How To Get Rid Of That Pesky 10 Pin

Written By: Keith Spear | Written On: Friday, October 18, 2024

Leaving the 10 pin standing after hitting the pocket is a frustrating experience for bowlers, and it can be caused by several factors. It usually indicates that something in the bowler's delivery or ball reaction needs to be adjusted. Let’s explore the key causes behind leaving the 10 pin and the potential solutions.

1. Ball Speed
- Cause: If your ball is traveling too fast, it may not have enough time to complete its hook into the pocket. A high-speed ball can reduce the pin carry, causing the 6 pin to deflect or "fly" around the 10 pin, leaving it standing.
- Solution: Lower your ball speed slightly to allow the ball to finish its hook properly in the pocket. Slower ball speeds create more friction with the lane, enabling the ball to drive through the pins more effectively. Experiment with reducing speed by softening your release or taking a smoother, controlled approach.

2. Angle of Entry
- Cause: The angle at which the ball enters the pocket can greatly impact whether all 10 pins fall. The ideal entry angle for maximum pin carry is around 6 degrees, and if your ball isn’t coming in at the right angle (either too shallow or too steep), it may leave corner pins like the 10 pin.
- Solution: Adjust your ball path or approach to create a better angle of entry into the pocket. You may need to move your feet slightly to adjust your line, aiming for a more angular entry into the pocket.

3. Ball Coverstock
- Cause: The coverstock (the outer material of the bowling ball) directly influences how much friction the ball creates with the lane. If your ball has a coverstock that is too aggressive (designed for heavy oil) on a drier lane condition, or too weak for oily conditions, it may not create the ideal pocket entry needed to knock down the 10 pin.
- Solution: Ensure you are using a ball with the correct coverstock for the lane conditions. On medium to dry lanes, a pearl or hybrid coverstock may work better, while on heavier oil, a solid reactive coverstock can create the necessary friction to finish strongly into the pocket.

4. Rev Rate
- Cause: Rev rate refers to the number of revolutions the ball makes as it travels down the lane. A low rev rate can cause the ball to deflect when it hits the pins, leading to a 10 pin leave. If the ball is not revving enough, it might not generate the proper angle or drive through the pins, causing deflection.
- Solution: Increasing your rev rate can improve the ball’s motion and its ability to drive through the pins. To generate more revs, work on your hand position at release, increasing wrist rotation, and applying more pressure to your fingers.

5. Lane Conditions
- Cause: Changing lane conditions (especially breakdown of oil patterns) can cause a bowler to leave the 10 pin. When the oil dissipates, the ball may hook too soon and lose energy before hitting the pocket, leaving the 10 pin.
- Solution: Pay attention to the changing oil pattern and adjust your position or ball accordingly. Move left (for right-handed bowlers) into more oil to delay the hook and create better pin carry. A ball with a cleaner coverstock may also help in these situations.

6. Pin Action and Deflection
- Cause: Poor pin action or excessive deflection of the ball after it hits the pocket can result in the 6 pin missing the 10 pin. The ball needs to enter the pocket at the right angle and retain enough energy to drive through the pins, rather than deflecting off to the side.
- Solution: Focus on delivering the ball with proper speed, revs, and angle to reduce deflection. You might also consider switching to a ball with less deflection properties or one that creates more pin carry.

7. Ball Layout
- Cause: The layout of the ball’s drilling pattern can affect how the ball reacts on the lane. A layout that promotes too much skid through the oil might not allow the ball to make a sharp enough turn into the pocket, resulting in corner pins.
- Solution: Work with a professional ball driller to optimize your ball’s layout based on your style, rev rate, axis tilt, and typical lane conditions. For example, placing the pin closer to your Positive Axis Point (PAP) can increase flare and create a stronger hook motion, while placing the pin further away can promote length with a smoother backend.

8. Axis Tilt
- Cause: Axis tilt refers to the angle at which the ball rolls relative to the lane. Bowlers with too much axis tilt may experience a delayed hook, which can cause deflection and leave the 10 pin.
- Solution: Reducing your axis tilt can help the ball hook earlier and enter the pocket at a better angle. You can do this by adjusting your release technique to create a more forward roll, rather than a spinning motion.

9. Timing and Release
- Cause: Poor timing or an inconsistent release can cause a bowler to leave the 10 pin. If your release is too late, it can lead to reduced rev rate and poor ball reaction, meaning the ball may not hook into the pocket as it should.
- Solution: Work on your timing to ensure that your release occurs at the proper point in your swing. A smoother, well-timed release increases revs and improves the consistency of your ball motion, which leads to better pin carry.

10. Ball Motion and Backend Reaction
- Cause: The ball’s backend reaction (the hook phase at the end of the lane) plays a significant role in pin carry. If the ball doesn’t have enough backend reaction, it won’t hit the pocket with the necessary angle or energy, causing a 10 pin leave.
- Solution: Ensure that your ball is retaining enough energy to create a strong backend reaction. This might involve adjusting the layout to increase backend hook or using a ball with a stronger core and more aggressive coverstock.

Conclusion

Leaving the 10 pin standing is a common issue for right-handed bowlers (the 7 pin for left-handed bowlers), but it’s also an indicator that something in your game needs adjustment. From speed and rev rate to ball layout and coverstock, all these elements come together to determine how your ball performs in the pocket. By analyzing your ball reaction and understanding the physics behind the 10 pin leave, you can make adjustments to your approach, ball choice, and lane strategy to improve your pin carry and overall scores. Consistency, attention to lane conditions, and using the right equipment are key to eliminating that stubborn 10 pin and improving your game.