Bowling Tips on Ball Rotation

While many beginners throw a ball that rolls straight at the pins, advanced bowlers throw the ball with a rotation that causes it to bend when thrown. Throwing a ball with this curving angle allows the ball to hit the pins at the best angle, increasing the chances of scoring a strike.

  1. Basics

    • A ball thrown with a rotational curve allows the ball to strike the pins from an angle that would otherwise not be possible, as it is too sharp. The object of a curving throw is the bend the ball in from the side so that it strikes in the pocket between the lead pin and the second row pin on the side the ball is curving in from.

    Ball Selection

    • It is important to have a ball which matches you, and that you can control and throw with consistency. Playing with a ball that is too light will result in it being difficult to get the momentum needed for strikes, while a ball that is too heavy will be hard to control. If you are used to playing with straight throws, a slightly lighter ball is often ideal for a rotating throw.

    Release

    • As the ball is brought down and rolled (never thrown), the thumb should be the first finger pulled out of its hole. As the ball is leaving your hand, flick your wrist upward so that the two fingers still in the ball put a sideways rotation on the ball as it is leaving your hand, which will lead to the break.

    Practice

    • The key to effectively using a rotation throw is to be able to consistently make the same throw, as well as understanding how to adjust the amount of spin as needed. Practice with the ball is important as it allows you to get the feel for how to adjust the spin, and to build the muscle memory required for repeating a throw with minimal deviation.

    Adjusting to Oil

    • Every lane is oiled differently, and variances can even occur between other lanes at the same alley. The more oil that is on a lane, the less a ball will break when thrown; this requires either more rotation be applied or the ball be thrown less to the outside. With a less-oiled lane the ball will have more traction, causing it to break harder and requiring less spin be put on the ball at the time of release.