Ten Pin Bowling Tips

Here are the four main points of reference: 

The Foul Line:
The line where the ball is released.

The Dots:
The dots are located half way between the arrows and the foul line. There are two sets of dots. One on the right side of the lane and one on the left. The dots are located on boards 3, 5, 8, 11, and 14. On the other side of the lane, the dots are located on boards 26, 29, 32, 35, and 37.

The Arrows:
There are 7 arrows located fifteen feet past the foul line. They’re located on boards 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35. Use the arrows and the gaps between the arrows.

Here are some special secrets of highly effective visualization:

a. Always visualize yourself making perfect shots, and using exquisite form. Make your visualizations ‘ideal’. This is an essential key in all visualization. Condition your mind to see perfect, ideal, glorious shots and to see them over and over and over.

b. Visualize when you’re bowling and when you’re not bowling. This creates a spaced repetition that has the effect of creating congruency. It conditions the mind to constantly see you bowling well. Also, you are in one emotional state when you’re bowling and a different emotional state when you’re not bowling. To visualize in both emotional states bridges your internal images across your neurology.

One thing top bowlers do consistently is that they have the habit of analyzing their shots. The technique is really quite simple. Every few shots… mentally (visually) review what you have been doing that has been working. Notice what feels good. This might be your approach timing, your swing, your concentration etc. Acknowledge yourself for doing those things well.

Then, review your last few shots again. This time, search for what you could improve. Let’s say you notice you’re not taking enough time on spares. So you consciously practice slowing down as you bowl the next few spares.

Viola. You have successfully analyzed your game improving your skills ‘in the process’. This habit will vastly improve your skill and your over-all game!

A preshot routine is a set of actions you do each time you bowl. It stabilizes you, evens out your timing, and triggers your entire mind and body to bowl your best shot over and over again. A good preshot routine is just like what a baseball player does when he steps up to bat. It’s that set of gestures that trigger your optimum zone. Make sure you have 3 to 5 things you do before every shot… like a ritual. Always do them in the same order every time. Wipe the ball, take a slower breath, close your eyes slightly, lower your chin just a bit, relax your shoulders, etc.

1,2,3,4 bowl!

Many top PBA bowlers bowl with 15 pound and even 14 pound balls. Heavier is not necessarily better. As a more experienced bowler, be sure not to be using too heavy a ball. Start experimenting with lighter balls so you have more control. A lighter ball causes you less fatigue over all, a very desirable thing.

If you’re consistently leaving certain pin combinations, you can lower or raise the position of your ball in you stance. This increases or diminishes your swing slightly.

Another method to use if you’re leaving certain pin combinations is to experiment with finger pressure. Try using less finger pressure, then more. Usually, the more finger pressure the more rev’s.

On single pin spares, throw a straight ball rather than a hook. Practice a straight shot if you don’t have one and use it for those single pin spares. Hooking requires you to cover more boards so there’s more room for error.

Practice taking more time with spares. Line up the shot more carefully every time and make it a habit to do so and you’ll pick up a lot more spares. Make your spare timing different and slower than your regular timing.

If you’re leaving 7 or 10 pin’s frequently, move your starting position slightly forward or backward until you find a better bowling position.

Always visualize EVERY shot in your mind before you bowl it. Never bowl without seeing the shot in your mind first. This is essential.

When you visualize, imagine looking out your own eyes…and see the ball release from your fingers, roll down towards the pins, and hit the shot perfectly! Smile inwardly… then step up and pick up your ball.

Keep your mind on the game. Think of your swing, your technique, and on the conditions of the lanes. Replay your best swing in your mind. Breathe fully and relax. Smile inwardly. Get good at keeping your mind on many things while you bowl, just be sure all of them are different factors of the game you’re bowling!

It’s important that you’re always ready to bowl. It helps create a rhythm for you and your team mates. Get a sequence of where you sit, how you approach the ball, and even what you say and picture to yourself on each shot. Stay focused and concentrated in a set of specific actions. Imagine that you’re doing a kind of dance with one of the positions being ’sitting down.’

Are you tired of leaving single pins and pocket splits? BALANCE is the key!

“I buried that ball in the pocket, @#?!%?!.”

How many times do we hear (or say) that? And then we blame the lanes, the ball, the pinsetter, our teammates, our opponents…and sometimes even the ball return……instead of ourselves (i.e., our finish position).

Accuracy and angle of entry are certainly important ingredients in any serious bowler’s game, but pinpoint accuracy will never overcome improper ball rotation or poor leverage. It is nearly impossible (unless you are Walter Ray Williams) to impart the necessary action on the ball if you are consistently off balance at the foul line.

Are any of these scenarios familiar?

When bowling for strikes, always stand in the same place every time. This will center you and allow you to track the line of your ball.

When going for a spare, change your standing location. Watch other bowlers and experiment to determine which positions work best for you when attempting to pick up various spare combinations.

Next time you’re out bowling, pick out a really good bowler, sit down and attentively watch them bowl. Notice the person’s form. How do they pick up the ball? How do they use their towel? Watch their approach timing. Watch the angle of their swing. Notice their concentration, their stance, and their balance upon releasing their bowling ball, their follow through position.

If you like some of the thing you see, imagine yourself bowling with that particular style and technique. Make a mental picture of yourself using that person’s excellent form.

This method of positive-image-learning is how we learned as children. It’s very natural and extremely effective. Do it often and you’ll be amazed at how your form improves!