Author Topic: Spare Ball vs Backup Ball (Read 8681 times)

dmonroe814 · « **on:** February 05, 2012, 09:37:30 PM »

A couple of years ago, I began using a plastic ball for spares. Took a while to gain confidence with the plastic, but it seemed to work well with 10 pins. Began using it with other non sleeper spares. I have worked very hard with it and got to making about 95% of my spares. Recently watched an old Norm Duke video and he suggested a backup ball at right side spares. I tried it this week and was surprised. I am able to use my strike ball to pick up 10 pins and for the first time in a few years, I can consistently pick up the 3-10. Has anyone else tried to use the backup ball vs plastic to pick up spares? My spare shooting hasn't seemed to suffer much. Like with a plastic ball, I only miss when I lose focus, i.e. thinking about my first ball instead of my spare.

Old Man Still Learning

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batbowler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:30:43 AM »

I'm planning on going back to this so I don't waste a spot in my ball for a plastic ball. I use to always either roll a backup ball or just flatten the ball out for 10 pins and baby splits! Just my $.02, Bruce

Train a child up in the way they should go and when they are old they will do some "Damn Good Bowling", be a "DV8" and not turn from it, besides bowling starts with a Big B!

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dizzyfugu · « **Reply #2 on:** February 06, 2012, 08:55:09 AM »

It is IMHO much the same as doing cross-lane corners either with a straight polyester ball shot or your strike ball. The polyester ball (and also hard shots with a reactive and a flattened hand for no hook) has the advantage that it takes the oil out of the equation. Does the ball find friction? Do you have a feel for the lane part yopu have to play for that corner shot? How do you feel yourself, what's the method you feel most confident with?

For the back-up ball on the playing hand's side of the lane its is much the same - PLUS the fact that you need some extra training for this release.

In the end, what ever works and makes you feel good while doing it is fine, but from the "theoretical" perspective I'd personally still promote the straight (dead) shot. I can see the benefit for the 3-10, though, through the bigger angle. But I am not certain if this is evened out by the hazards of mid-lane oil puddles?

DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
2010/11 Benrather BC Club Champion
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Edited by dizzyfugu on 06.02.2012 at 10:01 AM

littlegreycat · « **Reply #3 on:** February 06, 2012, 09:32:17 AM »

I will throw the backup at the corner if the pins are moot. I have watched enough people fail at the backup once they go from ths to a pba/heavy pattern. Once they can't even get to the corner 10 they try to slow it down, spin it more, and still nothing or miss into the gutter. I promise the straight pickup is the right way to do it.

As for using a spare ball or strike ball. I put my index and pinky straight in line with my middle fingers instead of in a wide v when throwing a strike this really cuts down on my spin. The other part is not turning the forarm.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #4 on:** February 06, 2012, 12:03:30 PM »

I think the intent is not to have a BIG hooking back-up ball, but a "slight" back-up ball. Yes, for most, a plastic spare ball will be the best option. These are used so a bowler doesn't have to change his normal release much and still be able to take a straight line to the spare.

Using a back-up ball (just enough to have a slight move to the right) will allow the bowler to increase his 3-6-10 spares. If one becomes efficient enough, then he can use this method for all spares on the right hand side (opposite for lefties). Main thing is you do not want your spare shot to be traveling right-to-left when shooting the 3-6-10. Having the ball go through the spare traveling left-to-right will increase this spare conversion. And this type of shot can be accomplished with either a polyester spare ball or your strike ball.

I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com

Steven · « **Reply #5 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:14:55 PM »

+1 to dizzy.....

The whole point of using plastic is to take friction out of the equation. Your house shot might be predictable enough to throw a backup ball at right side spares, but you'll generally be lost on Sport/PBA patterns.

dizzyfugu wrote on 2/6/2012 9:55 AM:
It is IMHO much the same as doing cross-lane corners either with a straight polyester ball shot or your strike ball. The polyester ball (and also hard shots with a reactive and a flattened hand for no hook) has the advantage that it takes the oil out of the equation.

dmonroe814 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 06, 2012, 01:29:32 PM »

Yes, my best efforts at a backup only seem to go straight. On dry conditions, even my plastic was hooking away from the 10-pin and I had an almost impossible time making the 3-10. My best effort at the 3-10 was to push reset.

spmcgivern wrote on 2/6/2012 1:03 PM:
I think the intent is not to have a BIG hooking back-up ball, but a "slight" back-up ball. Yes, for most, a plastic spare ball will be the best option. These are used so a bowler doesn't have to change his normal release much and still be able to take a straight line to the spare.

Using a back-up ball (just enough to have a slight move to the right) will allow the bowler to increase his 3-6-10 spares. If one becomes efficient enough, then he can use this method for all spares on the right hand side (opposite for lefties). Main thing is you do not want your spare shot to be traveling right-to-left when shooting the 3-6-10. Having the ball go through the spare traveling left-to-right will increase this spare conversion. And this type of shot can be accomplished with either a polyester spare ball or your strike ball.

I am not a pro-bowler, but I do play one on BallReviews.com

Old Man Still Learning

300x4 800x3 (High 814x2)

Hi Avg 218 Cur Ave 214

Tweener-Cranker (Reactive)

Heavy: Storm VG Nano 4000AB Pol / C300 World Beater Pol

Medium: C300 Outburst Pol / C300 Game Pearl

Light: C300 Scout Reactive / Brunswich Avalanche Pearl

aussiedave · « **Reply #7 on:** February 07, 2012, 05:25:47 PM »

A few things - 1/. plastic balls are generally inexpensive. 2/. you can go lighter on the spare plastic ball conserving energy (you don't need a 15, 16 pounder to knock over a few pins) 3/. you can be confident that the ball isn't going to take off suddenly due to spotty oil conditions.

All adds up to a plus for me.

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Aloarjr810 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 07, 2012, 07:51:45 PM »

This might not be a big consideration, but by using a spare ball you reduce the wear and tear and the amount of oil absorbed on your strike ball.

Aloarjr810
----------
Click For My Grip

dmonroe814 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2012, 08:02:37 AM »

I have decided to keep up with the straight to slight backup on the right side spares. The only time I miss spares is when I am not focused on them and miss my mark. That is the same results I had with the plastic. A straight ball is a straight ball no matter whether if it is plastic or reactive. Thanks to everybody for your input.

Old Man Still Learning

300x4 800x3 (High 814x2)

Hi Avg 218 Cur Ave 214

Tweener-Cranker (Reactive)

Heavy: Storm VG Nano 4000AB Pol / C300 World Beater Pol

Medium: C300 Outburst Pol / C300 Game Pearl

Light: C300 Scout Reactive / Brunswich Avalanche Pearl

Author Topic: Spare Ball vs Backup Ball (Read 8681 times)

dmonroe814

Spare Ball vs Backup Ball

batbowler

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dizzyfugu

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littlegreycat

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spmcgivern

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Steven

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dmonroe814

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aussiedave

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Aloarjr810

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dmonroe814

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