By Balaji B
Bowling, like any other sport, has a set of DO'S and DON'TS that must be followed so that all can enjoy the game. The rules are based on common sense, and express courtesy and good sportsmanship.
Here are ten of the most important ones:
*** DO yield the 'right of way' When two bowlers are on adjacent lanes, and simultaneously ready to bowl, the bowler on the right delivers first. The other bowler ought to remainoff or to the rear of the approach area. This rule doesn't apply if the bowler on the left is shooting for a spare.
*** DON'T take a practice swing with your bowling ball on the concourse or behind the approach. Wait until you are upon the approach itself before doing any practice exercises.
*** DO be ready when it's your turn to bowl. Remain in your lane area while your teammates are bowling, don't wander off.
*** DON'T use an excessive amount of body gyrations at the foul line after delivering the ball. Confine your body 'English' to your own lane.
*** DO bowl immediately when it is your turn. Once you have your ball, assume your stance and start your delivery, it isn't necessary to wait for lanes on either side of you to be cleared before you bowl, just observe the 'right of way' rule.
*** DON'T bring food or drink into the settee or bowlers area, a drop of liquid or any type of foreign substance spilled on the approach could cause a slip and serious injury.
*** DO wait until you have completed the frame before checking your score. Don't come back to the scorekeeper after the first ball has been rolled.
*** DON'T bench jockey while others are bowling. Friendly bantering is an accepted part of the sport, but don't overdo it. Be a good competitor.
*** DO return your bowling shoes to the counter control desk after bowling, and if you've borrowed a 'house ball' return it to the storage rack.
*** DON'T linger at the foul line after releasing the ball. As soon as your ball hits the pins return to your seat.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Etiquette
Monday 25 August 2008
Sunday 24 August 2008
* Bowling Etiquette
By Mike Kolar
What is “Bowling Etiquette”?
“Bowling Etiquette” is how you handle yourself on the lanes. In a nutshell, it is the proper (unwritten law) way to bowl. I have put together a list of things you should do and things you shouldn’t during your league play (or even during your open play), and more importantly why…
DO…
Give the bowlers on the lanes next to you (i.e. if you are on lane 4, the bowlers on lane 5 and lane 6) the right of way. What does this mean? Before getting on the approach to begin your bowling shot, you must pay attention to the lanes next to you. If someone is already on the approach on the lane on either side of you, you should wait. It is especially irritating to the seasoned bowler, if he/she is on the approach beginning their shot and you run up and throw your ball.
DON’T…
Talk to bowlers while they are in the process of making a shot. Some bowlers will even say that you shouldn’t talk to them between the 1st and 2nd balls in a frame. It is important that a bowler has every opportunity to concentrate on what he/she is doing when they are bowling. Once the frame is complete, talk away…
DO…
Be polite. Don’t antagonize the other bowlers on your pair of lanes. Everybody deserves to have a good time bowling and there is no place for pestering and insulting other bowlers in bowling. If someone does well, slap their hand (this is a regular practice amongst regular bowlers), if they don’t (i.e. they throw a split), offer condolences by tapping their fist with yours.
DON’T…
Use another bowler’s equipment without asking. This kind of goes without saying, but other’s equipment can be very important to them. This rule applies to everything from balls and bags to towels and hand cleaner. Nowadays a lot of the equipment that bowlers use to bowl is pretty expensive as well. A lot of bowling balls go for more than $250.
DO…
Keep your hands out of the ball return and stay behind the foul line (the line where the gutters start). It is dangerous to put your hand in the ball return, there are moving parts in there. The lane has been oiled (at some point) beyond the foul line. If you go across the line, the oil will get on your shoes and you will track it back on the approach, not to mention that you may slip and fall.
DON’T…
Take the bowling alley’s equipment (shoes and balls). They need this equipment for the next bowler coming in behind you. If you take their equipment, they have to replace it. If enough people do this, the price goes up and this causes everybody pain.
DO…
Enjoy your bowling. Don’t let anybody take away from you having fun! The game is supposed to be fun and if you get to worried about what is going on, it can make you bowl worse (see my article on Attitude).
DON’T…
Forget to pay for your bowling. This is a cardinal sin. The bowling alley relies on your paying for your bowling. A lot of bowling alleys have gone to having you give them one shoe when you get your shoes so that you won’t leave without paying.
If you follow these general rules of bowling etiquette, the people that you are bowling with and the establishment that you are bowling at will enjoy having you around. Please be courteous when you bowl and follow all of the rules of etiquette to your best ability.
Keep bowling and having fun!
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Dimensions
What is “Bowling Etiquette”?
“Bowling Etiquette” is how you handle yourself on the lanes. In a nutshell, it is the proper (unwritten law) way to bowl. I have put together a list of things you should do and things you shouldn’t during your league play (or even during your open play), and more importantly why…
DO…
Give the bowlers on the lanes next to you (i.e. if you are on lane 4, the bowlers on lane 5 and lane 6) the right of way. What does this mean? Before getting on the approach to begin your bowling shot, you must pay attention to the lanes next to you. If someone is already on the approach on the lane on either side of you, you should wait. It is especially irritating to the seasoned bowler, if he/she is on the approach beginning their shot and you run up and throw your ball.
DON’T…
Talk to bowlers while they are in the process of making a shot. Some bowlers will even say that you shouldn’t talk to them between the 1st and 2nd balls in a frame. It is important that a bowler has every opportunity to concentrate on what he/she is doing when they are bowling. Once the frame is complete, talk away…
DO…
Be polite. Don’t antagonize the other bowlers on your pair of lanes. Everybody deserves to have a good time bowling and there is no place for pestering and insulting other bowlers in bowling. If someone does well, slap their hand (this is a regular practice amongst regular bowlers), if they don’t (i.e. they throw a split), offer condolences by tapping their fist with yours.
DON’T…
Use another bowler’s equipment without asking. This kind of goes without saying, but other’s equipment can be very important to them. This rule applies to everything from balls and bags to towels and hand cleaner. Nowadays a lot of the equipment that bowlers use to bowl is pretty expensive as well. A lot of bowling balls go for more than $250.
DO…
Keep your hands out of the ball return and stay behind the foul line (the line where the gutters start). It is dangerous to put your hand in the ball return, there are moving parts in there. The lane has been oiled (at some point) beyond the foul line. If you go across the line, the oil will get on your shoes and you will track it back on the approach, not to mention that you may slip and fall.
DON’T…
Take the bowling alley’s equipment (shoes and balls). They need this equipment for the next bowler coming in behind you. If you take their equipment, they have to replace it. If enough people do this, the price goes up and this causes everybody pain.
DO…
Enjoy your bowling. Don’t let anybody take away from you having fun! The game is supposed to be fun and if you get to worried about what is going on, it can make you bowl worse (see my article on Attitude).
DON’T…
Forget to pay for your bowling. This is a cardinal sin. The bowling alley relies on your paying for your bowling. A lot of bowling alleys have gone to having you give them one shoe when you get your shoes so that you won’t leave without paying.
If you follow these general rules of bowling etiquette, the people that you are bowling with and the establishment that you are bowling at will enjoy having you around. Please be courteous when you bowl and follow all of the rules of etiquette to your best ability.
Keep bowling and having fun!
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Dimensions
Saturday 23 August 2008
* Bowling Dimensions
Lane Dimensions
The bowling lane is 60 feet (18.28 metres) from the foul line to the head pin (1-pin). About fifteen feet (4.57 metres) from the foul line are a set of guide arrows. The lane is 3.5 feet (1.07 m) wide and normally consists of 39 wooden boards or a synthetic material. The bowling lane has two sets of approach dots; from the foul line back to the first set of approach dots is about 12 feet (3.65 metres) and to the second set of approach dots is about 15 feet (4.57 m) (an additional 3 feet/0.91 m).
Pin Dimensions
USBC rules specify that a pin must be 15 inches (38.1 cm) tall and about 4.7 inches (11.4 cm) wide at the "belly" of the pin, where a rolling ball would make contact. There are additional measurements which delineate the shape. The weight of a single pinmust be at least 3 pounds, 4 ounces (1.47 kg) and no more than 3 pounds, 10 ounces (1.64 kg). Within a set of ten pins, the individual weights may vary by no more than 4 ounces (113.4 g), if made from wood or plastic cloated, or just 2 ounces (56.7 g) if synthetic. The pins must show the name and mark of the maker, "USBC Approved", and appear uniform.
Ball Regulations
For competition bowling, a ball must be made of a completely solid material and its weight must be distributed evenly. The circumference of the ball must not be more than 2.25 feet (0.686 m), and the ball cannot weigh more than 16 pounds (7.26 kg). The ball must have a smooth surface over its entire circumference except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, identification letters and numbers, and general wear from normal use.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Basic Rules
The bowling lane is 60 feet (18.28 metres) from the foul line to the head pin (1-pin). About fifteen feet (4.57 metres) from the foul line are a set of guide arrows. The lane is 3.5 feet (1.07 m) wide and normally consists of 39 wooden boards or a synthetic material. The bowling lane has two sets of approach dots; from the foul line back to the first set of approach dots is about 12 feet (3.65 metres) and to the second set of approach dots is about 15 feet (4.57 m) (an additional 3 feet/0.91 m).
Pin Dimensions
USBC rules specify that a pin must be 15 inches (38.1 cm) tall and about 4.7 inches (11.4 cm) wide at the "belly" of the pin, where a rolling ball would make contact. There are additional measurements which delineate the shape. The weight of a single pinmust be at least 3 pounds, 4 ounces (1.47 kg) and no more than 3 pounds, 10 ounces (1.64 kg). Within a set of ten pins, the individual weights may vary by no more than 4 ounces (113.4 g), if made from wood or plastic cloated, or just 2 ounces (56.7 g) if synthetic. The pins must show the name and mark of the maker, "USBC Approved", and appear uniform.
Ball Regulations
For competition bowling, a ball must be made of a completely solid material and its weight must be distributed evenly. The circumference of the ball must not be more than 2.25 feet (0.686 m), and the ball cannot weigh more than 16 pounds (7.26 kg). The ball must have a smooth surface over its entire circumference except for holes or indentations used for gripping the ball, identification letters and numbers, and general wear from normal use.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Basic Rules
Friday 22 August 2008
* Bowling Basic Rules
by Michael Russell
A game of bowling consists of 10 frames. The goal is to knock down all ten pins on the first shot, earning a strike. If the bowler fails to knock down all ten pins on the first shot, they take a second shot. If the bowler knocks down all of the pins after this second shot, he or she earns a spare. In the 10th, and last frame, a bowler who gets a strike on his or her first shot gets to throw two additional balls. A bowler who gets a spare in the 10th frame gets to throw one additional ball.
If a bowler earns a strike on the first ball, it is scored as ten, plus the count the bowler achieves on the next two balls. For example, if a bowler earns a strike in the first three frames, the bowler will earn 10 pins for the first shot, plus ten more for each of the additional strikes, yielding a score of 30 for the first frame.
When a bowler gets a spare, he or she gets 10 pins, plus the score on the next ball. For example, if a bowler gets a spare in the first frame, and then knocks down 9 pins on the first ball of the second frame, he or she would receive ten pins for the spare, plus nine, yielding a first frame score of 19.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Balls
A game of bowling consists of 10 frames. The goal is to knock down all ten pins on the first shot, earning a strike. If the bowler fails to knock down all ten pins on the first shot, they take a second shot. If the bowler knocks down all of the pins after this second shot, he or she earns a spare. In the 10th, and last frame, a bowler who gets a strike on his or her first shot gets to throw two additional balls. A bowler who gets a spare in the 10th frame gets to throw one additional ball.
If a bowler earns a strike on the first ball, it is scored as ten, plus the count the bowler achieves on the next two balls. For example, if a bowler earns a strike in the first three frames, the bowler will earn 10 pins for the first shot, plus ten more for each of the additional strikes, yielding a score of 30 for the first frame.
When a bowler gets a spare, he or she gets 10 pins, plus the score on the next ball. For example, if a bowler gets a spare in the first frame, and then knocks down 9 pins on the first ball of the second frame, he or she would receive ten pins for the spare, plus nine, yielding a first frame score of 19.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Balls
Thursday 21 August 2008
* Bowling Balls
By Chris Miller
Bowling balls are available with a wide range of options. Such options as coverstock, weight block, top weight, and pin location to name a few. With so many variables, how do you choose the right one for you? Many factors, should be considered when making a decision on your next bowling ball purchase.
Let’s briefly breakdown what each of the above mentioned terms mean in reference to bowling balls.
-Coverstock is essentially to outer surface of the bowling ball that creates the shell. Typically, the coverstock can either be dull or shiny on a bowling ball.
-A weight block is the core of the bowling ball. Depending on the shape and density of the weight block, it can influence the reaction of the bowling ball.
-Top weight is the core variation within the bowling ball. If the core is higher in the ball, it produces a higher top weight. If the core is lower, then the bowling ball will have a lower top weight.
-Pin location simply designates the location of the top of the weight block in a bowling ball.
These definitions simply apply to the bowling ball itself. What factors not related to the make/model of the bowling ball? For this we are referring to factors such as your bowling game itself. Things such as ball speed, track flare, axis tilt, etc all play an important role in bowling. Each person has their own unique way of bowling. Knowing your game and style will make it easier for you to make the proper selection when buying a new bowling ball.
Below is a brief breakdown of a few key definitions.
-Ball Speed is simply the speed at which you roll your bowling ball. Many of the newer scoring systems measure the speed of your bowling ball. However, not all are 100% accurate, but it can give you a general idea of what the speed is.
-Track flare is the “oil rings” that appear on your bowling ball after you throw it. These rings show the progression of the rotation of your ball as it is rolling down the lane and the ball changing its axis of rotation while seeking its preferred spin axis.
-Axis tilt is the angle of rotation of the bowling ball.
Depending on your style and lane conditions, making the right decision can be tricky at times. The easiest and best way to decide which bowling ball is right for you is to visit your local bowling pro shop. Many pro shop owners have been around the game of bowling for quite some time. With their knowledge and experience, as well as watching you bowl, they can give you strong recommendations on which bowling ball will suit your game.
However, not every bowling center has an on-site pro shop. Luckily the internet provides a plethora of information regarding bowling balls. Many of the manufacturer sites provide in depth analysis of reactions and characteristics and even a few videos with the bowling balls in action. Customer reviews found on various bowling ball message forums can also provide real life insight as to what a particular bowling ball can do on certain lane conditions. There are even a few retail sites that provide bowling ball reviews, which are customer reviews for various products.
As you can see the internet can be an excellent resource in helping you determine which bowling balls will take your game to the next level.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Ball Benefits & Features
Bowling balls are available with a wide range of options. Such options as coverstock, weight block, top weight, and pin location to name a few. With so many variables, how do you choose the right one for you? Many factors, should be considered when making a decision on your next bowling ball purchase.
Let’s briefly breakdown what each of the above mentioned terms mean in reference to bowling balls.
-Coverstock is essentially to outer surface of the bowling ball that creates the shell. Typically, the coverstock can either be dull or shiny on a bowling ball.
-A weight block is the core of the bowling ball. Depending on the shape and density of the weight block, it can influence the reaction of the bowling ball.
-Top weight is the core variation within the bowling ball. If the core is higher in the ball, it produces a higher top weight. If the core is lower, then the bowling ball will have a lower top weight.
-Pin location simply designates the location of the top of the weight block in a bowling ball.
These definitions simply apply to the bowling ball itself. What factors not related to the make/model of the bowling ball? For this we are referring to factors such as your bowling game itself. Things such as ball speed, track flare, axis tilt, etc all play an important role in bowling. Each person has their own unique way of bowling. Knowing your game and style will make it easier for you to make the proper selection when buying a new bowling ball.
Below is a brief breakdown of a few key definitions.
