Advice on speed...

[awholtz]

Hello all,

I just started recently taking bowling seriously about 3 weeks ago. I no longer use plastic/house balls and my game definitely improved. I was struggling a bit getting a consistent hook and my thumb was getting brutalized. It was becoming swollen and the tip of it was getting very red and sore. As I've refined my technique, both of those things have become fixed and almost completely gone.

Anyways, I have been practicing and my games are somewhat inconsistent. I'll range from 130-200, 200 being my high. I was originally having trouble getting behind the ball and my spin was horrific. I bought a wrist support and have really been focusing on my wrist position/cupping the ball and my hook has become more consistent.

As I've become more consistent with a hook my speed has taken a hit. When I throw a bigger hook, the ball seems to go slower. When I get some more speed on the ball, the hook is very minor. Even at hardest, I'm only getting the ball about 14.5 MPH. When I throw a solid hook, I don't get too much speed on the counter-clockwise rotation of the spin, but it still has alright movement from right to left. But, when I throw a decent hook, I only get around 12-12.5 MPH. It's annoying because I hit the pins very well and can get strikes based solely on where I'm hitting the pins, but I know if I threw it a little bit harder, I'd be getting strikes and stringing strikes together more often.

I'm confused because I'm not a small/weak person. I'm 23 and been a high-level hockey player my whole life (The skills don't transfer from hockey to bowling, I'm aware, but I'm not a tiny frail person). I see 15-16 year olds that look about 115 pounds ripping the ball down the lane with giant hooks. So, that confuses me. Based on what I've watch from others bowling, I have pretty traditional throwing mechanics. (No weird approach, I don't launch the ball halfway down the lane, or have some wacky follow through) I'm just not getting speed!

Any suggestions on how to get more speed?? And, while I'm posting, any suggestions on how to get more rotations in my spin/hook?? I do have smaller hands, but the ball is drilled properly... Also, if it matters, I use a fingertip drill.

I understand there are only so many things one can suggest via an online forum, but I hope I can get some positive feedback here!

Also, if you could, try not to use too much bowling terms... as a relative beginner, I'm not totally aware of all the bowling terms.

[johncongdon]

Awholtz,

Have you watched TalkBowling at all? http://www.TalkBowling.com

We offer lots of advice like this on the show, and always answer viewer questions. We would welcome you as a viewer.


For an immediate response, you need to work on timing. That's the key to speed and rev rate. I wouldn't be too concerned with speed, unless you are trying to achieve machoism status. Don't try to increase your speed just for the sake of increasing the speed. Have a reason for it.

[Raydee]

Like John said timing is the Key in bowling! I will say that I am betting you are throwing the ball with a high degree of axis spin, I have that problem and the only way to fix it is to slow the ball down of learn to release the ball on less of a angle by staying under the ball instead of coming off the side. If you go to http://www.bowlingball.com/ watch any of the ball reviews and most of them have three guys bowling. Tony throws his ball with a nice 45* axis while Curlie comes around the ball more. John throws his right in between Tony and Curlie but as you see as long as your ball speed matches your rev rate you can still get a hook and hot the pocket. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIEjo...layer_embedded

[awholtz]

Thank you for the responses. The ball rotates towards the pocket with the correct at the correct angle, but sometimes there just isn't enough "bite" and it won't make it back to the pocket.

Also, I get a lot of annoying leaves... 6 pin, 10 pin, 6-10, 9-10 are the most frequent. I know that I don't need to throw the ball 100 MPH, but more than 12.5 seems reasonable. I just feel like if I hit them harder, I might get a bit more pin action and it would result in more strikes.

[The Mayor]

You mentioned that you were working on cupping the ball. If you are overly cupped it is very hard to get speed on the ball and it is very difficult to be consistent with the amount of rotation you're putting on the ball. This could be why your ball will hook one time, but not the other. Hook is created by lift and rotation. Try to feel the ball on your fingers instead of the palm of your hand so much. Then, as your thumb is releasing from the ball, lift with those fingers and rotate.

The thing that made the most sense to me as I was learning to throw a hook was this: Spread your index finger out as much as possible, and as you're swinging the ball, imagine the weight of the ball resting completely on that finger. Keep it there throughout the entire swing. Then, as you're releasing, bring your middle finger to your index finger as hard as you can.

I hope that made sense. lol

[J Anderson]

My two cents:
Don't get hung up on how fast the scoring machine is saying that you're throwing. The machine is calculating based on when your passes two points on the lane. It assumes that your ball is going straight and parallel to the lane. If your ball is hooking in this area, it's path is really longer than the distance assumed by the machine. Therefore, your ball speed is actually greater than indicated.
The best thing to do for your game right now is work on consistency, The old 'Keep It Simple System'. Once your approach and release become automatic, then it becomes easy to make adjustments with your feet and target to hit the pocket or make spares.

[awholtz]

Thank you all again for the feedback... this does sound helpful and definitely gives me some stuff to experiment with when I bowl again.

Also, Whiskey, I understood what you were saying, haha.

Also, I know I didn't make much of it in my original post, but it's in the back of my head... can hand size create a problem?? I have smallish hands for an adult male and I feel like I'm getting less control because of this. Is this all in my head?

[J Anderson]

Thank you all again for the feedback... this does sound helpful and definitely gives me some stuff to experiment with when I bowl again.

Also, Whiskey, I understood what you were saying, haha.

Also, I know I didn't make much of it in my original post, but it's in the back of my head... can hand size create a problem?? I have smallish hands for an adult male and I feel like I'm getting less control because of this. Is this all in my head?

I would think that hand size would affect the amount of revs that you put on the ball more than the amount of control that you have. I think, and I have absolutely nothing to back this up with, that a longer span gives a bowler more leverage thereby imparting more rotational force on the ball, giving im or her more revs.

Control is more a factor of balance, timing, concentration and consistency.

Is this all in your head? Maybe. Can it be affecting your game if it is all in your head? Definitely.