A successful bowler will create a certain amount of spin on the ball as they deliver it, and this spin interacts with the land conditions to create a specific path along the lane to the pins. It is useful to be able to calculate the amount of ball spin.
It is easy to determine the amount of ball spin (revolutions) you obtain after your release. You need to place a piece of white tape above your finger holes on the ball. Then roll your normal shot down the lane. There are two methods to count the number of revolutions, the second is more accurate.
- Method 1: Have another person watch and count the number of times the tape rotates around the ball until the ball hits the pins.
- Method 2: If you have a video camera it can be done more accurately. Record a few deliveries, then watch the deliveries in (in slow motion if possible) on a screen.