What's the difference between the two and how do you adjust either to suit lane conditions?

My knowledge is the tilt is the angle the ball is tilted down the lane. 90 degrees would be a spinner, 0 degrees would be an end over end roll. Axis of rotation is the angle/direction at which the ball is spinning. A right hander's axis of rotation would be towards the left side like this \. The larger the tilt, the longer the delay on hook since the ball has less contact with the lane. Less axis of rotation, the less hook, and vice versa. A good way to increase or decrease axis of rotation is changing wrist cup positions. A strong cup will increase axis of rotation and hook potential. Hope that helps.

Edited on 8/20/2004 1:23 PM

bowlerstyle you tilt and rotation mixed up heheh.

P1atinumGQ,

Just so I understand and tell me if I'm wrong but if you have too much (spinner-style) or too little (end over end) of an angle of axis-rotation, you decrease hook, correct?  Does axis-tilt refer to the angle of the axis-rotation?

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probably those links say it so much better but here goes.

Axis rotation is the angle of roll in relation your starting path of the ball.
ie
If one is straight behind the ball then one has 0 axis rotation.
If one(righty) has fingers at 4:30 and thumb at 10:30 at release then one has 45 degree axis rotation.
If one has fingers at 3:00 oclock and thumb at 9:00 oclock at moment of release and ball is rotating directly sideways in relation to track then one has 90 degrees of rotation.

The more axis rotation the less early read.  The less axis rotation then more early read of the lane, (great for oil).

Axis tilt is where is your PAP pointing when the ball initially starts on the lane.  If pointing parallel to the lane(mine almost does) you have very little axis tilt(or a very high track)(high track reads early).  If pointing straight up at the ceiling then one is a pure spinner and has a very small track(ball reads late and has trouble with oil).

As far as ideals, the classic ideal bowler used to be 45 degree axis rotation and about 17 degrees axis tilt!

Today I believe the best bowlers have a little less axis rotation(more up the back) and a little less tilt than the above ideals!  Think Walter Ray and Mika.  Both are Semi up the back(30 to 40 degrees axis rotation) and fairly large diameter tracks(say 14 degrees axis tilt(just guessing)!

ie bowling today usually needs to read the lanes earlier but if it doesn't one needs speed and up the backers seem to generate speed more easily than on the siders!!!!

REgards,

Luckylefty