How do I reduce ball speed?

[CharlieBrown]

Little help please!




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The Angry Bowler

[CharlieBrown]

Thanks SF,

I have already tried what you've suggested, like Mika K, I just let the ball drop rather than have a 'proper' pushaway.

For some reason I have a natural high back swing, when I try to lower the swing it just throws off my timing. My approach is a slow 5-step walk.


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The Angry Bowler

[dizzyfugu]

Lowering the ball below waist is the only thing you can do. You will have to adjust your footwork a bit, starting your approach 1 or 2 feet closer to the foul line will help you with it. You will also have to make a board adjustment with your feet, but that's the second step after getting ball speed down and your timing right.

If you still tend to have a high backswing, I suppose you are muscling your swing or forcing the ball up. Just don't do. A friend of mine had the same problem, and it was a hard school with our local trainer to cut the muscle out of his swing because it felt matural for him. Maybe you can make some "dry" training at home, just letting the ball fall and swingt by itself, to get a feel for the lower speed when you are on the lanes next time?
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany
Team "X": http://homepage.mac.com/timlinked/
"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[Panic]

move up on the approch about a foot or a foot and a half and hold the ball lower around waist area like everyone said
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Lukas  

\M/ METAL MILITA \M/

[bowling9883]

Set up your ball below the waist. Less drop for the ball.
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"NEVER settle for less."

[Tom]

CharlieBrown,
you profile states you roll 14lb balls. If you have no physical limitations moving up in ball weight will definitely slow your ball speed down. For myself, I went the other direction. My ball speed was to slow. Give it a try with one of your mates 15lb or 16lb ball and see if it helps before buying anything.

Tom

[Saw Mill]

I did not notice one other very important factor (this coming from someone who throws 17.5 to 18, at the pin deck), and that being the speed of the approach.  The ball position is a factor, but my speed comes from the pace of my feet, which also includes my push into my slide.  

Try slowing down your approach, which will affect your timing to start with, but as you adjust, the ball and release will catch up.  I believe this will help, but it will take getting used to, and may cause a drop in scoring, much like switching from a conventional drilliling to a fingertip, but you will see a rise once you adjust.

Dave
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Romans 1:15&16; "So much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you to you that are at Rome also.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to Greek!

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Bomb Squad Certified and Licensed Diamond Cutter

[azguy]

Might not help, but when I get to fast, I notice my first step is a long one. I have since taken a very small first step. It will slow you down, but it will make you think your timing is off, it's not, but mentally you'll think so. Worked for me, might not for you, just throwing it out there.
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AZ Guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net
www.rlbowlerspro.com

Sleep is over rated.

[CharlieBrown]

Many thanks for everyone's help! Except for BowlingMan who is so funny he should consider doing stand-up.

My starting position on the approach is already pretty 'high up' (close to foul line). My footwork is also pretty slow.

I feel that a true pendulum swing would affect the pin action. As I use a 14lb ball, a pendulum swing just doesn't seem to have the 'drive' as the ball enters the pocket.

I don't 'feel' that I'm muscling my swing as the high back swing seems natural.

Don't think I can move up to 15lb, I'm only 5'6 and weight 120lbs, my wrist isn't the strongest and I'm afraid any heavier than 14lbs may cause my shoulder to drop.

My first step is a baby step, and I start my pushaway (more of a 'drop-away' really) as I take my 2nd step. The rest of my approach is a slow, even pace steps with almost no slide at the end. (Just cannot slide myself for some reason)

Unfortunately the nearest good coach is almost 2 hours drive away!

Once again many thanks, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!



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The Angry Bowler

[CoachJim]

Try to get the feeling that the ball is not passing your hip pocket on the back swing. You may need to delay your push away by a half step of so.

One other thing, learn to trust the ball, having a pendulum swing doesn't mean the ball will hit less harder than forcing the ball down the lane. On the contrary the pendulum swing will hit the pins harder than pushing the ball past it's natural break point.

Other than this you might want to seek out a good coach, or post a video of yourself .

[LuckyLefty]

I can roll it slower than anyone and keep almost all my revs!

Arm down below waist and arm bend only to 45 degrees.  about 18 inches closer to foul line...slow steps....

As a result heavy oil is my friend.  Many times on heavy oil I can record speeds on qubica in the 12 mph range.  Remember heavy oil makes the ball almost loose no speed!  My regular off the hand speed is near 18.

REgards,

Luckylefty
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Proud owner of a 140 first game average this year!  Don't bowl me the second two games though!  (two warm up balls in league..thanks proprietors)

[SrKegler]

Wow LL, didn't realize your ball speed was that fast.  Mine is only 17 off the hand, 14 at the deck according to CATS.  

Seems like we have about the same statistics except I track higher than you.  What makes you think you have too fast of a ball speed?  If anything, I would think you would want to add a mile or two.  

Develop a natural pendulum swing.  If the ball isn't hooking soon enough, try surface adjustments.  From what I remember, your lanes tend to be on the drier side compared to the ones here in the states.  Balls just may not have any energy left when it gets down lane.

You might want to send a message to Star on here.  He lives in Shropshire, might be able to give some pointers.
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[LuckyLefty]

Somehow I'm faster off hand and somehow slower at pin deck.  Kegel hadn't seen that for awhile they said.  Big entry angle.  I don't know how I do it but I know this...it's not good for dry...but oil likes it!

I was particularly slow the week you saw me!  Young wife wore me out on my honeymoon the week before.  The best type of slow!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS Long live new orleans!
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Proud owner of a 140 first game average this year!  Don't bowl me the second two games though!  (two warm up balls in league..thanks proprietors)

[CharlieBrown]

quote:I can roll it slower than anyone and keep almost all my revs!

Luckylefty,

My ultimate goal!

Many thanks to all responded!

CB
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The Angry Bowler

[hawkeye4life]

dont throw it as hard
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