-Ball Speed is simply the speed at which you roll your bowling ball. Many of the newer scoring systems measure the speed of your bowling ball. However, not all are 100% accurate, but it can give you a general idea of what the speed is.
-Track flare is the “oil rings” that appear on your bowling ball after you throw it. These rings show the progression of the rotation of your ball as it is rolling down the lane and the ball changing its axis of rotation while seeking its preferred spin axis.
-Axis tilt is the angle of rotation of the bowling ball.
Depending on your style and lane conditions, making the right decision can be tricky at times. The easiest and best way to decide which bowling ball is right for you is to visit your local bowling pro shop. Many pro shop owners have been around the game of bowling for quite some time. With their knowledge and experience, as well as watching you bowl, they can give you strong recommendations on which bowling ball will suit your game.
However, not every bowling center has an on-site pro shop. Luckily the internet provides a plethora of information regarding bowling balls. Many of the manufacturer sites provide in depth analysis of reactions and characteristics and even a few videos with the bowling balls in action. Customer reviews found on various bowling ball message forums can also provide real life insight as to what a particular bowling ball can do on certain lane conditions. There are even a few retail sites that provide bowling ball reviews, which are customer reviews for various products.
As you can see the internet can be an excellent resource in helping you determine which bowling balls will take your game to the next level.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Ball Benefits & Features
Monday 18 August 2008
* Bowling Ball Benefits & Features
by Michael Russell
Bowling balls can be made of rubber, plastic or urethane. Serious bowler can order a custom made ball instead of always borrowing or renting one from the bowling alley.
Since balls are made of different materials, the performance of each varies depending on the floor surface. Bowling balls can be ordered in different weights. They range from 12 to 16 pounds and will work for any bowler, regardless of gender or age.
The Brunswick Scorchin Inferno bowling ball is a good example. This high performance model is an upgrade from the Ultimate Inferno and has proven to be one of the best sellers in the companys inventory. Its cover stock is the Activator Max and performs best when used in a lane that requires heavy oil.
Another good ball is the Columbia Action Packed Bowling Ball. This high performance ball does well and works best under medium lane conditions. Its cover stock is the M80^2 and is guaranteed to do well for the player who likes to make strikes.
The elite R43 bowling ball is one that can work in light or heavy oil conditions. Manufactures claim that the weight block, which is the energy transfer core of this ball, will increase the chances of putting more pins down than any other ball because it delays the transfer of energy until the point of impact.
Proper care must be taken to ensure the bowling ball is in tip top condition at all times. This means it should not be dropped which could cause damage to the ball and injure the people around.
The ball should be kept at room temperature and stored in a bag when it is not being used to prevent stress. The owner should polish it from time to time or take it to the pro shop to be refinished.
The customized bowling ball should only be used by the owner. This is because the holes were measured only to fit the fingers of the user and not anyone else. Letting someone else use it may injure the borrower. There are many bowling balls to choose from and the price of them range from $100 to $300. They come in many colors and designs which will stand out in the bowling alley. By looking at the conditions of the bowling alley, the bowler will find the right ball to get the job done.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Ball - Your Key To A Great Game
Bowling balls can be made of rubber, plastic or urethane. Serious bowler can order a custom made ball instead of always borrowing or renting one from the bowling alley.
Since balls are made of different materials, the performance of each varies depending on the floor surface. Bowling balls can be ordered in different weights. They range from 12 to 16 pounds and will work for any bowler, regardless of gender or age.
The Brunswick Scorchin Inferno bowling ball is a good example. This high performance model is an upgrade from the Ultimate Inferno and has proven to be one of the best sellers in the companys inventory. Its cover stock is the Activator Max and performs best when used in a lane that requires heavy oil.
Another good ball is the Columbia Action Packed Bowling Ball. This high performance ball does well and works best under medium lane conditions. Its cover stock is the M80^2 and is guaranteed to do well for the player who likes to make strikes.
The elite R43 bowling ball is one that can work in light or heavy oil conditions. Manufactures claim that the weight block, which is the energy transfer core of this ball, will increase the chances of putting more pins down than any other ball because it delays the transfer of energy until the point of impact.
Proper care must be taken to ensure the bowling ball is in tip top condition at all times. This means it should not be dropped which could cause damage to the ball and injure the people around.
The ball should be kept at room temperature and stored in a bag when it is not being used to prevent stress. The owner should polish it from time to time or take it to the pro shop to be refinished.
The customized bowling ball should only be used by the owner. This is because the holes were measured only to fit the fingers of the user and not anyone else. Letting someone else use it may injure the borrower. There are many bowling balls to choose from and the price of them range from $100 to $300. They come in many colors and designs which will stand out in the bowling alley. By looking at the conditions of the bowling alley, the bowler will find the right ball to get the job done.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Ball - Your Key To A Great Game
Saturday 16 August 2008
* Bowling Ball - Your Key To A Great Game
By Michael Russell
Having a good bowling ball is the equivalent of having the right key to your car. You can't use someone else's car key to drive your own car can you? I didn't think so. The same goes for the game of bowling - it's better to have a ball that suits you than using a ball that is too heavy or too light.
But I'm not going to scorn you for choosing the wrong ball. It's common. So lets go over the basics of finding a good ball at the bowling alley.
The most important thing to remember in choosing your ball is to use a ball that suits your physical condition. Don't try to be superman or superwoman and go and pick up the heaviest ball, resulting in you throwing out your back or your wrist, I've seen it happen too many times.
Adult males generally choose balls between 14 - 16 pounds and adult females usually choose balls between 10 - 14 pounds and kids should always choose ball ranging from 6 - 14 pounds. But I still must say regardless of whether you're male or female, if these weights are still too heavy for you, choose a lighter ball. I know beginners who are well into their thirties that use balls between 6 - 14 pounds, to master the technique first. I suggest you do the same if the above weight is too heavy for you.
Choosing The Proper Ball Fit
How to choose the proper ball thumbhole size: It's very simple, insert you thumb into the bowling ball's thumbhole and if there is little room when you press to the other side of the hole, you've got a perfect fit. When I say this, I don't mean go and get a ball with a thumbhole that is too tight, because it is extremely dangerous. Also remember don't get a ball with a thumbhole that is too loose for your thumb. Don't hesitate to pick up another ball if the hole is too tight or too lose.
Selecting A Customized Ball
If you're someone who bowls often, it is in your best interest to stop using balls at the bowling alley and go out and get your own. Buying your own bowling shoes as well is best. You can't be the best if you're renting can you?
Some helpful hints in choosing a custom ball
- When you go out and get your ball also pick up a pair of your own shoes and you must get a bag for your ball as well.
- To get the most accurate span measurement make sure you exercise your hand before being fitted for a ball.
- If you suffer from arthritis, tell the operator of the pro shop so the ball can be altered according to your needs.
How To Buy A Used Bowling Ball
Used bowling balls are much cheaper than new ones and it may be best for those who don't bowl often but still don't want to use the ones down at the lanes. You can head on down to your local pro shop and pick up a used bowling ball and they may also have other bowlers who'll be willing to trade balls with you. It is not uncommon for team mates on a bowling team to trade balls with one another. As startling as it may be, used balls are better than new ones, but make sure if you buy a used ball that the surface is in good condition, without deep cracks and scratches. Never choose a ball that has a damaged cover or sounds hollow when tapped with a solid object.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Alleys
Having a good bowling ball is the equivalent of having the right key to your car. You can't use someone else's car key to drive your own car can you? I didn't think so. The same goes for the game of bowling - it's better to have a ball that suits you than using a ball that is too heavy or too light.
But I'm not going to scorn you for choosing the wrong ball. It's common. So lets go over the basics of finding a good ball at the bowling alley.
The most important thing to remember in choosing your ball is to use a ball that suits your physical condition. Don't try to be superman or superwoman and go and pick up the heaviest ball, resulting in you throwing out your back or your wrist, I've seen it happen too many times.
Adult males generally choose balls between 14 - 16 pounds and adult females usually choose balls between 10 - 14 pounds and kids should always choose ball ranging from 6 - 14 pounds. But I still must say regardless of whether you're male or female, if these weights are still too heavy for you, choose a lighter ball. I know beginners who are well into their thirties that use balls between 6 - 14 pounds, to master the technique first. I suggest you do the same if the above weight is too heavy for you.
Choosing The Proper Ball Fit
How to choose the proper ball thumbhole size: It's very simple, insert you thumb into the bowling ball's thumbhole and if there is little room when you press to the other side of the hole, you've got a perfect fit. When I say this, I don't mean go and get a ball with a thumbhole that is too tight, because it is extremely dangerous. Also remember don't get a ball with a thumbhole that is too loose for your thumb. Don't hesitate to pick up another ball if the hole is too tight or too lose.
Selecting A Customized Ball
If you're someone who bowls often, it is in your best interest to stop using balls at the bowling alley and go out and get your own. Buying your own bowling shoes as well is best. You can't be the best if you're renting can you?
Some helpful hints in choosing a custom ball
- When you go out and get your ball also pick up a pair of your own shoes and you must get a bag for your ball as well.
- To get the most accurate span measurement make sure you exercise your hand before being fitted for a ball.
- If you suffer from arthritis, tell the operator of the pro shop so the ball can be altered according to your needs.
How To Buy A Used Bowling Ball
Used bowling balls are much cheaper than new ones and it may be best for those who don't bowl often but still don't want to use the ones down at the lanes. You can head on down to your local pro shop and pick up a used bowling ball and they may also have other bowlers who'll be willing to trade balls with you. It is not uncommon for team mates on a bowling team to trade balls with one another. As startling as it may be, used balls are better than new ones, but make sure if you buy a used ball that the surface is in good condition, without deep cracks and scratches. Never choose a ball that has a damaged cover or sounds hollow when tapped with a solid object.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling Alleys
Friday 15 August 2008
* Bowling Alleys
“Bowling Alley”, “Bowling Center”, “The Bowl” and “House” are used interchangeably to describe the building where bowling takes place. Bowling alleys are usually comprised of many lanes (as many as 100 or more), but can be comprised of only a few lanes. Some people have a lane in their home, while I wouldn’t consider this a bowling alley, per se; it is in the most literal sense one. A single lane is sometimes referred to as a bowling alley. For the purposes of this article, a bowling alley or house will refer to a place where there are multiple lanes and games are purchased.
Where Are Bowling Alleys?
They are everywhere. Lately it seems that a lot more houses are closing due to property and maintenance prices getting to expensive, or lack of use. Looking in your local telephone book, you should be able to find quite a few houses in your area. Bowling is a very popular sport and therefore there are a lot of bowling alleys in most areas. If you can’t find one where you live, check the nearest city or big town, there’s bound to be one within driving distance of where you live.
Recently a large bowling stadium was constructed in Reno, NV (United States). If you want to see a really large house, that is the place to go. If you get a chance to bowl there it is really quite the thing! I have bowled there on several occasions and have really enjoyed it. The PBA (Pro Bowlers Association) has tournaments there as well as the USBC. A few of the tournaments that I know of that bowl there are the PBA, USBC Nationals, USBC Mixed, and the High Roller. This stadium was built expressly for the purpose of handling large bowling tournaments, and is not allowed to have leagues in it. It also has a very large Pro Shop (place to buy bowling stuff), that even has a bowling lane in it so that you can see everything! They will video tape your game and help you to figure out what you need to improve. It is quite impressive.
Bowling Center Layout
Most bowling alleys will have a desk (where you buy games), a bar, game room, at least one meeting room, a room to handle babysitting, and, of course, lanes! A lot of houses have a pro shop also.
The desk is usually situated somewhere near the center of the house and the bar is usually not far from it. For most bowlers that’s all you need to know about a bowling alley right there! Drinking and bowling go hand and hand for a lot of bowlers (not me, though). It’s no mistake that the bar is centralized in the bowling alley. The game room is usually centralized in the bowling alley also, and most of the time contains pool tables, video games, and pinball machines.
Meeting rooms can be anywhere in the bowling alley, and will seat anywhere from 25 – 100s of people. The meeting rooms are used for league meetings, receptions, birthday parties, etc…. Most of the time, one of the rooms will have toys and things in it for kids. This room is generally used for babysitting the children of the bowlers. Most bowling alleys offer free babysitting for children up to age 7 or 8 for league bowlers. This comes in very handy when you are bowling.
Pro shops are very popular in bowling alleys. Inside of the pro shop you can find just about anything that you need for bowling from balls and bags to shoes, brushes, and powder or resin. You can even get advice from a “pro”. Most of the pro shops are either owned by a professional bowler or have a professional on staff. Be careful though, not all of the people working in the pro shop are pros, and not all of them necessarily have your best interest at heart. There is a lot of stuff to be bought and if you are getting equipment, be sure that you are speaking to somebody who knows your game. Buying equipment for bowling is not as simple as getting a ball and shoes.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling alley deal
Where Are Bowling Alleys?
They are everywhere. Lately it seems that a lot more houses are closing due to property and maintenance prices getting to expensive, or lack of use. Looking in your local telephone book, you should be able to find quite a few houses in your area. Bowling is a very popular sport and therefore there are a lot of bowling alleys in most areas. If you can’t find one where you live, check the nearest city or big town, there’s bound to be one within driving distance of where you live.
Recently a large bowling stadium was constructed in Reno, NV (United States). If you want to see a really large house, that is the place to go. If you get a chance to bowl there it is really quite the thing! I have bowled there on several occasions and have really enjoyed it. The PBA (Pro Bowlers Association) has tournaments there as well as the USBC. A few of the tournaments that I know of that bowl there are the PBA, USBC Nationals, USBC Mixed, and the High Roller. This stadium was built expressly for the purpose of handling large bowling tournaments, and is not allowed to have leagues in it. It also has a very large Pro Shop (place to buy bowling stuff), that even has a bowling lane in it so that you can see everything! They will video tape your game and help you to figure out what you need to improve. It is quite impressive.
Bowling Center Layout
Most bowling alleys will have a desk (where you buy games), a bar, game room, at least one meeting room, a room to handle babysitting, and, of course, lanes! A lot of houses have a pro shop also.
The desk is usually situated somewhere near the center of the house and the bar is usually not far from it. For most bowlers that’s all you need to know about a bowling alley right there! Drinking and bowling go hand and hand for a lot of bowlers (not me, though). It’s no mistake that the bar is centralized in the bowling alley. The game room is usually centralized in the bowling alley also, and most of the time contains pool tables, video games, and pinball machines.
Meeting rooms can be anywhere in the bowling alley, and will seat anywhere from 25 – 100s of people. The meeting rooms are used for league meetings, receptions, birthday parties, etc…. Most of the time, one of the rooms will have toys and things in it for kids. This room is generally used for babysitting the children of the bowlers. Most bowling alleys offer free babysitting for children up to age 7 or 8 for league bowlers. This comes in very handy when you are bowling.
Pro shops are very popular in bowling alleys. Inside of the pro shop you can find just about anything that you need for bowling from balls and bags to shoes, brushes, and powder or resin. You can even get advice from a “pro”. Most of the pro shops are either owned by a professional bowler or have a professional on staff. Be careful though, not all of the people working in the pro shop are pros, and not all of them necessarily have your best interest at heart. There is a lot of stuff to be bought and if you are getting equipment, be sure that you are speaking to somebody who knows your game. Buying equipment for bowling is not as simple as getting a ball and shoes.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling alley deal
Thursday 14 August 2008
* Bowling alley deal
The Clinton-backed Harlem Small Business Initiative, which recently announced plans to expand into Brooklyn and the Bronx, helped two investors, Sharon Joseph and Gail Jacobs spend up to $5 million on Harlem Bowling.
The bowling alley will be located at the former Alhambra Theater at 2110-2118 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. The bowling alley will be located on the third and fourth floors, taking up 12,500 s/f. The ceilings on each floor top out at 45 feet.
