Best Bowling Balls For 2 Handers? The 68 Correct Answer

DISCLAIMER: I do not claim to be an expert on the two-handed style. These guidelines are based 50% on what works for me and 50% on watching videos by Jason Belmonte, Osku Palermaa, Cassidy Schaub, etc. It’s not perfect, but I believe it’s a starting point for anyone is who wants to try two. handed Bowling.Apologies in advance for any spelling, grammar, and formatting errors. This was done on a limited time.Thanks,MikeWhy two hands instead of the traditional one handed delivery?• Creates increased rotations while maintaining accuracy• Creates an extended flat spot at the bottom of the swing• Eliminates potential “grab” at the bottom of the swing • Less wrist strain • Watching shelves explode or blowing up messengers is much more fun than leaving flat 10s =)Should I switch to the two-handed style? Things to consider?• Am I in good physical shape?• Do I have at least some flexibility?• Am I willing to do the quality exercise I need to improve? League is not a quality practice. • Do I have the resources (time, money) to implement the quality practice I need to improve? Again, league is not high quality training. • Do I have access to a video camera and someone to record me? Things You Should Know Beforehand • Two-handed bowling has a LOT of similarities with one-handed bowling. • Just like one-handed bowling, your friends will try to help you. Just like with one-handed bowling, their advice will be wrong 90% of the time. • People will complain about how you’re ruining the sport. • When you first start, parts of your body will hurt. Specifically your forearm and possibly your lower back. That soreness will soon go away as you start using those muscles more consistently.• It’s hard to tell how two-handed bowling will affect your body in the long run. My personal opinion is that if you keep your body in good physical condition and stretch frequently, you will not have a problem. There is less stress on the wrist, but more stress on the back and forearm. I would say the loading of the knee is similar. • You should stretch before bowling. Especially the lower back and legs.• Keep an open mind and have fun while you learn!Please watch these links simultaneously before proceeding.Belmonte ArticleBelmonte FramesA slow motion video from Belmonte• Start in a comfortable, athletic position.• Knees slightly bent• Spine Tilt forward about 5-10 degrees. • Hold the ball about waist high. • There are many different styles. Belmonte uses a half fingertip grip with no thumbs. Palermaa uses a normal fingertip grip without a thumb. A good starting point would be to try to form a cradle with your hands and work from there. o There should be some distance between your hands. • The weight of the ball should be distributed between both hands in the starting position. • Different positions of the left hand will produce very different reactions. • I have seen 4, 5 or 6 step approaches used with success. o I will speak of a 5-step approach because I personally think it is the best. • You can let it use a jump step (hop) or normal steps. o I will cover the jump step because that’s how I bowl. • Your first two steps are timing steps, just like in one-handed bowling. • Your second step should be to the left so that you can get around your swing. • Skip stepsso Should be on your 3rd and 4th step of the 5 step approach. Should be very fast and cover a short distance on approach. • Your last Stride (slide step) should be much longer and further forward of your body than the last step of a one-handed delivery.o To achieve this, you need to be farther from the foul line as you step into your last step. I know this seems very obvious on paper, but I’d bet money you wouldn’t think to do this on the approach .jpg • Most two-handed bowlers have a decent slide. I’ve only seen one put on his slip foot. • Just like one-handed bowling, footwork and timing go together. • The ideal spinal angle (bending at the waist) is about 75-80 degrees. o Belmonte’s Spinal Angle – http://i481 .photobucket.com/albums/rr179/dukeblue87/Belmonte/JasonFront.jpg • Spine inclination helps project the ball “through” the lane with spin, rather than “onto” the lane with lift. In other words, the spin tilt helps the ball come down the lane and snag on the backend rather than the ball snagging early and stopping on the backend. • You can get away with a little spine tilt on a THS. Once you play a few non-center support exercise patterns, you’ll soon see the importance of spinal incline. • From the Footwork Section: Your final stride should be much longer and farther in front of your body than the final stride of a one-handed delivery.o To achieve this, you need to be farther from the foul line as you enter your final stride walk. I know this seems very obvious on paper, but I’d bet money you wouldn’t do it on approach. • Your push off should begin as you begin your 2nd step. • The kick should be forward, slightly inward. and slightly up.o Forward and up to create speed.o Inward to keep the swing close to your body.• Your hand should rotate slightly to the inside of the ball as you push away.o This will help release to create leverage. • The swing should remain as close to the body as possible to maintain your leverage. • Your shoulders must open on the backswing and close on the release. • Your elbow should be bent at the top of the backswing to add height • Your elbow should then be uncorked just before releasing to add speed and turns. • The bowling arm should remain on the inside of the ball until it is released. Winging.” • The left hand remains on the ball until just before the release point. The left hand is designed to add spins to the bowling ball. This is a common misconception. The purpose of the left hand is to provide more stability throughout the swing. Your left hand is your “thumb”. • The left hand remains on the ball until just before the trigger point. The left hand is intended to add spins to the bowling ball. This is a common misconception. • The ball should be next to your ankle when released to create leverage. • If your lane is reversed (you’re most likely leading over the middle finger), then you’re releasing the ball far too late. • Don’t try to add spins to the bowling ball. o You will come up with the two-handed style by itself. • Your timing must be too late to help project the ball to the right. • Your chute should be ready/ready when you release the ball. • Some two-handed bowlers use two hands as a backup and others use one hand. • One hand on backup so Pro – Easier to throw the ball straight Con – Usually different timing than your two-handed delivery. Can be difficult to switch back and forth. • Two hands on spareso Pro – Same timing as Slap Shot.o Con – Harder to throw the ball that straight. • Either way, PLEASE buy a plastic ball! • Forewarning: most of this section is basic ball reaction knowledge. It’s the same as a high RPM, high mileage player bowling with one hand! Pin locations vary by PAP. I expect you’ll have a higher gauge than most other two-handers. • Layouts that seem to work best for me. Results may/will be great for you. o Pin over bridge, CG in palm. Good for deeper inside play as it offers good length through the heads and a strong back end. o Pin right from right, CG in palm (label hole). Good if you play further out. Gives decent length with a controllable arch. • Most two-handed bowlers I’ve seen play pretty high. As a result, many pins will slip under the holes over your middle finger if you’re not careful!• Ball Selectiono Mid to high RG cores are usually best.o Solid covers are the most versatile. They blur the pattern.o Pearl covers tend to judder too much from friction in many conditions, causing over/underruns. • Drilling for the USBC Thumbless Bowlero – You must be able to demonstrate that you can reasonably grip the ball Finger and thumb holes. You do not have to use any/all holes. o PBA – You must cover the thumb hole with your palm or it will be considered a weight hole. o Drill the ball so that it is comfortable in your hand. Your ring finger will most likely need to be lowered about 1/8 inch, or your thumb will need to be moved about 1 inch to the right. This allows you to center the thumb hole on your palm to ensure you keep the ball consistent with every shot. Q: My RPM is overwhelming my ball speed. How do I throw harder? A: First, make sure your elbow is fairly straight when you release. Second, your 3rd and 4th steps should be fairly short and quick. Your last step must be very long. This will also help create later timing. Third, spinal tilt helps get the ball through the heads and midlane. Fourth, the more familiar you become with the style, the faster you’ll be able to throw the ball. DO NOT attempt to move the ball on the lane. Q: My accuracy sucks. I spray the ball all over the lane. A: Try to develop consistent timing. Just like one-handed bowling, accuracy is directly related to timing. Put the ball in the swing at the same time on each shot. Have consistent footwork. Q: My balance sucks. A: Again, balance is about consistent timing. First, your final step must be long. Second, your timing must be late. Try to make your 3rd and 4th steps quick and short. Here is a link to more pictures of Belmonte. There are many videos on YouTube by Jason Belmonte, Osku Palermaa and Cassidy Schaub Where to start. I’d love to hear feedback on what works and what doesn’t work. However, please support your feedback with reasons why or why not. This guide isn’t perfect, so consider it a work in progress.Mike———————Two hands are better than one!!

