Author Topic: What does one look for in a bowling video? (Read 6506 times)

Snakster · « **on:** August 05, 2013, 08:55:35 AM »

Okay so this may be filed under: Ron's dumb question of the day, but here goes:

So we've all seen them. New ball comes out and all the usual suspects post videos of the ball in action. Generally what I see are pros or at least very accomplished/advanced bowlers pouring in strike after strike. Yes there is a note on the pattern being used and the layout of the drilling, but for the lay person like myself (and I can only assume I'm not alone), that doesn't really mean that much and really it removes an element of apples to apples comparison. Essentially what I get out of it is, wow this ball makes strikes happen.

The reality is, in my view, that the bowlers in these videos can make any ball look great from top of the line to entry level. And even in overlay videos designed to show me differences, I have to believe that person can make either ball look they way they want it to (I recognize there is an over simplification in my discussion). So anyway, when I see a video I see a good bowler bowling good.

This brings me to the question. What does one look for or more accurately, what does one see when they look at a video? Do you break it down on focusing on certain areas of any given shot? I generally now find myself just looking at the continuation of the ball through the deck. See how 'heavy' it's hitting.

Help feed my geekdom so I can look at these videos with more of a sense of purpose.

Snakster · « **Reply #16 on:** August 08, 2013, 08:59:52 AM »

Quote from: BRCanada on August 08, 2013, 07:02:34 AM

at the moment we are currently doing the brunswick, dv8 and radical equipment. we try to eliminate as many variables as possible to show the reaction of the balls.

-all videos are shot at the same alley
-we have a pair freshly oiled, with the same shot, warm up on one lane, shoot the reactions on the other, so there is minimal break down, if any
-we drill all the balls exactly the same
-we leave the surfaces out of the box
-we use 3 camera angles of each shot

we have had a lot of compliments on testing balls head to head, between the brands, and we are working on other brands to help expand that.

we have had suggestions of adding in lower rev testers, since right now we have myself who is a higher rev lefty, and my brother who is a med-high rev right hander. we just havent found a player that fits our needs. its not just about throwing it and getting strikes, its about working with us on the reviews and contributing as well. we dont want to add in random people, and say "hey, you got this ball, come shoot some video".. we dont do that. we want to keep the same testers.

another suggestion is shoot the vids on another oil pattern. we like the idea, but how do we choose? we will do the house shot, and pattern X.... then everyone will be like, can i see it on pattern A? how about pattern B?, how about pattern C?...

im open to suggestions, and ill check back in this thread later. if there are any suggestions that are possible, we can take it into consideration.

Okay back on topic. This is excellent and I've only recently become aware of your work. I have seen a few videos and like what I see. The great thing I see is that I'm truly seeing apples to apples videos. I think the only comment I'd have is what you already said and that is the addition of a lower rev player. I'm not particularly concerned about different patterns. What I also like is that it's the same conditions, same bowler, same layout, out of the box. Then at least I can look at it and know it is what it is. A lower rev player would reduce the amount of downward extrapolation.

I also think that the more I'm wrapping my head around core mechanics and surface, that I'm getting a little better at noticing mid lane read. If you kind of know you should be seeing something you can start to find it.

BOWLGNUT · « **Reply #17 on:** August 08, 2013, 09:46:44 AM »

What I see in a video is how ball react. And how different drilling would be on various lane condition. One of the best videos that express what I mention is on BBE Justin Wi with Motiv. He shows what different drillings will do, where he stand in relation to that drilling on two different lane patterns and pins.

Brandon Riley · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2013, 04:59:10 PM »

I am shocked that nobody has said "hook" or "backend". I like seeing shape comparisons between balls as well as seeing how the balls roll when the bowler makes a marginal shot.
Simultaneously having 2 balls over top of each other doesn't do anything for me however I see it in almost every video but the line showing ball path is nothing short of brilliant.

Armourboy · « **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2013, 03:38:55 AM »

Quote from: Brandon Riley on August 08, 2013, 04:59:10 PM

I am shocked that nobody has said "hook" or "backend". I like seeing shape comparisons between balls as well as seeing how the balls roll when the bowler makes a marginal shot.
Simultaneously having 2 balls over top of each other doesn't do anything for me however I see it in almost every video but the line showing ball path is nothing short of brilliant.

The ball over the top works just about as well for me as the line does, but I generally like to see one or the other because it does show you the difference in where they stood in relation to where they made the shot.

I personally like how Hammer does its videos, 4 different bowlers, same lane condition, lines to show path, and then a comparison ball. Now for me personally the best one they did was the drilling comparison video for the First Blood I think it was, and the for the Low Flare they showed a weaker drilling, and then basically the strongest drilling and then showed the difference.

As far as ball manufacturers go, I think Hammer is way ahead of everyone else. I do like the BRCanada guys stuff too, but I do agree that with lack of different styles of bowlers ( low rev vs high) its not as good as it could be. Otherwise BRCanada I think you do a fine job as well.

Author Topic: What does one look for in a bowling video? (Read 6506 times)

Snakster

What does one look for in a bowling video?

Snakster

Re: What does one look for in a bowling video?

BOWLGNUT

Re: What does one look for in a bowling video?

Brandon Riley

Re: What does one look for in a bowling video?

Armourboy

Re: What does one look for in a bowling video?