Complete Bowling Notes

What is a pocket

Strike pocket or strike zone, the space between the 1 and 3 pins for a right hand bowler or 1 and 2 pins for a left-handed bowler (also called a target)

What is the approach?

The approach is a 15-foot-long, usually raised section of maple wood that the bowler walks on while delivering the ball. The approach has locator dots, embedded in the wood that help the bowler begin their delivery in the same location relative to the pins.

What four segments make up the bowling area?

The approach, the lane, the pin deck, and the pit area

What is the third step in the four step approach?

The ball reaches its highest point in the backswing as the third step concludes. Remember to let the weight of the ball do most of the work. Do not force the arm swing; let it be a natural motion, and maintian foot contact with the floor. Because your body is leaning orward it will cuase an acceleration of movement.

What is the ideal ball position?

The ball should be supported in your left hand as you insert the fingers of your right hand nto the ball first, followed by the thumb at the 12 o'clock position if you're going to bowl a straight ball (or the 0 o'clock position for a hook ball). Hold the ball directly in front of your with your elbow at about a 90-degree angle for a straight ball, or off to the right for a hook ball.

What is the ideal starting position?

You'll begin your approach standing around four and a half steps (at a normal walk) from the foul line. The half step will allow for a slide on the fourth step as you deliver the ball beyond the foul line. On approach, you'll notice two lines of dots that you can use to position yourself without having to measure your paces each time you step up to bowl.

What is the ideal stance?

Your stance should allow for freedom of movement and maintain proper balance. Once you have determined your starting position, place the left foot slightly forward of the right. Your feet should be parallel, aimed down the lane. Shift your weight to the ball of your left foot (since you step with your right). Flex knees

What is a key pin

the key pin is the pin that is likely to bring the remaining pins (for a spare) down - in a 2 pin leave (corner 6 & 10 pins), the key pin is the closest pin to the bowler - in a 3 pin leave, it is the middle pin. in a 1-2-8 leave, the key pin is the 2 pin - for a baby split, the key pin is the missing pin between the remaining pins. For example, in 4-5 leave, the key pin the 2 pin even though it's not standing. - for true split there is no key pin, and frankly, you're unlikely to pick up the spare, but there are ways maximize your changes by using angles, impact velocity, and the sides of the bowling alley.

What is the delivery phase in bowling?

the proceess by which the ball is released into a roll. - Face straight ahead, keeping your shoulders square as you deliver the ball and as you follow through - Balance yourself at the foul line. You should not have to move either foot to regain balance as you complete your slide

What is a strike

All pins are knocked down on the first ball

What is a spare

All pins are knocked down with two balls

Name of bowling organizations?

American Bowling Congress, American Junior Bowling Congress, National Bowling Congress (USBC, current governing body in the US)

History of Bowling

Bowling has an interesting and widespread history. It's not a new sport. In fact, it may be one of the world's oldest sports. Its origins date back to ancient times. In the 1930s, a British anthropologist found relics in an Egyptian grave that resembled the items required for a game of bowling—evidence that the sport existed around 3200 BC. Several millennia later (around 1360 AD), King Edward III of England allegedly banned his troops from some form of bowling to keep them focused on archery practice.1Even in modern times, bowling hasn't always been a family pastime. Watch this short video for a very brief overview of bowling in America.

What is a curve ball?

Similir to the hook ball but taken a step further is the curve ball. The path of the curve balll causes the ball to roll out toward the edge of the lane and then curve back in a wide, sweeping arc toward the center of the lane. This delivery is usually more difficult to control than either the hook or the straight ball and is not recommended. The curve ball generates plenty of pin aciton, but because the ball moves so much laterally, it is hard to maintain speed down the lane. The method of release is the same as the hook ball except the thumb position should be 9 o'clock and the stance on the approach should be moved to the center or slightly left of the center.

What is pin deflection

Pins are knocked into other pins. The ball can't physically hit every pin, so pin deflecting is necessary to bowl a strike

What is a hook ball?

this is a more advanced technique that can increase pin action via a changed angle of impact. To bowl a hook ball, the thumb position needs to be left of the 12 o'clock position at the point of release. If your thumb is near the 11 o'clock, the hook will be very limited whearas the 10 o'clock position produeces more hook. The ball is released with the thumb firt s(again, at the 10 o'clock position), followed a split second later by the figners. This imparts an inward rotation, as well as a forward roll resulting in a skidding action before the forward and sideways roll takes place.

When was the American Bowling Congress?

In 1895

what is the four step approach?

It is a fundamental move that works no matter which type of ball you would like to throw. - It is important for you to start slowly and to accelerated as you reach the second, third, and fourth steps. - Coordination of hand and feet must be practiced consistently in order for you to achieve consistency and accuracy in your delivery - The hands and feet must get to the foul line together to avoid inconsistency and lofting the ball or fouling. - Each step of the approach should increase in length

What is ideal bowling etiquette?

