BY MICHELLE MULLEN
I often see bowlers misread what is happening on the lane. Let’s say that the ball is not finishing on the back end. A somewhat logical response is to try to “hook” the ball more to ensure that it finishes. Some bowlers try to lift more, while others try to turn it more. In either case, these fixes usually exacerbate the problem.
The problem is that the ball is not grabbing soon enough. A full appreciation of this aspect of ball motion requires understanding of side roll. When you turn the ball, yes, it has more potential to hook later down the lane. This is because side roll stores energy, which delays hook. However, if reaction is delayed too long, the ball will run out of time to hook. This is especially true if you are bowling on heavier oil.
On oilier conditions, the ball naturally slides. Creating more side roll will only further delay the hook. On oily conditions, you need to get the ball to hook sooner, which means staying behind the ball longer to create more forward roll. Forward roll grabs sooner, while side turn creates more length.
When this is the case, do not make the mistake of trying to turn it more to get it to hook more on the back end. Instead, stay behind the ball longer to create more forward roll to get it to grab sooner. This is a case where more turn does not always create more hook.
On sport patterns, you will typically miss the pocket light when the ball does not hook soon
enough in the mid lane. It might appear as though your ball is not hooking enough on the back end. However, it is more likely the ball is not hooking early enough to change direction sooner in order to make its way earlier toward the pocket.
So, be careful about trying to “put more on it” or, at least, understand how to go about it. It is important to understand that you are not always trying to do more to the ball. Rather, you are trying to create an effective roll with good technique, not force. Good ball roll with sound lane play strategy is a formula for success. Developing a strong roll does not mean…