Use The 90% Guide For Bowling Ball Speed Consistency
Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Thursday, October 29, 2020 | Updated On: Wednesday, October 2, 2024
By: bowlingball.com, 2/9/17 Updated 10/2/2024
If you are wondering how fast of ball speed should you use or what speed is actually best for you, use the 90% guide for bowling ball speed consistency.
At this point it is important to recognize that by using a consistent ball speed you benefit from controlling your ball skid distance in the front portion of the lane.
By regulating your ball skid distance, your benefit in gaining a reliable ball reaction, one by which you can align to the pocket or to spares easily.
The objective is to use a speed you can repeat and whereby you can maintain good balance, retain accuracy in your shotmaking, and gain a good ball reaction.
Not everyone, obviously, bowls using the same ball speed. Some bowlers are very athletic and strong and can propel their ball when it leaves their hand at perhaps 24 mph.
Other bowlers not so gifted with strength or physical leverage may only be able to launch the ball off of their hands at maybe 17 mph. Most bowlers are somewhere between the two speeds.
This is when a 90% speed guide can be most effective to every bowler because it is based on your abilities and not on other bowlers skills.
In fact, the 90% guide is not even based on any ball speed charts you may be familiar with or what experts suggest is best for enhancing strike potential.
The 90% guide is a simple, yet effective, technique whereby you simply identify your fastest ball speed you know you can deliver and then back it off to about 90% of full power.
In doing so you retain good body balance and control your release point and thereby improve your accuracy.
The bottom line is to never use more than 90% of your full power so you can bowl with repetitive movements and lock-in a consistent ball speed.
Another factor in gaining a reliable ball reaction is to control your loft distance by controlling the precise moment you release your bowling ball. Your release ideally should occur at or very near the bottom of your forward swing arc and you should complete your swing to a full follow-through position with no deceleration in the follow-through swing movement. By following through consistently, you can regulate your loft distance beyond the foul line and help control your ball skid distance.
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Reasons why speed consistency is crucial.
Speed consistency in bowling is very important because it directly affects how the ball interacts with the lane and the pins. Here are several reasons why maintaining consistent ball speed is crucial to improving your game:
1. Impact on Ball Reaction
The speed of the ball affects how it reacts to the lane conditions, especially in relation to the oil pattern. A consistent speed allows the ball to read the lane predictably, helping it hook at the right time. If your speed fluctuates, the ball might either skid too far without hooking or hook too early and lose power.
2. Control Over Hook
Ball speed is closely linked to the amount of hook you generate. A ball thrown too fast may not have enough time to grip the lane, reducing the hook. Conversely, a ball thrown too slowly may hook too early or excessively. By maintaining a consistent speed, you can better control the ball’s motion and ensure a predictable hook.
3. Pin Carry and Impact
The right speed helps maximize pin carry, meaning the ball can more effectively knock down pins, especially those left standing in tricky spare situations. Too much speed can cause the ball to deflect off the pins without enough power to knock down secondary pins, while too little speed might not generate enough momentum to carry pins through.
4. Adapting to Lane Conditions
Speed consistency becomes even more critical as lane conditions change throughout a game. As the oil breaks down or shifts, maintaining a steady speed helps you adjust more effectively without having to make drastic changes in your approach or ball selection.
5. Accuracy and Precision
When your speed is consistent, your accuracy improves because you can focus on other aspects like aim, release, and footwork. Inconsistent speed adds another variable that can lead to missed shots, poor spare conversions, and inconsistent scores.
6. Building Muscle Memory
Consistent speed helps build muscle memory, allowing your body to become accustomed to a reliable approach and release. This makes it easier to repeat the same shot over and over, which is key for improving your bowling performance in both casual and competitive play.
7. Managing Spares
When shooting spares, particularly corner pins, consistent speed can be the difference between a successful conversion and a miss. Faster or slower speeds can affect the ball’s ability to hit your target pin accurately, especially if you’re adjusting your shot based on ball path and lane conditions.
8. Predictability
Consistency in speed allows you to predict ball behavior from shot to shot, giving you confidence in how the ball will react. This predictability is crucial for making adjustments, whether it’s changing your target, angle, or position on the lane.
9. Improved Overall Performance
Ultimately, maintaining a consistent ball speed is part of creating a reliable bowling technique. It eliminates guesswork, reduces error, and allows you to focus on fine-tuning other aspects of your game, leading to improved scores and more effective strategies.
In conclusion, speed consistency is vital to controlling ball reaction, maximizing pin carry, adapting to lane conditions, and improving accuracy. Without consistent speed, you’re more likely to experience unpredictable ball behavior and lower overall performance.
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