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.