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Author Topic: Ball Speed  (Read 3876 times)

abcarr

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Ball Speed
« on: July 29, 2016, 08:54:36 AM »
I'm a little confused as to where ball speed should be measured in order to get an accurate estimation of your actual ball speed.  A year or so ago, using the crude stopwatch method (i.e. timing the ball from release to impact) my ball speed was right at 17mph.  Recently the house I've been bowling league in put in new equipment, which includes sensors down-lane (I'm guessing 10-15 feet in front of the pin deck)  that pick up ball speed.  According to those sensors, which I trust more than the stopwatch method, it says my ball speed is between high 15 to low 16 mph.  But then I've read stuff that says you should measure ball speed shortly after release because the ball will lose speed as it's going down-lane.  So which is more accurate?  Just curious.....

Thanks!!     
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themagician

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #1 on: July 29, 2016, 09:09:40 AM »
It really doesn't matter where it's measured, just that it's consistent.

I always prefer measuring ball speed in the first 15 feet, that way you aren't dealing with the slow down from friction/ball hooking downlane.

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spmcgivern

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #2 on: July 29, 2016, 09:14:01 AM »
The ideal ball speed measurement is from off the hand.  As soon as the ball hits the lane, friction will begin to slow it down.  Luckily, there is usually enough oil in the first 15-20 feet that the initial ball speed hasn't decreased significantly. 

One way to measure your ball speed is to video your release and use a frame by frame measurement of the ball's travel through the first 15 feet.  You will need to know how many frames per second your video camera uses to do this.  For example:

camera - 30 fps
ball travels 15 feet in 20 frames
that is 15 feet in (20/30) seconds or 22.5 feet/sec
22.5ft/s = 15.3 mph

As the ball goes down the lane, it will slow down.  The end of lane monitoring systems a lot of scoring systems use can show different speeds if the ball is thrown on dry or oily conditions.
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avabob

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #3 on: July 29, 2016, 11:34:57 AM »
It's been a few years since I did CATS but I was pretty consistent at 17.2 through the heads and around 13.5 at the back end.  Sensors in houses show me anywhere from 12 to 16 from pair to pair.  However they generally are consistent shot to shot so that is all I look at
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Necromancer

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #4 on: August 03, 2016, 01:59:23 PM »
I only have ball speed tracked in tournaments and my strike ball is always in the 20s.  My spare shot is probably 15-16 now.  Probable the opposite of most pros.  But I find nothing more embarrassing than seeing a bowler throw their spare at the 10 pin 25mph and completely missing the pin.  It just looks real bad for so many reasons.
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trash heap

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2016, 11:56:21 AM »
Quote from: themagician on July 29, 2016, 09:09:40 AM
I always prefer measuring ball speed in the first 15 feet, that way you aren't dealing with the slow down from friction/ball hooking downlane.

This is the only true measurement. Best option is to use a plastic ball to get the measurement. Just throw it like you would your strike ball. Sure it might go into the gutter but the goal is to get an accurate measurement of ball speed.

Same be stated for measuring Rev Rate,  Axis Rotation,  and Tilt. If you use a plastic ball your measurements are more accurate.
 


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2HANDSALLDAY

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2016, 02:37:26 AM »
Ball speed is the same as it has been for decades, before the resin. Too fast you will get missed pocket hits , too slow you get splits. When I use medium speed I'm fine.
I need to observe throwing too slow when I get bored upset or tired.
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avabob

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2016, 09:34:21 AM »
Actually, optimum ball speed has increased significantly over the years as the friction between ball and lane has increased. 
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2handedvolcano

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2016, 09:37:28 AM »
yes but sport pattern score has not increased from the extra friction, and talent has not increased
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avabob

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Re: Ball Speed
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2016, 12:44:49 PM »
Not sure what ball speed per se has to do with sport averages or talent.  Part of the reason scoring is lower on sport patterns is lack of friction outside where bowlers are accustomed to having it.   Ball speed has increased out of necessity due to high friction balls.  However it also becomes an advantage on sport patterns because it allows bowlers to play straighter without giving up rev rate and carrying power.  I would argue that top tier bowlers are much more talented today than years ago. 
« Last Edit: August 12, 2016, 12:47:40 PM by avabob »
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