The investors took out a 20-year lease on the space, situated between 125th and 126th streets and will install an automated teller machine on the site to generate more revenue.
Eric Meyer, of GVA Williams, and Nicole Meyer, of Newmark New Spectrum, represented the building owners.
Joseph and Jacobs were aided by Booz Allen Hamilton, the management consulting firm, helped teach them how to market their products and services and to control their inventories, Mr. Williams said.
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The National Black MBA Association aided the women on improving their bookkeeping and accounting skills.
"It was a collective effort between these groups," said Clyde Williams, Clinton's chief domestic policy advisor at his Harlem office.
Among other services, "we gave them information on things they had to do to generate a business plan (and) a security plan," Williams said.
Students from the NYU Stern School of Business assisted in helping with plans for the bowling alley, which is slated to open in December.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Throwing A Hook Ball
The bowling alley will be located at the former Alhambra Theater at 2110-2118 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. The bowling alley will be located on the third and fourth floors, taking up 12,500 s/f. The ceilings on each floor top out at 45 feet.
The investors took out a 20-year lease on the space, situated between 125th and 126th streets and will install an automated teller machine on the site to generate more revenue.
Eric Meyer, of GVA Williams, and Nicole Meyer, of Newmark New Spectrum, represented the building owners.
Joseph and Jacobs were aided by Booz Allen Hamilton, the management consulting firm, helped teach them how to market their products and services and to control their inventories, Mr. Williams said.
Advertisement
The National Black MBA Association aided the women on improving their bookkeeping and accounting skills.
"It was a collective effort between these groups," said Clyde Williams, Clinton's chief domestic policy advisor at his Harlem office.
Among other services, "we gave them information on things they had to do to generate a business plan (and) a security plan," Williams said.
Students from the NYU Stern School of Business assisted in helping with plans for the bowling alley, which is slated to open in December.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Throwing A Hook Ball
Wednesday 13 August 2008
* Bowling - Throwing A Hook Ball
By Michael Russell
Bowling is not like any other sport because there is constantly change occurring. What separates the experts from the newbies is that the experts are constantly apply new techniques to their game. The techniques that I've taught you so far should be practiced over and over again until you can remember them well.
Many people that are new to the game of bowling don't know about the many different hook shots that are out there. The stroker, the cranker and the helicopter are techniques that most seasoned bowlers use to bowl at their maximum level. When you see a bowler at the lanes throw a ball and it all of sudden turns into the middle of the lane similar to a curve ball in baseball it's most likely because they just threw a hook ball.
Hook Bowling
Straight balls are great if you're a beginner but they can limit your scores to the 160 - 180 range. When you're constantly throwing straight balls, you have to focus more on bowling perfectly the first time. The way to truly raise your scores is to change that straight ball of yours into a hook ball.
The Definition Of A Hook Ball
A hook ball unlike a straight ball, curves after delivery. The bowlers hand comes from behind the ball rounding the side that makes the ball rotate sideways. The sideways rotation makes the ball go to the left or the right. There are three types of hook: the cranker, the stroker and the helicopter. Here they are:
*** The Stroker
The bowler's sliding foot stops just before the bowling ball gets to the bottom of the swing, creating moderate leverage for a controllable ball reaction. The shoulders have to be very square at the release point. I like the stroker because it plays straighter up the outside of the lane which allows the ball to gently hook into the pocket.
*** The Cranker
The cranker is different, using this technique, the ball reaches maximum revolution. This way more power is produced. The bowler stands with their feet to left hand side of the approach and then swings the ball out to the left hand of the approach. The cranker technique uses late timing (this means getting to the foul line before the ball). They plant their foot and then pull their arm through, bending the elbow in order to keep the hand behind and under the ball and leaving the shoulders open for the maximum leverage. Because of all these moves the cranker can cause muscle injury.
*** The Helicopter
This is a very popular form of bowling in Asia. This technique originated in Taiwan where the lanes generally were in poor condition. When using this technique it is best to use a ball weighing between 10 - 12 lbs. Bring the fingers all the way round the top of the ball, as opposed to the hook where you bring the fingers round the sides. The ball travels straight down the lane but it spins like helicopter propellers as it travels. Once you master this technique, believe me when I say that you'll love it.
Those are the techniques you can use to throw the different forms of hook balls available out there, so take advantage of them.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - The Hardest Shots In The Game
Bowling is not like any other sport because there is constantly change occurring. What separates the experts from the newbies is that the experts are constantly apply new techniques to their game. The techniques that I've taught you so far should be practiced over and over again until you can remember them well.
Many people that are new to the game of bowling don't know about the many different hook shots that are out there. The stroker, the cranker and the helicopter are techniques that most seasoned bowlers use to bowl at their maximum level. When you see a bowler at the lanes throw a ball and it all of sudden turns into the middle of the lane similar to a curve ball in baseball it's most likely because they just threw a hook ball.
Hook Bowling
Straight balls are great if you're a beginner but they can limit your scores to the 160 - 180 range. When you're constantly throwing straight balls, you have to focus more on bowling perfectly the first time. The way to truly raise your scores is to change that straight ball of yours into a hook ball.
The Definition Of A Hook Ball
A hook ball unlike a straight ball, curves after delivery. The bowlers hand comes from behind the ball rounding the side that makes the ball rotate sideways. The sideways rotation makes the ball go to the left or the right. There are three types of hook: the cranker, the stroker and the helicopter. Here they are:
*** The Stroker
The bowler's sliding foot stops just before the bowling ball gets to the bottom of the swing, creating moderate leverage for a controllable ball reaction. The shoulders have to be very square at the release point. I like the stroker because it plays straighter up the outside of the lane which allows the ball to gently hook into the pocket.
*** The Cranker
The cranker is different, using this technique, the ball reaches maximum revolution. This way more power is produced. The bowler stands with their feet to left hand side of the approach and then swings the ball out to the left hand of the approach. The cranker technique uses late timing (this means getting to the foul line before the ball). They plant their foot and then pull their arm through, bending the elbow in order to keep the hand behind and under the ball and leaving the shoulders open for the maximum leverage. Because of all these moves the cranker can cause muscle injury.
*** The Helicopter
This is a very popular form of bowling in Asia. This technique originated in Taiwan where the lanes generally were in poor condition. When using this technique it is best to use a ball weighing between 10 - 12 lbs. Bring the fingers all the way round the top of the ball, as opposed to the hook where you bring the fingers round the sides. The ball travels straight down the lane but it spins like helicopter propellers as it travels. Once you master this technique, believe me when I say that you'll love it.
Those are the techniques you can use to throw the different forms of hook balls available out there, so take advantage of them.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - The Hardest Shots In The Game
Tuesday 12 August 2008
* Bowling - The Hardest Shots In The Game
By Michael Russell
There are some shots in the game of bowling that most people will agree are just a pain in the backside to try to make. They may not all agree on the order of difficulty, which is why we're not going to list these in any particular order except for the one that everyone agrees is the hardest, but they do agree that these shots give them more fits than a night out with a nun.
Oddly, one of the most difficult shots in the game for a right handed bowler is making the 10 pin. You would think that knocking down a single pin wouldn't be that hard. But the problem is that, unlike all other one pin spares, the 10 pin has no room on the right side of the pin for missing it as it is right next to the gutter. You either have to hit it head on or slightly to the left. If you throw it too far right, your ball lands in the gutter. If you throw a hook ball, this makes it even more difficult as you can't throw the ball out right of the 10 pin and let it hook back. It will end up in the gutter before you know it. This shot just gives right handers fits. For left handers, it's the 7 pin, which has the same problem.
After the single pin shots, the next difficult double pin shot is when you have what they call double wood. That's when you have one pin in back of another, such as the 2-8 or 3-9 shots. These are difficult because you have to hit the 2 or 3 pins dead on. If you hit them to the right or left, you won't take out the pin behind it because the pin goes in one direction and the ball deflects in the other direction, leaving the pin behind standing and staring you in the face. This is another shot that gives all bowlers fits.
After these shots come the splits. Splits are where there is more than one pin standing on the lane with at least one space between them. Pros generally consider the easiest splits to be the baby splits, such as the 3-10 or 2-7. With these splits you have to place the ball just inside of the 2 pins that are standing. The ball will deflect off the first pin and into the second pin. These aren't too difficult as far as splits go, but they do need pin point control.
There are splits, however, that are very difficult, such as the 5-7 or 5-10, which requires you hit the 5 pin into either the 7 or 10, depending on which pin is standing. The 5 pin must be hit in just the right spot in order to send it sailing into the other pin. There are other splits which are harder variations of this one such as the 4-10 or 6-7.
All bowlers agree that the hardest split to make is the dreaded 7-10 split. These pins are 180 degrees apart and because of this it is almost impossible to send one pin into the other. Most pro bowlers try to bounce one of the pins out of the pit in the back into the other pin. It is rare that this split is made, though it does happen.
Bowling can be a fun game. But with shots like these, it can be a real headache.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - The Game For The Masses
There are some shots in the game of bowling that most people will agree are just a pain in the backside to try to make. They may not all agree on the order of difficulty, which is why we're not going to list these in any particular order except for the one that everyone agrees is the hardest, but they do agree that these shots give them more fits than a night out with a nun.
Oddly, one of the most difficult shots in the game for a right handed bowler is making the 10 pin. You would think that knocking down a single pin wouldn't be that hard. But the problem is that, unlike all other one pin spares, the 10 pin has no room on the right side of the pin for missing it as it is right next to the gutter. You either have to hit it head on or slightly to the left. If you throw it too far right, your ball lands in the gutter. If you throw a hook ball, this makes it even more difficult as you can't throw the ball out right of the 10 pin and let it hook back. It will end up in the gutter before you know it. This shot just gives right handers fits. For left handers, it's the 7 pin, which has the same problem.
After the single pin shots, the next difficult double pin shot is when you have what they call double wood. That's when you have one pin in back of another, such as the 2-8 or 3-9 shots. These are difficult because you have to hit the 2 or 3 pins dead on. If you hit them to the right or left, you won't take out the pin behind it because the pin goes in one direction and the ball deflects in the other direction, leaving the pin behind standing and staring you in the face. This is another shot that gives all bowlers fits.
After these shots come the splits. Splits are where there is more than one pin standing on the lane with at least one space between them. Pros generally consider the easiest splits to be the baby splits, such as the 3-10 or 2-7. With these splits you have to place the ball just inside of the 2 pins that are standing. The ball will deflect off the first pin and into the second pin. These aren't too difficult as far as splits go, but they do need pin point control.
There are splits, however, that are very difficult, such as the 5-7 or 5-10, which requires you hit the 5 pin into either the 7 or 10, depending on which pin is standing. The 5 pin must be hit in just the right spot in order to send it sailing into the other pin. There are other splits which are harder variations of this one such as the 4-10 or 6-7.
All bowlers agree that the hardest split to make is the dreaded 7-10 split. These pins are 180 degrees apart and because of this it is almost impossible to send one pin into the other. Most pro bowlers try to bounce one of the pins out of the pit in the back into the other pin. It is rare that this split is made, though it does happen.
Bowling can be a fun game. But with shots like these, it can be a real headache.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - The Game For The Masses
Monday 11 August 2008
* Bowling - The Game For The Masses
By Michael Russell
When people talk about sports, it's usually about baseball, basketball, football or hockey. Soccer is supposedly the worlds game, but soccer is an unpopular sport in the US. Golf, as a sport, has risen in popularity, but the expense associated with golf makes it a sport mostly played by people with high incomes. A sport, which is popular, but rarely gets talked about, is bowling. Bowling is played all over the world, but it's probably one of the most unappreciated sports in history.
The true origin of bowling is in dispute, but there is evidence that a form of bowling existed as far back as 3200 BC. The first mention of a bowling type game occurred in England, in the 1300s. King Edward III supposedly outlawed the game because it was distracting his troops from archery practice. Many forms of bowling have originated from Europe and these include, Italian bocce, French pentanque and Britain's lawn bowling. Some give credit to the Dutch, for bringing bowling to America, but in actuality, the English, German and Dutch settlers, all brought their own version of the game over.
Bowling landed in America in the 17th century and spent most of its life as an outdoor game that used nine pins. Indoor bowling became popular in the 19th century, after indoor lanes opened in New York, in 1840. Bowling became so popular, that people started gambling on it. Connecticut and New York both banned nine pin bowling, because of the gambling. In 1842, a tenth pin was added to bowling. Some thought the tenth pin was just a ploy to get around the ban.
The American Bowling Congress was formed in 1895. This organization was responsible for establishing rules, creating standards for equipment and promoting bowling as a competition. The first ABC tournament was held in 1901, this tournament allowed amateur and professional bowlers to compete against each other. In 1916, the Women's International Bowling Congress was formed, this organization created the rules and regulations for women bowlers. The Professional Bowlers Association was formed in 1958. The PBA created a tournament tour. In 1961, ABC was the first network to televise PBA competition.
Bowling is not immune to technology. There have been many changes affecting the game. The most important being to the bowling balls. Stone and wood was used in the earliest days of bowling. Rubber balls came in the 1960s, polyester in the 1970s and urethane in the 80s. The 90s saw the invention of the reactive resin balls and the latter part of the 90s introduced the proactive resin balls. Bowling lanes have also been upgraded. In the past, most lanes were made of wood, but now a lot of lanes have synthetic surfaces.
In spite of the lack of publicity, bowling is still one of the most enjoyable games around. And unlike a lot of sports, bowling is a game the whole family can participate in. The simplicity of the game makes it easy for anyone to learn. Considering how many people bowl in the world, it's amazing that people forget about bowling when they're discussing the most popular sports.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling – The Basics (The Game)
When people talk about sports, it's usually about baseball, basketball, football or hockey. Soccer is supposedly the worlds game, but soccer is an unpopular sport in the US. Golf, as a sport, has risen in popularity, but the expense associated with golf makes it a sport mostly played by people with high incomes. A sport, which is popular, but rarely gets talked about, is bowling. Bowling is played all over the world, but it's probably one of the most unappreciated sports in history.
The true origin of bowling is in dispute, but there is evidence that a form of bowling existed as far back as 3200 BC. The first mention of a bowling type game occurred in England, in the 1300s. King Edward III supposedly outlawed the game because it was distracting his troops from archery practice. Many forms of bowling have originated from Europe and these include, Italian bocce, French pentanque and Britain's lawn bowling. Some give credit to the Dutch, for bringing bowling to America, but in actuality, the English, German and Dutch settlers, all brought their own version of the game over.
Bowling landed in America in the 17th century and spent most of its life as an outdoor game that used nine pins. Indoor bowling became popular in the 19th century, after indoor lanes opened in New York, in 1840. Bowling became so popular, that people started gambling on it. Connecticut and New York both banned nine pin bowling, because of the gambling. In 1842, a tenth pin was added to bowling. Some thought the tenth pin was just a ploy to get around the ban.
The American Bowling Congress was formed in 1895. This organization was responsible for establishing rules, creating standards for equipment and promoting bowling as a competition. The first ABC tournament was held in 1901, this tournament allowed amateur and professional bowlers to compete against each other. In 1916, the Women's International Bowling Congress was formed, this organization created the rules and regulations for women bowlers. The Professional Bowlers Association was formed in 1958. The PBA created a tournament tour. In 1961, ABC was the first network to televise PBA competition.
Bowling is not immune to technology. There have been many changes affecting the game. The most important being to the bowling balls. Stone and wood was used in the earliest days of bowling. Rubber balls came in the 1960s, polyester in the 1970s and urethane in the 80s. The 90s saw the invention of the reactive resin balls and the latter part of the 90s introduced the proactive resin balls. Bowling lanes have also been upgraded. In the past, most lanes were made of wood, but now a lot of lanes have synthetic surfaces.
