Bowling Fundamentals:
• Don’t cross the foul line
• Remain on your lane
• Don’t interfere with other bowlers
• Don’t put your hands into ball the return
• Score by knocking down pins
• Roll the ball down the middle of the lane
• Gutter balls count as zero
Bowling Bonus scores:
• Strike - Knock down all pins with 1st ball
• Spare - Knock down all pins with 2nd ball
• Turkey - 3 strikes in a row
• Four Bagger - 4 strikes in a row
Bowling Stance:
• Start by positioning the points of your toes parallel with the arrows on the deck.
• Straighten your body facing the pins, bending your arms to hold the ball up to your chest.
• Slowly walk towards the foul line, while letting your arm with the ball swing down and behind you.
• Focus eyes on the head pin. (Focusing on the middle arrow of the lane helps also.)
• When letting go of the ball, a tip to keep it straight is to also keep your thumb straight, aiming towards the head pin. If when you release the ball, your thumb is slanted to the right, your ball will most likely be turning towards the right of the lane.
MORE BOWLING TIPS:
- FREE ARMSWING-keep a relaxed grip in the ball (don't squeeze fingers or esp. thumb) and swing the ball from your shoulder joint using the weight of the ball for a long, loose, armswing. Also it's important that your ball is drilled and fitted properly so that your thumb and fingers fit snuggly in the ball so you can keep them relaxed. Keeping your fingers and thumb relaxed in the ball at all times is the key to a free armswing!
- ARMSWING ALIGNMENT-make sure your armswing and elbow are close to the side of your body during the armswing(esp. the forward swing) to have accuracy and leverage at release. To do this visualize (picture) your elbow being as close as possible to the side of your body during the entire armswing.
- HAND POSITION-I think the natural hook handshake position is the best way to go since it allows you the freest and loosest armswing. In the stance hold the ball in a 45 degree hand position (hand partially under ball and partially to the side of ball, the tips of the pinkys from both hands should be touching).
- BALANCE-use your lower body to give you a solid finish in your last step of the approach. On the last step you need to slide into a deep knee bend and then extend your right leg out to the left side of your body. This will give you both balance at the line and added power in your release as you come through the ball during your follow-through.
- FOLLOW-THROUGH- with only your fingers still in the ball reach out with your armswing and bring your wrist inwards and your hand to your ear. Your arm should unhinge at the elbow as if you are saluting someone.
- SPARE MAKING-face spares with your feet and shoulders when you line up to shoot at them. Also keep your hand in the natural hook position (10-11 o'clock) and keep your wrist straight and loose. Don't use wrist snap release on spares. Go straight at them.
- ANALYZE YOUR GAME-Teach yourself how to bowl using an analytical mind. You have to analyze your game in order to improve your technique.
- VISUALIZATION-Use visualization on and off the lanes. especially off the lanes when you're not bowling. Visualize yourself making perfect shots the way you would like to.
- FEEL YOUR GOOD SHOTS-Bowling is a game of repetition. You need to repeat your good shots. You do this by feeling your good shots when you make them, memorizing that feeling and trying to repeat it again.
- LANE CONDITIONS-If the lanes get drier move to the left on the approach and try to play the same target. If the lanes are oilier move to the right on the approach and try to play the same target.
- BOWLING BALLS-this really depends on your style but in my case I've found that I do better with a reactive-resin ball that is sanded with 600 grit wet paper on most lane conditions. If lanes are bone dry then I'll use a polished plastic ball.
We have bowling instructors at both of our bowling centers.
We look forward to helping you knock down more pins!!!
