Bowlzee

Bowling competition between two people not only brings about the determination of a person to win, but to show good sportsmanship when losing. The game has evolved to a level where different types of people can play the game. Social status, at one time, was a hindrance but this is no longer true. No matter what one’s life status (professional or otherwise) all participate together when bowling.

Bowling alleys, in different places, are usually busy because of the massive popularity of this sport. There was a decline in its popularity in the early 1970’s, when more people concentrated on other interesting activities. This was the start of the loss social interaction between the high society class and the middle and lower class people.

Nevertheless, it is still one of the most popular indoor sports played today. Many people consider it a fun sport where they enjoy spending time with their families and friends.

There are many bowling alleys that provide quality bowling lanes and equipment where people can get together to spend quality time bowling. Bowling alleys found in many places seem to have similar designs that were inspired by the old bowling alleys of the 1950’s.

Today bowling alleys still have the same features even though they contain the latest equipment. The modernized designs of today’s bowling alleys provide their players with new bowling lanes, durable plastic seats, and benches that are architecturally designed. There are also alleys that now use computer scoring.

The newer bowling alleys attract many who play the game. The modernized look and high quality facilities also host many leagues and tournaments, especially in the cities. They are a place where those who play the game can relax and enjoy the sport.

Learning the basics of bowling is never a difficult task. If one is eager to learn the basics of bowling, he can start by focusing on the selection of a ball the fits properly.

The first step in choosing the right bowling ball is determining if the ball feels right to the one who will use it. Many players opt to use the same ball whenever they bowl after they find they like. When they feel comfortable using a particular ball it affects their bowling performance.  The weight of the ball must be considered as it has a great impact on the bowlers balance. The ball should not be too heavy for the bowler’s size. If the bowler does not have balance, the performance may be less than desired. This is why it is important to choose a ball that is right for the weight of the bowler.

The fit of the ball should be the primary concern in the selection of a ball. The ball should follow the configuration of the bowler’s hands. The holes’ sizes and the distances between them should be in accordance with the normal grip of the bowler and may vary depending on which grip heshe may use.

Inserting a good portion of the finger in the holes will allow a better grip of the ball and is why it is important that the finger fit comfortably in the holes. However, the holes should not be too big for the fingers. An improper fit causes a tendency for the grip to be loose or the fingers to slide when swinging the ball.

The bowling ball is an important consideration when learning the bowling basics. The ball should perfectly fit the fingers to have a better grip of the ball. Having a better grip allows a better release and enhances the performance.

When a person knows how to choose a ball that is right for himher, then it is easier for himher to perform the moves and strategies needed. Bowling will never be difficult as long as heshe knows the basics of bowling, and chooses the right ball.

A bowler who has the ability to bowl swing is an important asset in any cricket team as swing bowling is a great way to baffle a batman, add pressure and take wickets. The swing bowler has the ability to move the ball in the air either away from the batsman or in towards the batsmen. The swing is created by holding the cricket ball in a specific way so that when it is released from the hand the varying levels of air resistance combined with the position the seam is directed causes the ball to swing in the air.

The swing is accentuated by polishing and shining one side of the ball so that is smooth relative to the other side, which should get roughened up through the natural course of play. Select a side to shine at the start of the match and ensure all the bowlers and fielders know which side to polish. You can polish it by rubbing sweat into it and then rubbing it on your cricket trousers.

There are three generally recognised swing delivery types, in swing, out swing and reverse swing.

The out swing delivery is a ball which when bowled by a right handed bowler to a right handed batsman swings from the leg side towards the off side. The aim of the out swinger is to encourage the batsman into playing a drive and ideally the swing will increase the chance of getting an edge and getting the batsmen out caught behind, so make sure you’ve got some good catchers behind the stumps. You want to pitch the ball quite full, aiming at or just outside off stump so that the batsman is forced to play at the ball.

