BOWLING STUDY GUIDE
TERMINOLOGY:
1.
Double:
Two successive strikes in a game.
2.
Frame:
One tenth of a game; one of the ten squares on the score sheet.
3.
Gutter Ball:
Poorly rolled ball which goes in either gutter.
4.
Handicap:
Pins given to a team or individual to make averages nearly equal.
5.
Kegler:
Another name for a bowler.
6.
Mark:
Getting a strike or spare.
7.
Open Frame:
A frame without a strike or spare.
8.
Perfect Game:
All strikes = 300
9.
Pocket:
The space between the 1-3 pins where a right-handed bowler should hit
for a strike; between the 1-2 pins for a left handed bowler.
10.
Sleeper:
A pin hidden directly behind another pin.
11.
Strike Out:
Three successive strikes in the tenth frame, or striking to the finish of
the game.
12.
Turkey:
Three strikes in a row.
13.
Pin Set Up:
7 8 9 10
4 5 6
2 3
1
14.
Foul:
Touching or going beyond the foul line as the ball is delivered. Pins
knocked down do not count. Pins will be reset and you will be allowed
to bowl the second game.
15.
Split:
Two or more pins standing with intermediate pins knocked down in
front or between. Head pin must be down.
16.
Error:
Failing to bowl down all the pins after the second ball has been delivered.
except on a split.
MECHANICS OF DELIVERY
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Shoulders, feet, and arms square to target – ball held in center of body.
Elbows close to side and eyes on point of aim.
Pendulum motion with swing of arm – wrist firm.
Release in opposition – (right hand – left foot forward; left handed – right foot forward)
Shoulders face target as the arm is lifted up in front of the body and held.
APPROACH
When using a 4 step approach:
Step
Step
Step
Step
1
2
3
4
–
–
–
–
Take step and push ball away at the same time – arm should be extended.
The left hand stops supporting the ball and the arm has swung down by the side.
The ball is at the complete backswing at shoulder height.
Both knees bend as the left foot moves forward into a slide. The ball comes back down,
close to the left ankle and is released on the upswing. The thumb comes out first and
the fingers rotate around the ball for lift and power. Release the ball on the upswing and
hold.
ETIQUETTE OF BOWLING
1. Consideration should be given to other bowlers at all times.
2. Wait until a bowler on an adjoining lane has delivered his/her ball before you step up to take
your ball off the rack.
3. Give priority to the bowler on your right if he/she is ready to start delivery at the same time
you are.
4. The bowler who has a spare may bowl before the one rolling their first ball.
5. Check the number and markings on your ball and use the same ball for the entire game.
6. Replace house balls in their proper places on the racks after you have finished bowling.
GUIDELINES FOR AIMING
1. Learn to use the approach dots in aiding you to line up your feet in the starting position and the
lane dots and target arrows as aiming devices when releasing the ball.
2. Start and finish your approach on the same marks each time.
3. Right handers aim at the 1-3 pocket; left handers aim at the 1-2 pocket.
4. When picking up spares and splits, move to the left when shooting for the right side of the alley
and move to the right when shooting for the left side of the alley.
SCORING
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A line or game is composed of 10 frames.
A player is entitled to roll two balls per frame, unless a strike is scored.
If a strike is made in the 10th frame, the bowler completes the game by rolling two more balls.
If a spare is made in the 10th frame, the bowler completes the game by rolling one more ball.
When a spare is bowled (all pins knocked down on 2 ball), you score 10 points, plus the number
of pins knocked down on your next ball.
6. When a strike is bowled (all pins knocked down on first ball), you score 10 points, plus the
number of pins knocked down on your next 2 balls.