Think you can’t bowl a strike every time? It’s possible
When it comes to visiting Tenpin, the main aim of the game is having fun and spending precious time with family and friends.
But of course, that doesn’t mean you don’t have the desire to win and show off your sporting prowess!
So what techniques can you use to get a strike every time you bowl?
There isn’t an easy answer, as different techniques work for different people. So don’t expect to go from rank amateur to bowling supremo overnight.
Take a look at these top tips and get to your nearest Tenpin to play around with the techniques suggested.
It’s all in the feet, hands and arms
Do you let your left foot slide a little too much? Have you straightened your arm enough before you release the ball? These things could put your shot off kilter. The way you swing your arm can make or break your performance in tenpin bowling. Holding the ball just right is key too. You need to hold it firmly enough to keep it steady and roll it straight, but also keep your fingers pliable enough so you can let it go smoothly. When inserting your fingers in the holes, some people prefer to use their finger tips and go in only to the first joint. Others prefer the stability of having them in up to the second joint. Play around with these techniques and find your preferred strategy. As you swing the ball back, keep your arm straight and close to your body for more power.
What are the feet doing?
The skilledbowlers.com website describes the ‘Power Step’. This describes the second from last step of your approach, just before releasing the ball. Left-handed players use their left foot for this, while right handed players take the power step with their right. A pronounced, repeatable bend in the power step leg will help propel your final slide with the opposite leg. According to skilledbowlers.com, this is key to getting more strikes and seeing your score soar.
Which ball should you choose?
You might think that the heavier the ball, the more pins you are likely to knock over. But this isn’t necessarily the case. If you throw a lighter ball well and send it spinning, you could send even more pins flying. The lighter ball may travel faster and cause more of the pins to hit and topple one another. Of course, if you’re significantly strong enough to get a heavy ball spinning, go for it!
How should you position your shot?
It all depends on whether you’re right-handed or left-handed. Bowling with your right hand? Start your shot on the right side of the lane and curve it towards the space between pins one and three (essentially inside the triangle of the first three pins). Left-handed? Aim from the left side to the space between pins one and two.
When do you release the ball?
Release it fast and low! Timing is everything with the way you release the ball. Too early and the ball won’t be fast enough to propel down the lane and scatter those pins. Too late and you could send it bouncing and crashing uncontrollably. Try to release the ball when it is at the lowest point in your swing.
Throw a curveball
Creating a curve when you bowl could be the key to increasing the possibility of a strike and upping your scores. Skilledbowlers.com suggests a good technique. If you’re left-handed, keep your wrists straight and rotate your thumb to 2 o’clock. Right-handed? Do the same but rotate the thumb to the 10 o’clock position. Release your ring finger and pointer finger just right and end with your hand outstretched as if you’re about to shake someone’s hand. As we said at the beginning, techniques like this are not easy to master or a quick fix! It takes practice to get it right.
Stay well-balanced
If you’re consistently missing pins on the left or the ball is always veering right, you’re probably off balance. The dots behind the foul line will help you position your feet. Skilledbowler.com also suggests taking a four-step approach before you release the ball. Right-handed? Start with your left foot directly to the right of the centre dot. Left-handed? Start with the right foot directly to the left of the centre dot. If you miss left, move further left and vice versa. Yet again, it’s a case of trial and error. Don’t expect to be hitting those strikes every time the first time you play!
Aim for the arrows in the middle of the lane.
Looking at the pins won’t help you to hit them. If you’re right-handed aim to curve your ball over the second arrow from the right and if you’re left-handed, make the arrow second from left your target. Adjust slightly depending on where your ball keeps ending up.
The right speed makes all the difference.
Good form, combined with the right speed is what is needed if you’re going to consistently get a strike. Get your aim and your ball release position right with all the techniques suggested above - and then give it some welly! Without aim, a good speed won’t help you and without a decent speed or with a lacklustre shot, you’re unlikely to knock those pins down. There’s definitely a lot to think about so keep practicing!
And on that note…
The more you play at Tenpin, the better you will get and the more strikes you will hit. You will develop an instinct for what feels right for you and work out exactly how you need to bowl to hit those strikes. It’s as unique as a fingerprint. Once you get good yourself, don’t be surprised if you try to coach a friend or family member with your method and it simply doesn’t work for them. Everyone has to find their own way. That’s what makes bowling such an interesting and addictive pastime. As we said at the start of the post, above all, the key is fun! Book now and have a laugh with us, while working on that unique technique of yours.