In spite of the lack of publicity, bowling is still one of the most enjoyable games around. And unlike a lot of sports, bowling is a game the whole family can participate in. The simplicity of the game makes it easy for anyone to learn. Considering how many people bowl in the world, it's amazing that people forget about bowling when they're discussing the most popular sports.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling – The Basics (The Game)
Sunday 10 August 2008
* Bowling – The Basics (The Game)
By Mike Kolar
Bowling is a fairly simple game. There are 10 pins and you knock them down on two balls per frame. Here is some basic information about how the game.
The Game
So what comprises a game you ask? 10 Frames (actually 12, but we will cover that later)
So what is a frame you ask? One or two balls, depending on what happens on your first shot, except the 10th when you may throw three balls.
OK, so 10 frames of 1 or 2 shots, this should be easy right? Nowadays with the electronic scorekeepers it is, but it wasn’t always that way. I actually used to keep score manually for tournaments bowlers, and get paid to do it!
Frames
There are 10 frames in a game of bowling, with one caveat. If you get a strike or a spare in the 10th frame, you get another shot. So, up to 3 shots can be thrown in the 10th frame of a game. At the risk of making this more confusing, if you get a spare, you get one extra shot (you have already thrown the ball twice this frame), but if you get a strike, you get 2 extra balls, thus you get 3 balls in the 10th frame if you get a mark (a strike or a spare).
Strikes and Spares
What are those words that you hear pouring out of bowlers mouths like “I got 6 strikes, 3 spares and missed a ten pin for an open!”? Strikes, Spares, Splits, and Opens are the fundamental results of throwing the ball down the lane.
Basically a “strike” is when you get all 10 pins down on the first ball. A “spare” is when you get all 10 pins down on two balls in the same frame. An “open” is when you don’t get all 10 pins down on two balls in the same frame. When you “pick up” a spare, you were able to knock down the rest of the pins on the second ball in the frame (you never “pick up” a strike).
A “Split” is a little more complicated. A split is when you leave at least two pins that are separated by where another pin would have been (see diagram above). So, if you leave the 4 and 5 pins (the 4 -5 split), you would have a split. The worst of the splits is the 7 – 10 split. These are the two pins that are farthest from each other on the lane and is almost impossible to hit.
Keep bowling and having fun!
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - The Basics (Pins)
Bowling is a fairly simple game. There are 10 pins and you knock them down on two balls per frame. Here is some basic information about how the game.
The Game
So what comprises a game you ask? 10 Frames (actually 12, but we will cover that later)
So what is a frame you ask? One or two balls, depending on what happens on your first shot, except the 10th when you may throw three balls.
OK, so 10 frames of 1 or 2 shots, this should be easy right? Nowadays with the electronic scorekeepers it is, but it wasn’t always that way. I actually used to keep score manually for tournaments bowlers, and get paid to do it!
Frames
There are 10 frames in a game of bowling, with one caveat. If you get a strike or a spare in the 10th frame, you get another shot. So, up to 3 shots can be thrown in the 10th frame of a game. At the risk of making this more confusing, if you get a spare, you get one extra shot (you have already thrown the ball twice this frame), but if you get a strike, you get 2 extra balls, thus you get 3 balls in the 10th frame if you get a mark (a strike or a spare).
Strikes and Spares
What are those words that you hear pouring out of bowlers mouths like “I got 6 strikes, 3 spares and missed a ten pin for an open!”? Strikes, Spares, Splits, and Opens are the fundamental results of throwing the ball down the lane.
Basically a “strike” is when you get all 10 pins down on the first ball. A “spare” is when you get all 10 pins down on two balls in the same frame. An “open” is when you don’t get all 10 pins down on two balls in the same frame. When you “pick up” a spare, you were able to knock down the rest of the pins on the second ball in the frame (you never “pick up” a strike).
A “Split” is a little more complicated. A split is when you leave at least two pins that are separated by where another pin would have been (see diagram above). So, if you leave the 4 and 5 pins (the 4 -5 split), you would have a split. The worst of the splits is the 7 – 10 split. These are the two pins that are farthest from each other on the lane and is almost impossible to hit.
Keep bowling and having fun!
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - The Basics (Pins)
Thursday 7 August 2008
* Bowling - The Basics (Pins)
By Mike Kolar
Bowling is a fairly simple game. There are 10 pins and you knock them down on two balls per frame. Here is some basic information about the pins.
Layout and Numbering
There are 10 pins in a single rack (after all, this is ten-pin bowling we are talking about, right?). Each pin is exactly 1 ft from the ones nearest it (center to center) and they are set in a triangle form. The rack (the set of 10 pins) looks kind of like this (see below) and the pins are called by number:
(1)
(3)(2)
(6)(5)(4)
(10)(9)(8)(7)
So when a bowler mentions the 1 - 3 pocket or the 7 - 10 split you now know what they are talking about (look at that, you learned something new already!).
Specifications
Pins are 4.75 inches wide at their widest point and 15 inches tall. They weigh 3 pounds(lbs), 6 ounces(oz). In 1998 pins weighing 3 lbs, 10 oz were approved (these are the gold pins that the pros use sometimes). These specifications are set and maintained by the USBC (see Chapter 2).
The object of the game is to knock down these pins with two ball per frame, see my article Bowling - The Basics (The Game) for more information on that.
Keep bowling and having fun!
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Spot Bowling
Bowling is a fairly simple game. There are 10 pins and you knock them down on two balls per frame. Here is some basic information about the pins.
Layout and Numbering
There are 10 pins in a single rack (after all, this is ten-pin bowling we are talking about, right?). Each pin is exactly 1 ft from the ones nearest it (center to center) and they are set in a triangle form. The rack (the set of 10 pins) looks kind of like this (see below) and the pins are called by number:
(1)
(3)(2)
(6)(5)(4)
(10)(9)(8)(7)
So when a bowler mentions the 1 - 3 pocket or the 7 - 10 split you now know what they are talking about (look at that, you learned something new already!).
Specifications
Pins are 4.75 inches wide at their widest point and 15 inches tall. They weigh 3 pounds(lbs), 6 ounces(oz). In 1998 pins weighing 3 lbs, 10 oz were approved (these are the gold pins that the pros use sometimes). These specifications are set and maintained by the USBC (see Chapter 2).
The object of the game is to knock down these pins with two ball per frame, see my article Bowling - The Basics (The Game) for more information on that.
Keep bowling and having fun!
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Spot Bowling
Monday 4 August 2008
* Bowling - Spot Bowling
By Michael Russell
Spot bowling is a term used by the professionals and all bowlers who are fairly accomplished in the sport. The question is, what is the difference between spot bowling and pin bowling? We'll try to answer that question here.
Pin bowling is when the bowler looks down the alley at the pins and rolls the ball aiming at what he sees down the alley. This may seem perfectly logical. After all, it's the pins you're aiming at so why look at anything else? Don't you want to look at the pins? You certainly don't want to be looking at the cute girl in the lane next to you, though that would probably be a more interesting sight. And while it may seem logical to want to look at the pins, since they're what you're trying to hit, the truth is, that is the hardest way to go about trying to knock them down. Why? We'll explain that shortly after we explain what spot bowling is.
Spot bowling is where you pick a spot on the alley itself, maybe an arrow or a dot. You don't look at the pins at all, as much as you might be tempted to do so. Instead, you look at the spot and continue looking at it as you release the ball, never taking one look at the pins until after the ball is rolled and heading down the alley. Then you can look to see what you've hit. For those of you scratching your head wondering why you would want to do this, the answer may surprise you but here it comes.
To understand the answer you have to first understand something about distance and accuracy. When you fire a gun, the closer you are to the target, the more accurate your shot is going to be. As the target gets farther away it becomes harder to hit it because of the distance. Think about it. If you're playing darts and have a dart board 6 inches in front of you, you're going to hit the bulls-eye more often than if it's 20 feet away. Well, it's the same thing with bowling. It's much easier to hit a spot on the lane a foot in front of you than it is to hit pins that are twenty feet or so away.
If you're still scratching your head thinking, "But you still have to hit the pins", the difference is this. If you're aiming at the second arrow from the right on your first shot and the ball lands to the left of the head pin, then obviously you need to move your spot to the right in order to hit the one-three pocket. Well, it's a lot easier to hit the spot that you're aiming for, in order to hit that one-three pocket, than it is to try to hit pins 20 feet away. If you keep hitting that same spot, the ball is going to hit the same place down the alley as long as the conditions don't change and you keep the ball speed the same.
This is why professional bowlers spot bowl. Are they good enough to maybe aim for the pins? Maybe. But why make it harder on themselves? Yes, believe it or not, spot bowling is actually easier than pin bowling.
Try it sometime. You'll see your score improve almost immediately.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Scoring
Spot bowling is a term used by the professionals and all bowlers who are fairly accomplished in the sport. The question is, what is the difference between spot bowling and pin bowling? We'll try to answer that question here.
Pin bowling is when the bowler looks down the alley at the pins and rolls the ball aiming at what he sees down the alley. This may seem perfectly logical. After all, it's the pins you're aiming at so why look at anything else? Don't you want to look at the pins? You certainly don't want to be looking at the cute girl in the lane next to you, though that would probably be a more interesting sight. And while it may seem logical to want to look at the pins, since they're what you're trying to hit, the truth is, that is the hardest way to go about trying to knock them down. Why? We'll explain that shortly after we explain what spot bowling is.
Spot bowling is where you pick a spot on the alley itself, maybe an arrow or a dot. You don't look at the pins at all, as much as you might be tempted to do so. Instead, you look at the spot and continue looking at it as you release the ball, never taking one look at the pins until after the ball is rolled and heading down the alley. Then you can look to see what you've hit. For those of you scratching your head wondering why you would want to do this, the answer may surprise you but here it comes.
To understand the answer you have to first understand something about distance and accuracy. When you fire a gun, the closer you are to the target, the more accurate your shot is going to be. As the target gets farther away it becomes harder to hit it because of the distance. Think about it. If you're playing darts and have a dart board 6 inches in front of you, you're going to hit the bulls-eye more often than if it's 20 feet away. Well, it's the same thing with bowling. It's much easier to hit a spot on the lane a foot in front of you than it is to hit pins that are twenty feet or so away.
If you're still scratching your head thinking, "But you still have to hit the pins", the difference is this. If you're aiming at the second arrow from the right on your first shot and the ball lands to the left of the head pin, then obviously you need to move your spot to the right in order to hit the one-three pocket. Well, it's a lot easier to hit the spot that you're aiming for, in order to hit that one-three pocket, than it is to try to hit pins 20 feet away. If you keep hitting that same spot, the ball is going to hit the same place down the alley as long as the conditions don't change and you keep the ball speed the same.
This is why professional bowlers spot bowl. Are they good enough to maybe aim for the pins? Maybe. But why make it harder on themselves? Yes, believe it or not, spot bowling is actually easier than pin bowling.
Try it sometime. You'll see your score improve almost immediately.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Scoring
* Bowling - Scoring
By Michael Russell
For some reason, many people consider keeping score in bowling to be a nightmare and will do everything they can not to do it. The truth is, scoring in bowling is a lot easier than scoring in a bar. There are just a few simple rules that you have to learn. But, if you're still not up to it, with today's technology, you can have the alley do it for you.
To make this simple, let's first start with what the highest score is that you can roll. The highest possible game is 300 over the course of 10 frames, which is what a game of bowling consists of. Now, one might think that with only 10 pins to knock down each frame, scoring more than 100 would be impossible. Well, that's the wonderful thing about the game of bowling. It gives you a bonus for making either a strike or a spare. How much of a bonus depends on which.
For example. If you get a spare, which is knocking down all 10 pins with two shots, your bonus is whatever you knock down on your next shot added to that spare. So let's say you get a spare in the first frame. You don't compute your score yet. You wait until you roll your first ball of the second frame. Let's say you knock down 8 pins. What you do is add the 8 pins you knocked down to the 10 pins you knocked down in the frame before and place that total in the first frame. So your score through one frame is actually 18 instead of 10. This is where the bonus comes in.
With a strike, the bonus is whatever you roll on your next two shots. So let's say that you get a strike in your first frame, which is knocking down all the pins with one shot and in the second frame you get 7 pins with your first ball and 2 pins with your second ball. You would add the 7+2 to the 10 pins you knocked down in the first frame because the bonus is two shots. That would give you a total of 19 in your first frame. To compute the score of your second frame you simply add the 9 pins you knocked down in that frame to your score of the first frame. That gives you a total of 19+9 or 28.
So, how do we get a score of 300? Easy. If we roll a strike in every frame and keep adding the bonuses, you end up with 30 in the first frame (10 pins plus the next 2 shots as bonus which is 10+10), 60 in the second, 90 in the third and so on. The reason we get to 300 is because the tenth frame has 2 bonus shots in the frame itself. So if you roll a strike in the tenth frame, you get two more shots to roll two more strikes. When you add it all up, you get to 300.
With just a little thought and basic math skills, keeping score in bowling is really not all that hard. Bowling a 300 game, now THAT'S hard.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Money Leagues
For some reason, many people consider keeping score in bowling to be a nightmare and will do everything they can not to do it. The truth is, scoring in bowling is a lot easier than scoring in a bar. There are just a few simple rules that you have to learn. But, if you're still not up to it, with today's technology, you can have the alley do it for you.
To make this simple, let's first start with what the highest score is that you can roll. The highest possible game is 300 over the course of 10 frames, which is what a game of bowling consists of. Now, one might think that with only 10 pins to knock down each frame, scoring more than 100 would be impossible. Well, that's the wonderful thing about the game of bowling. It gives you a bonus for making either a strike or a spare. How much of a bonus depends on which.
For example. If you get a spare, which is knocking down all 10 pins with two shots, your bonus is whatever you knock down on your next shot added to that spare. So let's say you get a spare in the first frame. You don't compute your score yet. You wait until you roll your first ball of the second frame. Let's say you knock down 8 pins. What you do is add the 8 pins you knocked down to the 10 pins you knocked down in the frame before and place that total in the first frame. So your score through one frame is actually 18 instead of 10. This is where the bonus comes in.
With a strike, the bonus is whatever you roll on your next two shots. So let's say that you get a strike in your first frame, which is knocking down all the pins with one shot and in the second frame you get 7 pins with your first ball and 2 pins with your second ball. You would add the 7+2 to the 10 pins you knocked down in the first frame because the bonus is two shots. That would give you a total of 19 in your first frame. To compute the score of your second frame you simply add the 9 pins you knocked down in that frame to your score of the first frame. That gives you a total of 19+9 or 28.
So, how do we get a score of 300? Easy. If we roll a strike in every frame and keep adding the bonuses, you end up with 30 in the first frame (10 pins plus the next 2 shots as bonus which is 10+10), 60 in the second, 90 in the third and so on. The reason we get to 300 is because the tenth frame has 2 bonus shots in the frame itself. So if you roll a strike in the tenth frame, you get two more shots to roll two more strikes. When you add it all up, you get to 300.
With just a little thought and basic math skills, keeping score in bowling is really not all that hard. Bowling a 300 game, now THAT'S hard.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Money Leagues
Saturday 2 August 2008
* Bowling - Money Leagues
By Michael Russell
If you enjoy the game of bowling and want to earn a few bucks playing it in the process, but not quite good enough to go pro, you may want to consider joining what is called a money league.
As a kid growing up, if you bowled in leagues, you bowled in non money leagues. Here, the bowlers bowled only for trophies and patches. This was a great way for a kid to get some experience competing against others and prepare him for bowling with the big boys.
In most states, once you reach the age of 18, you can then participate in what they call money leagues. These are leagues that also compete for trophies but also for a monetary prize that is paid out at the end of the year for certain achievements.
