Author Topic: ball speed help (Read 5598 times)

toomanytenpins · « **on:** July 16, 2007, 11:32:12 PM »

i have been bowling for about 8 yrs. steady and i am speed challenged. I throw the ball at probably 11 to 13 mph consistently until i get in competition and then i am up to 15 16.Naturaly my ball reactions change and control and scoring go down. Should i be trying to stay slow all the time or should i try to increase my ball speed,and if so how . Is ball speed a product of muscle or technique. Its kinda weired throwing the ball at 11 mph and watching older smaller younger smaller and in general every body i see throwing the ball with so much more speed.
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Dan Belcher · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2007, 07:53:09 AM »

Faster is not always better. However, 11mph is really, really slow from what I've seen. That low of a speed is probably going to hurt your pin action. You may want to speak with a coach and get his opinion.

You don't have to be super strong to roll the ball hard. A large amount of it is down to technique. (That's really similar to a baseball pitcher for example--some people can just naturally throw it fast because they're so strong, but other weaker people can throw it just as fast because of good technique)

My natural speed to roll the ball is around 17mph despite the fact that I am not terribly strong and I have a fairly low backswing. I take long steps because I have long legs and use a good pushaway on my first step (4 step approach) to get the ball in motion, then use a pendulum swing for the most part. If I put absolutely no effort into getting any extra speed or revs on the ball and just do a pure pendulum swing (which is horrible for my timing and release, but for this example...), I'll still get a good 15+ mph ball speed

ThongPrincess · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2007, 09:16:48 AM »

First, one question. Where are you getting the data for your ball speed? I ask this because if it is from something like Qubica, it is not always accurate and it is measuring it at the pins. Ball speed will be lower at the pins due to the friction the ball has encountered.

Not to counter what has been said, the biggest factor is having your ball speed and rev rate match up. While you should be able to generate greater ball speed, you may not need to. A slow speed with low revs will knock down pins. High speed and low revs is disaster.

My guess is there could be one of two things going on. When you bowl practice and leagues you do not have the adrenaline rush of tournaments. You are probably slower with your feet resulting in slower ball speed. In tournaments, the adrenalin rush is at work due to the nature of competition. Your feet may be quicker resulting in a faster ball speed. Concentrate on keeping to your game in competition and keeping the feet at a steady rate no matter if it is league, open play, or tournament. There are times you need to adjust your speed due to lane conditions, then do so.
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dizzyfugu · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2007, 09:35:57 AM »

I'd also suggest trying to increase speed abit, and get into the habit to execute each shot the same way, regardless of training or competition. A difference of 5mph is a LOT - that's not only approach variance. I'd also assume that you speed things (probably mostly feet?) up when adrenaline is rushing, and you lose control.

On the other side, 11-13mph is rather low, but can work if your revs match up.

I'd try to raise ball speed a bit, at least trying to achieve a stable 13mph, just to give the ball some more pressure in the pins for carry. To achieve this (assuming you use a free arm pendulum), I'd suggest holding the ball higher in your approach position, execute a complete pushaway (for a straight arm and free swing) and slow down your feet, so that the pendulum guides your step cadence. You will not have to run to speed the ball up, just good movement timing an your way to the approach.
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« **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2007, 09:44:01 AM »

For drier lanes a faster speed usually helps, and the opposite is true for very slick conditions.

Slow ball speed in men is many times a result of a very "muscled" arm swing. Free it up and the speed returns to normal. You'll probably need to move to a drier part of the lane in order to get the necessary friction to get the ball to move, but a smooth uninhibited arm swing is always preferred since it's easier to repeat, and bowling is all about repetition... With this bowler the carry percentage dramatically increases, too. Keep on working on the good stuff.

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notclay

Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah

"The problem is no that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." ~ Theodore Rubin

Edited on 7/17/2007 9:44 AM

toomanytenpins · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2007, 08:42:55 PM »

i got my data from the lane monitors that provide the speed info. I was bowling with a friend of mine today ,a good bowler ,and i was watching his speed versus mine shot for shot and the monitors, if not perfect did give enough pertinent info for me to know i am slow.
Just so you know i am about 230 and not the strongest guy ,but not weak either. No matter what i have tried ,speeding feet up, pendulun swing,running to the line still nothing more than 12 mph. My friend was stiking with 12 ,at one point due to the oil and sparing at 18. So I know its me and not the machines.my speed was between 9and 12 nothing more and i really stunck up the bowling alley. Its really getting old . Whats really funny is that until lately i hadnt been bowling bad enough for it to matter.for the last month or so i havent been able to muster up but 1 600 series. Been shooting 480s and 520s.Seasons right around the corner its like deja vue allover again. too late for a coach now
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my style, the art of bowling without bowling

« **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2007, 10:34:14 PM »

This is just a guess, but I would imagine that you're getting to the "friction" part of the lane way too soon, and maybe "hitting up" on the ball, too.

A ball will maintain it's speed (and hitting power) off your hand much longer if it's "skidding" on the oil, then encountering friction later. BUT, if you're on the dry early AND hitting up on the ball it will lose it's speed too early, and you'll be among the millions of bowlers who can't figure out why they keep leaving 10 pins!

All balls need some friction to make their turn, but if they start too early they run out of gas and carry percentage really suffers. Good luck.

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notclay

Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah

"The problem is no that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." ~ Theodore Rubin

Edited on 7/18/2007 10:34 PM

Smash49 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2007, 10:40:14 PM »

Too

Take a stop watch and the speed chart and compare. The problem could be a number for things. The first things I would look at if I was watching you would being your timing and length of approach. Get a better reading on your speed first.

Smash49
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Smash49

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Author Topic: ball speed help (Read 5598 times)

toomanytenpins

ball speed help

Dan Belcher

Re: ball speed help

ThongPrincess

Re: ball speed help

dizzyfugu

Re: ball speed help

Re: ball speed help

toomanytenpins

Re: ball speed help

Re: ball speed help

Smash49

Re: ball speed help