Bowling: Facilities and

equipmentPaula Juliana I. Navarro

II-2 BECEd

2

Bowling Alley• a building that contains several alleys for

bowling.• a lane down which a bowling ball is rolled

toward pins.

3

The Machine • Where scores of the players are recorded.

4

Bowling Pins• are the target of the bowling ball in various bowling games

including tenpins, five-pins, duckpins, and candlepins.• Duckpins are shorter and squatter than standard tenpins.

Canadian fivepins are between duckpins and tenpins in size, but have a thick, inch-widerubber band around the widest part of the pin to increase pin action when struck. Candlepins are not similar to the others; they are tallest of all at 15-3/4 inches, but only 2-15/16 inches wide and 2 lb 8 oz (1.1 kg) in weight. They are nearly cylindrical in shape and resemble candles, hence their name. Unlike other bowling pins, candlepins may be set on either end.

5

Bowling Ball• Next to pins, the bowling ball is the game's most important piece of

equipment. To maximize performance, a player should select a ball he can comfortably grip and use.

• The weight of the ball is an important consideration. Lighter balls are easier to control and throw fast; however, too light of a ball will lack power and force. Alternatively, too heavy of a ball can be difficult to control and grip.

• A player should also consider the size and placement of the finger holes when choosing a ball. The player should select a ball with holes large enough to easily accommodate his fingers. Additionally, the distance of the finger holes should allow the player to easily grip the ball.

• Bowling balls are important to the game. Accordingly, a player should make sure to regularly clean his ball in order to prevent accelerated wear.

6

Bowling Bag• A bowling bag is essential to maintaining the condition of the

bowling ball. The bag protects the ball during travel, as well as, from warm or cold temperatures and dust during storage. Additionally, bowling bags can serve as storage for shoes and other bowling equipment.

• Bowling bags are available in a variety of sizes and styles. There are single ball bags and bags that can hold up to six balls. Additionally, bags styles include totes, which are carried, and stroller styles that have wheels.

7

Bowling Shoes• Bowling alleys require shoes made specifically for bowling to play on

the lanes.• Bowling shoes differ from ordinary shoes; one bowling shoe brakes,

and so has more traction, and the other slides. Because of this, bowling shoes are available in left or right handed styles. The foot on the dominant side wears the breaking shoe and the other the sliding.

• A frequent player may want to consider buying his own bowling shoes instead of relying on rentals. In addition to increased sanitation, personal shoes can improve performance. Bowling shoes are an investment and require frequent cleaning to remain in good repair. Additionally, a player should only use his bowling shoes when bowling.

Bowling: rules and regulations

9

Before the game• Always wear proper bowling attire: shirts,

socks, pants, or skirts. Sleeveless shirts or “sando” are

not allowed in the center. • Wear only BOWLING SHOES when

playing on the lanes. Bowling shoes are specifically

designed to help you slide and stop during proper delivery. Wearing other shoes may either

cause you to slip or trip. • Get only the balls that you will need (2

max.) since the balls will return before your next shot.

• Do not put powder on the soles of your shoes. This could build “dirt” on the lanes making it either

too slippery or too dry, which may cause accidents to you and other bowlers.

• Try to avoid getting your Bowling Shoes wet for it will get tacky and may cause you to trip. Have

your shoes replaced at the SHOE COUNTER.

• Do not leave your things unattended.

10

During the games• Make sure that your name is registered and

highlighted on the screen before making the shot

• When 2 players approach the lanes at the same time, let the bowler on your right go first and stay

out of his field of vision. • In making a shot, you only have to roll the ball.

Do not throw or loft the ball (throwing the ball up

beyond 1 meter). • Do not release the ball until the SWEEP BAR

has gone up and pins are properly set • Roll the ball past the FOUL LINE. Rolling the

ball before the Foul Line is considered as an

ILLEGAL DELIVERY. • Observe and always stay behind the foul line.

Do not cross the FOUL LINE for the lanes are

oiled. You may slip and hurt yourself by doing

so. • Leave the approach after your ball hits the

pins. Do not stay at the foul line more than necessary.

• Refrain from unnecessary body movements, or loud noise so as not to distract the other bowlers.

• Stay on your playing lanes and do not cross the other lanes after making the shot for you may

bump onto other players. • Should problems such as pins missing, balls

not returning, or wrong scoring occurs, call the

attention of the Lane Man for assistance. • Avoid making another shot after the game.

Doing so will create extra frames and shall be charged

accordingly. Moreover, your ball may not return by doing so.

11

After the game

• Kindly return the balls to their respective racks

• Kindly return the bowling shoes to the Shoe Counter.

12

3 Bowling Techniques to Make a Strike or Spare

• If you go bowling often then you are definitely familiar with the term strike or spear. For those of you who do not know it means when you knock all of your pins when you throw your first ball.

• When you bowl, the greatest feeling when you’re a beginner is to knock all the pins. With everybody cheering and clapping it’s no wonder people want to do it over and over again. Sometimes it feels like luck but most of the time it is a question of skill. You can become a professional if you want to but you have really practice and practice and when you think you have it, practice some more.

• When you go competitive bowling get ready to have all the spotlights. If you get a great score, people will idolize you and if you play a bad game you will laughed at or you will be rated as a bad player. In order to get better, you will need to throw more than 2 balls to become an expert or at least worthy to win a tournament. Once you know how to control your ball, you will be able to know how to control your game better.

13

• Here are a few techniques to knock all the pins to get more points: 1. The first technique is called the spinner. When you throw a spinner the object of the throw is to have the less rotation possible on the ball when it heads toward the pins. With less rotation, it means that there will be less friction. This causes the ball to go almost straight at the bowling pins. This is a throw that doesn’t exactly make the unanimity among professional bowlers. They say it is not as precise as it seems to be because it is hard to do. 2. There is another technique that allows bowlers to go with their agility rather than with their brute strength. This is called the stroker. When this throw is initiated, you need to be in perfect position and you need to play the way that it is suppose to be. Your shoulders have to be square and aligned towards the pins. This move is the one that is the most appreciated because there are more technique bowlers and it is more preferred because you have more control of your ball. 3. For those of you who really like to really hurt the pins this technique is for you. It is called the cranker. In our body our brain sometimes produces adrenaline. Adrenaline is the kind of thing that makes your body stronger. Actually when you really get excited from winning this is from the adrenaline. It is not a really graceful throw because you do not slide; you bend and keep your arm back as long as you can. 

It doesn’t matter how you play, once you get your shot perfected, use it and make as many strikes or spears as possible. Have a happy bowling.