Unlike kids leagues, which are fairly inexpensive, money leagues can run you a pretty penny each week because the prize pool is actually made up of the money paid in each week. And since the bowling alley itself gets a portion of these fees, they can run pretty high if you want the money paid out at the end of the year to be an amount worth the bowlers participation.
The prizes vary greatly from league to league depending on the number of players and teams. A common league will pay prizes for first, second and third place finishes. They will also pay individual prizes for bowlers who had the high average, high series and high game for the year. These individual prizes are relatively small in comparison to the team prizes which are distributed evenly between all the bowlers on the team.
In addition to this, each team may have what they call individual pools. These are not sanctioned by the league itself but are not disallowed either. These individual pools are set up to make the night a little more interesting. Some examples of individual pools are below.
One common pool that a team will set up each night is what they call the "beer frame". In the old days, the loser of the beer frame would buy the other members a beer. Some still practice this but many teams now put a certain amount of money into a pot for each beer frame. The loser of the beer frame puts a certain amount of money into the kitty. This money is then distributed to the whole team at the end of the year. The loser is the bowler who shoots the lowest score for the frame. If all bowlers shoot the same score that frame, then the beer frame is extended to the next frame until there is a loser.
Another team prize pool that is set up is paying the team member who has the highest game for that game and finally the highest series for the night. Each member may pay a dollar to the person who holds these nightly records.
There are of course variations of these and many other things that each team comes up with to make the night more interesting.
Bowling in a money league can cost you a pretty penny but it can also make you quite rich by the end of the year with prizes being in the thousands of dollars. So if you have a good paying job or a big trust fund, you may want to think about joining a money league, even if you don't need the money.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - How To Pick Up Spares
If you enjoy the game of bowling and want to earn a few bucks playing it in the process, but not quite good enough to go pro, you may want to consider joining what is called a money league.
As a kid growing up, if you bowled in leagues, you bowled in non money leagues. Here, the bowlers bowled only for trophies and patches. This was a great way for a kid to get some experience competing against others and prepare him for bowling with the big boys.
In most states, once you reach the age of 18, you can then participate in what they call money leagues. These are leagues that also compete for trophies but also for a monetary prize that is paid out at the end of the year for certain achievements.
Unlike kids leagues, which are fairly inexpensive, money leagues can run you a pretty penny each week because the prize pool is actually made up of the money paid in each week. And since the bowling alley itself gets a portion of these fees, they can run pretty high if you want the money paid out at the end of the year to be an amount worth the bowlers participation.
The prizes vary greatly from league to league depending on the number of players and teams. A common league will pay prizes for first, second and third place finishes. They will also pay individual prizes for bowlers who had the high average, high series and high game for the year. These individual prizes are relatively small in comparison to the team prizes which are distributed evenly between all the bowlers on the team.
In addition to this, each team may have what they call individual pools. These are not sanctioned by the league itself but are not disallowed either. These individual pools are set up to make the night a little more interesting. Some examples of individual pools are below.
One common pool that a team will set up each night is what they call the "beer frame". In the old days, the loser of the beer frame would buy the other members a beer. Some still practice this but many teams now put a certain amount of money into a pot for each beer frame. The loser of the beer frame puts a certain amount of money into the kitty. This money is then distributed to the whole team at the end of the year. The loser is the bowler who shoots the lowest score for the frame. If all bowlers shoot the same score that frame, then the beer frame is extended to the next frame until there is a loser.
Another team prize pool that is set up is paying the team member who has the highest game for that game and finally the highest series for the night. Each member may pay a dollar to the person who holds these nightly records.
There are of course variations of these and many other things that each team comes up with to make the night more interesting.
Bowling in a money league can cost you a pretty penny but it can also make you quite rich by the end of the year with prizes being in the thousands of dollars. So if you have a good paying job or a big trust fund, you may want to think about joining a money league, even if you don't need the money.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - How To Pick Up Spares
Tuesday 29 July 2008
* Bowling - How To Pick Up Spares
By Michael Russell
A lot of people worry so much about bowling a strike but not enough about picking up the spares. Do you think the pros just think about bowling strikes? No they don't, they want to make strikes but they know they won't be bowling a strike in every single frame so they think about how to pick up spares too. This is often an overlooked element of bowling, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Picking up spares will beat the competition.
Ok well maybe it wasn't a secret, but it sure is the truth. Here are the necessities to pick up those spares.
*** You should aim directly for a pin square and hit it. Don't think about it, just do it. This one tip alone will help you increase your spare percentages. You're throwing a straight ball to certain areas of the lane. Expert bowlers use a ball especially for picking up spares, called a "spare ball". The ball is made of plastic, because plastic balls go a lot straighter than regular ones. Try to straighten your wrist as much as possible so you can throw the ball at the pin square and as straight as possible.
*** A lot of people take spares for granted, but if there is one thing that I wish I could drill into newbie bowlers' heads it would be, SPARES DO MATTER. If you're in a league or in a tournament, take some balls and shoot at the 7 pin or the 10 pin (if you're a lefty). This will allow you to observe your reaction as you're going across the lane. I don't care how good a bowler you are, you will not always bowl a strike, that's why it's good to learn how to pick up your spares because it'll raise your average.
Take your time when it comes to spares
A large part of bowling is based on spares. Let's be serious, while throwing 7 or 8 strikes is good, when the other frames are spares you missed, that 240 or 250 game that you were smiling about drops to about 200 really quickly.
Remember these tips the next time you're trying to pick up a spare:
*** Take your time and think about it
You should first carefully think about where you want to line up for the spare and then take the shot. Don't rush it, think about where you want to throw the ball.
*** Throw straight balls
This is one of the keys to picking up spares. You need to relax your wrist during release, so the ball can go as straight as possible. You need to minimize the spinning of the ball. A plastic ball is much better to use when trying to pick up spares because a plastic ball goes a lot straighter than the standard ball does.
I'm going to end this lesson by saying again that spares play a huge role in determining whether you bowl a 250 or a 200.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Common Mistakes And How To Fix Them
A lot of people worry so much about bowling a strike but not enough about picking up the spares. Do you think the pros just think about bowling strikes? No they don't, they want to make strikes but they know they won't be bowling a strike in every single frame so they think about how to pick up spares too. This is often an overlooked element of bowling, but I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Picking up spares will beat the competition.
Ok well maybe it wasn't a secret, but it sure is the truth. Here are the necessities to pick up those spares.
*** You should aim directly for a pin square and hit it. Don't think about it, just do it. This one tip alone will help you increase your spare percentages. You're throwing a straight ball to certain areas of the lane. Expert bowlers use a ball especially for picking up spares, called a "spare ball". The ball is made of plastic, because plastic balls go a lot straighter than regular ones. Try to straighten your wrist as much as possible so you can throw the ball at the pin square and as straight as possible.
*** A lot of people take spares for granted, but if there is one thing that I wish I could drill into newbie bowlers' heads it would be, SPARES DO MATTER. If you're in a league or in a tournament, take some balls and shoot at the 7 pin or the 10 pin (if you're a lefty). This will allow you to observe your reaction as you're going across the lane. I don't care how good a bowler you are, you will not always bowl a strike, that's why it's good to learn how to pick up your spares because it'll raise your average.
Take your time when it comes to spares
A large part of bowling is based on spares. Let's be serious, while throwing 7 or 8 strikes is good, when the other frames are spares you missed, that 240 or 250 game that you were smiling about drops to about 200 really quickly.
Remember these tips the next time you're trying to pick up a spare:
*** Take your time and think about it
You should first carefully think about where you want to line up for the spare and then take the shot. Don't rush it, think about where you want to throw the ball.
*** Throw straight balls
This is one of the keys to picking up spares. You need to relax your wrist during release, so the ball can go as straight as possible. You need to minimize the spinning of the ball. A plastic ball is much better to use when trying to pick up spares because a plastic ball goes a lot straighter than the standard ball does.
I'm going to end this lesson by saying again that spares play a huge role in determining whether you bowl a 250 or a 200.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Common Mistakes And How To Fix Them
Wednesday 23 July 2008
* Bowling - Common Mistakes And How To Fix Them
By Michael Russell
I want to address one of the most common mistakes facing most bowlers. Fast feet is a huge problem that most bowlers deal with, fast feet is when your feet are ahead of the swing during or at the end of the approach. When bowlers are facing fast feet they are generally slightly off balance and are turned sideways by the end of the approach.
Fast feet also cause mistakes in other areas of the bowler's game, such as dropping the shoulders, the inability to stay down with the shot and maintain balance at the foul line once the ball is gone, and inconsistent release.
These are some ways you can solve the fast feet plague, oops I meant problem.
The big mistake: Poor ball placement
Listen closely when I say good ball placement is absolutely necessary, fast feet is related to poor placement of the key step. Another mistake is pushing the ball upwards from a waist high position.
How to fix it: When the heel of your foot touches the floor during the step, try to time your ball placement.
The big mistake: Shoulders too far forward
When your shoulders are too far forward it causes too much bend at the waist and not enough bend at the knees which results in the ball reaching the lane way too early, leading to loss of leverage and an unbalanced feeling during the approach.
How to fix it: Shoulders need to be upright and your knees should be a bit flexed. As you begin your approach, your knees should gradually deepen their bend (not too far though) and your waist should be slightly bent forward.
General rule of thumb: The deeper the knee bend the less the waist needs to be bent forward.
The big mistake: Steps too long
When you take your steps, they're each as slow as molasses (I was kidding, I hope they're not that slow). Holding your steps too long result in your swing floating through the approach which means you won't get any power behind the ball.
General rule of thumb: If you're taking a five step approach, the second step is crucial so you must definitely watch the length of that step.
How to fix it: Since I'm playing the role of the bowling mechanic in this section I want to help you fix this problem. Take a normal walking step and all the other steps will fall in place, during the five step approach, the first step is for the momentum and it's usually shorter than a normal key step.
The big mistake: Walking on your toes
This is a very common problem, I throw a chair every time I see somebody walking on their toes during the approach, well maybe I don't get that upset, but I think you get the point. When you walk on your toes you have too much speed in the approach, your shoulders will be too far forward and you'll lose lots of leverage.
How to fix it: To avoid walking on your toes, place the heel first and the toes last in each step, this results in a much more smooth approach. When walking in this way you can slow down the entire approach.
General rule of thumb: Since you build momentum from the back to the front movement of your feet, your leverage will also increase.
The big mistake: Muscled arm swing
Most bowlers I deal with think that having their muscles all flexed up during the swing will give them more power when releasing the ball. I am here to tell you that flexing your arms during the arm swing will not increase your throwing ability but it'll probably win you a body building contest or an arm wrestling contest if you're lucky. A muscled arm swing can also lead to injury such as pain in your arm, shoulder or wrist.
How to fix it: When you swing the ball, it needs to come from the shoulder with a minimal amount of muscle flexing. If this seems difficult, practice on relaxing your arm and just swing it back and forth without a ball in your hand. Your goal here is to get the arm as relaxed as possible. Doing this allows the weight of the ball to direct the swing throughout the approach.
Well there you have it folks, the most common mistakes facing most bowlers who always wonder why they can't consistently throw a strike or why their game won't improve. My mechanic shop has just given you the fix - it's to go out and bowl the right way.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Choosing A Delivery - The Release
I want to address one of the most common mistakes facing most bowlers. Fast feet is a huge problem that most bowlers deal with, fast feet is when your feet are ahead of the swing during or at the end of the approach. When bowlers are facing fast feet they are generally slightly off balance and are turned sideways by the end of the approach.
Fast feet also cause mistakes in other areas of the bowler's game, such as dropping the shoulders, the inability to stay down with the shot and maintain balance at the foul line once the ball is gone, and inconsistent release.
These are some ways you can solve the fast feet plague, oops I meant problem.
The big mistake: Poor ball placement
Listen closely when I say good ball placement is absolutely necessary, fast feet is related to poor placement of the key step. Another mistake is pushing the ball upwards from a waist high position.
How to fix it: When the heel of your foot touches the floor during the step, try to time your ball placement.
The big mistake: Shoulders too far forward
When your shoulders are too far forward it causes too much bend at the waist and not enough bend at the knees which results in the ball reaching the lane way too early, leading to loss of leverage and an unbalanced feeling during the approach.
How to fix it: Shoulders need to be upright and your knees should be a bit flexed. As you begin your approach, your knees should gradually deepen their bend (not too far though) and your waist should be slightly bent forward.
General rule of thumb: The deeper the knee bend the less the waist needs to be bent forward.
The big mistake: Steps too long
When you take your steps, they're each as slow as molasses (I was kidding, I hope they're not that slow). Holding your steps too long result in your swing floating through the approach which means you won't get any power behind the ball.
General rule of thumb: If you're taking a five step approach, the second step is crucial so you must definitely watch the length of that step.
How to fix it: Since I'm playing the role of the bowling mechanic in this section I want to help you fix this problem. Take a normal walking step and all the other steps will fall in place, during the five step approach, the first step is for the momentum and it's usually shorter than a normal key step.
The big mistake: Walking on your toes
This is a very common problem, I throw a chair every time I see somebody walking on their toes during the approach, well maybe I don't get that upset, but I think you get the point. When you walk on your toes you have too much speed in the approach, your shoulders will be too far forward and you'll lose lots of leverage.
How to fix it: To avoid walking on your toes, place the heel first and the toes last in each step, this results in a much more smooth approach. When walking in this way you can slow down the entire approach.
General rule of thumb: Since you build momentum from the back to the front movement of your feet, your leverage will also increase.
The big mistake: Muscled arm swing
Most bowlers I deal with think that having their muscles all flexed up during the swing will give them more power when releasing the ball. I am here to tell you that flexing your arms during the arm swing will not increase your throwing ability but it'll probably win you a body building contest or an arm wrestling contest if you're lucky. A muscled arm swing can also lead to injury such as pain in your arm, shoulder or wrist.
How to fix it: When you swing the ball, it needs to come from the shoulder with a minimal amount of muscle flexing. If this seems difficult, practice on relaxing your arm and just swing it back and forth without a ball in your hand. Your goal here is to get the arm as relaxed as possible. Doing this allows the weight of the ball to direct the swing throughout the approach.
Well there you have it folks, the most common mistakes facing most bowlers who always wonder why they can't consistently throw a strike or why their game won't improve. My mechanic shop has just given you the fix - it's to go out and bowl the right way.
A niche topic for you :
* Bowling - Choosing A Delivery - The Release
Friday 18 July 2008
* Bowling - Choosing A Delivery - The Release
By Michael Russell
The release is probably the most important part of the game of bowling. No matter how good you look going up to the foul line, if you don't have a good release you're not going to score very high. We're going to take a look at some of the options open to the bowler and try to explain the pros and cons of each release.
There are basically 3 types of releases, with variations on each one. If you ask a pro bowler he will probably tell you that in this case a certain release is better than another. But that's not going to help the average bowler if the "better" release is too hard for him to control. So we'll just cover the 3 releases and explain the good and bad of each and let you make your own decision on what to use.
The most common release for the casual bowler is the straight underhand or straight ball. This is where, when the bowler approaches the foul line and releases the ball, he lets it roll off of his fingers while keeping the palm straight pointed toward the ceiling. This is not only the simplest release but the easiest to control as the ball will go in a straight line, unless lane conditions are so dry (more on conditions in another article) that the ball will start to go either to the left or right anyway. This also depends on how straight the arm is at the release point. The downside of this release is that it doesn't allow the bowler to take the most advantage of the lane conditions and place the ball in a way where he will get the most pin action. This is why almost no pro bowlers use this release.
The most common release for the pro and better bowler is the hook. This is where, at the point of release, the bowler rotates his hand, if he's a right handed bowler, to the left. This has the effect of causing the bowling ball to hook to the left as it travels down the lane. The biggest benefit of this release is that it allows the bowler to hit the pins at an angle that will cause the best pin action. The downside is that this release is very hard to control. If you turn your hand too much to the left the ball can get away from you and head wildly for the gutter. Perfecting the hook takes a lot of practice.
