Veritasium - How to bowl perfectly
The video explains that hitting the headpin square on is not the optimal strategy for achieving a strike in bowling. Instead, aiming for the center of the ball to hit just to one side of the headpin, specifically at board 17 and a half, increases the likelihood of knocking down all the pins. This approach allows the ball to take out the 1, 3, 5, and 9 pins, which in turn help to knock down the remaining pins. The video emphasizes that the pins' shape and the way they roll can aid in achieving a strike. To have over a 90% chance of getting a strike, the ball must hit with an error smaller than half a board, which is challenging given the distance and precision required.
The video further explains that hitting the pins at a 6° angle significantly increases the chances of a strike. This angle allows for a greater margin of error, as the ball can come in anywhere from board 17 to 18 and a half. However, achieving this angle by throwing the ball straight is impractical, as it would require bowling from an adjacent lane. Therefore, the solution is to curve the ball within the lane to achieve the desired angle and increase the chances of a strike.
Key Points:
- Hitting the headpin square on is not ideal for strikes.
- Aim for the ball to hit just to one side of the headpin.
- A 6° angle increases strike chances significantly.
- Achieving a strike requires hitting with less than half a board error.
- Curving the ball is necessary to achieve the optimal angle.
Details:
1. 🎳 The Headpin Strategy Dilemma
- Hitting the headpin square on is not the perfect strategy.
- Going straight for the headpin is unlikely to knock down all the pins.
- You could end up with a split if the ball goes through the middle.
- The ball may deflect off to one side after hitting the headpin.
- Alternative strategies involve aiming for the pocket between the 1 and 3 pins or the 1 and 2 pins depending on the bowler's dominant hand.
- Approaching from an angle increases the likelihood of a strike by creating a domino effect among the pins.
- The curve ball technique can be used to hit the pocket effectively, enhancing pin action and strike probability.
2. 🎯 Optimal Pin Hitting Strategy
- Strike probability increases significantly when the ball's center impacts the pins slightly to the side of the head pin.
- Positioning the ball to hit at board 17.5 maximizes the chance of taking out the 1, 3, 5, and 9 pins.
- This setup facilitates a chain reaction that effectively clears all pins, leading to a strike.
3. 🔄 Pin Dynamics and Strike Probability
- To maximize strike probability, the optimal ball path should involve hitting the one pin first, followed by the three and five pins, and continuing to the eight and nine pins. This sequence is designed to create a domino effect, increasing the likelihood of all pins being knocked down.
- The shape of the pins, which is slightly egg-like, plays a crucial role in their dynamic movements. This shape allows the pins to roll more effectively, enhancing the chances of them hitting other pins and thus increasing the overall strike probability.
4. 🎯 The Precision Required for Strikes
- To achieve over a 90% chance of getting a strike, the center of the bowling ball must hit with an error smaller than half a board.
- Throwing a ball 60 feet at a target smaller than a dime is extremely difficult, especially with consistency.
- The target gap between the head pin and the three pin is narrow, but as the ball hooks more, the space becomes considerably wider.
5. 🌀 The Challenge of Bowling Angles
- Achieving a 6° angle when hitting the pins significantly increases the probability of a strike due to optimal pin action.
- This angle provides a larger margin for error, allowing the ball to approach from board 17 to 18.5, thus improving accuracy.
- To achieve the optimal 6° angle, bowlers need to use a curve from one lane, as a straight approach is impractical due to lane constraints.
- The 6° angle is preferred because it maximizes the deflection of pins, leading to better strike rates.
- Attempting this angle directly would require positioning from 3/4 over on the next lane, which is not feasible.