Tracks and Releases

[JaraTo]

I naturally have a medium to high track when I bowl. It's a matter of how awful or great my mechanics are that day.

1. My question... what aspect of one's release affects if you achieve a high, low or medium track?

2. Not every type of release works for everyone, but what would be the most desirable? A high track because more of the ball's surface is on the lane? (I think that's correct :confused: )

3. Lastly, how much would a change in track/release affect your ball reaction? Generally speaking of course because this is ball dependent.

I'm guessing there would be some circumstances where changing your release/track could benefit you although your ball is layed out for your normal track.

Thanks

Addendum: I do realize there is axis tilt/rotation to account for as well.

[bluerrpilot]

Generally speaking, the higher your track the more forward roll and less axis rotation you have. Which is definitely an advantage when it comes to tougher lane conditions. Lower tracks tend to be more spinning in nature with more axis rotation. The bad part with that is the ball tends to skid more which can cause problems on tough conditions. The idea is to get the ball to read the lane. So the ability to alter your release to achieve this is very advantageous.

[JaraTo]

^ Very informative:D . Now, What hand placement/adjustments cause each type of track?

[Daorge]

Generally speaking, the higher your track the more forward roll and less axis rotation you have. Which is definitely an advantage when it comes to tougher lane conditions. Lower tracks tend to be more spinning in nature with more axis rotation. The bad part with that is the ball tends to skid more which can cause problems on tough conditions. The idea is to get the ball to read the lane. So the ability to alter your release to achieve this is very advantageous.

Completely agree, but I don't think one should have to adjust their track for lane conditions, just use a different ball / surface, other wise your release wouldn't be consistant if your track constantly changes from low to high.

Maybe im wrong, I know finger positions can play a part on axis rotation / revs / how much you come around the ball, but I don't see why you would want to change your track per lane conditions.

After all, aren't bowling balls drilled based on how you track the ball? isnt that also what helps determine a bowlers pap?

I see no advantage to being able to throw a low or high track at a whim. :confused:

[Daorge]

These articles are a good read on axis rotation / releases.

Learning New Releases Part 1 (http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip35.htm)
Learning New Releases Part 2 (http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip36.htm)
Learning New Releases Part 3 (http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip37.htm)
Learning New Releases Part 4 (http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip38.htm)

[JaraTo]

I'm actually glad you posted those. I went through a couple of those articles some time ago, and they were really helpful. Was a big help in me reducing my axis tilt.

[uberamd]

Yeah thanks for posting the articles, they are very informative. Ill be printing them out and taking them with me when I go to practice Saturday.

[TenPinSniper]

Let me see if I can add some insight.
Correct me if I'm wrong here, this is just how I understand it.
(There are or could be exceptions to somethings.)

Lower Track bowlers generally do not keep there fingers under equator.
(Lower Track PAP will be around 4 1/2" or less on the over from center of grip.)

The Medium and Higher Track Bowler will keep there hand under or below the equator of the ball.

The up and Down of the PAP can be change by changing Axis Tilt.

If you track near the thumb then you'll have a up coordinate on your PAP.

If you track near the fingers then you'll have a down coordinate on your PAP.

This is atleast how some of my changes effect my PAP.

When I had my PAP taken about a year ago (Injured Finger) I was around 4 1/2" and down about 1/2".

Now that I figured out what my problem was with my release, I'm around
5 1/4" and up 1/2"... I've been as far as 5 1/2" over from center of grip. This is probably where I was before that.


Per some of my last conversation with Brian, for my league conditions he recommended... and before the release changes. (Low Track.)

He recommended having a ball or two drilled 5 to 5 1/2" from PAP and stated with the added skid I'd like balls that had some surface. Basically duller equipment. (Hope this helps someone.)

[JaraTo]

Awesome, just the kinda info I was looking for.... :)

[Rowdy]

Completely agree, but I don't think one should have to adjust their track for lane conditions, just use a different ball / surface, other wise your release wouldn't be consistant if your track constantly changes from low to high.

Maybe im wrong, I know finger positions can play a part on axis rotation / revs / how much you come around the ball, but I don't see why you would want to change your track per lane conditions.

After all, aren't bowling balls drilled based on how you track the ball? isnt that also what helps determine a bowlers pap?

I see no advantage to being able to throw a low or high track at a whim. :confused:

No advantage? Not true,young Skywalker. Don't think of it as throwing a ball,think of it as rotating the core down the lane. Depending on whichaway you rotate that core is what will play a very large part on what the ball will do downlane. By changing the axis tilt you can make the ball stay on line longer when the lane starts to go away on you. It's not so much finger position as in which axies you keep the ball during the swing. If you watch the top of my backswing,my hand can either be to the left,right or top of the ball. Depends on what kind of downlane reaction I'm looking for.

