Making Adjustments: Observing the Roll Phase

Watching your ball’s motion while in the finish position is paramount for collecting information on how the lanes play. In this Premium Video, Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, demonstrates what to look for while observing the roll phase and how it will guide you through your next adjustment.

Ball Motion

There are three phases a ball goes through as it travels down the lane: skid, hook, and roll. In this video, we are focusing on the roll phase, but if you are unfamiliar with the three phases of ball motion we encourage you to watch “Breaking Down Bowling Ball Motion” before watching this video.

The roll phase happens in the last 15 feet on the lane. The bowling ball hits the breakpoint and straightens out, heading towards the pocket. Once the bowling ball makes its motion towards the pocket, it eventually runs out of energy and it is rolling at its slowest speed with the least amount of axis rotation.

The bowling ball must be in a roll when it hits the pins. This gives you the least amount of pin deflection, resulting in more strikes.

Proper Roll Phase

When the bowling ball is properly in the roll phase, you will see the bowling ball hit the 1, 3, 5, 8, and 9 pins.

Ball Deflects

An example of the bowling ball not being in the roll phase properly is when the bowling ball deflects when it hits the pocket. The ball will hit the 1, 3, 5 & 9 pins, missing the 8-pin. Moving two boards right with your feet on the approach and one board right with your target will get you back into the proper roll phase.

Ball Drives Too Hard

Another example of the bowling ball not being in the roll phase properly is when it drives too hard when it hits the pocket or goes through the nose. The ball will hit the 1, 3, 5 & 8 pins, missing the 9-pin. Moving two boards left with your feet on the approach and one board left with your target should get you back into a proper roll phase.

If the ball drives really hard through the nose or even crosses over, sometimes moving four boards left with your feet and two boards left with your eyes can be required to get your back into the proper roll phase. Remember, none of this is possible to observe if you do not hold your finish position, aka post your shot. Hold that position until the ball goes through the pins and falls off the pin deck.