The least common release for anyone, pro or novice, is the backup ball. This is where, at the point of release, the bowler rotates his hand, if he's a right handed bowler, to the right. This causes the ball to go from left to right instead of from right to left. The reason people will use this release is because it is easiest on the wrist for those who don't have strong wrists. The downside is this release is going to give you the least chance of scoring high. You have to shoot for the 1 and 2 pins instead of for the 1 and 3 pins on your first shot, which is just not good bowling. There has probably never been a pro bowler who used a backup ball.
A niche topic for you :
Bowling
The release is probably the most important part of the game of bowling. No matter how good you look going up to the foul line, if you don't have a good release you're not going to score very high. We're going to take a look at some of the options open to the bowler and try to explain the pros and cons of each release.
There are basically 3 types of releases, with variations on each one. If you ask a pro bowler he will probably tell you that in this case a certain release is better than another. But that's not going to help the average bowler if the "better" release is too hard for him to control. So we'll just cover the 3 releases and explain the good and bad of each and let you make your own decision on what to use.
The most common release for the casual bowler is the straight underhand or straight ball. This is where, when the bowler approaches the foul line and releases the ball, he lets it roll off of his fingers while keeping the palm straight pointed toward the ceiling. This is not only the simplest release but the easiest to control as the ball will go in a straight line, unless lane conditions are so dry (more on conditions in another article) that the ball will start to go either to the left or right anyway. This also depends on how straight the arm is at the release point. The downside of this release is that it doesn't allow the bowler to take the most advantage of the lane conditions and place the ball in a way where he will get the most pin action. This is why almost no pro bowlers use this release.
The most common release for the pro and better bowler is the hook. This is where, at the point of release, the bowler rotates his hand, if he's a right handed bowler, to the left. This has the effect of causing the bowling ball to hook to the left as it travels down the lane. The biggest benefit of this release is that it allows the bowler to hit the pins at an angle that will cause the best pin action. The downside is that this release is very hard to control. If you turn your hand too much to the left the ball can get away from you and head wildly for the gutter. Perfecting the hook takes a lot of practice.
The least common release for anyone, pro or novice, is the backup ball. This is where, at the point of release, the bowler rotates his hand, if he's a right handed bowler, to the right. This causes the ball to go from left to right instead of from right to left. The reason people will use this release is because it is easiest on the wrist for those who don't have strong wrists. The downside is this release is going to give you the least chance of scoring high. You have to shoot for the 1 and 2 pins instead of for the 1 and 3 pins on your first shot, which is just not good bowling. There has probably never been a pro bowler who used a backup ball.
A niche topic for you :
Bowling
Wednesday 16 July 2008
* Bowling
Bowling is a game in which players attempt to score points by rolling a ball along a surface to knock down objects called pins. There are many forms of bowling, and the earliest known form has been dated back to ancient Egypt. Probably the best known form today is the American game of Ten-pin bowling. This form, in both amateur and professional versions, is played around the world, making it one of the largest participation sports available.
History
Historians have discovered forms of bowling as early as 3200 BC in Egypt, though some argue that it originated later in Germany in 300 A.D. The first written reference to bowling was in reference to King Edward III of England banning his troops from playing the game in the 14th century. European settlers brought forms of the game to the United States in the colonial era.
The first standardized rules were established in New York City, on September 9, 1895. In that year, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) was formed. The female equivalent, the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) was founded later, in 1917. Later, the Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA) became the sanctioning body for junior bowling.
Originally, pinspotters manually set up pins. However, in 1952, the first automatic pinsetters were commercially produced, greatly speeding up the game and allowing its popularity to blossom.
Since bowling was an indoor sport without extreme movements, several early television shows featured bowling, including "Championship Bowling," "Make That Spare," "Bowling For Dollars," and "Celebrity Bowling."
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) was founded in 1958 by Eddie Elias. While the first season only featured three events, the tour blossomed, especially after joining the ABC's Saturday afternoon time slot in 1961. Through the years, professional bowling on ABC typically outdrew college basketball, even in its final days on the network in the late 1990s. The PBA continues to showcase the best bowlers in the world, with telecasts currently on ESPN.
In 2005, the ABC, WIBC, and YABA merged to form the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) to serve as the single sanctioning body for all American bowling.
Forms
Most forms of bowling may be categorized as either indoor or outdoor. Most indoor forms are played on a "lane", a flat surface made of wood or a synthetic imitation, which is several times longer than it is wide.
Included in the indoor category:Ten-pin bowling, which evolved from ninepin bowling in the 19th Century.Five-pin bowling, played in Canada.Nine-pin skittlesCandlepin bowling, played in eastern Canada and northern New England, is a variation of ten-pin bowling.Duckpin bowling, commonly found in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England United States and eastern Canada, is a variation of ten-pin bowling involving small, squat pins, sometimes with rubber at their widest points (rubber band duckpin bowling).Feather Bowling (Belgian trough bowling) originated in Belgium and is played in Mount Clemens, Michigan.Cocked Hats, fluorescent pins and music to create a dazzling atmosphere.]]
For nearly a century, ten-pin bowling lanes had a surface made of wood. Beginning about 1980, most ten-pin lane surfaces have been converted to or built with a synthetic material imitating a wooden surface. In ten-pin bowling, a building containing many lanes has traditionally been called a bowling "alley" but in more recent times, to upgrade the image of the sport, bowling "center" is preferred.
The second category of bowling is usually played outdoors on a lawn. Here the players throw a ball, which is sometimes eccentrically weighted, in an attempt to put it closest to a designated point.
Included in the outdoor category: Lawn bowls Bocce Pétanque
A niche topic for you :
Better Bowling Guide
History
Historians have discovered forms of bowling as early as 3200 BC in Egypt, though some argue that it originated later in Germany in 300 A.D. The first written reference to bowling was in reference to King Edward III of England banning his troops from playing the game in the 14th century. European settlers brought forms of the game to the United States in the colonial era.
The first standardized rules were established in New York City, on September 9, 1895. In that year, the American Bowling Congress (ABC) was formed. The female equivalent, the Women's International Bowling Congress (WIBC) was founded later, in 1917. Later, the Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA) became the sanctioning body for junior bowling.
Originally, pinspotters manually set up pins. However, in 1952, the first automatic pinsetters were commercially produced, greatly speeding up the game and allowing its popularity to blossom.
Since bowling was an indoor sport without extreme movements, several early television shows featured bowling, including "Championship Bowling," "Make That Spare," "Bowling For Dollars," and "Celebrity Bowling."
The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) was founded in 1958 by Eddie Elias. While the first season only featured three events, the tour blossomed, especially after joining the ABC's Saturday afternoon time slot in 1961. Through the years, professional bowling on ABC typically outdrew college basketball, even in its final days on the network in the late 1990s. The PBA continues to showcase the best bowlers in the world, with telecasts currently on ESPN.
In 2005, the ABC, WIBC, and YABA merged to form the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) to serve as the single sanctioning body for all American bowling.
Forms
Most forms of bowling may be categorized as either indoor or outdoor. Most indoor forms are played on a "lane", a flat surface made of wood or a synthetic imitation, which is several times longer than it is wide.
Included in the indoor category:Ten-pin bowling, which evolved from ninepin bowling in the 19th Century.Five-pin bowling, played in Canada.Nine-pin skittlesCandlepin bowling, played in eastern Canada and northern New England, is a variation of ten-pin bowling.Duckpin bowling, commonly found in the mid-Atlantic and southern New England United States and eastern Canada, is a variation of ten-pin bowling involving small, squat pins, sometimes with rubber at their widest points (rubber band duckpin bowling).Feather Bowling (Belgian trough bowling) originated in Belgium and is played in Mount Clemens, Michigan.Cocked Hats, fluorescent pins and music to create a dazzling atmosphere.]]
For nearly a century, ten-pin bowling lanes had a surface made of wood. Beginning about 1980, most ten-pin lane surfaces have been converted to or built with a synthetic material imitating a wooden surface. In ten-pin bowling, a building containing many lanes has traditionally been called a bowling "alley" but in more recent times, to upgrade the image of the sport, bowling "center" is preferred.
The second category of bowling is usually played outdoors on a lawn. Here the players throw a ball, which is sometimes eccentrically weighted, in an attempt to put it closest to a designated point.
Included in the outdoor category: Lawn bowls Bocce Pétanque
A niche topic for you :
Better Bowling Guide
Monday 14 July 2008
* Better Bowling Guide
By Michael Russell
Are you interested in improving your bowling game? You can start getting better scores right away by correcting common mistakes that lots of people make. Anyone can become better at bowling no matter how experienced they are.
The first step to becoming a better bowler is to buy your own equipment. If you get a ball that is custom fit to your hand it will feel lighter and will be a lot easier to control. If you use a different ball every time you bowl, you will never be consistent. For your equipment, you will need a ball, a bag, a towel and shoes.
When you decide to purchase a ball, you need to realize that there are several different types of balls. Balls may have high hook, medium hook, low hook, or no hook. However, be aware that bowling balls do not hook on their own; you make them do it. Some bowlers even carry three balls for different hook types. High hook balls are used if the lane has heavy oil, medium hook balls are used if the lane has medium oil and for dry lanes you use little or no hooking balls. If you only want to purchase one ball, you should get a medium hook ball. For the weight of the ball, just be sure you don't get one that is too heavy for you to handle.
For your equipment to last, you will need to take care of it. Don't leave your ball in the garage or the car for a long time. Bowling balls can crack or melt if they are left in extreme conditions. You should also be sure to keep your ball clean. Your shoes also will need care. Don't wear them outside of the bowling center. Also, try not to step in any food or soda.
When you go bowling, wear comfortable clothes. Try not to wear tight or really loose clothing. When it is your turn, be right there and ready. Keep your mind on the game between frames. Make sure your hand that you bowl with is completely dry so that you can release the ball efficiently. Check the bottom of you sliding shoe to make sure it is clean and dry. When you pick up your ball, dry it off all the way to remove any dirt or oil. Try to relax; take a deep breath before you approach.
Something that many bowlers fail to do is practice. You need to practice at least twice as much as you actually play. You can either practice alone or with other people. Both can be helpful. Try to work and concentrate on one problem that you have at a time. Also, when you practice, don't keep score because this can be very distracting. If you get discouraged or frustrated you should quit and come back later or you might develop some bad habits.
These things may seem like very simple things that won't make a difference, but they really do. These are very common mistakes that many bowlers don't even think about. The most important thing you can do is believe in yourself and believe that you can become a better bowler.
A niche topic for you :
Basic Bowling Regulations
Are you interested in improving your bowling game? You can start getting better scores right away by correcting common mistakes that lots of people make. Anyone can become better at bowling no matter how experienced they are.
The first step to becoming a better bowler is to buy your own equipment. If you get a ball that is custom fit to your hand it will feel lighter and will be a lot easier to control. If you use a different ball every time you bowl, you will never be consistent. For your equipment, you will need a ball, a bag, a towel and shoes.
When you decide to purchase a ball, you need to realize that there are several different types of balls. Balls may have high hook, medium hook, low hook, or no hook. However, be aware that bowling balls do not hook on their own; you make them do it. Some bowlers even carry three balls for different hook types. High hook balls are used if the lane has heavy oil, medium hook balls are used if the lane has medium oil and for dry lanes you use little or no hooking balls. If you only want to purchase one ball, you should get a medium hook ball. For the weight of the ball, just be sure you don't get one that is too heavy for you to handle.
For your equipment to last, you will need to take care of it. Don't leave your ball in the garage or the car for a long time. Bowling balls can crack or melt if they are left in extreme conditions. You should also be sure to keep your ball clean. Your shoes also will need care. Don't wear them outside of the bowling center. Also, try not to step in any food or soda.
When you go bowling, wear comfortable clothes. Try not to wear tight or really loose clothing. When it is your turn, be right there and ready. Keep your mind on the game between frames. Make sure your hand that you bowl with is completely dry so that you can release the ball efficiently. Check the bottom of you sliding shoe to make sure it is clean and dry. When you pick up your ball, dry it off all the way to remove any dirt or oil. Try to relax; take a deep breath before you approach.
Something that many bowlers fail to do is practice. You need to practice at least twice as much as you actually play. You can either practice alone or with other people. Both can be helpful. Try to work and concentrate on one problem that you have at a time. Also, when you practice, don't keep score because this can be very distracting. If you get discouraged or frustrated you should quit and come back later or you might develop some bad habits.
These things may seem like very simple things that won't make a difference, but they really do. These are very common mistakes that many bowlers don't even think about. The most important thing you can do is believe in yourself and believe that you can become a better bowler.
A niche topic for you :
Basic Bowling Regulations
Friday 11 July 2008
* Basic Bowling Regulations
Certain standards laid down by the American Bowling Congress govern all sanctioned bowling lanes and must be complied with if official recognition is to be given to any competition held thereon. I am not going to name all of these regulations, because many of them are rather technical, but I would like to set down a few that have a direct bearing on your game. Here are the important ones:
Your bowling ball weighs not more than 16 pounds nor less than 10 pounds. The circumference of the ball is 27 inches, and the diameter of the ball is 8.59 inches.
Tenpins are 15 inches in height, and must weigh not less than 2 pounds, 14 ounces, nor more than 3 pounds, 10 ounces. The design of all pins is clearly prescribed by the ABC. The distance between each pin is 12 inches from center to center.
The length of an alley is 60 feet from the foul line to the headpin. The Width of the normal alley is 42 inches, and the length of the normal alley approach is 16 feet from the foul line to the back edge.
A foul occurs any time after the ball leaves the bowler's hand and passes over the foul line if the bowler permits his foot, hand, arm, or any other part of his body to touch the alley, gutters, division boards, walls or uprights that are beyond the foul line.
When pins are knocked down or displaced by a ball which leaves the alley before reaching the pins, or from a ball rebounding from the rear cushion, they do not count and should be respotted immediately. The removal of or interference with pins by a pinboy before they stop rolling is cause for the umpire to order the pins respotted.
All these regulations have been developed over a period of years, with only slight changes made recently. Nevertheless, I still hear bowlers ask if they can't count pins toppled by a ball that has rolled into the gutter before reaching the pins.
The regulations of the game of bowling are the responsibility of the ABC, which is doing a never-ending job of rooting out evils and standardizing the game to a point where bowlers all over the country play on the same basis. Many of the rules put into effect were absolute necessities, such as the laws on weight and size of the ball. In the old days, it was considered smart to drill balls in such a manner that they became weighted on one side making it possible for the owner to deliver such a "dodo ball" with amazing accuracy and effect, giving him a tremendous advantage over an opponent using an ordinary ball. Thanks to the ABC, bowling is the great game it is today.
A Niche topic for you :
An Introduction To The Bowling Game
Your bowling ball weighs not more than 16 pounds nor less than 10 pounds. The circumference of the ball is 27 inches, and the diameter of the ball is 8.59 inches.
Tenpins are 15 inches in height, and must weigh not less than 2 pounds, 14 ounces, nor more than 3 pounds, 10 ounces. The design of all pins is clearly prescribed by the ABC. The distance between each pin is 12 inches from center to center.
The length of an alley is 60 feet from the foul line to the headpin. The Width of the normal alley is 42 inches, and the length of the normal alley approach is 16 feet from the foul line to the back edge.
A foul occurs any time after the ball leaves the bowler's hand and passes over the foul line if the bowler permits his foot, hand, arm, or any other part of his body to touch the alley, gutters, division boards, walls or uprights that are beyond the foul line.
