Expert: Chip Aki - 2/2/2008

Question
Hi Chip.  I am 47, fairly athletic and I joined a Sunday bowling league and I am averaging about 140. I received some good instruction on throwing the hook and that is going well.  I am satisfied with my technique and hook now. The next thing I want to work on is my Ball Speed.  It is really low at about 10 MPH. I am probably aiming the ball a bit. I noticed the 2 best bowlers in the league about my same age (brothers - one a former pro) in the league are always between 14.5 - 15.0 MPH. I want to get a recommendation on the 3 or 4 most important thing that I can to increase my Ball Speed a full 4-5 MPH and not lose the technique that I'm now comfortable with?  I've been taking a 5 step approach starting with the left foot (I am a right handed bowler).  I am also willing to take a l longer term approach by (ie. gaining 1 MPH a week) if that is what you would.  Or, I can go to the bowling alley today and just start throwing much faster.  I aspire to raise my average above 150 in the short term (within weeks bowling 2 week).  Thx.

Answer
The best way to increase ball speed is to increase the length of your armswing.  Sart with the ball a bit above waist level and push the ball up just a bit in the pushaway.(much like John Jowdy suggests in is over the bar/under the bar swing)
You will need to slow the pace of your footwork down a little so your swing as more time to increase its arc.  If you let gravity take over, you will have added ball speed with no loss of control.  It may take a few games to get the timing down.
You might even have to bend a bit more forward at the waist as well, much like Pete Weber and Rober Smith do.

Good luck,
Chip