One of the most important topics in bowling is axis tilt and axis rotation. Do you know about them enough? Don’t worry, if you don’t. I have seen bowlers being confused about axis tilt and axis rotation and they have a hard time differentiating these two different factors of bowling.
Today, I will solely focus on the axis tilt in bowling, why and how is it related to bowling. If you have tons of questions on your mind, you might wanna stick to the end. I will try to clarify this topic as much as I can. So why don’t you just stay tuned?
What is Axis Tilt in bowling ball?
When a bowling ball is in action, it revolves based on two planes. One is horizontal, and the other one is, of course, vertical. So which one indicates the Axis Tilt? Keep this short note in mind— Axis Tilt = Vertical
Simply put, axis tilt is the vertical angle that a bowling ball uses to rotate on the lane. In other words, it is the spin you put on your bowling ball. This is why axis tilt is often recognized as spin. The axis tilt of your bowling ball can be at any different angle. From 0° axis tilt to 10° or 20° or even 30° axis tilt pretty common to use. So yeah, it is basically the angle between the ball’s horizontal plane and its axis of rotation.
Know that axis tilt is not natural. It is created by the bowler in the ball release zone. When a particular angle of axis tilt is mentioned, it clearly indicates the vertical alignment of a bowler’s hand.
So how do you determine the axis tilt in bowling? It is measured based on the position of your thumb during the ball release. When your bowling hand turns a bit too early, your thumb is going to exit when it is on top of your ball. Some bowlers have a high axis tilt while others have a low one.
Most bowlers get their finger exits somewhere between 0° to 90°. Bowlers with a 45° Axis tilt see the fingers get out of their bowling ball at 4:30 during ball release. For left-handed bowlers, it will be at 7:30 at the ball release point. It is believed that the 45° axis tilt is the most versatile and common release position for bowlers.
Bowling ball axis tilt chart
| Axis Tilt | Description |
|---|---|
| 0° – 5° | Low Axis Tilt: This tilt is characterized by minimal side rotation of the ball. It provides a more direct path towards the pins, with less hook potential. |
| 6° – 15° | Medium Axis Tilt: This tilt offers a balanced amount of side rotation, providing a good combination of length and hook potential. It is commonly used by many bowlers. |
| 16° – 25° | High Axis Tilt: This tilt generates a significant amount of side rotation, resulting in increased hook potential. It is often preferred by advanced bowlers looking for a strong hooking motion. |
| 26°+ | Extreme Axis Tilt: This tilt exhibits maximum side rotation, creating a very aggressive hooking motion. It is typically used by professional bowlers or those aiming for extreme hooking potential. |
Please note that this chart is a general guideline, and the optimal axis tilt for a bowler may vary based on their individual style, lane conditions, and ball characteristics. It is recommended to consult with a certified coach or bowling professional for personalized advice.
How to increase axis tilt in bowling?
The degree of your axis tilt depends on the position of your hand at the ball release. Some hand positions increase the degree of axis tilt while others decrease it. If you turn your hand on the inside part of your ball, what do you think will happen to your axis tilt? This is when your axis will go up. By being inside and rotating to the outside, you can create a higher axis tilt. This will also manipulate your axis rotation but that’s a discussion for another day.
If you want to produce a higher axis tilt, don’t rotate your hand too much, keep it steady, and roll it off your hand with the axis tilt staying higher. Besides seeing less friction on the lane, bowlers with a high degree of axis tilt will also see the top of their bowling hand during the ball release as well as the follow-through phase.
The higher your axis tilt is the more you’re gonna rotate your hand on the outer right side. Your axis tilt going up means you’re going to push through the front a whole lot easier. When the axis tilt is high, your ball will go further down the lane and the ball is gonna react before it sees friction.
As your axis tilt goes up, less of the ball is covered in the oil. You will see the traction marks have started to get a little bit further away from the thumb and started to be a little smaller on the ball. Following this will enhance your axis tilt 17° or above. If you don’t want the tilt to be too high, keep it lower than 24°.
