Two summers ago, I coached someone converting from one-handed to two-handed. This was a pretty accomplished one-handed bowler, so before starting, I set the expectation that this would be a major change, and not to expect to attain his one-handed... [Read More]
Getting Ready for the USBC Open Championships
The tournament doesn’t kick off for another few months, and you might not be bowling for another few more, but it’s time right now to start getting ready. For some bowlers, this event is their only sport shot experience of... [Read More]
A Guide to Managing Ball Surface
Techniques, general guidelines, and real-world applications
A few years ago, I wrote Bowling Ball Surface Management, where I covered some basic rules and techniques for adjusting ball surface. This time around, in keeping with my recent series of adjustment-focused articles, I wanted to dig a little... [Read More]
Lane Play Fundamentals for Better Ball Reaction
Angle changes and parallel moves
Over my last three articles, we’ve covered three of the physical adjustments that a bowler can make to alter their ball motion: axis control, ball speed, and loft. However, the most common adjustments—and the first ones we learn as bowlers—are... [Read More]
Introduction to Loft Manipulation
So far in this series, we’ve covered two of the physical tools that a bowler can use to manipulate ball motion: axis control and ball speed control. The third physical skill that a bowler can use to manipulate ball motion... [Read More]
Introduction to Adjusting Ball Speed
Following up on July’s article about axis control, this month we’ll go through the finer points of ball speed control. Speed generation, and control, is an issue that plagues many bowlers, from beginner to expert. As bowling equipment and technique... [Read More]
Choosing Your Bowling Ball Toolbox
Selecting equipment for tournaments
In June, I introduced the idea of building your bowling ball toolshed, equating bowling balls as the tools you use on the lanes. Like the tools in your toolshed, you don’t necessarily need every one of them for every job.... [Read More]
Introduction to Bowling Ball Axis Control
A how-to for adjusting axis rotation angle and axis tilt angle
Two of the key variables in ball reaction that a bowler has control over are the axis rotation angle and axis tilt angle of the bowling ball. These angles, along with rev rate and ball speed, are the main variables... [Read More]
Building Your Bowling Ball Toolshed
Without doubt, one of the most common topics that bowlers ask me about is how to select a bowling ball. Whether it is advice about what to drill next, or which balls to bring to a tournament, it remains a... [Read More]
Troubleshooting and Fixing Thumb Exit Problems
One of the most complicated issues to fix in bowling is the concept of “clearing the thumb." This refers to how consistently your thumb exits the ball as part of your release. Thumb exit problems are so difficult to fix... [Read More]