When pins are knocked down or displaced by a ball which leaves the alley before reaching the pins, or from a ball rebounding from the rear cushion, they do not count and should be respotted immediately. The removal of or interference with pins by a pinboy before they stop rolling is cause for the umpire to order the pins respotted.
All these regulations have been developed over a period of years, with only slight changes made recently. Nevertheless, I still hear bowlers ask if they can't count pins toppled by a ball that has rolled into the gutter before reaching the pins.
The regulations of the game of bowling are the responsibility of the ABC, which is doing a never-ending job of rooting out evils and standardizing the game to a point where bowlers all over the country play on the same basis. Many of the rules put into effect were absolute necessities, such as the laws on weight and size of the ball. In the old days, it was considered smart to drill balls in such a manner that they became weighted on one side making it possible for the owner to deliver such a "dodo ball" with amazing accuracy and effect, giving him a tremendous advantage over an opponent using an ordinary ball. Thanks to the ABC, bowling is the great game it is today.
A Niche topic for you :
An Introduction To The Bowling Game
Thursday 10 July 2008
* An Introduction To The Bowling Game
by Michael Russell
Models use the runway for cat walking and balls do too. Bowling balls are tossed energetically to knock down ten bowling pins. This by far has becomes one of the most sought after stress relieving games in the world. It's main objective is to get something really hard and heavy and throw it to knock down all of the pins.
There are more than 120 countries belonging to the International Bowling Federation, which claims that there are about 110 million people who now enjoy bowling. They call bowling centers alleys and there are different sizes of alleys and gimmicks used to lure patrons to play the game. The largest bowling alley in the world contains more than a hundred bowling lanes. The average commercial bowling centers contain only about twenty five to thirty lanes. There are already 11,000 bowling centers in the whole world.
Bowling consisted of four parts: the lane, the approach, the pit, and the pin deck. The approach is where players take several strides to get the maximum adrenaline they need to release the ball and knock down the pins. There is a control line (foul line) which marks the place where players must let go of the ball. The player must not cross the line before or after the ball has been thrown.
In the America alone, there are more than 7,000 bowling associations in different states that support countrywide competitions for more than 4 million bowlers. Americans find the bowling attitude the same as their culture, however, they are unable to take credit for the discovery of the game. Since bowling history is colorful and full of twists and turns, researchers have discovered that the game is actually the very first sport that was discovered. Back in 5200 B.C. they found primitive balls and pins in Egyptian tombs. They also found Polynesian cultures that practiced the same sport and found lanes about 6 feet long. However, the development of the game, which started in the third century A.D., is credited to the religious leaders of Germany. A kegel which represents the devil - was used as a pin. It needed to be hit as a sign of purity and freeing from sin and anyone who failed to hit the target was determined to be wicked. It was a practice that led the congregation to salvation and was even more standardized by Martin Luther. But when bowling was banned and used for illegal transactions, 10 pin bowling was invented to bypass the law.
The American Bowling Congress started in 1895. Now there are about 55 million players in the US and bowling has become the American game, played to unite and promote equality among fellow men.
A niche topic for you :
Advantages Of Bowling
Models use the runway for cat walking and balls do too. Bowling balls are tossed energetically to knock down ten bowling pins. This by far has becomes one of the most sought after stress relieving games in the world. It's main objective is to get something really hard and heavy and throw it to knock down all of the pins.
There are more than 120 countries belonging to the International Bowling Federation, which claims that there are about 110 million people who now enjoy bowling. They call bowling centers alleys and there are different sizes of alleys and gimmicks used to lure patrons to play the game. The largest bowling alley in the world contains more than a hundred bowling lanes. The average commercial bowling centers contain only about twenty five to thirty lanes. There are already 11,000 bowling centers in the whole world.
Bowling consisted of four parts: the lane, the approach, the pit, and the pin deck. The approach is where players take several strides to get the maximum adrenaline they need to release the ball and knock down the pins. There is a control line (foul line) which marks the place where players must let go of the ball. The player must not cross the line before or after the ball has been thrown.
In the America alone, there are more than 7,000 bowling associations in different states that support countrywide competitions for more than 4 million bowlers. Americans find the bowling attitude the same as their culture, however, they are unable to take credit for the discovery of the game. Since bowling history is colorful and full of twists and turns, researchers have discovered that the game is actually the very first sport that was discovered. Back in 5200 B.C. they found primitive balls and pins in Egyptian tombs. They also found Polynesian cultures that practiced the same sport and found lanes about 6 feet long. However, the development of the game, which started in the third century A.D., is credited to the religious leaders of Germany. A kegel which represents the devil - was used as a pin. It needed to be hit as a sign of purity and freeing from sin and anyone who failed to hit the target was determined to be wicked. It was a practice that led the congregation to salvation and was even more standardized by Martin Luther. But when bowling was banned and used for illegal transactions, 10 pin bowling was invented to bypass the law.
The American Bowling Congress started in 1895. Now there are about 55 million players in the US and bowling has become the American game, played to unite and promote equality among fellow men.
A niche topic for you :
Advantages Of Bowling
Monday 7 July 2008
* Advantages Of Bowling
by Michael Russell
Bowling can be considered one of the all time favorite sports in the world. Its popularity throughout the history of its evolution has a consistent trend that people seem to adapt and accept. In 1976, about 25 percent of the total population of the United States played the game. By the start of the millennium, the percentage has gone down by about 10 percent because of the changes of interest of many people to different activities.
There was a resurgence when bowling alleys realized that they had to modernize their facilities and equipment to keep with the trend of modern technology. There was a total transformation within every facility and with all equipment. Computer generated scoring was one of the futuristic adaptations of the game. There were also improvements in the bowling lanes and pin machines to provide faster setting of the pins in the target area.
Many venues have realized that there was an increase in the number of casual bowlers when they cut the schedules of leagues and shortened their events by a few weeks. More people have time to go bowling because the availability of the lanes was improved. By the start of the new millennium, many people were working less than eight hours a day and this led to the adaptation by bowling alleys to a schedule suitable for employees that wished to enjoy bowling after work.
Many people have considered the change of the concept of bowling from a sport to a social activity. Some people see bowling as a recreational or social activity while others see it as a competitive opportunity.
People find many advantages when bowling. Playing the sport on a regular basis will enable a person to develop a fitness activity by learning how to balance and coordinate body movements. The bowling executions a person uses provides exercise through walking and swinging of the arms. It not only provides good body exercise for the arms and back, but the joints, fingers, hips, and legs as well. The muscles limber up when a person bowls on a regular basis, keeping the body in good condition.
A niche topic for you :
A Short And Snappy History Of Bowling
Bowling can be considered one of the all time favorite sports in the world. Its popularity throughout the history of its evolution has a consistent trend that people seem to adapt and accept. In 1976, about 25 percent of the total population of the United States played the game. By the start of the millennium, the percentage has gone down by about 10 percent because of the changes of interest of many people to different activities.
There was a resurgence when bowling alleys realized that they had to modernize their facilities and equipment to keep with the trend of modern technology. There was a total transformation within every facility and with all equipment. Computer generated scoring was one of the futuristic adaptations of the game. There were also improvements in the bowling lanes and pin machines to provide faster setting of the pins in the target area.
Many venues have realized that there was an increase in the number of casual bowlers when they cut the schedules of leagues and shortened their events by a few weeks. More people have time to go bowling because the availability of the lanes was improved. By the start of the new millennium, many people were working less than eight hours a day and this led to the adaptation by bowling alleys to a schedule suitable for employees that wished to enjoy bowling after work.
Many people have considered the change of the concept of bowling from a sport to a social activity. Some people see bowling as a recreational or social activity while others see it as a competitive opportunity.
People find many advantages when bowling. Playing the sport on a regular basis will enable a person to develop a fitness activity by learning how to balance and coordinate body movements. The bowling executions a person uses provides exercise through walking and swinging of the arms. It not only provides good body exercise for the arms and back, but the joints, fingers, hips, and legs as well. The muscles limber up when a person bowls on a regular basis, keeping the body in good condition.
A niche topic for you :
A Short And Snappy History Of Bowling
Thursday 3 July 2008
* A Short And Snappy History Of Bowling
by Michael Russell
Bowling
As the most popular sport during the reign of King Henry VIII of England, bowling is still one of the most popular sports in the world. Over 100 million bowlers from nearly 90 countries participate in the sport. The popularity of bowling has been traced back many years and the game has contributed benefits to many people world wide.
The memoirs of bowling start in 5200 B.C. when some archeologists unearthed ancient forms of bowling pins and balls in the crypt of a child with Egyptian lineage. This discovery proves that Egyptians were the earliest bowlers in the world.
From that time on, bowling has taken many forms, using different pins and balls and played for different purposes. For instance, during 200 A.D., it has been recorded that Germans were fond of festivities and village dances and that among their ancient rituals was a game that resembles bowling today.
In this particular German game, Germans rolled or threw rocks or stones at nine clubs that were made of wood. These clubs are known as kegles, and that is why Germans who played this type of bowling were known as keglers and not bowlers.
After so many years of struggle for recognition, bowling was finally recognized in England as a form of sport during the 1100s.
From that time on, the popularity of bowling created an epidemic-like influence, infecting millions of people. King Edward III even prohibited the game so that his knights would focus their attention on the archery practices instead of rolling the balls.
By the 17th century, when the United States was still a colony, bowling was introduced in the area. The Dutch colonists brought this remarkable game to the Americans. They introduced a game of nine pins that are placed in a triangular formation, hence, the name Dutch pins.
As the nine pins or the Dutch pins strived to claim fame, the state of Connecticut banned the playing of nine-pin bowling because some unscrupulous people used the game as a means for their gambling activities.
Connecticut then added an additional pin to the game, creating 10-pin bowling. This was the start of a new form of recreation as bowling continued to proliferate in the society. With this additional pin, this new form of bowling had definitely hit the mark and now many people all over the world continue to patronize the game.
With almost 50 million Americans playing the game, bowling is considered one of the most popular and pleasurable sports in the U.S.
A niche topic for you :
Wednesday 2 July 2008
* A Positive Mental Attitude is Essential
Is Attitude important to your bowling? How important is it? What attitude should you take towards bowling?
This phrase kind of sums it all up: Your Attitude Is What Counts!
Attitude is probably the most important part of your bowling game. I have been told that if you were to weigh the two main aspects of bowling (physical & mental), your mental game has to get better over time. Usually we look at it this way: when you start bowling it is 15% mental and 85% physical, as you get better the scales switch and it becomes much more mental than physical.
Your physical game is the actual physical control of the ball (i.e. the pushout, the pendulum, the slide, etc.. (this is all covered in my article “4 Step vs 5 Step Approach”). Your mental game is how you view the results of your physical game. This can (and will!) change from frame to frame. It is important that you realize where your attitude is, negative or positive and manage it accordingly.
If you have a negative attitude it will cause you to bowl worse. The worse your attitude gets, the worse your bowling gets. If you throw a bad ball, or get a bad break on the lanes (i.e. a 7-10 or 8-10 split), you have to shake it off and not let it impact your bowling. That is much harder than it seems.
If you keep your attitude positive, it will help you to bowl better. By keeping a positive attitude, you can improve your average or at least maintain it. If you are having a "bad" night (i.e. not bowling your average), keeping your attitude positive will allow you to bowl the best score that you can on the condition that you face, thus keeping your average higher in the long run.
If you have a bad night, you want it to be as good as you can possibly make it so that it doesn't affect your average too much. After all, if you keep your pin count up, your average won't suffer as much.
A niche topic for you :
A HINT ON Bowling SAFETY
This phrase kind of sums it all up: Your Attitude Is What Counts!
Attitude is probably the most important part of your bowling game. I have been told that if you were to weigh the two main aspects of bowling (physical & mental), your mental game has to get better over time. Usually we look at it this way: when you start bowling it is 15% mental and 85% physical, as you get better the scales switch and it becomes much more mental than physical.
Your physical game is the actual physical control of the ball (i.e. the pushout, the pendulum, the slide, etc.. (this is all covered in my article “4 Step vs 5 Step Approach”). Your mental game is how you view the results of your physical game. This can (and will!) change from frame to frame. It is important that you realize where your attitude is, negative or positive and manage it accordingly.
If you have a negative attitude it will cause you to bowl worse. The worse your attitude gets, the worse your bowling gets. If you throw a bad ball, or get a bad break on the lanes (i.e. a 7-10 or 8-10 split), you have to shake it off and not let it impact your bowling. That is much harder than it seems.
If you keep your attitude positive, it will help you to bowl better. By keeping a positive attitude, you can improve your average or at least maintain it. If you are having a "bad" night (i.e. not bowling your average), keeping your attitude positive will allow you to bowl the best score that you can on the condition that you face, thus keeping your average higher in the long run.
If you have a bad night, you want it to be as good as you can possibly make it so that it doesn't affect your average too much. After all, if you keep your pin count up, your average won't suffer as much.
A niche topic for you :
A HINT ON Bowling SAFETY
Tuesday 1 July 2008
* A Hint On Bowling Safety
Before we get into the methods of bowling, I want to take up a most important safety feature which cannot be overemphasized— the matter of correctly picking up the ball from the rack. Two good rules to remember are: "Never turn your back to the alley," and "Never pick up a ball by inserting your fingers and thumb when lifting it off the rack."
If you always face the alley, you are able to see balls passing swiftly through the ball-stop or balls that might roll toward you in the gutter and seriously injure a foot or ankle. Always face the lane when you pick up your ball, and take the ball from the rack by placing one hand on each side of it.
After you have picked it up, transfer the weight of the ball to the palm of your left hand. The ball can then be carried easily, held against the body near waist level, as you walk to your starting position. All this time your right hand is relaxed but held lightly against the ball in a steadying fashion for additional safety. In this way your right hand is under no strain, and when time comes to insert your thumb and fingers into the ball, you are assured of a dry, comfortable grip.
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7 Tips for the Advanced Bowlers
If you always face the alley, you are able to see balls passing swiftly through the ball-stop or balls that might roll toward you in the gutter and seriously injure a foot or ankle. Always face the lane when you pick up your ball, and take the ball from the rack by placing one hand on each side of it.
After you have picked it up, transfer the weight of the ball to the palm of your left hand. The ball can then be carried easily, held against the body near waist level, as you walk to your starting position. All this time your right hand is relaxed but held lightly against the ball in a steadying fashion for additional safety. In this way your right hand is under no strain, and when time comes to insert your thumb and fingers into the ball, you are assured of a dry, comfortable grip.
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7 Tips for the Advanced Bowlers
Monday 30 June 2008
* 7 Tips for the Advanced Bowlers
Once you have mastered bowling's fundamentals, you will find that there are many subtleties of the approach and delivery that still may be something of a mystery to you. Be heartened by the fact that even the most advanced bowling stars have scoring problems. Some of the most common of these are listed below:
*** ALLEY SENSE
Bowlers too often "fight" the lane. The ball either hooks too much or it won't hook at all, so try to adjust to lane conditions.
If you feel you are releasing the ball properly and the ball still won't hook, there are a number of adjustments you can make:
-- Move slightly to the right of your normal stance position
-- Attempt to slow up the speed of your ball, thereby giving it more traction
-- Try changing your target to a point inside the second rangefinder. You may move it in as far as the third rangefinder (from the right). Experience will show you the proper adjustment to make.
If the ball is hooking too much try one of the following:
-- Move your starting stance slightly to the left using your same target
-- Try picking a spot further down the lane to use as your target
-- Increase the speed of your ball.
*** TEN-PIN LEAVES
When the ten pin remains on what seems to be a good pocket hit, the fault generally lies with the bowler. Experts in the sport feel the reason for it is that the ball doesn't have enough rolling action when it strikes the 1-3 pocket, or the ball may be traveling at too great a speed when it hits the pins. If you are bothered by ten-pin leaves, try giving the ball more roll, less spin, and less speed.
