When you’re bowling, you of course want to be accurate so your ball goes where you want it to and results in a strike. And if you leave pins on your first ball, then your spare shots must be precise as well.
But how do you know that you’re lining up a bowling shot properly?
There are several indicators on the lane that you can use to your advantage. First, you want to make sure your body is lined up correctly. To do this, utilize the boards that you find on the approach. (A proper bowling stance is also important–check out our tips here.)
Next, want to look out to the lane to make sure you know your target (the spot you are aiming for). Many beginning bowlers focus on the pins, but you want to keep your focus closer to you. The two visual aids that bowlers use are the arrows (about 15 feet down the lane) and the dots (in between the arrows and the foul line). You can use either to select as your target.
This practice of focusing on arrows or dots instead of looking straight at the pins is called “spot bowling” and it is recommended for more accurate shots.
If you are a relatively straight shooter, you want to aim for the middle arrow. If you throw with a hook, try either the second or third arrows from the gutter and see where your shots end up.
If you aren’t hitting the pocket, you can either change your starting position (which board you are standing on) or your target (the arrow or dot you are aiming at). Practice some different combinations to see what you like best and what works best with your ball. You will find out that your ideal starting position and target will change by the day: sometimes you will be facing different lane conditions and sometimes your shot just seems to behave a little differently.
All in all, lining up a bowling shot involves some fundamental concepts (stance, starting position, a good target using the arrows or dots) but also a good deal of trial and error. By practicing and taking mental notes of where you are aiming and what results you get, you can make adjustments in order to achieve more consistent shots.
How do you like to line up a shot? Let us know in the comments!
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