1. Welcome Bowlers Agenda for today
First and foremost thank you for attending todays coaching clinic; we’re glad you’re here!
Agenda for today
Bowling lanes
Equipment
Fundamentals
Lane play
Spares
HAVE FUN
On The Lane
The Lane
A bowling lane includes: the pin deck (where the pins are located) which is approximately three feet in length; the lane surface (wood or synthetic material), which is 60 feet in length from the foul line to center of the front pin (called the head pint;); gutters (also called channels) along both sides of the lane and the approach (where bowler’s make their delivery) which must be a minimum of 15 feet in length.

2. On The Lane Approach Lane Surface Channels Pin Deck On The Lane
A bowling lane includes: the pin deck (where the pins are located) which is approximately three feet in length; the lane surface (wood or synthetic material), which is 60 feet in length from the foul line to center of the front pin (called the head pint;); gutters (also called channels) along both sides of the lane and the approach (where bowler’s make their delivery) which must be a minimum of 15 feet in length.

3. On The Lane, cont. Locator Dots & Arrows On The Lane, cont.
There are three sets of locator dots on the approach, approximately 2-6 inches and feet from the foul line. Dots are used by the bowler for lining up their approach and are on the same boards as the arrows used for targeting.
There also are 10 dots on each lane, approximately 7-9 feet from the foul line that can be used for targeting as well. They’re located on board numbers 3, 5, 8, 11 and 14.
Arrows
There are seven arrows on each lane, placed five boards apart and located feet from the foul line. When counting the arrows, right-handed bowlers start from the right and count left, and left-handed bowlers start from the left and count right.

4. On The Lane, cont. Pins On The Lane, cont.
Pins – the pins are made of wood and plastic. They are uniform in size and weight. Each pin is 15 inches tall, approximately 4-11/16 inches in diameter and must weight between 3 pounds, 6 ounces and 3 pounds, 10 ounces. The pins are arranged in a triangle and numbered one to 10 with the pin closest to the foul line (head pin) being No. 1 and numbering left to right from front to back.

5. Equipment Bowling Shoes Rental Personal Care Equipment – Bowling Shoes
Rental – Can be rented at the counter of the bowling center.
Personal – Some bowlers may prefer to have their own bowling shoes. At this level, recreational should be used as they have a slide sole on both shoes so they can be used by left- or right-handed bowlers.
Care - Bowling shoes should stay dry and free of any foreign substance (i.e. powder) while bowing, if bowling shoes become wet they should be thoroughly dried or be changed.

6. Equipment, cont. Bowling Balls House ball Weight Fit
Personal (Entry Level)
Equipment, cont.
House Balls – most new bowlers use a ball provided by the bowling center, called a “house” ball. They are made of plastic (polyester) and range in weight from six to 16 pounds. The cover is smooth and does not generate a lot of hook. This is good for beginners as it will allow for more control.
Weight
A ball that is too heavy could cause the bowler to squeeze the ball and create erratic physical movements, if the bowling ball is too light the bowler will be able to manipulate the swing which could cause inconsistency. The bowling ball should fit comfortably and be a proper weight which is usually about 10 % of body weight and adjusted from there for size, strength and ability.
Bowling Ball Fit
A ball that does not properly fit can sometimes cause blisters, calluses or sores. Finger and thumb holes that are too big can be dropped and if the holes are too small the ball could stick on the bowler’s hand. As youth bowlers grow, it is important to check their fit continuously and make adjustments when needed.
Personal Bowling balls can be purchased and come in a variety of colors, textures and weights ranging from 6 to 16 lbs.
Entry Level The covers of these bowling balls are made of plastic (polyester) and are great for new bowlers
Before purchasing a bowling ball, bowlers should consult an International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) certified pro shop professional.

7. Equipment, cont. Bowling Balls Conventional Picking up the ball
Conventional Grip
This fit will allow for a se
Picking up the Ball
Bowlers should use two hands, lifting the ball up from the sides so their hands will not get hit by another ball coming through the ball return.
cure grip. The fingers are inserted first to the second joint followed by the thumb, which is placed all the way to the base.

8. Fundamentals, cont. Hand Position Stance Waist level Hand under ball
In-between chin and shoulder
Fundamentals, cont.
Hand Position Stance
The hand is positioned under the ball with a firm wrist, held at waist level in-between the chin and shoulder.