In ten-pin bowling, there are many different ways to deliver the bowling ball (known as “throwing” or “rolling”) to deliver it to the pins in an accurate and powerful manner. In general, there are three basic forms of 10-pin bowling. The most basic form is known as stroking, which is the most classic form. The most potent form is known as cranking, which gives the ball great leverage and maximum rotation but sacrifices accuracy. In between is the domain of the tweener, who has characteristics of both but doesn’t really fit into either category. A well-known variant of “tweening” is the power stroker.

Power stroking is often very similar to cranking, and bowlers can often fit into both categories, so bowlers who use either style are often referred to simply as power players. A fourth style, known as helicopter, spinning, or UFO, is a style used to great effect in Asia. Eventually, many modern bowlers have switched to a one- or two-handed thumbless delivery. Most of the different forms use different wrist and hand positions and rely on different timing and body positions to accommodate the differences in each release style.

Traditional form of bowling[ edit ]

A conventional bowling ball roll enters pocket 1-3 and continues to roll from right to left (right-handed). The ball only touches four pins (1, 3, 5, and 9 pins) to achieve a hit. This type of roll/hit applies to strokers, power strokers, and crankers.

A traditional bowling shape is the most common method used in 10-pin bowling. There are many styles that can be used in a conventional form of bowling. However, all styles have one thing in common: the way you hit a shot.

The following describes a strike for a right-handed bowler. In traditional bowling, a strike is a special way to knock down all the pins on the first ball. A common shot is when the ball uses the one-three pocket. A pocket is the area opposite the one and three pins.

There are countless ways a bowler can score a strike. However, the goal for a bowler is to strike every first ball using the method that generates the highest strike percentage. A perfect shot is one in which the ball hits only four pins: the one, three, five, and nine pins. The ball enters the one-three pocket and then falls into the pit area to the right of where the eight previously stood.

caress [edit]

A stroker is a type of ten-pin bowling player who gently releases his bowling ball. They typically have speeds under 300 rpm. Strokers often keep their shoulders straight to the foul line and their backswing generally doesn’t go much further than parallel to the ground. This type of triggering reduces the ball’s spin speed, reducing its hooking potential and hitting power. Strokers rely on finesse and accuracy as opposed to crankers who use speed and power. However, today’s modern reactive resin bowling balls allow strokers to hit the “pocket” at a relatively high angle. Stroking is considered the most classic of all forms of bowling and remains the most popular style of bowling in the PBA.

Although crankers are often seen as more formidable, strokers are often seen as more repeatable and accurate shots. Strokers rely more on smooth ball placement than kinetic energy to knock down pins. Walter Ray Williams, Jr., the all-time leader in titles and bowling earnings in the United States, is a stroker (although some consider his style unique and not easily categorized). Other famous strokers include PBA Hall of Famers Norm Duke, David Ozio and Dick Weber.

Several high profile left-handed bowlers such as Hall of Famers Earl Anthony, Mike Aulby, Parker Bohn III and Mike Scroggins have used a stroker clearance, leading to a stereotype in the bowling community that most left-handers are strokers who can only play the outer part of the lane. Part of this is due to the fact that the left side of the lane tends to hold more oil due to less activity, forcing off-lane players to find friction.

A tweener (a term derived from “in-between”) is a bowler who plays the ball in a way that falls somewhere between batting and cranking. They have speeds between 300 and 370 rpm. This modified delivery could use a higher backswing than is typically used by a pure stroker, or a less powerful wrist position than a pure cranker. Some use the term to refer to a bowler who is simply not a “perfect” example of a stroker or a cranker.

Notable tweeners include Brian Voss (mainly a stroker, but not a “picturesque one”), Mika Koivuniemi (mainly a stroker, but with a high backswing), and Doug Kent (regarded by some as a power stroker).

Power Stroking[edit]

A variation of tweening is used by a very successful and well-known bowler, Pete Weber, who is considered a power stroker. This term refers to a bowler who relies on a high backswing and open shoulders to generate potential ball speed and a big hook, but uses a stroker’s timing. The Weber clearance imparts a high degree of axis rotation and very little axis tilt. The release of a power stroker is both gentle and powerful, generating many revolutions via a wrist snap or flick of the fingers without straining the arm swing. Some other famous power strokers are Bryan Goebel, Wes Malott, Dick Allen, Dominic Barrett, Doug Kent (often referred to as a tweener), and Chris Barnes (often referred to as a stroker).

Cranking/Powerplayer[ edit ]

EJ Tackett lofts the ball down the left channel.

Bowlers who use a high backswing (pictured) are generally considered crankers.

A cranker, or power player, is a bowler who strives to create revolutions with a hollow wrist or excessive wrist movement. They have speeds over 370 rpm. Crankers who rely on wrist motion can have a high backswing and open their shoulders to generate ball speed. These bowlers often grip the wrist but open the wrist at the top of the swing. Crankers can also muscle the ball with a bent elbow because their wrist isn’t strong enough to be wrapped on release. Crankers often use “late” timing, where the foot reaches the foul line before the ball. a technique known as plant and pull which uses barely a slide on its final step and pulls the ball up to create leverage. The timing between the feet and the release of the ball is just a fraction of a second. While sometimes used as another term for a cranker, the plant-and-pull bowler is somewhat misleading, as some crankers slide more, while bowlers of other styles can use the technique as well. The term “cranks” is used to describe the type of triggering and heavy wrist movement that is typical of cranks. Due to the high RPM and power of crankers, they can pack powerful shots even on less than perfect hits, but are more prone to splits, which are rarely left by strokers or otherwise. The myth that cranks are not good backup shooters is not always supported. Roth, for example, was one of the best reserve shooters on tour in his day and was the first to implement the nearly impossible 7-10 split on national television. Robert Smith and Jason Couch also both had very high conversion percentages. Because of the intense nature of their release, cranking is sometimes considered physically damaging in the long term, so some bowlers progress to a tweener/power stroker release. Because many bowlers have a style that can be referred to as a cranker or power stroker, the term power player is used for any bowler who can generate high spins or ball speeds.

