How to Bowl - Bowling Tips and Techniques

Bowling has become a very well-known sport. There exist a myriad of leagues and competitions for dexterous bowlers to demonstrate their expertise. When a bowler knocks down all the pins, it is called a "strike". If all the pins are knocked down on the second try, it is termed as a "spare". 7-10 is called the hardest shot. To become exemplary in the bowling alley, certain tips and techniques that are essential are mentioned below. These can transform a novice to a master.

How to Bowl
The first step is to watch existing bowlers with concentration. Each one of them has a different style which enables them to come up with a different result. One should try to correlate between the styles and results. Then, the stance is very crucial. The person must stand nearly one and a half meters away from the foul line. Face the pins directly and in a straight line. The ball must be held at waist height. Out of the seven pins, the middle one must never be aimed. Right-handed bowlers must aim for the right arrow and left-handers for the left one. The following procedure is for right-handed ones. Left-handed ones have to replace right by left:

• Step forward with the right foot and push the ball out and down simultaneously. The ball then swings down to the side like a pendulum.
• The left hand is extended outwards for balancing.
• the ball moves maximum backwards, but not more than shoulder height. The elbow should be straight.
• With the left knee bent, slide forward using the left foot. The ball must naturally roll off the hand.

In the follow-through, the swing of the arm must continue to point towards the aimed pin. The left arm must remain extended for balance and the hips as well as shoulders must be parallel to the pins. While the ball is being released, the fingers must be in a grip position and not in an opened one. After release, gaze how the ball goes over the mark. This will enable to learn from the mistakes.

Bowling techniques
Some of the vital bowling techniques are listed below:

• line-up towards the left of and close to the center dot
• the knees have to be slightly bent and the bowling ball must be held upwards
• for a straight throw, the thumb has to point towards 6 o'clock and other fingers have to be straight
• for a curve or hook, the thumb must be at the 10 o'clock position
• take a step with the left foot, then the right foot and again the left foot. Further, the right foot must be placed behind the left foot and moved towards the left
• when the ball is brought backwards, the body has to be straight and should not be between the ball and arrows
• the follow through of the arm must move towards 12 o'clock position
• if the first arrow and the one which is to its immediate left are aimed, there is more possibility of hitting a strike

Bowling tips
There are three different types of bowlers. The following bowling tips will enable to distinguish them.

• The Crankers use late timing. They reach the foul line before the ball. The elbow is bent to place the hand behind and below the ball. A considerable amount of body strength is used.
• The Strokers sliding foot movement ceases just before the ball gets in the line. So, the ball reaches in time with the bowlers slide.
• The Spinners purposely bring their fingers around the top of the ball. Due to this, a small portion of the ball remains in contact with the lane. The ball moves straight on the lane, irrespective of the oiling pattern.

Purchases
It is good to buy nice bowling shoes. The size ought to be half size more than the regular shoe size. After some use, the feet get accustomed to them and they do not hurt the feet. The next step is to purchase a suitable bowling ball. This should not be very heavy or very light. It is a bad practice to borrow or rent one. When a person practices with his own ball, it results in familiarization with it. Gradually, one learns how to use it to an advantage.

It must remain in the background of the mind that perseverance and diligence are the keys to imbibe the correct bowling techniques.