BOWLING INFO
Bowling Info for Bowlers of all ages and Bowling skills
Score sheet test | bowling tips
Sep 5th
In the above image the X is a strike, 9/ is 9 pins on the first ball and the last pin is knocked down with the second ball a spare(/). A frame with a strike will be scored as 10 plus the score of the next two balls. A frame with a spare we be scored as 10 plus the result of the next ball. Frame 4 the first ball knocked down 7 pins and the other 2 pins with the second ball. Frames 5,6,7 were strikes and frame 8 the first ball knocked down 9 pins and the second ball missed the remaining pin.
After studying the above image, you can practice scoring with the following games:
The score is 219 (a great game for an average league bowler)!! In frame 4 the circled 8 is a split (the 2 pins have a space between them).
This score is 170.
Please excuse the shaky numbers, I used a new program and couldn’t seem to make nice straight lines and numbers.
A more detailed blog on scoring a bowling game was published on Dec. 12, 2010.
Two handed bowling | bowling techniques
Sep 3rd
The online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, calls the bowling technique of delivering the ball with two-hands shoveling. With this technique the thumb is not inserted into the thumb hole, usually only the two fingers are inserted and held with both hands. The arm is never straightened; the ball is pushed(shoveled) down the lane while the bowler rotates his/her hand and arm around the ball.
As the photo above shows, the normal bowling hand cradles the ball which extra spin when releasing. The other hand guides the ball through the throwing motion. When this technique is done correctly it increases force, revolutions and pin carry, but the bowler’s body places more torque through the spine. The encyclopedia states that “the two handed bowler’s revolution rate can reach up to 600 revolutions per minute, which is up to 17% more rotation than the nearest elite single handed bowler and twice what some top professional bowlers generate!!”
When you watch a two handed bowler you will see that they are forced to flex farther forward and rotate more with their trunk, therefore putting more stress on the discs in the spine. With a long career of bowling, the added force along with thousands of repetitions it will probably lead to more back problems than an one handed bowler.
As with any sport it is important to have proper technique and adequate conditioning to maintain good health to have a long career. Two handed bowlers will require greater flexibility in their trunks and the single handed bowlers require greater shoulder and hip flexibility. It is important to maintain the body with sport specific exercises and stretches
A new bowler might try both techniques to determine which one feels more natural to them. Your body is soon tell you which technique is best for you. But, it will use a whole new set of muscles and movements. If you are a seasoned single handed bowler and want to try the two handed technique, start slowly and gently.
The official chiropractor of the Kegel Training Center has determined that the two handed delivery has its advantages and disadvantages, but it is not better or worse then single handed bowling, it is just different. For some people one movement will seem more natural than others. Use this to your advantage, and do what feels right.” “
Conventional vs Fingertip Grip | bowling technique
Jun 24th
The two basic grips
used are the conventional and fingertip. When I began bowling, the only grip I was aware of was the conventional grip. This is the grip beginning bowlers or bowlers that bowl for fun and not for competition. The bowling ball is drilled so the holes allow the middle and ring finger to be inserted down to the second knuckle and the full thumb inserted to a comfortable span. The correct span can be checked by placing the thumb all the way into the hole and then lay the middle and ring fingers over the holes. If the second knuckle on the two fingers lay over the middle of the finger holes, it should be a good fit. Most house balls have a full finger conventional grip and this grip is usually very comfortable and allows some degree of control. This grip allows the bowler to hold more of the ball, giving the feeling of a secure release. With this grip you place your thumb all the way in the thumb hole and then put the middle and ring fingers into the finger holes.
The fingertip grip
is usually used by professional and league bowlers. The ball is drilled so the thumb can be fully inserted into the thumb hole and the fingers are inserted to the first joint. Fingertip grip increases the span, resulting in a ‘spinning’ motion and a better hook. Basically, bowling with a fingertip grip enables the bowler to deliver a higher number of rotations of the ball, an increase of ball speed and controlled movement. To check the span, fully insert the thumb in the thumb hole and extend the fingers over the finger holes, the first joint crease should extend slightly over the inner edge of the hole. This gives increased lift and/or turn and controlled release for the advanced bowler. With this grip you put your fingertips in the holes and then the thumb all the way in the thumb hole.
It is important to find an expert ball driller to drill your ball for the fingertip grip to reduce the risk of injury and improve your scores.
If you are a serious bowling, give the fingertip grip a try!
Bowling History 2 | bowling info
May 27th
Bowling was originally ninepins
and was brought to America by Dutch colonists in the 17th century. At about this time ninepin was brought indoors, into covered sheds with lanes made of wood or sunbaked clay. It is believed by some that ninepin was played mainly in taverns and inns by men only. Connecticut prohibited ninepins in 1841 because it was associated to gambling and then in many other states. It is believed the modern day ten pin sport of bowling was developed by adding one more pin in opposition to the law on ninepins.
The first indoor bowling alley
was built in 1840 as Knickerbockers of New York City. In 1875, eleven New York bowling clubs met to design the rules of bowling and standardization of equipment. On September 9, 1895 at Beethoven Hall in New York City, the first standardization of the rules for ten pin bowling was established. It was at this time the American Bowling Congress (men only) was created. In 1917, with the encouragement of a proprietor, the Women’s International Bowling Congress was established.
The first rubber ball
was introduced in 1905 and in 1914 Brunswick Corporation promoted the Mineralite ball. And in 1936 a semi-automatic pinspotter machine was invented. The first commercial fully automatic pinspotter machine was installed in 1946. In 1948 Brunswick introduced the dots and arrow markers to their lanes, which helped the accuracy of the bowlers. Brunswick installed its first commercial fully automatic pinspotter machines in 1955.
With the television age
of the 1950′s and the broadcasting of some bowling shows in the home, bowling became more popular as a sport for the working people. The Professional Bowlers Association was founded in 1958 and the Pro Bowlers Tour became a permanent part of ABC’s sports lineup by the early 1960′s.
The popularity
of bowling leagues and individual bowling, in the 1960′s and 1970′s, was partly influenced by the televised shows of the pro bowlers and their individual popularity.
All of these events,
plus automatic scoring and bowling centers with other entertainment venues available, have added to the popularity of bowling. But, bowling is enjoyed because it is a sport of the people and has come from its early history to evolve into an enjoyable American family past time.
Bowling History 1 | bowling info
May 11th
The history of bowling was traced back to the stone ages.
The earliest known historical
evidence of bowling was the discovery by British anthropologist Sir Flinders Petri in 1930. Petri and a team of archaeologists discovered primitive bowling balls, bowling pins and other materials in the grave of an Egyptian boy dating to 3200 BC, which was over 5200 years ago.
Others have claimed
that the sport of bowling was traced back to the 3rd century. This claim originated in the German church. Sometimes, parishioners set up a Kegel (a type of club) to represent a sinner, and roll a rock into it in an effort to knock it down. If the Kegel is knocked over, the sinner was without sin. After it moved from the church, it became a popular sport with the general public in Germany. When it became popular with the general population the stone ball was replaced with a wood ball and pins were used instead of the Kegel.
The sport expanded to other European countries, with records showing the game has been played on the green in Southampton, England since 1299. The sport of bowling was being played outdoors and with ninepins.
Ninepin bowling
was introduced to America by Dutch colonists in the 17th century. It was particularity popular in an area of New York that is now known as Bowling Green.
Modern bowling history will be discussed in Bowling History 2.
US Bowler Magazine | bowling info
May 3rd
The May 2011 issue of the US Bowler magazine
has several articles that I think will help all bowlers and I would not be able to discuss the subjects any better in my blogs. Therefore, I recommend you go to the www.bowl.com website to read and possibly print.
One article is about college bowling coaches scouting high school bowlers for collegiate bowling. Another one gives tips about helping summer bowlers maintain the proper grip in higher temperatures. The last important topic is on the finish and posting of your shot to become consistent.
Importance of the mental game | bowling tips
Apr 22nd
During the winter league season
I bowl in three leagues a week, two in the morning at one bowling center and one in the afternoon at another bowling center. One is a women’s league and the other two are senior mixed leagues. I also bowl in the local city tournament and state tournament each year, plus several type of local tournaments or events. The winter season has one to two weeks left and on two of the leagues my team has a chance to be in the playoff for league champion. This puts a lot of pressure on the team bowlers to bowl good. I have been having a little trouble with some shots and try to remember some of my own tips in the blogs I have published.
In the April US Bowler magazine there was an article that discussed the mental game of bowling. It had a statement that I understand and believe, “Sport is 100 percent mental. The other 100 percent is physical. Sport is 100 percent physical in that you are moving objects. It’s also 100 percent mental because, even at the most basic levels of sport, the physical act requires awareness and focus.”
When I am bowling
and begin missing my spares, I can become frustrated. Then, I try to remember to get into my “think circle”. I have to forget about the previous bad shot and think about my basic delivery, from starting on a specific approach spot, position of ball in my hand, approach steps, deciding on the target and the follow through with my arm and non- sliding leg. I have realized in the last three weeks that when I really concentrate and focus on my basic techniques, I am more consistent and accurate in converting spares. I have gone back to using the dots on the lane as my target spot, which helps me focus on the closest target and put my ball down sooner with a smoother follow through. My ball has the roll I want in order to convert spares and more strikes. While I am waiting for my turn, I tell myself that I am going to strike, if I leave some pins, I need to tell myself I am going to convert the spare, not become upset over leaving the pins.