[agroves]

Generally speaking, the higher your track the more forward roll and less axis rotation you have. Which is definitely an advantage when it comes to tougher lane conditions. Lower tracks tend to be more spinning in nature with more axis rotation. The bad part with that is the ball tends to skid more which can cause problems on tough conditions. The idea is to get the ball to read the lane. So the ability to alter your release to achieve this is very advantageous.

Do you mean axis rotation or axis tilt? You can have end over end roll with axis rotation, just not tilt. Just take a ball rolling dead end over end and turn it 90*.

Otherwise, I agree with your comments!

[Daorge]

No advantage? Not true,young Skywalker. Don't think of it as throwing a ball,think of it as rotating the core down the lane. Depending on whichaway you rotate that core is what will play a very large part on what the ball will do downlane. By changing the axis tilt you can make the ball stay on line longer when the lane starts to go away on you. It's not so much finger position as in which axies you keep the ball during the swing. If you watch the top of my backswing,my hand can either be to the left,right or top of the ball. Depends on what kind of downlane reaction I'm looking for.

If the ball is drilled for a low track and the bowler is constantly throwing a high track wouldnt the reaction be off compared to if they threw a low track?

I see what your saying by more hand position then finger, I tend to cock my wrist to either side or cup / uncup my wrist for different reactions, but I never really thought about the change of axis rotation / tilt by doing so. (And I believe I generally keep a medium track even with doing this, it might flare a bit more but my track doesnt change to high or low)

But still, wouldn't it be easier to adjust a ball surface to match up lane conditions then constantly adjusting from a low to high track?

[JaraTo]

I think Rowdy touched on this (complained) subject in another thread. Changing your hand position is much easier than resurfacing. As he put it, it really doesn't make any sense to adjust your ball surface everytime you go out just because there's different lane conditions. Are you really going to resurface your ball every other night if that situation came up? I'd rather improve my skill at the game and be able to adjust on the fly, then frantically resurfacing my ball between frames. It's a great idea to learn all facets of game.

[TenPinSniper]

If the ball is drilled for a low track and the bowler is constantly throwing a high track wouldnt the reaction be off compared to if they threw a low track?

I see what your saying by more hand position then finger, I tend to cock my wrist to either side or cup / uncup my wrist for different reactions, but I never really thought about the change of axis rotation / tilt by doing so. (And I believe I generally keep a medium track even with doing this, it might flare a bit more but my track doesnt change to high or low)

But still, wouldn't it be easier to adjust a ball surface to match up lane conditions then constantly adjusting from a low to high track?

If you keep your wrist in the same position all of the way through the follow you will change your PAP from cupped to uncupped and when you change the side to side you should get a different axis tilt.

I think Rowdy touched on this (complained) subject in another thread. Changing your hand position is much easier than resurfacing. As he put it, it really doesn't make any sense to adjust your ball surface everytime you go out just because there's different lane conditions. Are you really going to resurface your ball every other night if that situation came up? I'd rather improve my skill at the game and be able to adjust on the fly, then frantically resurfacing my ball between frames. It's a great idea to learn all facets of game.

Exactly, one other little tid bit, once bowling starts no surface changes are allowed.

[Rowdy]

I think Rowdy touched on this (complained) subject in another thread. Changing your hand position is much easier than resurfacing. As he put it, it really doesn't make any sense to adjust your ball surface everytime you go out just because there's different lane conditions. Are you really going to resurface your ball every other night if that situation came up? I'd rather improve my skill at the game and be able to adjust on the fly, then frantically resurfacing my ball between frames. It's a great idea to learn all facets of game.

It's called having a Plan B for when things ain't going your way that night. Particularly if you only bring one or two strike balls with you. It would beehoove you to learn different ways of throwing the same ball.

[JaraTo]

I should be careful. I'm starting to feel like I'm actually getting intelligent about this game.

[Rowdy]

Go bowling. You'll find out real fast how much you still have to learn. Happens to me all the time.

[JaraTo]

Knowledge and application are two different things of course. Ever notice that all the best coaches in sports were always the no name players who rode the bench?

[Rowdy]

Not so. Mike Ditka comes to mind. Winning a Super Bowl good enough? Billy Donovan who has coached the Florida Gators to back to back National Championships had an outstanding college career. Jim Zorn wasn't a slouch with the Seahawks as quarterback and he's the latest show pony in DC. Larry Bird coaching the Pacers? Doc Rivers with the Celtics? Bill Cowher with the Steelers? All had good careers before they moved to coaching.

[JaraTo]

(Note to self, think before you speak)

[Rowdy]

Hey,it's okay.:) Really.:) Group Hug Time!!