Crankers sometimes stand on the extreme opposite side of approach (relative to their target) and roll the ball down the center lane boards towards the gutter, using high turns to hook the ball back into the pocket. This line is called “deep in,” “coast to coast,” or “hooking the whole trail.” Depending on the bowling ball, lane conditions, and the bowler, the ball may feature either a rounded hook pattern or a later, more severe hook pattern known as a skid snap or skid flip.

Some cranks use a low backswing but have a cupped wrist to generate high revs. that was the “old fashioned” way of cranking. Notable bowlers with such a style include Jim Godman, Bob Learn, Jr., Ryan Shafer, Kelly Coffman, and Bob Vespi. Mark Roth was one of the first bowlers to crank the ball with a high backswing and excessive wrist movement. Older commentaries also referred to such crankers as “twisters”. Other bowlers who have followed this style include Amleto Monacelli, Jason Couch, and more recently E.J. Tackett. Bowlers like Robert Smith, Mike Fagan, and Tommy Jones are often considered crankers due to their high backswings and revs, but each have a smooth release and slide so they can also be classified as power strokers.

ball speed [edit]

Bowling ball firing speed is primarily affected by three factors: gravity, the bowler’s forward speed, and downswing acceleration. A longer arm or higher backswing height increases the speed that gravity creates. Forward momentum is also imparted to the ball by the bowler’s walking speed.[1] Finally, intentional forward acceleration of the arm during the downswing affects delivery speed.[1]

spiders [edit]

A spinning movement of the bowling ball actually spins away from the 1 pin (right hand) when it hits it, and then continues left to right, hitting the 3, 6, and 10 pins. This type of hit causes a domino effect across the rack.

Spinners use a release style known variously as spinning, helicopter, or UFO. Regardless of what it’s called, a spinner releases a ball so that it rotates counterclockwise about the vertical axis (right-handed and viewed from above) as it moves down the lane. A spinner produces about 90 degrees of axis tilt and virtually no axis rotation (lateral). Spinning is a popular style in Asia, particularly in Taiwan, where lanes are typically oiled from the foul line to the pin rack and offer little to no opportunity for a ball thrown in any of the three more orthodox ways to hit any place friction finds the alley. A hook needs friction for the ball to “grab” the lane. When spinning, very little of the ball’s surface touches the lane, which is what the spinner intends. Spinning does not require any friction, although most spinners have a slight backup hook relative to their bowling hand due to hand position when released.

The goal in spinning is to rely more on pin deflection (pins hitting other pins) than on “carry” (the ball flips the pins). In a right-handed bowler, the ball moves down the lane, usually with a left-right line, hitting the right side of the 1-pin. At this point, the ball is moving down the front row of pins in the opposite direction to its spin – pins 1-3-6-10. This type of hit is referred to as “riding the rail” among spinners. A properly thrown spinner hits the pocket as if the ball were spinning away from the 1-pin. Conventional bowlers observing this type of spin will actually think the bowler threw a spare ball, although any hook on the ball tends to be unintentional. As the ball moves down the row it creates a domino effect. Pin 1 hits pin 2-4-7, pin 3 hits pin 5-8, pin 6 hits pin 9, and eventually the ball only hits pin 10. Even if the ball hits Brooklyn, the reversal of direction allows for even more deflection of the ball and pin (known as “Mixing”), allowing for a higher chance of Messenger Strikes.

By comparison, since spinners don’t want the ball to hit the surface of the lane, they often use “plastic” bowling balls — the older polyester-covered balls that were popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s and are now commonly used as house balls to the widely used polyurethane, “particles” (polyurethane with near-microscopic glass spheres or other hard material throughout the coverstock) and “reactive resin” spheres (“reactive resin” itself is polyurethane made by a process that has microscopic pores throughout remain, essentially a hard sponge) used by bowlers who want a ball that grips the lane and rolls hard. Also, because the risk of injury is somewhat increased with this style of bowling, as well as the advantage of ball deflection with this style, the spinner tends to use light balls between ten and twelve pounds.

Some hook bowlers can also spin and roll the ball at the same time, which keeps the ball between the X and Y axes. Such a release can impart more ball deflection and pin action, but can also result in the ball later responding with less hooking unless drilled in a configuration to compensate for the additional axis tilt. The PBA Tour’s Tom Baker and Ryan Shafer and the JPBA’s Miki Nishimura exhibit higher axis tilt than most hook bowlers.

In tournaments in countries like Taiwan, where house conditions are used, spinning can be an advantage over rolling. However, when tournaments use the more conventional oil patterns, where the oil is laid about 40 feet from the foul line and is dry to the pin rack, the turning loses its advantage as friction is present. Carry is also a more reliable and consistent technique for knocking down pins on the first ball, as spinning is less predictable in terms of pin deflection and can sometimes result in odd hands – including the 5-pin and washouts when the ball misses a 1 -pin.

Other forms of bowling[ edit ]

No-thumb delivery [ edit ]

In a thumbless delivery, only two fingers are inserted into the bowling ball, leaving the thumb on the outside of the ball to create more rotation and a larger hook. Due to similar ball rolls and turns to the cranker style, it is sometimes considered a variation of cranking. Because the bowler does not use the opposite hand to support the ball (as in the two-handed approach), the wrist is often heavily encircled and/or the ball is balanced on the forearm and delivered with a flexed elbow throughout the shot. Another variation of this execution is to palm the ball by pressing the thumb to the side of the ball while forcing the elbow to lock to keep the arm straight and create a backswing. This variation results in far greater consistency and straightens the ball when needed. All styles of the no-thumb usually require bowlers to use bowling balls, which are generally one to three pounds lighter than their thumb counterparts.

This technique is often used by casual or league bowlers who have not learned how to hook the ball with one of the standard thumb grips. It’s also common among left-handed players who use house balls. A left-handed bowler would need to reverse the ball to properly use the holes typically drilled for right-handed bowlers. Notable bowlers who use this technique at a professional level include Mike Miller and Tom Daugherty. Another successful no-thumb bowler is Eric Copping, who holds Vermont’s state record for a season average at 246 and has bowled over one hundred perfect games and over ninety 800 series with a best of 878 since April 2019. 2]

Half-thumb variation[ edit ]

The half-thumb variation is a technique used by surprise winner of the 2009 PBA World Championship, Tom Smallwood, in which the thumb is stuck into the ball just up to the first knuckle. Thus, the ball is thrown almost entirely with the fingers, as a thumbless bowler would throw it, with the thumb providing some control only during the backswing. Smallwood also keeps two hands on the bowling ball until about halfway through his approach.

Two-handed approach[ edit ]

Video: Two-Handed Approach (Zach Wilkins, 2019) Photo: Two hands remain in contact with the ball until just before the release, with the release itself being made with only one hand. Video: Two-handed approach seen from another angle (Kyle Troup, 2022)

A two-handed approach is a bowling technique in which the throwing hand is in the bowling ball and the opposite hand is also placed on the ball during the shot. This is an evolution of the one-handed no-thumb technique, where a bowler would create similar turns but might not be as effective because their other hand isn’t supporting the ball through the approach.

