Proper conduct, sportsmanship, consideration of others and plain common
sense are important to succeed and enjoy any endeavor. Bowling is no exception.
The following items should be practiced by all bowlers:
Be on time for league play. Lateness not only affects your team-mates,
but also bowlers who are due to bowl after you.
Be prepared to take your regular turn on the lanes. If another bowler is
on a lane to your immediate right or left, do not advance to the foul line
until the other bowler has completed the shot. However do not wait for
bowlers several lanes away on either side.
Take your time, but don't waste everybody else's by useless posing or waiting
around until all around you have bowled. Bowlers are often irritated and
distracted by those who stand too long before advancing to the foul line.
Stay in your own approach area. Step back off the approach after making
each delivery.
Don't use another player's bowling ball, towel, resin, etc., without permission.
The approaches may not be exactly to your liking, but don't use chalk,
resin or powder to condition them. the next bowler may like them as they
are. If you have a complaint, take it quietly to the manager.
Control your emotions on the lanes. Kicking the ball rack doesn't help
anyone!
Be certain you wait until the pin setting machine has completed its cycle
and the sweep bar is raised before rolling the ball.
Getting your ball out onto the lane is important, but lofting is bad for
the lane, and it won't help your game either.
Do not carry refreshments onto the bowling area. Spilled liquid can create
problems for all the bowlers.
Good bowling requires concentration. When an opponent is set to bowl, give
the player the courtesy of making the shot without interference.
Play to win, but be gracious if you are on the short end of the score at
the end of the game. 'Modest in victory, gracious in defeat' is a good
motto.
A bowler must use a ball which fits properly to the hand to attain any
degree of enjoyment and success. Most importantly, the grip should be natural
and comfortable. There should not be any strain on the thumb, fingers or
wrist.
The majority of bowler use one of three basic grips, the conventional,
fingertip or semi-fingertip. Whichever one feels most natural and comfortable
to the bowler is the one that should be used. For a bowler who doesn't
own a ball selecting the right house ball is important. Attach great importance
to the span, which is the distance between the thumb hole and the center line between the finger holes. You will not be able to hold a ball properly
if the span is either too narrow or too wide. To check for the recommended
conventional grip, insert your thumb to its full length in the ball. Lay the fingers across, not into, their holes. The crease of the second joint
should extend about 1/4" beyond the nearest edge of the finger holes. If
the joints do not reach the edge the span is too wide. If they go more
than halfway beyond the center of the holes, the span is too narrow.
The maximum weight of a ball is 16 pounds and most men use one approaching
that weight. Because strength is a factor, women might not be able to handle
the 16 pound ball with as much success. Many women use 12, 13 or 14 pound
balls with effective results. Size of the bowler is not a key factor. If
a bowler constantly drops the ball at the foul line, the answer usually
is the ball is too heavy. On the other hand, if the ball is lofted onto
the lane, or the speed is too great, the bowler is probably using a lighter
than necessary ball. One way to check is after two good games the third
game score is lower, chances are the ball is too heavy. Find out what is
comfortable you Don't use a ball too heavy to handle; and don't use
one so light that it becomes too easy to handle.
The selection of ball is a matter of personal choice and comfort, and
what works best for you. A properly fitted ball, no matter what grip, will
increase accuracy and begin to raise scores. Bowlers who want their own
ball should consult a pro-shop operator for proper spanning and drilling
of finger and thumb holes.
Beginning bowlers should use the conventional grip because it provides
a firmer hold with the fingers and gives the bowler a more secure felling
about having full control of the ball. The conventional grip allows the
bowler to hold more of the ball, thus providing the feeling of a secure
release. The conventional grip does not allow for any exceptional lifting
action, but it does provide the bowler with the ability to hook the ball
into the strike pocket. Upon becoming a more experienced bowler, the change
to a finger tip or semi fingertip grip can be made.
The ball is supported by only the first joint of the bowling fingers. The
thumb is inserted all the way into the ball and when the bowling fingers
are extended over the finger holes, the first joint crease should extend
slightly over the inner edge of the hole, providing a comfortable finger
tip grip. The fingertip allows the greatest leverage at this point, thus
giving increased lift and/or turn. The wide span could present control
problems for the new bowler, but for the advanced a comfortable fitting
fingertip grip will provide an easily controlled release.
The fingers are inserted into the finger holes anywhere between the first
and second joint and the thumb is placed all the way into the ball. Since
the depth of the fingers could vary in a semi fingertip, it is possible
that a bowler may get a different feel or release occasionally. A semi
might be advisable for the bowler who is not comfortable with a fingertip
grip. But in generally a fingertip grip is recommended over a semi fingertip
grip.