9. Fundamentals, cont. Hand Position Release Fundamentals, cont.
To roll a straight ball, both right and left-handers thumbs will be positioned at 12 o’clock with fingers at 6 o’clock.
As the ball reaches the bowler’s ankle the ball rolls off the thumb exits first followed by the fingers.

10. Fundamentals, cont. Athletic Pose
A balanced starting position used in the set up and when bowlers begin to learn how to deliver the ball.
Determine if a bowler is ready for the Athletic Pose after their Bowler Evaluation.
Fundamentals, cont.
Athletic Pose
A balanced starting position is used in the set up and when bowlers begin to learn how to deliver the ball.
Bowler holds ball securely with both hands while setting up
Bowler places the slide foot at starting point (locator dots or a location chosen on the approach)
The ball-side foot is set back, next to the slide foot
The feet positioned comfortably apart from side to side
The knees bent slightly and positioned over the toes
The spine tilted slightly forward
The ball-side hips and shoulders set back slightly to match up with the feet
The bowler places their hand in the ball fingers first, followed by the thumb
The ball is positioned waist-high, between the shoulder and chin of the ball-side shoulder (The ball-side shoulder will be slightly lower than the opposite shoulder to allow for the weight of the ball)
The ball-side elbow is positioned at the hip
The wrist is straight and firm with the hand positioned under the ball
The opposite hand helps support the weight of the ball and the ball should rest comfortably

11. Fundamentals, cont. Follow Through Elbow is above the shoulder
A good indication that a bowler has delivered a “good” shot can be seen in the follow through and finish position. The arm should be fully extended so the elbow is above the shoulder.
When the follow through is complete, the bowler should relax the arm and swing it back and forth naturally while holding the finish position.

12. Fundamentals, cont. One-step Delivery Fundamentals, continued
One-step Delivery, distance to start from the foul line
Walks to the foul line, turns around and stands with their back facing the pins with the center dot between their feet.
Takes one and a-half steps from the foul line and turns on their toe to face the pins. This is their starting position.
Bowler picks the ball up from the ball return using both hands on either side of the ball. Using both hands to carry the ball and walks to their starting position.
One-step Delivery, Finish Position & Follow Through
New bowlers will find this useful to learn a balanced finish position.
The bowler will:
Set up in athletic pose
Place their hand in the ball fingers first, followed by the thumb
(Start) Position the ball-side elbow at the hip and hold the ball waist level
(1) Push the ball away, allowing it to swing naturally, while the opposite hand goes out to the side for balance as the ball continues into the backswing
(2) Slide forward with the slide foot as the ball comes down from the top of the backswing, ending with the body weight over the slide foot
(3) Release the ball on the forward motion, as the ball passes the slide foot ankle, ball side leg goes behind the bowler rolling the foot on its side
(4) Follow through toward the target, bringing the bowling elbow above the ball-side shoulder, staying in a balanced position watching the ball until it rolls over the target
*It’s important that bowlers reach out and fully extend their arm so the elbow is above the shoulder. This teaches a bowler how to complete the motion of the armswing and reinforces the direction toward the target.

13. Fundamentals, cont. Traditional four-step approach
Start (slide) Finish Position
Fundamentals, cont.
Traditional four-step approach
The four-step approach is great for beginning bowlers to develop a sound set of fundamentals throughout a bowling approach.
The bowler:
Walks to the foul line and stands with their back facing the pins with the center dot between their feet
Takes four and one-half steps back from the foul line and turns on their toe to face the pins. This is the starting point
Picks up ball from the ball return using both hands on either side of the ball
Set up in athletic pose
Places hand in the ball inserting fingers first, followed by the thumb
(Start) Positions the ball-side elbow at the hip and holds the ball waist level
(1) Starts the push away and first step (ball-side foot) at the same time. As the ball starts into the swing, the opposite arm goes out to the side for balance
(2) In the second step the ball swings down near the leg. The swing should be close to the body and straight
(3) In the third step the ball reaches the top of the backswing
(4 – Release) In the fourth step and while sliding, the ball swings down into the release. Releasing the ball as it passes the slide foot ankle
(Follow through) Bowler follows through towards the target, bringing the bowling hand above the ball-side shoulder, staying in a balanced position watching the ball until it rolls over the target

14. Fundamentals, cont. Footwork (modified for armswing)
The bowler’s first step (of 4) crosses slightly in front of other foot.
Promotes straighter armswing.
Fundamentals, cont.
Footwork
The bowler’s first step of a four step delivery will slightly cross in front of the other foot. This helps the armswing stay in a straight line.
The second step will also go slightly left as the ball needs to clear the ball-side leg.
The third step goes straight as the ball goes into the top of the backswing.
The fourth or slide step will go towards the ball path as the ball comes down from the top of the backswing into the release.
Once again the most important factor with footwork is balance throughout the delivery.