Traditionally, two-handed bowling involves inserting two fingers into the ball, omitting the thumb. The dominant hand is then used to rock the ball and generate extra spin on release. Then the opposite hand is used to guide the ball through the throwing motion, delivering the ball in a shoveling fashion. Two-handed bowlers need to lean farther forward and rotate their hips more than a one-handed bowler. These bowlers put more torque through the spine to increase ball speed and RPM. This form of bowling, when done correctly, increases power, turns, and pin carry. The RPM of a two-handed bowler can reach up to 600 RPM, which is up to 17% more RPMs than the next elite single-handed bowler and twice that of some top pro bowlers.[3]

Two-handed approach should not be confused with two-handed delivery. Immediately before releasing the ball, a bowler using a two-handed approach removes their assisting hand and effectively delivers the ball with just one hand. You are considered a one-handed bowler by the governing bodies and must follow the appropriate rules for changing dominant hands during the contest. Actual two-handed delivery involves the simultaneous use of both hands to impart power to the ball and is extremely rare in adult competitions. it is mostly seen in young children who are first learning the game.'[4]

Australian Jason Belmonte, the all-time PBA major championship leader, was among the first bowlers to gain global recognition for using the two-handed approach style. Others who followed were Finland’s Osku Palermaa, Sweden’s Jesper Svensson and Americans Kyle Troup and Anthony Simonsen. The American Chaz Dennis, who at the age of 10 was the second youngest person to bowl a 300 game, also uses this technique. The Bolivia bowling team is also known for converting their bowlers to the two-handed approach style.

While only used by a handful of seasoned pro players, this style is becoming increasingly popular among young bowlers. A 2018 Bowlers Journal International article states that 21% of junior bowlers at the recently concluded USBC Junior Gold Championships used the two-handed approach style. This includes 25% of bowlers in the U12 category (age 12 and under), 24% of U15 bowlers and 19% of U20 bowlers.[5]

Full role[ edit ]

Full roller is a style of bowling that traces its origins back to the earliest days of bowling. Many top champions of the past have been full scooters like Ned Day and Billy Hardwick. There are also some modern full scooters like Dave Ewald and Tom Smallwood. A full roll rolls the ball so that the ball travels its full circumference, hence the name full roll. In addition to a full circumference ball track, the ball track itself crosses between the fingers and thumb through the palm in a diagonal path. A full roll release can be very straight, e.g. B. Billy Hardwick rolled, or have an axis of rotation of up to 90 degrees or more, such as. B. Tom Smallwood reels. Typically, a suitcase-style grip with the thumb at the 9 o’clock position and fingers at the 3 o’clock position (for right-handers) creates a full roller web the moment you release. As the hand comes forward, the thumb emerges first and the fingers, still at 3 o’clock, lift through the ball causing it to twist off the fingers to the left, creating a lateral twist and a horizontal trail through the palm center of the ball is generated ball.

See also[edit]

As I read about USBC’s recent effort to train the two-handed bowling style, I couldn’t help but think back to some of the articles shared about the early days of the American Bowling Congress and how leaders at the time governed the game. In those very early days of government, when the game was still being defined at a rapid pace, a new generation of hotshot bowlers came into vogue because some of the more ingenious players figured out how to make exotic bowling balls and use them to their advantage. These early high tech balls were then known as “dodo balls” and the players who used them were called “dodo bowlers”.

From 1900 to 1913, Cleveland, Chicago and Louisville were the strongholds of dodo ball competition. There was a great deal of debate over whether these balls should be legalized or banned, dividing bowlers from these cities into factions that either supported or opposed the use of dodo balls.

However, in 1913, in favor of standardizing equipment, the ABC banned the dodo ball and officially adopted a rule that limited the weight of a bowling ball to a maximum of 16 pounds and “required that all bowling balls be evenly balanced”.

Some of the early “dodo” balls easily exceeded the 16 pound weight limit and a few bowlers in those early years used balls weighing as much as 22 pounds to knock down those stubborn pins. The extremely heavy ball, which was then called “Wrong”, gradually disappeared as bowlers discovered the greater effectiveness of the unbalanced dodo ball.¹

The most common way to load a ball in the early 1900s was referred to as a “7-9” combination; where a 17 pound ball was cut in half and cemented in half of a 19 pound ball. The extra weight was mostly used on the left side of the ball, but not always.

To make the dodo ball as effective as possible, almost all used a two-finger grip and it was common to drill both finger holes the same size. Then the only thing the dodo bowler had to do to significantly change the “action of the ball” was to reverse his grip.

This is where today’s two-handers might be missing the boat, or at least haven’t jumped on board yet. With today’s bowling balls and their dynamically unbalanced cores, by rotating the ball 180 degrees, a two-hander can get two distinctly different ball motions out of one bowling ball; similar to the Dodo Bowler of the early 1900s.

By strategically placing the core in relation to its PAP, a bullet could have significant flare potential when rolled in one direction, but could result in almost zero flare potential when flipped and rolled the other direction.

Note: Since the article was written in 2010, experimentation has continued and some two-handed or thumbless players have even used a three-hole bore, expanding the layout options for these players. USBC even had to explain more clearly what is and isn’t allowed; USBC explains the specification in terms of new gripping layouts. Also, the USBC added additional restrictions to the 2016 US Open Ball Rules.

In most bowling conditions, the amount of potential hook is directly related to the potential for flare when a side rotation is applied to the bowling ball. Flare allows the bowling ball to slide across a fresh surface with each revolution, increasing friction between the ball’s surface and the lane surface.

The extreme amount of flare that today’s weight stacks create is primarily what prevents a bowler using a traditional grip from doing so. If two thumb holes were drilled in the ball, not only would it be difficult to statically balance the ball and core layout, the flare would eventually roll over one of the thumb holes. If the ball track rolls over a hole as large as most thumb holes, it can bounce off the track and cause unpredictable ball motion.

But a two-handed player does not use or need to drill a thumb hole and could therefore drill his finger holes in the center of the center of gravity and rotate the core at will. If the player does not put a thumb hole in a ball, he only has to meet the “one ounce limit in each direction” set by the WTBA, the world governing body of tenpin bowling. The UBSC recently changed their balance rules for bowling balls drilled without a thumb hole, now allowing a weight of up to three ounces top or bottom.

At events where players are limited to the number of balls they are allowed to check in for competition, such as the WTBA World and Zone Championships, this technique could prove particularly beneficial over players who are relegated to using a thumb hole are unable or unable to rotate the ball 180 degrees. If done strategically, that 6-ball limit could become 12 balls for the two-handed player. Thumbhole players do not have this option.

Although there was a clear benefit to using a dodo ball in the early 1900’s, it wasn’t as popular during those years for two reasons; The dodo ball was difficult to control and the ABC made a strong effort to bring “fair set pieces” into play¹

As mentioned in my “I’ve Been Thinking Too” article, the high tech modern bowling ball when used on flatter oil patterns is also extremely difficult to control and very unpredictable for the less skilled. This volatility is why blocked lane conditions are favored by the majority of bowlers.

Simply put, with today’s highly sensitive and high-friction bowling environment, blocked lane conditions are more predictable and therefore simply more comfortable for most bowlers.

Perhaps two-handed play will remain a technique for very few, since this style is also “difficult to master” and represents an extreme departure from the style that has already been learned.

