Bowling Techniques: The Perfect Strike - What Happens to the Bowling Ball and Bowling Pins?
Have you ever wondered what happens to the bowling pins and the bowling ball when you get a perfect strike? For a right-hander, the perfect throw will result in the ball hitting only the 1, 3, 5 and 9 pins. (For a left-hander, it's the 1, 2, 5 and 8 pins). The following is a breakdown of what happens to the pins when a bowling ball hits the pocket perfectly:
The bowling ball rolls towards the "pocket" - between the 1-pin and 3-pin.
The bowling ball hits the 1-pin and 3-pin.
The bowling ball knocks down the 1-pin and 3-pin, and carries through towards the 5-pin.
The bowling ball hits the 5-pin and carries through towards the 9-pin.
The bowling ball finally hits the 9-pin and gets a strike.
Bowling Tips: How to pick up spares
There are two systems you can use to pick up spares: the 3 6 9 spare system and the 2 4 6 spare system.
With the 3-6-9 system, you keep the same target and move your feet to the left or to the right. You move your feet in jumps of three, six or nine boards.
With the 2-4-6 system, you throw the ball more to the left or right of your target arrow and keep your feet on the same boards. Only the target changes by two, four or six boards.
We'll focus on the 3-6-9 system since it's the one most people use. When using your spare ball to pick up spares, the most important point to remember is:
Move right when the pins are to the left and move left when the pins are to the right.
For example, if you leave the 10-pin, move to the extreme left, turn your shoulders to face the pin and aim for the third arrow from the left.
If you leave the 6-pin, move back to the right a little bit.
If the 3-pin is left standing, move to the right a little bit more.
For the 2-pin, move 3 boards to the right over from your strike ball position.
For the 4-pin, move another 3 boards over.
Remember, there is not one system that works for every person. You will need to practice and figure out which system works best for you.
For more specific bowling tips and techniques, read about:
