How to Aim for a Strike

Bowling can be a way to have fun with friends and family. Everyone that bowls hopes they will bowl all strikes, which is hard to do and is rarely done by even the professional bowlers. Bowling strikes need a steady hand, an appropriate form and a solid approach. Practice is the key to understand what it takes to bowl a perfect game.

Pocket

To learn to aim for a strike, one must first know what the pocket is.

• For the right-handed bowler, the pocket is between the 1st and 3rd pins.


• For the left-handed bowler, the pocket is between the 1st and 2nd pins.

Type of Ball

• A hook ball or curve ball can be thrown by twisting your wrist as one releases the ball. By correctly releasing the ball, it should travel straight and then hook into the pocket as it heads toward the pins. Most experienced bowlers prefer a hook ball because it provides more pin action which will result in more strikes.


• A straight ball can be thrown by rolling the ball in a straight line toward the pocket. The straight ball technique is most often thrown by beginners and also used for pick-ups.

The Approach

1. If one is right handed, he will begin their approach with the right foot. If one throws left handed, he would start out on the left foot.


2. Line up your ball with your pocket by using the arrows or dots on the lane. 


3. Look down and line up your foot (right foot for right handed and left for left handed) with the dots that line up with the pocket in the approach area.


4. Stand with your foot in front and shoulders straight with the ball down to your side about at your hip, or where it feels comfortable.


5. Slowly walk forward with the opposite foot while swinging your arm straight back walking toward the foul line. 


6. Release the ball down the lane while stepping forward with your strong foot, keeping shoulders square and thumb pointing up and at your target.


7. Follow through with your motion until the ball hits the pins. Your arm should be above your head with your thumb pointing up for a straight ball. Your thumb will pointed to the left if throwing a hook ball.


8. Be careful not to slide across the foul line.

Note: It will take time practicing your approach and release until you find a comfortable position that works for you. Some bowlers use only the arrows and dots to guide them. Different conditions of the lanes will also effect the spin on the ball and the way the ball hits the pins, such as oily or dry lanes.