To the extent that the game today has “fair standard terms” like dodo bowlers of the early 1900s could do with dodo balls, so can two-handed bowlers with the modern ball. And that goes against the founding fathers’ decision that “all bowling balls must be evenly balanced.” From their point of view, a game component is necessary in order to have “fair standard conditions”.

¹Bowling Magazine – November 1960 – Dizzy Doings of the Dodo

Of course, as you approach the approach, you’re hoping to send your ball smoothly down the lane and into the pocket. But how hard should one throw to achieve this goal?

A shot that moves fast and hooks heavily across the lane often looks the most impressive, so it can be tempting to try and match the shots you see from pros on TV or a high-score bowler you see in your league face to imitate exactly.

But no single delivery is right for every bowler, and trying to copy someone else’s shot just because it looks successful can be a damaging strategy.

But then what’s the best ball speed when you’re making your bowling shot?

The short answer, as you might guess, is that there is no simple and perfect answer: the ideal bowling ball speed depends on several factors.

However, knowing these factors, along with general guidelines, can help you determine the most effective speed for your own game.

The USBC guidelines for best bowling ball speed

First, the USBC and ball manufacturers have actually made some recommendations as to what ball speed is best, and their research shows that 21 mph at release is optimal (which equates to 17 mph coming down the lane and hitting the pins).

The idea is that this leads to ideal pin carry.

Pros and cons of fast and slow speeds

However, there are trade-offs with different bowling ball release speeds.

Specifically, a faster shot gives you more pin action but has less chance to react on the lane, resulting in fewer hooks.

On the other hand, a slower shot will hook more, but at the expense of a pin action. You need to tune into your own game and your strengths and weaknesses to determine what’s best for you.

Lane conditions and speeds related to ball speed

Important things to consider about ball speed are lane conditions and your RPM to get the correct angle of entry into the pocket.

Particularly smooth lanes are a challenge for very high ball speeds, as the ball often slips too far and misses the pocket.

And similarly, very dry conditions can sometimes require a faster shot to hit your target efficiently.

And ball speed isn’t the only factor that counts when adapting to current lane conditions; Your RPM is also crucial.

Here’s a chart that compares RPMs to ball speeds: CHART

So in summary, there are several different factors to consider when trying to figure out how hard to throw your bowling ball.

Ultimately, determining your optimal ball speed requires some consideration of the conditions and your own game, and most importantly, practice!

photo credit

The game of bowling may have a simple premise, but trying to get a consistently high score in every frame requires a delicate balance of speed and aim. According to various studies, a bowling ball is most effective at knocking down pins when it’s moving at a speed of around 18 miles per hour. So you can imagine what a crazy challenge it was for Australian pro bowler Jason Belmonte to set the GoBowling World Record for the fastest strike ever at 140mph.

how did he do that?

Well, he needed a little help first; Belmonte teamed up with Stewart-Haas Racing NASCAR driver Aric Almirola to complete the task. The premise was simple: At Charlotte Motor Speedway, the duo set 10 pins at the end of a long straight. Almirola then drove his Ford Mustang NASCAR Cup racer around the track where it could reach its top speed. Then Belmonte released a bowling ball hoping to hit and knock down all 10 pins.

But apparently Belmonte didn’t hang his arm out the window with a full-blown bowling ball at such speeds. Instead, the team received a set of custom-made rubberized bowling balls specially designed for the task, a must-have considering normal bowling balls are usually made of hard resin that could shatter if thrown from a moving car at high speeds.

After several attempts, Belmonte and Almirola managed to get a shot on the last try before stalling to let the car cool down.

Hanging on the ball a little longer than you are now will help you get the ball over the line.

There are a few tips you may need to follow to avoid losing your ball behind the line:

1. Increase your gripping pressure.

2. Delay releasing until your bowling thumb reaches the top of your slide

3. Accelerate your forward swing to a full and complete hold position.

4. Use enough knee flexion in your slide stride to propel your ball across the line onto the lane at a gradual descent angle.

5. Strike your ball so that it touches the lane at least 12 inches behind the foul line.

Some benefits of consistently getting your ball over the line include slightly increased ball speed, controlling your finger spin and degree of axis tilt, controlling your ball slide distance, and good back end ball reaction.

Dropping your ball past the line will choke your revs. Your ball hooks unpredictably in the center lane and again at the back end.

Instead, your mindset should be to swing your ball aggressively and increase your ball speed without losing balance or accuracy.

Hold the ball tight enough so you can control the moment you release the ball to get it over the foul line every time.

Bowling is a sport and in any athletic competition there must be an attacking element in your mental and physical game. In this case, attacking your swing and getting the ball onto the lane is a priority if you want to improve your game.

Bowling is a sport and in any athletic competition there must be an attacking element in your mental and physical game. In this case, attacking your swing and getting the ball onto the lane is a priority if you want to improve your game.

Hold the ball tight enough that you can control the moment you release the ball to get it over the foul line every time.

Instead, your mindset should be to swing your ball aggressively and increase your ball speed without losing balance or accuracy.

Some benefits of consistently getting your ball over the line include slightly increased ball speed, controlling your finger rotation and degree of axis tilt, controlling your ball slide distance, and good back end ball reaction. If you drop your ball behind the line, speed will choke you. Your ball hooks unpredictably in the center lane and again at the back end.

Strike your ball so that it touches the lane at least 12 inches behind the foul line.

Use enough knee flexion in your slide step to propel your ball across the line onto the lane at a gradual descent angle.

Accelerate your forward swing to a full and complete hold position.

Delay releasing until your bowling thumb reaches the top of your sliding bowling shoe

Increase your gripping pressure.

There are a few tips you may need to follow to avoid losing your ball behind the line:

Hanging on the ball a little longer than you are now will help you get the ball over the line.

The remedy is to grab the bowling ball with a lot of gripping pressure. Almost like squeezing the ball and then releasing the ball from your thumb followed by your bowling fingers a little later than your current release point.

Akshay Karnewar has been baffling the cricket world for a number of years. Ever since his coach at age 13 saw him bowling with his right arm but throwing with his left arm and urged him to bowl with both hands; Since he made his debut for Vidarbha six years ago, Karnewar has been a little different.

This week Karnewar confused the batsmen of Manipur and Sikkim in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy plate group, setting a never-before-seen record in T20 cricket. On Monday, he became the first player in the T20s to throw 4 maidens in a match, conceding zero runs at his full quota. Manipur was bundled for just 55 runs in 16.3 overs. Karnewar took two wickets at bowling with his left arm and returned to bowling with his right hand at the end of the innings. He finished 2/0 in 4 overs.

On Tuesday, Karnewar continued his historic performance by scoring a hat-trick against Sikkim, his numbers 4-1-5-2.

Vidarbha finished the league stage at the top of the Plate Group points table having won all five games he has played so far. They have qualified for the provisional quarterfinals, which will take place on November 16th. Most Economical Spells in T20s 4-4-0-2 Akshay Karnewar – (SMAT 2021)

4-3-1-2 Mohammad Irfan – (CPL 2018) 4-3-2-2 Chris Morris – (SA T20 2014) In an interview with Dainik Bhaskar in 2015, Karnewar had said his father was a bus driver who paid Rs 12,000 per month.

