Bowling Ball Motion Articles

Bowling ball motion is an incredibly fascinating and complex topic. There are so many factors that contribute to how your ball behaves on its trip from the foul line to the pins that it can be mind boggling to keep it all straight!

Bowlers who take the time to study the intricacies of ball motion absolutely, without any question at all, have an advantage over their less educated counterparts in today's modern game. Ball motion knowledge can help you make better lane play decisions that will help you maximize your scoring potential. It's one of our sports "soft skills," if you will.

Do you understand how your delivery style contributes to your ball's behavior? If you increase your rev rate, for example, do you know how and why that affects your ball's motion? Do you understand how bowling ball surface adjustments will affect your ball's motion? Do you understand the basics of how different oil patterns favor different types of ball motion shapes?

These are just a few of the topics that our contributors regularly focus on. Study their articles and apply their knowledge to your game so the next time you're confronted with a tough ball motion situation in your next tournament, you'll be better equipped to make the right decision!

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"I often get ask when participating in Pro Am events what is the place to go for coaching, technical bowling information, or generally how to improve knowledge of the game. I always point them towards BTM, as the knowledge I have learned from BTM's authors and coaches have helped me improve and take my game to a much higher level, including a PBA regional title! Topics from the physical game, to lane play, to ball motion and the mental approach are all covered. It is a must for all serious bowlers who want to improve and continue learning more about the sport we love."

- Stephen Haas (bowler, PBA regional champion, and Bowling This Month subscriber)

Featured Bowling Ball Motion Articles

2024-02-Coach-Question-Header

In this recurring feature, I answer questions from Bowling This Month readers. If you have questions, please leave them in the comment section below so I can address them in a future installment of Coach, I’ve Got a Question! When is the...

2024-Jan-Coach-Question-Header

In this recurring feature, I answer questions from Bowling This Month readers. If you have questions, please leave them in the comment section below so I can address them in a future installment of Coach, I’ve Got a Question! I recently changed...

Strategic differences between rollers and turners

low-rev-rate-series-header-part-2

In the first article of this series, we discussed the different kinds of lower rev rate bowlers, and we started by analyzing the speed-dominant "gunner" style. For this installment, we'll talk about the "roller" and the "turner" styles. Remember from...

Why it's not just about pattern length

Strategies-for-Getting-Lined-Up

As I was traveling to Spokane for the second stop of the PWBA season, I was reminiscing about my previous experience bowling at the host center, Lilac Lanes and Casino. The last time the PWBA competed in Spokane was in 2021....

2023-June-Coach-Question-Header

In this recurring feature, I answer questions from Bowling This Month readers. If you have questions, please leave them in the comment section below so I can address them in a future installment of Coach, I’ve Got a Question! I have...

Bowling Ball Motion Article Directory

The table below lists all of our bowling ball motion articles.

You can sort this table by clicking on the header row of any column. Also, you can filter the data in the table by entering a search term in the search box below.

IssueArticle TitleAuthor
Coach, I've Got a Question! - February 2024
Coach, I've Got a Question! - January 2024
Making the Most of a Low Rev Rate - Part 2
Strategies for Getting Lined Up
Coach, I've Got a Question! - June 2023
Bowling Tech Tips - Part 1
Improving Lane Play Skills - Part 4
Coach, I've Got a Question! - April 2023
Coach, I've Got a Question! - March 2023
Improving Lane Play Skills - Part 2
Coach, I've Got a Question! - January 2023
Using Urethane Effectively
Dealing With Lane Topography
Coach, I've Got a Question! - October 2022
Coach, I've Got a Question! - May 2022
Core Versus Cover
Which Ball to Throw and When
Keeping It Simple: Ball Surface
The Face of a Center
Bowling's Golden Rules - Part 2
Tips for the Weekend Warrior - Part 1
A Guide to Managing Ball Surface
An Introduction to Axis Rotation and Axis Tilt
Life After Balance Holes
The Effect of Static Imbalance on Bowling Ball Performance
The Layout Effect: Myth or Magic? and
Some Random Thoughts on Pin Carry
See the Clues, Make the Moves
Pin-to-PAP Distance and Its Effect on Bowling Ball Motion
Welcome Back to the Sport of Bowling - Part 2
The Seven Common Problems That Can Hurt Your Bowling Scores
Some Thoughts on Bowling Ball Surface Wear and Lane Oils
Bowling Ball Balance Hole Fundamentals
Tournament Lane Play Preparation
Ball Motion Gap Analysis
What's Your Shot Shape?
Is Big Hook Really Necessary?
Matching Ball Motion Shape to Breakpoint Zones
I Just Wanna Bowl!
Shape Shifting
Understanding Bowler Delivery Parameters
El Dorado and El Diablo
Demonstrating Ball Motion
Seven Misconceptions
Recognizing and Producing the Matching Up Process
The Ledge
The Art of Unlearning
Resistance: The Other 25%