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Author Topic: Rotation for a tall bowler  (Read 3277 times)

700Virgin

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Rotation for a tall bowler
« on: January 18, 2008, 03:54:39 AM »
Someone, whom I respect a great deal, told me the other day that because I am so tall (6'5") and have such a wide span (5+incheas), I will always have difficulty getting a lot of rotation on the ball.  I have NEVER been able to throw a ball like they do in the videos, and play a lot like WRW does, mainly down and in.  What do you BR folks think??

 

Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2008, 11:57:33 AM »
There's nothing wrong with playing down and in!  I am curious though why being tall and having a big span means you can't rotate the ball.  I would be interested for someone to explain that.
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Edited on 1/18/2008 12:57 PM

Phoneman

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2008, 12:00:19 PM »
I would think the opposite.  The bigger the span the greater the revs.  Looks at Big Wes Malott he is close to 6'5" and revs the heck out of the ball.  Most of the larger span bowlers I know put a ton of revs ont he ball.

Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2008, 12:03:37 PM »
I know someone who has a pretty freakishly large span and he can rev the ball up more than anyone I know.  In fact I remember the first lesson I ever got the coach told me that because my hands were big I would have an easier time getting around the ball or something to that effect.


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Tom Cruise has officially reached Michael Jackson status.

crankncrash

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2008, 12:17:47 PM »
IMO with a larger span you naturally have more leverage, but you also have to get the ball off of your hand, so if you can cleanly release the ball, you don't have to worry about it.  But if you struggle to get rid of the ball due to flexibility, then you might have more of a problem.  Other than that, no reason you can't do it.

Krumpy300

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2008, 12:25:04 PM »
I am 6'5" and get a better than average amount of revs on the ball. Has everything to do with timing and leverage and very little to do with the size of your hand.

Do whatever works best for YOU and what you feel you can repeat over and over. If you are consistent going down and in, then that is fine.
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Repetition is everything..

c-hop

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2008, 03:14:00 PM »
im 6'4 and span is 5 1/2 almost and i have never had any trouble of getting revs on the ball im prob in the upper 300 lower 400 rpms
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Chris

DON DRAPER

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2008, 05:28:51 PM »
pba hall of famer steve cook is 6'7" and had no trouble getting plenty of rotation on the ball.

al_g

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2008, 07:24:40 PM »
Our college team had a guy who was 6'5" 300 lbs with a 5+ inch span. When he wanted to get on the ball I'd say he was close to Robert Smith in revs and could throw it harder. It was amazing to watch but he knew that didn't score for him in most situations. Most of the time he was trying to back off the ball but he still had more revs and speed than 90% of bowlers.

You can find bowlers of any height, weight and body type that can hook the lane or play straigher. Do what's best for you.

700Virgin

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2008, 08:32:12 PM »
Thanks for the comments everyone.  Keep in mind he was talking about 'generalities' and there will be exceptions to every rule, I understand that.  He mentioned Wes Malott.  I am very square at the line.  He talked about how others will walk from right to left and open their shoulders at the line to generate more rotation.  I told him I have always been square at the line because that's how I was taught 30+ years ago before 'hooking' was the rage.

I 'think' I do ok playing going down and in, I'm just looking for something to get over the hump.  Last year my league high average was 206.  This year I'm in the 2-teens.  I have had 2 289s, several 278-279s, shot 12+ in a row a couple times (over 2 games), but NEVER had an honor score of any type.  Ten pin in the third on Wednesday cost me a 300.  My high series are 771 and 767, but even if I converted the spares I missed I still would not have had an 800.  It took a long time to get my first 700, and they have come more often since then.  I feel like Phil Mickelson when everyone said he could never win a major.  Not to hijack my own thread, but what did you finally do to get over the hump???

T-GOD

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2008, 09:48:42 PM »
I agree with everyone here, the longer your span, the easier it is to rev it up. It seems as though your average is increasing gradually, so you're doing something right.

As far as honor scores, they will come..!!

It's more mental than physical. Keep plugging along and don't get upset when you don't complete a game. If the same thing keeps happening as to why you're not finishing the game out, try to figure out what it is. Then you can fix it and end with a different result the next time..!! Good Luck. =:^D

apocalyptic_rabbit

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2008, 05:44:40 PM »
Check the youtube.com link in my profile,

never had any problems getting it spinning, span is 5-3/8 on each finger (cut to cut )

and i'm 6 1
--------------------
In The Bag: http://www.putfile.com/rabbit69ca
Storm:
     Paradigm, Tropical, Special Agent, T-Road Pearl
Lane 1:
     Cobalt Bomb
Ebonite
     V2 Strong
Brunswick:
     Target Zone  
This is our Paradigm

700Virgin

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2008, 06:16:34 PM »
I throw my ball like that...maybe I'm saying this wrong...I mean the ability to stand left, throw it out to the 5 board, turn the corner hard, and come back (like they show on the charts).  When I try to throw like that, it goes out to the right and never has enough turn to come back...

quote:
Check the youtube.com link in my profile,

never had any problems getting it spinning, span is 5-3/8 on each finger (cut to cut )

and i'm 6 1
--------------------
In The Bag: http://www.putfile.com/rabbit69ca
Storm:
     Paradigm, Tropical, Special Agent, T-Road Pearl
Lane 1:
     Cobalt Bomb
Ebonite
     V2 Strong
Brunswick:
     Target Zone  
This is our Paradigm


dizzyfugu

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Re: Rotation for a tall bowler
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2008, 03:11:58 AM »
Then you might try to cut down the speed, or you twist your wrist too much, so that the ball rather skids than rolls, and therefore has less recovery.

I know what you mean - but just as someone stated before: do not expect to play well on every area of the lane, or at least without training. Sometimes the lane calls for such a deep shot, e. g. when you have an oil tongue in the middle and lots of dry or buffed area closer to the gutter. If your lane has a flatter pattern, oiled up to the gutter, noone will hardly be able to swing the shots.

So, as a mental comfort: know your limits, and know when the lane puts up limits, too. Work on expanding them, but do not expect wonders over night
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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