4 maiden overs in a T20 game is incredible. #AkshayKarnewar sets a world record for #Vidarbha vs Manipur in Vijayawada at #SyedMushtaqAliT20. My best wishes to this rarest of rare #two-handed bowlers. I hope to see him in Indian colors soon. #SMAT21 @BCCI #Cricket pic.twitter.com/5BlytXRMkZ – Vijay Darda (@vijayjdarda) November 8, 2021

In ten-pin bowling, there are many different ways to deliver the bowling ball (known as “throwing” or “rolling”) to deliver it to the pins in an accurate and powerful manner. In general, there are three basic forms of 10-pin bowling. The most basic form is known as stroking, which is the most classic form. The most potent form is known as cranking, which gives the ball great leverage and maximum rotation but sacrifices accuracy. In between is the domain of the tweener, who has characteristics of both but doesn’t really fit into either category. A well-known variant of “tweening” is the power stroker.

Power stroking is often very similar to cranking, and bowlers can often fit into both categories, so bowlers who use either style are often referred to simply as power players. A fourth style, known as helicopter, spinning, or UFO, is a style used to great effect in Asia. Eventually, many modern bowlers have switched to a one- or two-handed thumbless delivery. Most of the different forms use different wrist and hand positions and rely on different timing and body positions to accommodate the differences in each release style.

Traditional form of bowling[ edit ]

A conventional bowling ball roll enters pocket 1-3 and continues to roll from right to left (right-handed). The ball only touches four pins (1, 3, 5, and 9 pins) to achieve a hit. This type of roll/hit applies to strokers, power strokers, and crankers.

A traditional bowling shape is the most common method used in 10-pin bowling. There are many styles that can be used in a conventional form of bowling. However, all styles have one thing in common: the way you hit a shot.

The following describes a strike for a right-handed bowler. In traditional bowling, a strike is a special way to knock down all the pins on the first ball. A common shot is when the ball uses the one-three pocket. A pocket is the area opposite the one and three pins.

There are countless ways a bowler can score a strike. However, the goal for a bowler is to strike every first ball using the method that generates the highest strike percentage. A perfect shot is one in which the ball hits only four pins: the one, three, five, and nine pins. The ball enters the one-three pocket and then falls into the pit area to the right of where the eight previously stood.

caress [edit]

A stroker is a type of ten-pin bowling player who gently releases his bowling ball. They typically have speeds under 300 rpm. Strokers often keep their shoulders straight to the foul line and their backswing generally doesn’t go much further than parallel to the ground. This type of triggering reduces the ball’s spin speed, reducing its hooking potential and hitting power. Strokers rely on finesse and accuracy as opposed to crankers who use speed and power. However, today’s modern reactive resin bowling balls allow strokers to hit the “pocket” at a relatively high angle. Stroking is considered the most classic of all forms of bowling and remains the most popular style of bowling in the PBA.

Although crankers are often seen as more formidable, strokers are often seen as more repeatable and accurate shots. Strokers rely more on smooth ball placement than kinetic energy to knock down pins. Walter Ray Williams, Jr., the all-time leader in titles and bowling earnings in the United States, is a stroker (although some consider his style unique and not easily categorized). Other famous strokers include PBA Hall of Famers Norm Duke, David Ozio and Dick Weber.

Several high profile left-handed bowlers such as Hall of Famers Earl Anthony, Mike Aulby, Parker Bohn III and Mike Scroggins have used a stroker clearance, leading to a stereotype in the bowling community that most left-handers are strokers who can only play the outer part of the lane. Part of this is due to the fact that the left side of the lane tends to hold more oil due to less activity, forcing off-lane players to find friction.

A tweener (a term derived from “in-between”) is a bowler who plays the ball in a way that falls somewhere between batting and cranking. They have speeds between 300 and 370 rpm. This modified delivery could use a higher backswing than is typically used by a pure stroker, or a less powerful wrist position than a pure cranker. Some use the term to refer to a bowler who is simply not a “perfect” example of a stroker or a cranker.

Notable tweeners include Brian Voss (mainly a stroker, but not a “picturesque one”), Mika Koivuniemi (mainly a stroker, but with a high backswing), and Doug Kent (regarded by some as a power stroker).

Power Stroking[edit]

A variation of tweening is used by a very successful and well-known bowler, Pete Weber, who is considered a power stroker. This term refers to a bowler who relies on a high backswing and open shoulders to generate potential ball speed and a big hook, but uses a stroker’s timing. The Weber clearance imparts a high degree of axis rotation and very little axis tilt. The release of a power stroker is both gentle and powerful, generating many revolutions via a wrist snap or flick of the fingers without straining the arm swing. Some other famous power strokers are Bryan Goebel, Wes Malott, Dick Allen, Dominic Barrett, Doug Kent (often referred to as a tweener), and Chris Barnes (often referred to as a stroker).

Cranking/Powerplayer[ edit ]

EJ Tackett lofts the ball down the left channel.

Bowlers who use a high backswing (pictured) are generally considered crankers.

A cranker, or power player, is a bowler who strives to create revolutions with a hollow wrist or excessive wrist movement. They have speeds over 370 rpm. Crankers who rely on wrist motion can have a high backswing and open their shoulders to generate ball speed. These bowlers often grip the wrist but open the wrist at the top of the swing. Crankers can also muscle the ball with a bent elbow because their wrist isn’t strong enough to be wrapped on release. Crankers often use “late” timing, where the foot reaches the foul line before the ball. a technique known as plant and pull which uses barely a slide on its final step and pulls the ball up to create leverage. The timing between the feet and the release of the ball is just a fraction of a second. While sometimes used as another term for a cranker, the plant-and-pull bowler is somewhat misleading, as some crankers slide more, while bowlers of other styles can use the technique as well. The term “cranks” is used to describe the type of triggering and heavy wrist movement that is typical of cranks. Due to the high RPM and power of crankers, they can pack powerful shots even on less than perfect hits, but are more prone to splits, which are rarely left by strokers or otherwise. The myth that cranks are not good backup shooters is not always supported. Roth, for example, was one of the best reserve shooters on tour in his day and was the first to implement the nearly impossible 7-10 split on national television. Robert Smith and Jason Couch also both had very high conversion percentages. Because of the intense nature of their release, cranking is sometimes considered physically damaging in the long term, so some bowlers progress to a tweener/power stroker release. Because many bowlers have a style that can be referred to as a cranker or power stroker, the term power player is used for any bowler who can generate high spins or ball speeds.

Crankers sometimes stand on the extreme opposite side of approach (relative to their target) and roll the ball down the center lane boards towards the gutter, using high turns to hook the ball back into the pocket. This line is called “deep in,” “coast to coast,” or “hooking the whole trail.” Depending on the bowling ball, lane conditions, and the bowler, the ball may feature either a rounded hook pattern or a later, more severe hook pattern known as a skid snap or skid flip.

