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]

[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.