Ball-selection tips for elite players
December 11, 2009
By Kim Terrell-Kearney
USBC Coaching Specialist
How many times have you seen this happen?: In the middle of a TV match with thousands of dollars and a title on the line, a PBA pro changes balls, changes lines and packs the pocket for a thunderous strike that shifts the momentum of the match.
If you are a fan of the PBA Tour, you've seen this many times throughout the years. How do they do it? It's all about knowing your arsenal.
Having a versatile arsenal of bowling balls is not enough; in order to be successful, you need to know exactly how, when and where to use every ball in it. The only way to do that is to become your very own ball-reaction expert.
In order to do so, dedicate practice time to learning each and every one of your bowling balls inside and out. You need to know how much oil they can handle, what shot shape they offer and how each one compares to its counterparts. Once you have all that figured out, try experimenting with different surface preparation on each ball, and go through the process again.
Remember, making a ball change doesn't have to be guesswork. Get to know your arsenal on the practice lanes, and you'll develop the ability to know exactly what ball you need in any situation. That's how the pros do it; now, you can do it, too!
USBC Coaching Specialist
How many times have you seen this happen?: In the middle of a TV match with thousands of dollars and a title on the line, a PBA pro changes balls, changes lines and packs the pocket for a thunderous strike that shifts the momentum of the match.
If you are a fan of the PBA Tour, you've seen this many times throughout the years. How do they do it? It's all about knowing your arsenal.
Having a versatile arsenal of bowling balls is not enough; in order to be successful, you need to know exactly how, when and where to use every ball in it. The only way to do that is to become your very own ball-reaction expert.
In order to do so, dedicate practice time to learning each and every one of your bowling balls inside and out. You need to know how much oil they can handle, what shot shape they offer and how each one compares to its counterparts. Once you have all that figured out, try experimenting with different surface preparation on each ball, and go through the process again.
Remember, making a ball change doesn't have to be guesswork. Get to know your arsenal on the practice lanes, and you'll develop the ability to know exactly what ball you need in any situation. That's how the pros do it; now, you can do it, too!