Tempo, Release, and Other Bowling Adjustments

Straight line bowling is where just about every bowler starts out. This point and shoot method of throwing the ball can be completely adequate for occasional players just out for a fun addition to their social calendar. If you want to get serious about bowling, or if you play on a bowling league, however, straight bowling just wont cut it. You have too little control over where the ball goes; its impossible to consistently throw good shots and most of the time, you are depending more on luck and less on skill. To really improve your game, you need to inject some more advanced techniques into your game that will let you depend on your skill to help you hit the high scores in any bowling alley.

One of the most useful tools a bowler has at his disposal is adjusting his tempo, yet many inexperienced players overlooking it entirely. Tempo refers to the speed at which your approach the foul line to make your shot. Your approach should involve you taking four steps towards the lines, bringing the ball up to your chest with the first step, and then lowering it until it is in the release position with your fourth stride. Most beginning bowlers approach at the same tempo every time, usually quite slow, and do not make any adjustments to their tempo for the kind of shot they are trying to make. If you watch professional bowlers, however, you will notice they adjust their tempo throughout the game. The reason for this is your tempo helps control how fast your ball moves.

If youre throwing your first shot and all the pins are in place, a slow, steady tempo is fine; the ball doesnt have to move fast in this instance. In fact, a slower, steady ball is ideal for a shot like this. But now image its your second shot, and you have three pins standing over in the corner and you want to knock them down to get a spare. Tempo can make or break a shot like this. Pick up the tempo and deliver a fast, hard shot, and you will have the best chance of knocking these pins down. If you learn to adjust your tempo to adjust your ball speed, you will increase your scoring potential.

How you release the ball is another adjustment you can make. Where you release the ball and how much of a spin on it can adjust the hook your ball and let you aim more efficiently. The release of the ball changes the axis rotation and axis tilt on your throw, and the axis rotation and axis tilt adjusts the angle, hook, and skid on your ball. Adjusting your release allows you to make several other adjustments based on the specific factors of a particular game, the lane (is it dry? oily?), and the kind of ball you are playing with.

Another important adjustment you can make is the kind of ball you are using. Most serious bowlers have specific balls for specific instances, just like golfers and their clubs. Some balls are designed for speed, some for hooks, and some for a combination of the two. Playing the right ball on the right shot can make all the difference between getting lucky and getting it right every time.

Straight bowling is fine for beginners, but it leaves much of the game up to chance. If you want to be a serious bowler, start bringing your skill to the forefront, control the ball yourself, and watch your score climb.