Some cranks use a low backswing but have a cupped wrist to generate high revs. that was the “old fashioned” way of cranking. Notable bowlers with such a style include Jim Godman, Bob Learn, Jr., Ryan Shafer, Kelly Coffman, and Bob Vespi. Mark Roth was one of the first bowlers to crank the ball with a high backswing and excessive wrist movement. Older commentaries also referred to such crankers as “twisters”. Other bowlers who have followed this style include Amleto Monacelli, Jason Couch, and more recently E.J. Tackett. Bowlers like Robert Smith, Mike Fagan, and Tommy Jones are often considered crankers due to their high backswings and revs, but each have a smooth release and slide so they can also be classified as power strokers.

ball speed [edit]

Bowling ball firing speed is primarily affected by three factors: gravity, the bowler’s forward speed, and downswing acceleration. A longer arm or higher backswing height increases the speed that gravity creates. Forward momentum is also imparted to the ball by the bowler’s walking speed.[1] Finally, intentional forward acceleration of the arm during the downswing affects delivery speed.[1]

spiders [edit]

A spinning movement of the bowling ball actually spins away from the 1 pin (right hand) when it hits it, and then continues left to right, hitting the 3, 6, and 10 pins. This type of hit causes a domino effect across the rack.

Spinners use a release style known variously as spinning, helicopter, or UFO. Regardless of what it’s called, a spinner releases a ball so that it rotates counterclockwise about the vertical axis (right-handed and viewed from above) as it moves down the lane. A spinner produces about 90 degrees of axis tilt and virtually no axis rotation (lateral). Spinning is a popular style in Asia, particularly in Taiwan, where lanes are typically oiled from the foul line to the pin rack and offer little to no opportunity for a ball thrown in any of the three more orthodox ways to hit any place friction finds the alley. A hook needs friction for the ball to “grab” the lane. When spinning, very little of the ball’s surface touches the lane, which is what the spinner intends. Spinning does not require any friction, although most spinners have a slight backup hook relative to their bowling hand due to hand position when released.

The goal in spinning is to rely more on pin deflection (pins hitting other pins) than on “carry” (the ball flips the pins). In a right-handed bowler, the ball moves down the lane, usually with a left-right line, hitting the right side of the 1-pin. At this point, the ball is moving down the front row of pins in the opposite direction to its spin – pins 1-3-6-10. This type of hit is referred to as “riding the rail” among spinners. A properly thrown spinner hits the pocket as if the ball were spinning away from the 1-pin. Conventional bowlers observing this type of spin will actually think the bowler threw a spare ball, although any hook on the ball tends to be unintentional. As the ball moves down the row it creates a domino effect. Pin 1 hits pin 2-4-7, pin 3 hits pin 5-8, pin 6 hits pin 9, and eventually the ball only hits pin 10. Even if the ball hits Brooklyn, the reversal of direction allows for even more deflection of the ball and pin (known as “Mixing”), allowing for a higher chance of Messenger Strikes.

By comparison, since spinners don’t want the ball to hit the surface of the lane, they often use “plastic” bowling balls — the older polyester-covered balls that were popular in the 1970’s and 1980’s and are now commonly used as house balls to the widely used polyurethane, “particles” (polyurethane with near-microscopic glass spheres or other hard material throughout the coverstock) and “reactive resin” spheres (“reactive resin” itself is polyurethane made by a process that has microscopic pores throughout remain, essentially a hard sponge) used by bowlers who want a ball that grips the lane and rolls hard. Also, because the risk of injury is somewhat increased with this style of bowling, as well as the advantage of ball deflection with this style, the spinner tends to use light balls between ten and twelve pounds.

Some hook bowlers can also spin and roll the ball at the same time, which keeps the ball between the X and Y axes. Such a release can impart more ball deflection and pin action, but can also result in the ball later responding with less hooking unless drilled in a configuration to compensate for the additional axis tilt. The PBA Tour’s Tom Baker and Ryan Shafer and the JPBA’s Miki Nishimura exhibit higher axis tilt than most hook bowlers.

In tournaments in countries like Taiwan, where house conditions are used, spinning can be an advantage over rolling. However, when tournaments use the more conventional oil patterns, where the oil is laid about 40 feet from the foul line and is dry to the pin rack, the turning loses its advantage as friction is present. Carry is also a more reliable and consistent technique for knocking down pins on the first ball, as spinning is less predictable in terms of pin deflection and can sometimes result in odd hands – including the 5-pin and washouts when the ball misses a 1 -pin.

Other forms of bowling[ edit ]

No-thumb delivery [ edit ]

In a thumbless delivery, only two fingers are inserted into the bowling ball, leaving the thumb on the outside of the ball to create more rotation and a larger hook. Due to similar ball rolls and turns to the cranker style, it is sometimes considered a variation of cranking. Because the bowler does not use the opposite hand to support the ball (as in the two-handed approach), the wrist is often heavily encircled and/or the ball is balanced on the forearm and delivered with a flexed elbow throughout the shot. Another variation of this execution is to palm the ball by pressing the thumb to the side of the ball while forcing the elbow to lock to keep the arm straight and create a backswing. This variation results in far greater consistency and straightens the ball when needed. All styles of the no-thumb usually require bowlers to use bowling balls, which are generally one to three pounds lighter than their thumb counterparts.

This technique is often used by casual or league bowlers who have not learned how to hook the ball with one of the standard thumb grips. It’s also common among left-handed players who use house balls. A left-handed bowler would need to reverse the ball to properly use the holes typically drilled for right-handed bowlers. Notable bowlers who use this technique at a professional level include Mike Miller and Tom Daugherty. Another successful no-thumb bowler is Eric Copping, who holds Vermont’s state record for a season average at 246 and has bowled over one hundred perfect games and over ninety 800 series with a best of 878 since April 2019. 2]

Half-thumb variation[ edit ]

The half-thumb variation is a technique used by surprise winner of the 2009 PBA World Championship, Tom Smallwood, in which the thumb is stuck into the ball just up to the first knuckle. Thus, the ball is thrown almost entirely with the fingers, as a thumbless bowler would throw it, with the thumb providing some control only during the backswing. Smallwood also keeps two hands on the bowling ball until about halfway through his approach.

Two-handed approach[ edit ]

Video: Two-Handed Approach (Zach Wilkins, 2019) Photo: Two hands remain in contact with the ball until just before the release, with the release itself being made with only one hand. Video: Two-handed approach seen from another angle (Kyle Troup, 2022)

A two-handed approach is a bowling technique in which the throwing hand is in the bowling ball and the opposite hand is also placed on the ball during the shot. This is an evolution of the one-handed no-thumb technique, where a bowler would create similar turns but might not be as effective because their other hand isn’t supporting the ball through the approach.

