What This Adjustment Is (Plain English)
Speeding up in bowling does not mean throwing the ball as hard as you can.
It means increasing ball speed just enough to delay when the ball encounters friction. The goal isn’t power — it’s timing. You’re trying to help the ball stay in the oil longer so it doesn’t read the lane too early.
Done correctly, it feels controlled and smooth, not rushed or forced.
What Problem It’s Meant to Solve
Speeding up is mainly used to combat early hook.
Common signs you might need it:
- The ball hooks too soon and crosses high
- Shots that look good off your hand still jump early
- The ball uses up energy before it reaches the pins
If you keep moving left and still see high hits, speed can be a cleaner solution than chasing oil.
What It Changes in Ball Motion
Adding speed changes when the ball transitions, not how much it hooks.
Typical ball motion changes include:
- A later hook phase
- Less total hook
- More energy retained downlane
Instead of rolling early and bleeding energy, the ball stays stable longer and saves motion for the pins.
When This Adjustment Works Best
Speeding up in bowling works best when friction is the main issue.
Good situations include:
- High-friction lane surfaces
- Fresh breakdown, especially when the fronts go quickly
- House shots where the ball jumps hard once it finds dry
If the lane is hooking early but still has shape downlane, speed can buy you time without forcing bigger moves.
When It Usually Fails
There are conditions where speed just makes things worse.
Speeding up struggles on:
- Longer oil patterns, where the ball already has trouble slowing down
- Carrydown, where the ball needs help reading the lane
- Lower-volume backends that require shape to carry
If the ball starts skidding too far and missing the spot entirely, speed isn’t the right answer.
Common Mistakes Bowlers Make
This is one of the most misused adjustments in bowling.
Rushing the feet
Many bowlers try to create speed by speeding up their approach, but not moving forwards or backwards. That usually kills timing and consistency.
Instead, typically moving back on the approach and taking bigger quicker steps helps your swing speed up and fall in line with your feet.
Muscling the swing
Forcing the downswing adds tension and often reduces accuracy.
Losing balance at the line
If you can’t hold your finish, you’ve added speed the wrong way.
Safe Ways to Add Speed
Speed should come from efficiency, not effort.
Try cues like:
- “Longer swing, not faster swing”
- “Relax the arm and let it fall”
- “Quicker tempo, slightly quicker through the bottom”
Even a small increase — half a mile per hour — can be enough to change ball reaction without sacrificing control.
When Speeding up in bowling Isn’t the Answer
If you’re seeing:
- Weak hits or flat corners
- The ball skidding past the breakpoint
- Loss of carry even on good shots
…it’s time to abandon speed as the primary adjustment.
At that point, better options may be:
- Taking hand out of the ball
- Slowing ball speed down
- Switching to a stronger or earlier ball
- Moving your eyes instead of your feet
Speed is a powerful tool, but only when friction is the real problem. When it’s not, forcing speed usually creates more issues than it solves.