15. Fundamentals, cont. 1 2 3 4 5 Fundamentals, cont. Five-step approach
Fundamentals, cont.
Five-step approach
The five-step approach can be challenging at first, as the five-step delivery is a developed skill. It will take practice to develop a consistent delivery.
The bowler:
Walks to the foul line turns around and stands with their back facing the pins with the center dot between their feet
Takes five and one-half steps back from the foul line and turns on their toe, to face the pins. This is the starting point
Picks up ball from the ball return using both hands on either side of the ball
Set up in athletic pose
Places hand in the ball, inserting fingers first, followed by the thumb
(Start) Positions the ball-side elbow at the hip and holds the ball waist level
(1) Begins the approach by taking a small step forward with the slide foot without moving the ball
(2) Starts the push away and the second step (ball-side foot) start at the same time. As the ball starts into the swing, the opposite arm goes out to the side for balance
(3) In the third step the ball swings down near the leg. The swing should be close to the body and straight
(4) In the fourth step the ball reaches the top of the backswing
(5 – Release) In the fifth step and while sliding the ball swings down into the release. Releasing the ball as it passes the slide foot ankle
(Follow through) Bowler follows through towards the target, bringing the bowling hand above the ball-side shoulder, staying in a balanced position watching the ball until it rolls over the target

16. Lane Play Targeting Straight Ball – Middle arrow
Hook Ball – Second or Third Arrow
Lane Play
Targeting
New bowlers most likely will be releasing the ball with their thumb at 12 o’clock, allowing the ball to roll straight down the lane.
Once a bowler is able to keep the ball on the lane, they will need to learn how to change their alignment on the approach to compensate for the ball missing the head pin.
  Bowlers should aim at a target that is easy for them to see. The goal is to hit the front pin (No. 1 pin) also known as the head pin.
(1) Straight Ball - USA Bowling suggests using the fourth arrow (middle) on the lane for the target. Right-handers will line up their feet to the left of the target and left-handers will line up their feet to the right side of the target, which allows for a straight armswing and follow through.
(2) Hook Ball - If the bowler throws a slight hook, the target should be either the second or third arrow, depending on how much the ball is hooking. Right-handers will line up their feet to the left of the target and left-handers

17. Lane Play Adjusting Bowler moves their feet the direction of the miss
Moving the feet the direction the ball missed the pocket is the simplest correction for beginning bowlers to use. Changing the position of the feet on the approach and keeping the same target on the lane will create a different angle to the pocket.
If a right-handed bowler misses the strike pocket to the right, they should move their feet to the right on the approach keeping the same target. The same moves apply to left handers.

18. Spares, cont. Converting Spares, cont. The pin in front must be hit
In order to pick up a spare that has more than one pin the pin that is in the front must be hit.

19. Spares, cont. Converting Spares, cont. Move feet to new position
Move feet to a new position on approach
Once the key pin has been determined, the next step is for the bowler to move their feet the proper number of boards to make the spare. If the bowler leaves the No. 1 or No. 5 pin, no adjustment is made.

20. Spares, cont. Spare Chart Spares, cont. Spare Chart
If a new bowler missed their target and leaves a spare with either the 1 or 5 pin, the bowler should roll the second ball as if they were trying to get a strike.

21. Spares, cont. Converting Spares, cont. Face the Spare
Draw imaginary line
Look at target
Spares, Cont.
Converting spares, cont.
Face the spare
Once the bowler has moved their position on the approach, they should set up in the stance so the ball-side shoulder and feet are in line with the intended spare. This allows the bowler to shoot at the spare without changing the swing direction. The adjusted position is very slight and it encompasses the feet, knees, hips and shoulders. The bowler looks at the new target and draws an imaginary line through it to the spare.

22. Questions? Spares, Cont. Converting spares, cont. Face the spare
Once the bowler has moved their position on the approach, they should set up in the stance so the ball-side shoulder and feet are in line with the intended spare. This allows the bowler to shoot at the spare without changing the swing direction. The adjusted position is very slight and it encompasses the feet, knees, hips and shoulders. The bowler looks at the new target and draws an imaginary line through it to the spare.