win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: How do I get slower ball speeds?  (Read 1036 times)

moondays

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 63
How do I get slower ball speeds?
« on: June 29, 2003, 05:47:24 AM »
Hi all!

I'm in the middle of replacing my arsenal with 15# balls instead of 16.  So far I have a Mutant, Deuce, and Target Zone.  These are the first new balls in 7 years.  I've been really struggling with them so far.  The only ball that I can get to come back is the Mutant.  I know the problem is pretty much ball speed, because once my arm gets tired, the Deuce comes to life and starts burying everything it hits.  I've been trying to find a way to slow down my approach and ball speed, but it hasn't worked yet.  What suggestions do you have that would help slow myself down?

--------------------
On league night, a realm of untold destruction and horror is formed.  Innocent pins are unsuspectingly pulled into this terrifying realm.  Their lives are changed forever by the terror that is unleashed upon them for the next 36 frames.  They stand in fear as they await their fate when they enter...The Danger Zone.  (Only those damn 10-pins have lived to tell the gruesome tale.)

Edited on 6/29/2003 8:51 PM

 

charlest

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24526
Re: How do I get slower ball speeds?
« Reply #1 on: June 29, 2003, 10:48:54 PM »
Sometimes lowering the ball in your intial stance will help, but the 2 things that will make a difference are
1 - move 6" - 18" closer to the foul line and keep the same number of steps.
2 - do NOT use your shoulder muscles to lift the ball in your back swing. If you have an unmuscled arm swing, the ball can only go as high in the back swing as you held it in your pushaway. Gravity is the sole source of power and unless your shoulder joint is totally friction-free (which is impossible), the ball in an unmuscled swing cannot go as high as the pushaway height

When you're bone tired, as you describe with your Deuce, then you will NOT muscle the armswing; it will be relaxed. For a reference, netx time you are bone tired, focus on the feeling of your arm and the ball AND your shoulder. Then try to repeat it when you are strong and not tired.

--------------------
-----------------------------
"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."
"None are so blind as those who will not see."

10 In The Pit

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 642
Re: How do I get slower ball speeds?
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2003, 01:20:53 AM »
The methods that I've used have been pretty much covered here.  Move up on the approach some, lower your ball starting position, don't muscle the ball up into the backswing, and slow down your footwork.  Somewhere in a combination of all of the above, you will find that you can drop down your ball speed and keep your timing intact.

moondays

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 63
Re: How do I get slower ball speeds?
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2003, 05:46:37 PM »
Thanks for the input everyone.  After changing my approach and following your suggestions, the new arsenal is starting to come to life.  I can't wait to see what happens this fall.  

Thanks again all!

--------------------
On league night, a realm of untold destruction and horror is formed.  Innocent pins are unsuspectingly pulled into this terrifying realm.  Their lives are changed forever by the terror that is unleashed upon them for the next 36 frames.  They stand in fear as they await their fate when they enter...The Danger Zone.  (Only those damn 10-pins have lived to tell the gruesome tale.)