Expert: - 3/14/2009

Question
i have been bowling for 4 year and i play from the 5 to 10 board and i do not know how to get more speed or to get my ball to come back. ps if i throw it hard it will not move  thanks for the help

Answer
Josh,
The playing field (lane) is 40 inches wide. Roll the ball with the most consistent speed your body, timing, and style will allow.

Holding the ball higher in your setup (and in front of your shoulder), will allow for a higher backswing, which means more ball speed.

Rolling the ball effectively is about axis tilt, axis rotation, ball speed and rev rate.  

If you can, position the ball in front of your armpit with the thumb at 11 o'clock (assuming right handed). Try to swing the ball, straight back and straight forward (let momentum and gravity do most of the work). Try to maintain the hand position throughout the approach, swing, and delivery.

As the ball rolls out of your hand, continue the hand forward (toward your target)and up, like throwing an imaginary glass of water up and over your shoulder.

Maintaining the hand position will provide the axis tilt you want. Keep your first step short and measured, you want to stay balanced, starting slowly. The faster you go the easier it is to get out of balance, or mess up your timing, or both, bad idea.

Also, try to use your back and shoulders to provide leverage at delivery (try not to bend at the waist). With some knee bend, you should be in an "athletic pose." The knee bend maintained as you move to the foul line will enable you to absorb some of the wobble of your approach (benefits your balance), and provides stability, to deliver the shot with consistent speed and rotation.

You've got a lot to think about and work on. Practice and adjust just ONE thing at a time. It takes games before you unlearn your current muscle memory. If you try to adjust to much, to fast, your game will be in flux and too many things will be evolving, creating chaos.

Good execution is your short term goal. Don't micro-focus on pin count or pin carry, you can learn to adjust your position at set-up (to control what the ball does on different conditions), once you are more consistent. Let me know how you progress. Each change is a building block.

Thanks for the questions. Good luck and good bowling.