Author Topic: Ball speed vs. coverstock prep. (Read 1540 times)

T-Hob · « **on:** January 23, 2004, 01:19:22 AM »

I've been reading a lot on this site about altering the surface of the ball to make it roll earlier or go longer down the lane. Just want to see how some of you guys feel about it. Personally, I like to adjust ball speed rather than risk messing up my ball's surface. I know everybody can't speed the ball up, but I'm sure most can slow it down. What do you guys think?

Burak Natal · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2004, 07:52:31 PM »

T-Hob, word "versatility" stated by Bones stands for not only speed changes. It also includes changes in axis rotation, axis tilt and rev rate.
As long as you are "versatile" enough to adapt to the conditions, you won't need to alter the surface much.
However, there are times that versatility simply won't be enough. A solid bowler should/must practice different releases and speeds. Consistency is a must here. But, in the end, I believe that every bowler has one "basic" delivery, unique to him/herself. That is his/her nature. Even if one practices different releases, those releases will be based on his/her nature. In other words, my maximum and minimum releases can be different from yours.
Furthermore, even with long and hard time practice, I believe one can alter his/her release no more than 3 or 4 (Consistent variations that can be repeated over and over again).. I may be wrong of course, but that's my opinion..

Yet, every ball has its limitations to handle a specific condition even if you apply different release/speed combinations. That is why all serious bowlers come up with an arsenal. When a ball do not give desired reaction on a specific condition (even with your alternate releases/speeds), and no other ball in your arsenal is close enough to your needs, surface preparation becomes a must.
Also there can be other reasons. Sometimes you need to adjust surface to change the original reaction, if I may say so.. You might need to scuff to eliminate the over under, or polish to get some more length and backend. I respectfully disagree that it is "massing up with the ball's surface..

I believe that there are too many variables to get the optimum reaction and adjusting surface is one of those together with versatility of a bowler. I also believe that altering surface and changing balls is a part of bowlers' versatility, as well as his/her ability to do different releases and speeds..

Regards,
Burak

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2004, 08:59:54 PM »

i have found that changing ball speeds at will while already bowling is difficult----difficult to keep your timing in check that is. i can throw the ball anywhere from 15 to 21 mph. but i'd rather stay with one way of throwing the ball if i'm already in a league or tournament situation. it's easier to change equipment as i know what a given piece of equipment will do.

DavidKSNK · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2004, 09:04:23 PM »

quote:
i have found that changing ball speeds at will while already bowling is difficult----difficult to keep your timing in check that is. i can throw the ball anywhere from 15 to 21 mph. but i'd rather stay with one way of throwing the ball if i'm already in a league or tournament situation. it's easier to change equipment as i know what a given piece of equipment will do.

I would suggest practicing with slowing down speeds a lot because it will pay off in the end.

I find being able to use the same ball constantly and make speed adjustments is a good strength to have. It takes a lot of guess work out of certain shots that become guessing when you continue to throw the ball at the same speed.

Burak Natal · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2004, 09:05:02 PM »

"I find few bowlers are willing to reach their limitation with either releases or lines. They seem to feel that the word transition means---make a big change. While that may occur if a lane drastically changes in a short period of time and that can certainly happen, but I think that is the exception rather than the rule.
...
Bones"

Couldn't have said better. I think that most bowlers confused the meaning of the famous saying: "The one to change his place first, is the one to win" (Hope I put it with the right words here).. This is correct. However this does not always mean major changes. Radical changes can give us a fresh breath, totally new point of view. However, as stated by Bones, most of the times minor changes in release, tiny place adjustments can help us to get the optimum reaction which we are not so far away with our current style on that particular time.
But again, this also related with the versatility of a bowler. I think we may expand the meaning of versatility here.
Versatility consists of:
Ability to do different releases in terms of tilt, rotation and rev rate
Ability to alter the speed
Level of knowledge to handle different lane conditions in terms of game plan
Ability to play with arsenal (knowledge to make ball changes on the right time)
Knowledge to make proper line adjustments in terms of both major and minor changes. This also includes the decision either to change the starting point, target or the breakpoint individually, or altogether..

All these lead us to one thing. Looong and hard time practice and work on our mental and physical game to compete in higher levels..

Regards,
Burak

PS: Thanks Bones.. I believe I have much to learn before I deserve your compliments.. Thanks

Burak Natal · « **Reply #5 on:** January 23, 2004, 09:25:14 PM »

GREG, I will say that the answer to your problem (if it is a problem anyway) is "muscle memory". You have ability to alter your speed. Yet, as far as I understand from your post, you haven't created a positive muscle memory to apply speed changes consistently.
There are many ways to alter speed that I believe you probably know. Such as changing the ball position in stance and changing timing etc.. The point is if we do those consciously, we will definitely face a consistency problem. On the other hand if we do it unconsciously, which should rather be a result of muscle memory created by practice, we will definitely be able to repeat it over and over.
I'm not suprised when I see that every particular thing we discuss about, leads us to one very same thing: Long and hard time practice

Regards,
Burak

DON DRAPER · « **Reply #6 on:** January 23, 2004, 10:48:35 PM »

in all modesty i have probably spent more time practicing in the past 8 years than most bowlers will in their whole life. you name it i've practiced it. spares, splits, pointing the ball, down and in, swinging it, lofting, setting it short, back-up ball, end over end roll, spin, side turn, and yes, speed control. muscle memory is something has become engrained in my vocabulary. two years in a row i came back from serious injuries( first a hernia and then a bad back ) to bowl better than ever. each time required HOURS of practice----practicing everything including speed control. despite all this, when i'm already in a league or tournament situation i usually won't alter my speed control after getting lined up in shadow balls. i'd rather change equipment.

Burak Natal · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2004, 09:06:58 AM »

Sorry GREG, I didn't know that

.In that case my last post does not apply to you..
I wish many of others would understand the importance of practice like you do..

Regards,
Burak

T-Hob · « **Reply #8 on:** January 26, 2004, 09:14:41 AM »

Good feedback guys. I have 4 balls that I currently use. If I don't get the reaction I want, my first option is changing balls then I adjust from there. It's a game of adjustments. You can hardly ever do the same thing for a whole set these days.

WiscBowler · « **Reply #9 on:** January 26, 2004, 09:31:52 AM »

The fact that bowlers tend to jump to a ball change rather than adjusting with their current ball was evident in a tourney I bowled in last weekend. Over a 4 game block the heads started frying and many guys went to their bag. I chose to pick up my speed and keep the same ball, and I was killing them. Many guys that switched balls saw their scores go down over the 4 games, while mine went up steadily. A ball change isn't always the best move.

T-Hob · « **Reply #10 on:** January 26, 2004, 11:18:50 AM »

quote:
The fact that bowlers tend to jump to a ball change rather than adjusting with their current ball was evident in a tourney I bowled in last weekend. Over a 4 game block the heads started frying and many guys went to their bag. I chose to pick up my speed and keep the same ball, and I was killing them. Many guys that switched balls saw their scores go down over the 4 games, while mine went up steadily. A ball change isn't always the best move.

I've seen that in the few tournaments I've bowled. Guys who are great in leagues on the typical house shot have no other adjustments than to change balls. If that doesn't work, they are in trouble. In a tournament situation you don't have time to play with different adjustments. You have to go with what you know will work. And you're right, that isn't always a ball change. Even in normal league conditions a ball change isn't always necessary, but I know a ton of guys who want to throw the exact same shot without adjusting anything. They'll throw the same shot with different balls and wonder why none of them work.

Author Topic: Ball speed vs. coverstock prep. (Read 1540 times)

T-Hob

Ball speed vs. coverstock prep.

Burak Natal

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DON DRAPER

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DavidKSNK

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Burak Natal

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Burak Natal

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DON DRAPER

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Burak Natal

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T-Hob

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WiscBowler

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T-Hob

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