The last paragraph
in the above mentioned article says it all, “Bowling, like all sports, is a feel experience. The mental approach-awareness and focus-has to work hand-in-hand with your physical game if you want to excel.”
Youth bowling programs | bowling info
Apr 4th
Youth bowlers
are the future for the sport of bowling. Starting with young children to college age.
The following article by Mark Miller For the Bowling News Network was published in our local bowling paper.
New youth initiatives could fuel resurgence in high school bowling
High school bowling
is at a crossroads. There’s no doubt it was the hottest prep sport in America during the first decade of the new century achieving double-digit growth in five of eight seasons through 2007-08. During the same period, it nearly tripled the number of states and more than doubled the number of participants and schools. No time period best shows this better than between August 2001 and August 2006 when:
* States offering bowling as a varsity sport went from seven to 18.
* States offering bowling as a club sport went from 19 to 27.
* The number of varsity bowlers grew from 20,976 to 42,483.
* The number of boys and girls school programs increased from 1,728 to 3,935.
Today,
all but three states-Vermont, North Dakota and Wyoming-feature either varsity or club bowling. And in the 2009-10 school year, 52,653 students in 4,886 programs participated in bowling as a varsity sport.
But the number of bowlers rose just 2.5 last season after a 2008-09 that increased only 2.6 percent. The facts clearly state the sport at the high school level has cooled down, perhaps a victim of its own success. “At this point the newness has worn off a little bit,” admitted United States Bowling Congress High School Manager Breanne Eoff. “It’s somewhat saturated the market.” Another reason is something schools and athletics are facing nationwide. “Budgets have been a hurdle too,” Eoff said. “There’s been some program cutting and it’s a reason why some can’t start programs.”
The general state of the nation’s economy also has affected high school bowling. “In some states where club bowling is proprietor driven if they are struggling with resources, they maybe can’t do it,” Eoff said.
While the numbers are leveling off,
there’s still good reason for schools to start programs. They remain far less costly than most other sports while requiring more hand-eye coordination than size or speed. Plus, they provide a chance for many students, 74 percent according to the most recent study, to belong to a school team for the first time. “Kids are getting involved who never got involved in athletics before,” Eoff said. “Kids who would never get off the sidelines now can participate in an organized sport.”
There also are some athletes from fall and spring sports who are looking for a winter sport to play. “The football player who likes to bowl with friends can bowl on his school’s team,” Eloff said. It remains easy for a school to start a program. “We receive calls from everyone from kids to parents to bowling center youth coordinators who want to start a program,”Eoff said. Each state has different standards on what needs to be met.” Once a school is convinced to consider adding bowling, USBC High School offers administrators a package that includes an interactive CD-ROM, brochure and guidebook explaining how to start a team and how to become part of the USBC High School membership and coaches’ registration programs.
The new high school membership
is designed for players who aren’t in USBC youth leagues. For $5, the bowler receives a USBC Youth membership card, official average and is eligible to earn scholarships, compete in USBC certified tournaments and be nominated to the Dexter/USBC High School All-America Team.
Even with these handy tools, there are other signs high school bowling could return to the national prep radar. For one, Kentucky is scheduled to become the 20th state with bowling as a varsity sport in the 2011-12 school year. That follows New Hampshire which added the sport for boys and girls and Iowa which elevated boys bowling to varsity status in 2009-10.
There’s also the new Youth Education Services Fund
which provides four $2,500 grants to help high schools start or save programs. The first grant helped sustain the 19 year old program at Middlesex (N.J.) High school that was scheduled to be dropped due to budget cuts. Then in early March, another YES grant program was introduced to provide bowling equipment to needy high school programs. To qualify for the Students Equipped to Strike(S.E.T.S.) grant program, at least one member of the team must demonstrate an economic need for assistance.
“High school coaches
really need to take a look at this grant program,” said International Bowling Campus Director of Youth Development Chad Murphy. “Kids are sometimes shy about applying for need-based grants. This program is designed to help the child in need but also promote the team concept so the whole roster receives new equipment in the process.”
The S.E.T.S. grants are made possible with assistance from the Bowling Foundation, the YES Fund, Classic Products and The National Bowling Association. “Athletic directors and coaches now have the opportunity to get new equipment for their teams at not cost to the school or the student-athlete,” said Bowling Foundation Board Chair Cathy DeSocio. “Custom-fitted equipment can improve not only the scores of the bowler, but the self confidence of the athlete. These young athletes are working hard to be competitive and this program can help them succeed.”
