisRotation

[martin]

i've tried everything, which includes trying to start and finish at the 45 degree angle, but just can't get it.. i'll always end up with the 60 degree rotation..

[billf]

I was probably being too literal with what I thought a saw. That's a big problem I have, too literal.
Martin, think way outside the box for a minute. If you try holding 45 but end up with 60 why not try 25-30 and see where you end up. You may naturally be compensating the extra 15%. Kind of like the eye dominance and targeting thread where some people naturally hit more to one side. Your body may, due to no fault of yours, over-compensate to a higher percentage.

[martin]

i've tried everything from 0-45 degrees, but always end up with 60.. i really dunno why.. trying to get a video but it's difficult as i more often bowl alone and nobody can help take shots..