Can someone give me some tips on how to bowl corectly?

Question

I am possibly metting up with all of my friends at one of their houses today, and we might go bowling or play basketball. If we go bowling, I am a little nervous because the last time I bowled was in the sixth grade (11 years old), and I had all gutter balls plus I was with my former crush and a couple of friends. I haven't bowled since.Today it will be just us guys, but still, if we go bowling, I need some tips on how to not gutter the ball. I am 16 and I just need some confidence.

Answer 1

I am not claiming to be a professional, but I was taught at an early age and seemed to be pretty good.

There are three holes in the ball- your middle and ring finger go in the top two, your thumb in the bottom.

Start about 5 or 6 steps away from line (you are not suppose to cross into the lane) If you are righthanded -which I am, start with your right foot and count steps 1, 2, 3 and on the 4 step (which would be your left foot) you release the ball. ( if you are left handed, I assume the opposite, start on left foot etc)

As for aim, pick an arrow next to the middle of the lane or a dot set next to the middle ( you don't want to aim exactly for the middle because strikes tend to happen more in the space between the front pin and the pin next to it).

VERY IMPORTANT: Follow through. When you reach back to swing the ball and then release it forward, make sure your hand and arm go out and up in a straight line. If you release the ball and your hand goes to the left or right, your ball will curve over and probably gutter or hit a couple pins on the side.

That's what I know. Good luck!

Answer 2

One of the keys is to aim at the arrows rather than the pins. Pulling your head up to see the pins put your arm in a bad position to swing the ball. I'll put a summary at the bottom, since this is a little detailed. Also, since you will use a house ball, it is more important to find one that fits your hand than to find the correct weight. Until you decide to practice and modify these instructions for the way you want to throw the ball, try this (reverse it if you are left-handed):

Stand with your right side of your right foot next to the second dot at the back of the approach. Put your fingers in the ball first, then the thumb. Walk straight up to the foul line. You should use a five-step approach--the first two are slow steady steps, the last three are the shuffle and slide. The shuffle are two quick steps to gain momentum, and the slide happens almost naturally from the design of the shoes--watch someone who knows what they are doing and imitate them--it should be pretty natural.

In the slide, make sure your shoulders are level (don't drop your right shoulder). Follow through to your mark--which is the second arrow (counting from the right). It is important that you swing the ball straight back and straight forward like you are shaking hands, and continue upwards. Your thumb should naturally come out of the ball first, followed by your fingers. This is how you get curve on the ball. (When you are more advanced, you can work on getting more snap with the arm and fingers, but for now just make it smooth.) If the lanes are dry and you are getting too much curve, you can take something off the curve by holding your hand flatter (more supinated). Start off with the hand like a handshake and if it curves too much, flatten your hand out. (The curve comes from the fingers being in the ball longer than the thumb, so don't be afraid to let the thumb come out.)

Once you have thrown a nice ball, you can adjust for lane conditions. If the lanes are dryer, your ball will curve more. Still aim for the second arrow, but move over a board to the left (I'm talking about the literal 1" wide boards on the approach). If they are oily and your ball isn't curving enough, move a board to the right. Regardless of where you move the starting position, you still aim for the second arrow.

Summary: Stand at the second dot. Look at and walk to the second arrow. Swing straight back and straight forward, without dropping your shoulder. Shake hands with the second arrow. Let the thumb come out and the ball roll off your fingers. Follow through. Adjust your starting positon next ball by where your ball goes when you make a throw that feels good, but misses the pocket (that magic place between the 1 and 3 pin that gives you a strike when you hit it).

Answer 3

Bowling is a hard thing to do. I am 18 and my highest score was like 120 or so when I went with friends...and of them was almost a pro at it. So unless your friends bowl alot they are going to suck just as much as you. All you can so is if you get a gutter ball just play it off and laugh...all you can do. But I will tell you what my friend did even though it didnt work for me. He always bowls on the 2-3 line to the left from the middle. His style curved left and he almost always got strikes.

Answer 4

You need to pick out a ball that fits your fingers. Take some time to do this. Some places only have three or four sizes so it can be difficult to get a good fit. If you can't find the perfect size use one that is a little bigger. Also pick out a lighter ball. Try a nine or a ten pound ball.

Answer 5

You have some detailed answers already so I don't think you need more of that, but all I'll say is, it takes practice. There's nothing anyone can tell you to immediately make you a good bowler. Take the best of the tips you've been given and try to follow them, but mainly I think you should just accept that you won't get good right away, so there's no reason to worry about it.

Answer 6

is it ten pin or candle pin.

its mostly about feeling comfortable with the ball.
take ur time, and have fun