The YES Fund is a joint initiative of the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of American and the United States Bowling Congress and supported by its founding partners Brunswick, Columbia 300, Ebonite, 900 Global, Hammer, QubicaAMF, Roto Grip, Storm and Track.
And there’s the new youth team at the International Bowling Campus led by Murphy. One of its goals is to transition youth from beginner all the way to collegiate bowler in a more coordinated manner than in the past. It starts with a new development league program for 8-12 year olds. Re-branded under the USA Bowling name, it seeks to introduce youth to bowling over just eight weeks with each group of four bowlers having a volunteer coach.
Next will be creation of a middle school program
which would lead into the existing high school and collegiate programs. “As we look at the structure of youth we think of the pre-teen to young adult, ages 11 to 17,” Eoff said. “Middle school and high school will have a big focus.” The new coordinated effort should mean more youth available to bowl in high schools which should entice more schools to add the sport and more states to make bowling a varsity sport. If that happens as planned, bowling could once again be the fastest growing high school sport in America.
Team bowling shirts with logos can be purchased by clicking on this site.
Adult bowling leagues | bowling tips
Mar 27th
Adult bowling leagues
consists of bowlers of at least 19 years old. As discussed in the earlier youth blog, bowlers 4 thru 18 years old bowl in the youth program are important to maintain and increase adult bowling.
There are numerous types
of adult leagues. Some are commercial leagues, because they are sponsored by local businesses. This is a inexpensive way for a business to advertise(sponsor fee beginning at $10 and possibly team shirts with adverting on the back). The league collects a sponsor fee that is used to pay in cash or purchase something for the number of teams in the winners bracket. Other leagues are fun leagues, but bowl under USBC playing rules so they can be sanctioned. When a league is USBC sanctioned the bowlers will be eligible for specific awards.
The adult leagues
can consist of teams of 2 to 5 members of all men, all women or mixed with at least one man or one woman. A league can bowl for up to 35 weeks divided into halves or thirds. The winning team of each segment bowls against each other in the last week, known as the sweeper, to determine the league team champion.
Adult leagues, as stated above, are for bowlers of age 19 thru 100+ years of age. There are also Senior leagues specifically for bowlers of age 50+. It is a great avenue for exercising, socializing and entertainment for senior bowlers of all bowling skills.
I have discussed in previous articles how the bowling ball surface collects oil as it rolls down the lane. Where do you think some of the oil on the ball is transferred? Look at the front of your shirt or blouse that you wear when you bowl. This is one of the reasons I have specific tops to wear when I bowl. Whether it is a team logo shirt or blouse, a plain top or a top with some type of imprint it is better than ruining your regular shirts or blouse. This site has great prices for all kinds of sportswear.
How bowling benefits the youth | bowling tips
Mar 20th
BOWLING IS A SPORT!!!!!!!!!!!
If bowling is a sport,
how can bowling benefit the youth? Parents usually want their child to participate in some sport (usually one they are particularly interested in) to help the development of the child in his daily surroundings. Bowling is a sport that can be enjoyed by family, friends and community throughout their life.
Youth bowling
can begin as early as age 4 and continue through 100+ years, not many sports can say that! Most bowling centers have bowling programs and leagues for the youth (ages 4 – 18) with coaches. Many High schools have bowling teams that compete with other high schools locally and statewide championship tournaments. There is a separate Collegiate bowling program for competition between college bowling teams as amateurs.
Benefits of bowling
for the youth are many. A young child can enhance hand-eye coordination skills when rolling a ball towards a specific pin or target. Bowling helps develop balance when delivering the ball and patience when waiting for her/his turn to bowl. Teamwork is important in the development of a youth and bowling (in my opinion) is at the top of the list. When a child is on a youth bowling league, that child will learn what it means to be a team member and how important they are to the team. They will learn the score they have, no matter what it is, can help the team win. There is no member of the team that will be sitting on the bench if they aren’t doing good. A youth likes attention, whether it is good or bad. In bowling when a child is up to bowl, in a bowling league setting, the attention of the audience is on them each time they are up to bowl.
Bowling is great exercise
for a young person. It involves walking each time it is their turn to bowl and uses most of the major body muscle groups. This activity can burn a large amount of calories in a 2+ hours of actively bowling.
While the child is having a fun experience bowling, he/she is also learning some math and reading skills to figure their scores and averages. They will also be able to see immediately what they accomplished on their turn does to their score, the teams score and how it compares to the opponents score.
Have a family
bowling time and encourage your child to become involved in the youth bowling programs in your area.