*** POCKET SPLITS
Many bowlers are bothered by troublesome splits that occur on what should be 1-3 pocket hits. If this happens to you, it is an indication that the ball is "quitting"failing to finish in the proper rolling fashion. Usually this is caused by the thumb coming out of the ball too late. As a result, the ball is given inadequate finger lift. To overcome this failure, shift the position of your thumb in the ballbring it up to at least nine o'clock.
*** SPEED
Speed really isn't an all important factor in getting your scores. Control and accuracy are much more important.If you are rolling a ball that is too fast, I suggest you shorten the approach by two or three feet in order to cut down your backswing. Junie McMahon, Hall of Fame star, had almost no backswing at all, and he became one of the East's all-time stars. If you want to generate more speed, simply increase the height of your backswing. Or, a change to a lighter ball will work, too.
*** SPARE SHOOTING
Many of the more advanced bowlers stand to the left of the approach area when attempting to convert pins remaining on the left side of the lane. This is done to diminish the possibility of "chopping," and I don't recommend it to newcomers. The left side of the lane can be troublesome unless you have a precise understanding of just how the ball is going to react.
*** DRIFTING
Drifting simply means failure to approach the foul line in a straight line. The remedies for this malady are simple. If you are drifting to the right of the approach, I suggest you keep your first step more to the left than is normally proper. If you are drifting toward the left, step off a bit to the right on your first step.
*** BALL ROLLING OVER THUMB HOLE
A ball that rolls over the thumb hole sometimes causes loss of direction and thereby inaccuracy. Usually, a ball rolls in this way because the bowler turns or breaks his wrist at the time of his release. Or, again, it may be simply a case of the thumb hole not fitting properly. Always, the Index finger should be placed on the ball. But don't be overly troubled by this. Just let your finger relax over the contour of the ball in a natural way.
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3 Striking Facts About Bowling For Soup
*** ALLEY SENSE
Bowlers too often "fight" the lane. The ball either hooks too much or it won't hook at all, so try to adjust to lane conditions.
If you feel you are releasing the ball properly and the ball still won't hook, there are a number of adjustments you can make:
-- Move slightly to the right of your normal stance position
-- Attempt to slow up the speed of your ball, thereby giving it more traction
-- Try changing your target to a point inside the second rangefinder. You may move it in as far as the third rangefinder (from the right). Experience will show you the proper adjustment to make.
If the ball is hooking too much try one of the following:
-- Move your starting stance slightly to the left using your same target
-- Try picking a spot further down the lane to use as your target
-- Increase the speed of your ball.
*** TEN-PIN LEAVES
When the ten pin remains on what seems to be a good pocket hit, the fault generally lies with the bowler. Experts in the sport feel the reason for it is that the ball doesn't have enough rolling action when it strikes the 1-3 pocket, or the ball may be traveling at too great a speed when it hits the pins. If you are bothered by ten-pin leaves, try giving the ball more roll, less spin, and less speed.
*** POCKET SPLITS
Many bowlers are bothered by troublesome splits that occur on what should be 1-3 pocket hits. If this happens to you, it is an indication that the ball is "quitting"failing to finish in the proper rolling fashion. Usually this is caused by the thumb coming out of the ball too late. As a result, the ball is given inadequate finger lift. To overcome this failure, shift the position of your thumb in the ballbring it up to at least nine o'clock.
*** SPEED
Speed really isn't an all important factor in getting your scores. Control and accuracy are much more important.If you are rolling a ball that is too fast, I suggest you shorten the approach by two or three feet in order to cut down your backswing. Junie McMahon, Hall of Fame star, had almost no backswing at all, and he became one of the East's all-time stars. If you want to generate more speed, simply increase the height of your backswing. Or, a change to a lighter ball will work, too.
*** SPARE SHOOTING
Many of the more advanced bowlers stand to the left of the approach area when attempting to convert pins remaining on the left side of the lane. This is done to diminish the possibility of "chopping," and I don't recommend it to newcomers. The left side of the lane can be troublesome unless you have a precise understanding of just how the ball is going to react.
*** DRIFTING
Drifting simply means failure to approach the foul line in a straight line. The remedies for this malady are simple. If you are drifting to the right of the approach, I suggest you keep your first step more to the left than is normally proper. If you are drifting toward the left, step off a bit to the right on your first step.
*** BALL ROLLING OVER THUMB HOLE
A ball that rolls over the thumb hole sometimes causes loss of direction and thereby inaccuracy. Usually, a ball rolls in this way because the bowler turns or breaks his wrist at the time of his release. Or, again, it may be simply a case of the thumb hole not fitting properly. Always, the Index finger should be placed on the ball. But don't be overly troubled by this. Just let your finger relax over the contour of the ball in a natural way.
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3 Striking Facts About Bowling For Soup
Friday 27 June 2008
* 3 Striking Facts About Bowling For Soup
by Michael Russell
Since its inception, bowling has consistently obtained and retained its recognition in the sports category. In the United States alone, there are 50 million people that participate in the sport.
Because of its extreme popularity, the fascination for bowling has reached all classes of society, including musicians. Yes, the concept of bowling is so popular that even musicians or band members have used bowling terms when naming their bands. Bowling for Soup coined their band name from the sport.
Bowling for Soup is an all-male band that engages in pop-punk music. Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas; this band was recognized for its hit singles like Girl All the Bad Guys Want that was released in 2002. Their newest hits were Almost and 1985.
The bands popularity soars as they continue to create songs that are widely accepted by the pre-teen group.
For those who are not yet familiar with the band, here are five amazing facts:
1. The band got its name from Bowling for Shit, a routine from Steve Martins comedy album, Wild and Crazy Guy, that was released in 1978.
2. They are known as musical heavyweights and drunk-rockers. But all of that changed when they were nominated for the 2003 Grammy Award for their category, Best Performance Pop, By a Duo or Group.
Since then, they are no longer known as the fat guys from Texas. After the Grammys, they now acclaim themselves as the Grammy-nominated fat guys from Texas.
3. Their name has nothing to do with the sport of bowling, but they do bowl; they are not true-blue bowlers which is what they call themselves. Jaret Riddick, the bands lead vocalist and lead guitarist has stated that they play badly when it comes to bowling. They participated in a bowling event known as a Bowl-a-thon, where Chris Burney, their bassist and vocalist, was able to score a scorching 70.
On the other hand, the term soup has nothing to do with edible soup either the fact is that Riddick admitted that he is not a soup eater.
Given all of the above, this band has made a great impact on the entertainment scene. They are very popular even if they are not into the sport of bowling. Whether it has been a strike or a spare, they have hit their way to fame.
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Thursday 26 June 2008
* Choosing The Right Gear For Bowling Fun
by Michael Russell
Before learning how to play the game, a bowler will need to identify the equipment needed and know how to use it. They should know where to find the necessary equipment, select the right shoe size, choose the right weight of ball to be used, wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the game, and return the equipment to the proper place after the game.
The bowling ball selected must be of the proper weight and grip; the player's finger size and the space between holes are essential for comfort. Most players use the conventional grip (used in bowling alleys), after fitting the two middle fingers and thumb in the holes, they must test its fit by swinging the ball lightly. Amateurs can find equipment at bowling centers where they can use the equipment for free. However, for advanced and intermediate players, they will want to purchase their own equipment. These players use the Semi-fingertip grips where the thumb and the fore fingers are inserted into the balls holes.
The usual weight of the ball is approximately 14 to 16 lbs. for males and 10 to 14 lbs. for females. Young players are given the 4 to 6 lb. balls. The swing indicates whether or not the weight of the ball is appropriate for a player. If not, it will cause the shoulder to dip and the player to be out of balance. If the swing causes lofting, it could be too light. The speed of the ball when it is released can also show if it fits the player. Bowling instructors advise professional bowlers to have their own bowling ball which is drilled especially to fit the player's fingers for consistency and comfort. As with any other sport, strength and physical fitness must be taken into consideration before playing the game.
Aside from the ball, players will need a few other things:
- Bowling shoes - these are designed to allow the player to slide on either foot. The left shoe has a sole that allows the right-handed player to use the five-step approach and vice versa;
- A bowling bag for the ball;
- A rosin bag, which is used by the players to insure that the hands are kept dry; and
- A bowling towel, to get rid of oil and dirt.
To practice, players must make sure that the proper equipment is pre-ordered or reserved to ensure proper hand fit and weight. Ask for assistance from the pro shop staff at the local bowling centers when choosing your equipment. Some bowling centers just charge per game and lend the equipment for free while others rent the equipment. In the long run, when budget permits, confidence is gained when a player owns his equipment. Have fun bowling!
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4 Steps vs 5 Steps Approach to your Bowling Shot
Before learning how to play the game, a bowler will need to identify the equipment needed and know how to use it. They should know where to find the necessary equipment, select the right shoe size, choose the right weight of ball to be used, wear comfortable clothing appropriate for the game, and return the equipment to the proper place after the game.
The bowling ball selected must be of the proper weight and grip; the player's finger size and the space between holes are essential for comfort. Most players use the conventional grip (used in bowling alleys), after fitting the two middle fingers and thumb in the holes, they must test its fit by swinging the ball lightly. Amateurs can find equipment at bowling centers where they can use the equipment for free. However, for advanced and intermediate players, they will want to purchase their own equipment. These players use the Semi-fingertip grips where the thumb and the fore fingers are inserted into the balls holes.
The usual weight of the ball is approximately 14 to 16 lbs. for males and 10 to 14 lbs. for females. Young players are given the 4 to 6 lb. balls. The swing indicates whether or not the weight of the ball is appropriate for a player. If not, it will cause the shoulder to dip and the player to be out of balance. If the swing causes lofting, it could be too light. The speed of the ball when it is released can also show if it fits the player. Bowling instructors advise professional bowlers to have their own bowling ball which is drilled especially to fit the player's fingers for consistency and comfort. As with any other sport, strength and physical fitness must be taken into consideration before playing the game.
Aside from the ball, players will need a few other things:
- Bowling shoes - these are designed to allow the player to slide on either foot. The left shoe has a sole that allows the right-handed player to use the five-step approach and vice versa;
- A bowling bag for the ball;
- A rosin bag, which is used by the players to insure that the hands are kept dry; and
- A bowling towel, to get rid of oil and dirt.
To practice, players must make sure that the proper equipment is pre-ordered or reserved to ensure proper hand fit and weight. Ask for assistance from the pro shop staff at the local bowling centers when choosing your equipment. Some bowling centers just charge per game and lend the equipment for free while others rent the equipment. In the long run, when budget permits, confidence is gained when a player owns his equipment. Have fun bowling!
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4 Steps vs 5 Steps Approach to your Bowling Shot
Friday 20 June 2008
* 4 Steps vs 5 Steps Approach to your Bowling Shot
By Mike Kolar
You will hear people talk about your approach to the lane. This is a subject that people are always talking about. Do you use a 4 step or a 5 step approach? How do you decide which one is for you?
4 Step Approach
The 4 step approach consists of 4 steps (duh!).
The first step is the pushout. When you take this step, you push the ball out from its starting position towards the lane. This step is crucial for the stroke of the ball. If you push out in a downward motion, you will slow the ball down (see pendulum in next paragraph), if you push out in a upward motion, you will speed the ball up. Each of these could be done on purpose depending on what you are attempting to do with the shot. This step will also set the tempo of the approach. This is a vital part of your bowling shot. The speed of your approach will determine the speed of the ball going down the lane.
The second step is the beginning of the pendulum motion. The swing has to be a natural motion. It is important that you allow the ball to fall without forcing it into motion. On this step you will allow the ball to fall and begin a natural swing motion. The second and third steps kind of run into each other, and the pendulum can be different for everyone.
The third step is the continuation of the pendulum motion to the back and starting back towards the lane. It is important that you do this without speeding or slowing the ball down in any way (easier said than done!). Just allow the ball to flow with gravity and continue in a natural motion toward the lane.
The fourth and final step is the slide and follow through. You need to be especially careful to not overdo this step. If you throw the ball to hard, it will probably stay to the right of the head pin and you will probably leave pins. If you throw the ball to soft, it will probably end up on the left of the head pin, or worse, through the middle of the rack (a split, ahhh!). I can't emphasize how important it is to keep the motion smooth and natural.
5 Step Approach
The 5 step approach consists of the 4 step approach with an additional step at the beginning.
The first step in the 5 step approach is a speed step. It is used to set the pace for the shot. Usually the ball doesn't move during this step. This allows for one less thing to worry about in the first step of your approach (see first step of 4 step approach). A lot of bowlers use this step to setup the shot. It is a starter step that you can use to make sure that your speed is what you want it to be.
The other 4 steps of this approach are the same (more or less) as the 4 step approach outlined above. Some bowlers incorporate the fifth step into their approach and make the 5 step approach one smooth motion.
Which one should I use?
The 5 step approach is used by most higher average bowlers. This is not to say that you can't be a higher average bowler if you don't use it, but you will find most higher average bowlers do use it. That said, the 4 step approach is the one to start with if you are just beginning to bowl. The 4 step approach is used by just about every bowler when they begin to bowl. It is much easier to do than the 5 step, and you can always adjust to the 5 step approach when you feel more comfortable with your approach and are developing your own style (see my article, Improve Your Score With Style for more information on establishing your own style).
Keep bowling and having fun!
You will hear people talk about your approach to the lane. This is a subject that people are always talking about. Do you use a 4 step or a 5 step approach? How do you decide which one is for you?
4 Step Approach
The 4 step approach consists of 4 steps (duh!).
The first step is the pushout. When you take this step, you push the ball out from its starting position towards the lane. This step is crucial for the stroke of the ball. If you push out in a downward motion, you will slow the ball down (see pendulum in next paragraph), if you push out in a upward motion, you will speed the ball up. Each of these could be done on purpose depending on what you are attempting to do with the shot. This step will also set the tempo of the approach. This is a vital part of your bowling shot. The speed of your approach will determine the speed of the ball going down the lane.
The second step is the beginning of the pendulum motion. The swing has to be a natural motion. It is important that you allow the ball to fall without forcing it into motion. On this step you will allow the ball to fall and begin a natural swing motion. The second and third steps kind of run into each other, and the pendulum can be different for everyone.
The third step is the continuation of the pendulum motion to the back and starting back towards the lane. It is important that you do this without speeding or slowing the ball down in any way (easier said than done!). Just allow the ball to flow with gravity and continue in a natural motion toward the lane.
The fourth and final step is the slide and follow through. You need to be especially careful to not overdo this step. If you throw the ball to hard, it will probably stay to the right of the head pin and you will probably leave pins. If you throw the ball to soft, it will probably end up on the left of the head pin, or worse, through the middle of the rack (a split, ahhh!). I can't emphasize how important it is to keep the motion smooth and natural.
5 Step Approach
The 5 step approach consists of the 4 step approach with an additional step at the beginning.
The first step in the 5 step approach is a speed step. It is used to set the pace for the shot. Usually the ball doesn't move during this step. This allows for one less thing to worry about in the first step of your approach (see first step of 4 step approach). A lot of bowlers use this step to setup the shot. It is a starter step that you can use to make sure that your speed is what you want it to be.
The other 4 steps of this approach are the same (more or less) as the 4 step approach outlined above. Some bowlers incorporate the fifth step into their approach and make the 5 step approach one smooth motion.
Which one should I use?
The 5 step approach is used by most higher average bowlers. This is not to say that you can't be a higher average bowler if you don't use it, but you will find most higher average bowlers do use it. That said, the 4 step approach is the one to start with if you are just beginning to bowl. The 4 step approach is used by just about every bowler when they begin to bowl. It is much easier to do than the 5 step, and you can always adjust to the 5 step approach when you feel more comfortable with your approach and are developing your own style (see my article, Improve Your Score With Style for more information on establishing your own style).
Keep bowling and having fun!
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