How to bowl
Where to stand
Start at the foul line facing away from the pins. Take 4 normal steps and where you land up is where you should start from. Line up your left foot with one of the dots on the approach - preferably the centre dot or to the right thereof. Heels must be firmly on the ground. Your left foot should be forward and your feet should be pointing straight down the lane.
How to hold the ball
Cradle the ball gently in both hands. Thumb and middle 2 fingers go into the holes.
The correct stance
First, elbows must be next to your body. Then your hips and shoulders should be squared at your target (the pins). Lastly, keep your back straight but your knees slightly bent.
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The push away
Push the ball out and down. Then step out with your right foot at the same time as the push away.
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The swing
As you take your second step, the ball must swing down and back.
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The back swing
The ball should now be at the top of your backswing (remember not to bend your elbow). The ball should not be higher than your shoulder.
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The sliding step
As the ball passes your sliding foot, allow the ball to roll off your hand (don’t ”chuck” the ball). Then make sure that your arm follows through.
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The follow through
Don’t stop your arm - let it swing up. Hips and shoulders must be squared towards the target. Keep your left arm extended for balance.
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Equipment and Etiquette
Choosing the right equipment
Shoe sizes are the same as any other sports shoe. All bowling balls are measured in pounds (there are 2.2 pounds in 1 kilogram) and your bowling ball should be at least ten percent of your body weight - if you weigh 70kg (which is 154 pounds) then you should choose a bowling ball that weighs 15 pounds.
As far as finger sizes go, all three should be snug, but not tight enough to get stuck and not loose enough to fall off!
Bowling Etiquette
Be prepared to take your turn on the lane
Be a good loser and a gracious winner
Do not bring food or drink onto the lane
Do not smoke on the lane
Stay behind the black foul line at all times
Don’t use somebody else’s bowling ball
Ensure that your are wearing the correct bowling shoes
Stay on your own lane
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