Author Topic: Freearm Swing and Ball Speed (Read 2299 times)

ccrider · « **on:** September 17, 2008, 10:22:54 AM »

I have come to the conclusion that free arm swing is overrated. I have struggled trying to keep my armswing totally free with the end result being that my ball speed averages around 13.5 mph when my swing is totally free.

I do not have a naturally high backswing, and the only way to increase the speed and keep the swing "free" is to increase the height of my starting position and my backswing.

On the other hand, if I put some muscle, from my shoulder joint, into the swing, my speed goes up to 15 mph, without suffering a significant loss in accuracy and my average jumps from 165 to about 195, due to the increase in carry and the ability to get by with missing a little inside or outside with the increased speed on THS.

My brother pointed out to me that most of the guys that finesse the ball do it because they are not able to go to a power game. He has argued to me for months that I am naturally athletic, bench press 80 pounds over my weight, and that there is no reason for me to finesse the ball down the lane at 13 mph. Plus, he says it looks unnatural for me.

I have concluded that he is close to being right. He pointed out that WRW, and Chris Barnes for sure do not have a free arm swing.

Just my thoughts. I do know that for me, on a THS, I can easily average 15 pins per game higher by simply throwing the ball with a little power. I am going to work on increasing my ball speed to see where the point of diminishing returns are.

BTW, I started this season with a freearm swing and bowled an impressive 455 three game series the first week. Last week, I shot a 598 series, with a 50 pin handicap.I had a 40 pin handicap last night and shot 215, 144, 205. The 144 game resulted from me refusing to put my kinetic down the second game, and going to a ball to get through the heads, they were dryyyyy.

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ccrider · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2008, 10:21:16 AM »

quote:
Like "not gripping the ball" with your fingers, a "free armswing" in not really a misnomer, but more of an unerstanding that there will always be some degree of the use of the shoulder muscles in the armswing.

The problem has always been that many people use ONLY the shoulder muscles and a LOT of that, to control the ball and the placement of the ball into (not "onto") the lane.

Again, like using a relaxed grip and not "squeezing" the ball, it's all matter of relativiity. For a brick layer, yes, you shouldn't "squeeze" the ball. FOr most of the rest of us humans, a certain amount of gripping force is necessary to hold onto and to release the ball properly. In the same way, a certain amount of muscle is necessary to have enough ball speed. Good ball speed is a necessity in today's game.

Everything is relative.
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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CharlesT

That is the point that I evidently missed somewhere along the way. I took "free" and "pendulum" to mean just that. However, as you say, there is some degree of muscle used. You it the nail on the head as far as I am concerned.

The same for "gripping" the ball. I have concluded that some amount of pressure is best for me, although if my thumb fits perfectly, I can bowl without applying any pressure whatsoever. The problem is that my thumb seems to change sizes from day to day, and even during a session.

Author Topic: Freearm Swing and Ball Speed (Read 2299 times)

ccrider

Freearm Swing and Ball Speed

ccrider

Re: Freearm Swing and Ball Speed