Problems with Speed

[Aslan]

that with all other factors being the same, speed is the leading contributor to carry.

Not to mention, what is the average ball speed on the Tour (PBA)? 20mph?

If speed led to LESS carry...we'd see a lot slower shots on the Tour.

Remember, whether it's 2-handed, thumbless, backwards, underhand, lofting, spinning/helicopter release, etc...etc...etc... If they aren't overwhelmingly doing it on the Tour...where people are trying to make a living at bowling...ODDS ARE it's not better. The folks on the tour are always looking for that "edge"...that can separate them from the rest of the talented field...so if there's a little "secret strategy" that you think you've 'discovered'...odds are it's already been tried, tested, and found wanting. Otherwise...they'd be doing it. And the same goes for speeds. The non-PBA50/WPBA bowlers on the national tour use almost every inch of that approach to get as much speed as they can.

So, should Blomer embrace the speed and maybe even fire it FASTER!?? No. Not unless he has the rev rate to control it. Which, most amateurs do not....including me.

My point was, we can't change our feet without messing up timing. Sure, over time it'd be GREAT if we developed 3 different speeds to use, 3 different lines to play, and 3 different releases. But for most amateurs...especially at my and Blomer's level...messing with speed will mess up your timing. And once that's screwed up...none of the rest really matters. I simply would suggest making sure that the only speed is coming from the footwork and force of gravity (swing). If he's "muscling" the swing....that could account for about 2mph...maybe 4mph. And that will likely be all he needs to get in time and back into the pocket. AND...it's a good solution because it solves 3 problems at once: timing, ball speed too high, and muscling.

Granted, my advice hinges on:
1) His problem being TOO MUCH speed.
2) He's muscling his swing.

And without a video to watch, those are but guesses.

[billf]

Not to mention, what is the average ball speed on the Tour (PBA)? 20mph?


Granted, my advice hinges on:
1) His problem being TOO MUCH speed.
2) He's muscling his swing.

And without a video to watch, those are but guesses.

The biggest issue is ball speed is measured at release. So when we hear on TV that so and so just let one rip at 25 MPH, like Tommy Jones has been known to do, reality is a lot different at the pins. Most centers have the cameras set down lane beyond 40', where the speed is the slowest. Not to mention those can be very inaccurate. Studies have shown release speed of 18-21MPH to be ideal. How fast is too fast? When it consistently has a negative impact on accuracy.
Your guesses are probably accurate. Most amatuer, modern era bowlers, have some muscling of the swing.


As you can see even modest rev rate players need speed. Ball selection and layouts are pivotal for anyone that is not balanced.