As in the selection of the ball, the beginner should experiment and select
a stance which is most comfortable and natural. The first objective is
to find your point of origin, or where to stand on the approach before
starting to move towards the foul line. Walk to the foul line, then turn
round 180 degrees. Place your heals approximately 2 inches from the foul
line. For a four step bowler take four and a half brisk walking steps forward.
Then look down at the dots or the ball return to see where your toes are
placed. Turn and face the pins you should be at approximately your point
of origin. Take several practice approaches and use common sense to adjust
your point of origin if need be.
Foe right handed bowlers, the point of origin should be to the right
of the center dot. The right shoulder should line up directly above the
board where the second dot right of center is in line with the second arrow
on the lane, which is the common strike target. Bowlers should begin by
using the second arrow on the right as the strike target as a guide to
the 1-3 pocket.
Place one hand each side of the ball away from the direction the ball return
runs. Lift the ball, then cradle in one arm. Then place fingers and thumb
into the ball.
Wrong ways
Smashed your fingers by placing your hands either side of the ball in the
direction the ball return runs.
Place your fingers and thumb in the hole whilst the ball is still on the
rack, and you'll either drop the ball, strain your fingers or get them
smashed by another ball.
The wrist should be straight and fairly firm as the first step and push away begin. Keeping a straight and fairly firm wrist doesn't mean bending the
wrist back. Cupping or bending the wrist forward is not recommended either.
Because of physical makeup, it is more difficult for a woman to keep her
wrist straight and firm, and often the wrist is in the wrong position at
the point of beginning the approach. Extreme concentration is essential
for proper wrist position.
Accurately aiming is only possible if you can throw your ball consistently
every time. One way to ensure that you do this is by learning how to step
up you the foul line in the correct way.
The most common run-up used by bowlers involves 4 steps, surprisingly
enough it is known as the 4 step delivery! As most bowlers find
it easier using 4 steps these notes (or now web page - web master) will
focus mainly on this type of delivery. However, some bowlers may prefer
to use 3 or 5 steps so notes on these types of delivery will also be included.
NB: The notes are also right hand biased, so sorry left handed people
but you are going to have to reverse the procedure.
The Four Step Delivery
Stance
Start by standing square to the target holding the ball waist high. Bend
the right knee (or both knees if it feels easier) and look at the target.
Note: For sparing you should face towards the pins you are trying to
spare not straight ahead (unless you have central pins left)...
always face the target!
Step One
Push the ball out and down with both hands whilst stepping out with your
right foot. These two movements should take place simultaneously and be
about the same distance in length.
Step Two
Let the ball swing down to your side in a pendulum movement as you step
forward with your left foot. Your left hand will come away from the ball
and you can hold it out to the side to aid balance if you find it helps.
Step Three
As you step forward with your right foot again the ball will be at the
top of the back swing. This back swing should reach somewhere between your
hip and shoulder. your elbow shouldn't be bent.
Step Four
When you left foot touches the floor during the last step, it should slide
slightly and your knee should bend. The ball and your foot should reach
the area slightly behind the foul line at approximately the same time.
Release
At this point the ball will naturally roll off your hand, thumb first.
It is important to keep a firm finger grip on the ball so that your fingers
lift the ball on the upswing.
Follow Through
In the follow through your arm should continue on an upward arc. Your hips
and shoulders should still be square towards the target.
NB: The delivery should be as smooth as possible and in one continuous motion. It may help to say or think the words: Out, Side, Back, Through
as you take your steps.
Position at Foul Line
The correct position at the foul line is as follows:
Left foot straight, pointing towards the target
Shoulders at right angles to intended target
Shoulder, knee and toe in a 'plumb line' alignment..............I feel
a song coming on!
Follow through in line with target
Right foot touching approach
The Three Step Delivery
Start up standing as in the four step delivery, but bend your left leg
instead of your right and hold the ball out and down before you
take the first step
Step One
Step with your left foot and let the ball swing down to your side in a
pendulum movement
Step Two
As you step forward with your right foot again the ball will be at the
top of the back swing. This back swing should reach somewhere between your
hip and shoulder. your elbow shouldn't be bent.
Step Three
When you left foot touches the floor during the last step, it should slide
slightly and your knee should bend. The ball and your foot should reach
the area slightly behind the foul line at approximately the same time.
The Five Step Delivery
This is the same as the four step delivery, but you take a step with the
left foot before starting the Step 1 from 4 step. This means your
left leg should start bent.
Copyright 1999 University of London Tenpin Bowling Club