- Keep your street shoes and other personal belongings out of the way. It's usually best to keep personal belongings tucked under a chair so that no one trips on them and they don't get lost. - Wear bowling shoes on the approach. Street shoes, and the dirt and rocks they often carry, can be really bad for the approach's finish. Wearing clean bowling shoes helps protect the floors and keep the bowling alley nice for everyone who bowls after you. - Select a ball from the storage racks. You want to find a well-fitting ball, but don't interrupt other people's games to check their ball returns unless you are absolutely sure there are no suitable balls on the storage racks. And even then, be very respectful if you need to ask another group about house balls in their return that they may not need. - Don't disrupt another group's game. If, for any reason, you need to talk to another group, wait for a pause in the action. - When two people on adjacent lanes are ready to bowl at the same time, the person on the right has the right-of-way. Let them bowl without the distraction of you beginning your approach in the middle of theirs. - Bowl your own ball. If for any reason you'd like to borrow someone else's ball for a throw, ask them first to make sure it's okay. - Do not loft the ball. Although a lofted ball is unlikely to damage the lane, the loud thump of the ball can be very distracting to other bowlers. - After delivering the ball, walk back and step off the approach to wait for your ball at the ball return, not at the foul line. Staying on the lane can throw off or distract adjacent bowlers. - Stay in your own approach before, during, and after all deliveries. You don't want to obstruct other people who are trying to bowl. - Always show consideration for others.

What equipment do you need for bowling?

- bowling shoes - bowling ball (the heavier the better)

What ball should I choose?

- choose the heaviest ball you are strong enough to control the ball - check the hole-size, thumb should be able to slide in and out. Insert thum into hol and rotate it clockwise/counterclockwise, friction should be minimal. - check span (how close the thumb hole is drilled to the other two). To check that the ball fits your hand, lift a ball, insert the relevant fingers, and if you are able to insert a pencil between the ball and palm of your hand, the span is good.

What is the semi-fingertip grip?

- fingers are inserted to midway between the first and second joints. - the semi-fingertip has a span between the conventional and fingertip grips and is used by bowlers to increase the lift capabilities as the ball is released. - it attempts to combine the accuracy of the conventional and the hooking action of the fingertip grips-the accuracy of the conventional and the hooking action of the fingertip grip. - it is a rather uncomfortable grip for many bowlers and is not highly recommended.

What is the fingertip grip?

- it has the largest span and is used mainly by highly skilled bowlers to achieve a good hook. - because of the long span, the bowler is able to spin the ball better than with a conventional grip. - in this grip, the fingers are inserted to the first joint

What is a conventional grip?

- the most common grip used in bowling - used by 90% of the bowling population, so most house balls are drilled for this grip. - in this grip, the fingers are inserted to the second join, and it uses the shortest span of any of the three grips we'll talk about this course. - it is also the easiest to control. - it is perhaps the most accurate for a straight ball, but it is not well-suited for throwing a hook ball

What is spot bowling?

- the pins are about 60 feet away, so it is prudent to use the arrows (15 ft away) as aiming tools to hit specific pins

How many people practice bowling?

50 million people

What is the fourth step in the four step approach?

The fourth step, which is more of a slide, begins as your arm swings back toward your target. As the slide begins, the arm passes the right side of the body and the ball swings down then out towards the pins. You;ll allow your thumb to release the ball, followed by your fingers. Your left foot should slide straight ahead. If your slidign foot turns. It usually means that your apprach was to fast, resulting in throwing the ball instead of solling it. Remember to bend the knee on the side, stay balanced, keep your shoulders square, and follow through by bringing your arm up toward you right ear. A good release will release in teh ball rollling and contacting the floor 6 to 18 inches beyond the foul line.

What is the lane?

The lane is the area beyond the approach, specifically beyond the foul line. It's a long strip of wood, 41.5 inches wide and sixty feet from the foul line to the headpin, with gutters on either side.

What is the pin deck?

The pin deck is the area of the lane where the pins are set in a specific pattern that you can see in the image above. To each side of the pin deck is a parition called a kickback, which helps contain the pins and gives greater pin action

What is a leave?

The pins remaining after the first ball is rolled in a frame

What is the pit?

The pit is the area located behind and below the pin deck in order to cath the pins and return the ball back through the ball return.

What is the second step in the four step approach?

The second step continues automatically without much thought. The ball continues through the pendlum swing as your supporting hand leaves the ball and moves out to the left side for balancing purposes. Your body continues to bend lower, and your shoulders should remain square as you focus on the target. It is important that you keep your wrist firm and straight throughout the approach.

What is the first step in the four step approach?

To begin the four-step approach, you push the ball out from where you were holding it, allowing it to begin swinging like a pendulum down and back (note that the ball will continue down during the second step). The momentum of the push away will lightly pull your body forward. With your weight on your left foot, you;ll naturaly step forward with your right foot as the ball swings down. You'll maintain a slight bend forward at the hip throughout the rest of the approach. Remember to walk slowly and keep your eyes on your target, and keep your feet in contact with the floor through shuffling.

How to pick up the bowling ball?

When picking up the ball from the rack, face the pins, and place your hands on either side of the ball. That way, if another ball is being returned while you are in this process, your fingers won't be in the way. Life the ball with both hands rather than planting your fingers in the finger holes and lifting it. It's a small difference, but over the course of several games, it can really help you avoid fatigue in your bowling arm.

What is a straight ball?

to bowl a straight ball, you;ll make a straight pendulum swing back and forward during the approach. Early in the approach, your left hand acts as a stabilizer but does not follow the ball through its pendulum swing. Throughout the delivery, keep your thumb in the 12 o' clock position and your right hand under the ball. At the end of the pendulum swing, the ball is released with your thumb pointing upward, followed by the fingers as the ball is lifted out and up over the foul line. The palm of your hand faces the pins on the release, and your wrist is striaght and firm throughout the delivery. No spin or twist should be placed on the ball as your hand follows the through upward with the thumb leading towards the right ear, pointing at your target.