Traditionally, two-handed bowling involves inserting two fingers into the ball, omitting the thumb. The dominant hand is then used to rock the ball and generate extra spin on release. Then the opposite hand is used to guide the ball through the throwing motion, delivering the ball in a shoveling fashion. Two-handed bowlers need to lean farther forward and rotate their hips more than a one-handed bowler. These bowlers put more torque through the spine to increase ball speed and RPM. This form of bowling, when done correctly, increases power, turns, and pin carry. The RPM of a two-handed bowler can reach up to 600 RPM, which is up to 17% more RPMs than the next elite single-handed bowler and twice that of some top pro bowlers.[3]

Two-handed approach should not be confused with two-handed delivery. Immediately before releasing the ball, a bowler using a two-handed approach removes their assisting hand and effectively delivers the ball with just one hand. You are considered a one-handed bowler by the governing bodies and must follow the appropriate rules for changing dominant hands during the contest. Actual two-handed delivery involves the simultaneous use of both hands to impart power to the ball and is extremely rare in adult competitions. it is mostly seen in young children who are first learning the game.'[4]

Australian Jason Belmonte, the all-time PBA major championship leader, was among the first bowlers to gain global recognition for using the two-handed approach style. Others who followed were Finland’s Osku Palermaa, Sweden’s Jesper Svensson and Americans Kyle Troup and Anthony Simonsen. The American Chaz Dennis, who at the age of 10 was the second youngest person to bowl a 300 game, also uses this technique. The Bolivia bowling team is also known for converting their bowlers to the two-handed approach style.

While only used by a handful of seasoned pro players, this style is becoming increasingly popular among young bowlers. A 2018 Bowlers Journal International article states that 21% of junior bowlers at the recently concluded USBC Junior Gold Championships used the two-handed approach style. This includes 25% of bowlers in the U12 category (age 12 and under), 24% of U15 bowlers and 19% of U20 bowlers.[5]

Full role[ edit ]

Full roller is a style of bowling that traces its origins back to the earliest days of bowling. Many top champions of the past have been full scooters like Ned Day and Billy Hardwick. There are also some modern full scooters like Dave Ewald and Tom Smallwood. A full roll rolls the ball so that the ball travels its full circumference, hence the name full roll. In addition to a full circumference ball track, the ball track itself crosses between the fingers and thumb through the palm in a diagonal path. A full roll release can be very straight, e.g. B. Billy Hardwick rolled, or have an axis of rotation of up to 90 degrees or more, such as. B. Tom Smallwood reels. Typically, a suitcase-style grip with the thumb at the 9 o’clock position and fingers at the 3 o’clock position (for right-handers) creates a full roller web the moment you release. As the hand comes forward, the thumb emerges first and the fingers, still at 3 o’clock, lift through the ball causing it to twist off the fingers to the left, creating a lateral twist and a horizontal trail through the palm center of the ball is generated ball.

See also[edit]

As I read about USBC’s recent effort to train the two-handed bowling style, I couldn’t help but think back to some of the articles shared about the early days of the American Bowling Congress and how leaders at the time governed the game. In those very early days of government, when the game was still being defined at a rapid pace, a new generation of hotshot bowlers came into vogue because some of the more ingenious players figured out how to make exotic bowling balls and use them to their advantage. These early high tech balls were then known as “dodo balls” and the players who used them were called “dodo bowlers”.

From 1900 to 1913, Cleveland, Chicago and Louisville were the strongholds of dodo ball competition. There was a great deal of debate over whether these balls should be legalized or banned, dividing bowlers from these cities into factions that either supported or opposed the use of dodo balls.

However, in 1913, in favor of standardizing equipment, the ABC banned the dodo ball and officially adopted a rule that limited the weight of a bowling ball to a maximum of 16 pounds and “required that all bowling balls be evenly balanced”.

Some of the early “dodo” balls easily exceeded the 16 pound weight limit and a few bowlers in those early years used balls weighing as much as 22 pounds to knock down those stubborn pins. The extremely heavy ball, which was then called “Wrong”, gradually disappeared as bowlers discovered the greater effectiveness of the unbalanced dodo ball.¹

The most common way to load a ball in the early 1900s was referred to as a “7-9” combination; where a 17 pound ball was cut in half and cemented in half of a 19 pound ball. The extra weight was mostly used on the left side of the ball, but not always.

To make the dodo ball as effective as possible, almost all used a two-finger grip and it was common to drill both finger holes the same size. Then the only thing the dodo bowler had to do to significantly change the “action of the ball” was to reverse his grip.

This is where today’s two-handers might be missing the boat, or at least haven’t jumped on board yet. With today’s bowling balls and their dynamically unbalanced cores, by rotating the ball 180 degrees, a two-hander can get two distinctly different ball motions out of one bowling ball; similar to the Dodo Bowler of the early 1900s.

By strategically placing the core in relation to its PAP, a bullet could have significant flare potential when rolled in one direction, but could result in almost zero flare potential when flipped and rolled the other direction.

Note: Since the article was written in 2010, experimentation has continued and some two-handed or thumbless players have even used a three-hole bore, expanding the layout options for these players. USBC even had to explain more clearly what is and isn’t allowed; USBC explains the specification in terms of new gripping layouts. Also, the USBC added additional restrictions to the 2016 US Open Ball Rules.

In most bowling conditions, the amount of potential hook is directly related to the potential for flare when a side rotation is applied to the bowling ball. Flare allows the bowling ball to slide across a fresh surface with each revolution, increasing friction between the ball’s surface and the lane surface.

The extreme amount of flare that today’s weight stacks create is primarily what prevents a bowler using a traditional grip from doing so. If two thumb holes were drilled in the ball, not only would it be difficult to statically balance the ball and core layout, the flare would eventually roll over one of the thumb holes. If the ball track rolls over a hole as large as most thumb holes, it can bounce off the track and cause unpredictable ball motion.

But a two-handed player does not use or need to drill a thumb hole and could therefore drill his finger holes in the center of the center of gravity and rotate the core at will. If the player does not put a thumb hole in a ball, he only has to meet the “one ounce limit in each direction” set by the WTBA, the world governing body of tenpin bowling. The UBSC recently changed their balance rules for bowling balls drilled without a thumb hole, now allowing a weight of up to three ounces top or bottom.

At events where players are limited to the number of balls they are allowed to check in for competition, such as the WTBA World and Zone Championships, this technique could prove particularly beneficial over players who are relegated to using a thumb hole are unable or unable to rotate the ball 180 degrees. If done strategically, that 6-ball limit could become 12 balls for the two-handed player. Thumbhole players do not have this option.

Although there was a clear benefit to using a dodo ball in the early 1900’s, it wasn’t as popular during those years for two reasons; The dodo ball was difficult to control and the ABC made a strong effort to bring “fair set pieces” into play¹

As mentioned in my “I’ve Been Thinking Too” article, the high tech modern bowling ball when used on flatter oil patterns is also extremely difficult to control and very unpredictable for the less skilled. This volatility is why blocked lane conditions are favored by the majority of bowlers.

Simply put, with today’s highly sensitive and high-friction bowling environment, blocked lane conditions are more predictable and therefore simply more comfortable for most bowlers.

Perhaps two-handed play will remain a technique for very few, since this style is also “difficult to master” and represents an extreme departure from the style that has already been learned.

To the extent that the game today has “fair standard terms” like dodo bowlers of the early 1900s could do with dodo balls, so can two-handed bowlers with the modern ball. And that goes against the founding fathers’ decision that “all bowling balls must be evenly balanced.” From their point of view, a game component is necessary in order to have “fair standard conditions”.

¹Bowling Magazine – November 1960 – Dizzy Doings of the Dodo