How to reduce axis tilt?
The lower the axis tilt, the less the ball spins, and the resultant path of the ball is narrowed. Most bowlers have axis tilt and it can be low, average, or high. The less the axis tilt, the more resultant hook you will see. For bowlers who have less axis tilt, their ball transitions into rolls faster. This is because they have to get their thumbs to exit at the bottom of the ball’s forward swing while it is minimizing the axis tilt.
If you want to reduce your axis tilt, you have to make some changes in your bowling hand position during the ball release phase. Right when you’re about to let the ball go, rotate your hand a little to the left and inside.
If you have an average tilt (12° – 16°) and that is too much for you, follow this method to achieve the low axis tilt (less than 11°). If you already have a high axis tilt (17° – 24°) and you wanna bring it down to the average range, you don’t have to rotate your bowling ball too inside.
What is negative axis tilt bowling?
Have you ever studied negative angles in geometry? The negative axis tilt is often known as the “reverse axis tilt”. When your bowling ball tilt toward you, instead of outside or away, you lower your axis tilt. When the angle of the axis tilt gets lower than 0°, we call it the negative axis tilt.
I have seen many two-handed bowlers with negative axis tilt. Because they don’t use their thumbs, it is easier to use the negative angle as long as the rev and speed are to the point. And what about their track? Bowlers with negative axis tilt tend to they tend to roll to the right of the thumb (applicable for right-handed bowlers). Sometimes they also roll between their fingers, or optionally, over the ring finger.
How does axis tilt affect bowling ball motion?
Axis tilt and its amount has a lot of effects on your bowling ball’s motion. Axis tilt is best known for promoting skid. The higher your axis tilt is, the later your bowling ball will transition into a roll, and vice versa when the axis tilt is low. High, average, and low axis tilt— each has its own advantages.
The bright side of having low axis tilt is that your bowling ball will turn too early. When you add a lower axis tilt to your ball, it requires longer drillings as well as a placement that is best for retaining that axis tilt. This will prevent your bowling ball lose its energy early so that it can hit the pins hard enough.
The advantage of average or low tilt is that more surface touches the bowling lane on each ball revolution. As a result, the bowling ball starts up a bit earlier and reacts much more smoothly. Oppositely, when the axis tilt is high, less surface touches the lane and this helps the ball to get down the lane easier.
The ball also tends to come off the spot harder. Unlike low axis tilt, high axis tilt will require shorter drillings. The higher your axis tilt you go, the later the ball will turn. This might be advantageous for bowlers with a very low ball speed.
Conclusion
There you go, folks! I believe you can understand what axis tilt in bowling is. I’ve included all the necessary information you need to acknowledge this topic better. If you have any more questions on your mind, go ahead, leave a comment, and add your queries. Don’t worry, I will answer all of you, one by one.
I will also help you by providing further instructions to increase or decrease your axis tilt in bowling. Till then, keep on practicing. With time and more detailed observation, you will be able to understand the axis tilt of bowling better. Good luck and see you later, my friends.
Passionate Bowler and Bowling Enthusiast
Jess Pinelli is a dedicated bowling enthusiast with a deep love for the sport that spans over 6 years. With numerous strikes, spares, and a few gutter balls under hes belt, he has honed his skills on lanes across the country. Pinelli’s journey in the world of bowling has been a remarkable one, from casual weekend games with friends to competitive league play and even a few local tournaments.
Driven by her passion for the game, Pinelli decided to channel her expertise and knowledge into the digital realm, becoming a prolific author on this bowling website. She’s your go-to source for everything bowling-related, from mastering the perfect hook to choosing the right bowling ball and even navigating the world of bowling etiquette.
When she’s not busy writing informative articles or reviewing the latest bowling gear, you’ll likely find Pinellis at her favorite local bowling alley, helping newcomers improve their game or enjoying some friendly competition with fellow bowlers. She firmly believes that bowling is not just a game but a community, and she’s committed to fostering that sense of camaraderie both online and offline.