The grip for the out swing delivery is quite simple and provided the seam is up right at the point of release it should swing. You need to hold the ball as normal for a medium paced delivery with the seam vertical, however for the out swinger the seam needs to be vertical and pointing towards first or second slip at about a 15° angle, so that your fingers will be running slight across the seam. The shiny side should face the leg side of the batsmen, thus the rough side faces the off side and the direction of swing. The increased air resistance on the rough side and seam position will cause it to swing through the air towards the offside. The run up should be slightly angled and bowled from close to the stumps.

The in swing delivery is basically the reverse of the away swing in that when bowled from a right handed bowler it swings in towards a right handed batsmen from the off side towards the leg side. Have a straighter run up and deliver the ball slightly wider on the crease. In contrast to the away swing bowler, the in swing bowler aims to get the batsmen out LBW or bowled by pitching it up. Aim to bowl it so that it swings from outside off stump and pitches in line with middle and off stumps, be careful though because if you start it too straight it will swing down leg side and be easy for the batsman to hit away.

Tip – If you find yourself swinging the ball uncontrollably, hold the ball across the seam so that the seam runs horizontally, this will help negate and reduce the amount of swing.

You need to make sure that your bowlers and fielders are aware of which side of the ball in polished and that is constantly shined between deliveries. Most bowlers will shine the ball themselves but it is always useful to nominate one or two fielders to shine the ball as well while the bowler is walking back to his mark.

Changing weather conditions have an often noticeable affect on the amount that the cricket ball will swing. Dry hot sunny days don’t favour swing bowling, whereas overcast, cloudy conditions are found to be most influential at generating more swing. So take this into consideration when deciding who to bowl if you are captain.

The spin bowler is a key element in the bowling line up of any cricket team, the skill of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan has highlighted the potential and the shear power and influence a high class spin bowler can have in the game of cricket. The spin bowler can be used to slow the game, add pressure and most importantly attack batsmen. The spin bowler moves the ball off the pitch turning it sideways, as the spinning ball grips the pitch and turns and can also cause it to bounce variably.

A good spin bowler needs to be able to bowl a consistent line and length, is able to turn the ball, which requires lots of practice and dedication to succeed. If you are a spin bowler you should try and experiment with varying degrees of flight, speed, and angle of approach in order to deceive the batsmen.

There are two recognised types of spin bowlers, which are, finger spinners who are classed as the orthodox technique and use their index finger (first finger) to spin the ball and the wrist spinners who use the wrist more than fingers to spin ball.

Target areas:

Off spin: The off spinner aims to spin the ball from a right handed batsmen’s off side towards the leg side. Try to bowl just outside of the off stump so that the ball turns and hits the stumps, also try to entice the batsmen forward on to the front foot by bowling a full length.

Leg spin: The leg spinner aims to bowl the ball so that it spins from a right handed batsmen’s leg side to the off side. Again try to pitch the ball up to the batsman to get them coming forward. Pitch the ball inline with the wickets so that the ball turns to hit the top of the off stump.

The grip:

Leg spin: Use the first two fingers to grip the ball horizontally across the seam, your third finger should be bent and running along the seam. Your thumb should rest lightly on seam and the spin is generated primarily by the third finger.

Off spin: Again grip the ball with your first two fingers horizontally across the seam and try to spread as wide as possible apart the joints of index and middle finger. The ball then rests lightly on third finger and thumb, the spin is and produced and passed on mainly through the index finger.

The delivery:

The off spin delivery, should start with an angled and short delivery stride. You should then pivot on ball of the front foot keeping your bowling arm high. Cock your wrist inwards and drive your back leg through to help rotate the body. Release the ball by turning your wrist sharply from left to right and by pulling down on seam with the index finger to generate spin. The back of hand should face the off side or upwards at finish of the delivery, don’t forget to follow through properly. Keep your head as upright as possible throughout the delivery and your eyes fixed on the target at all times.

The leg spin delivery is very similar to the off spin except with a few subtle and important variations. Your approach should be somewhat longer and have a slightly angled approach towards the target.

As you bowl you should raise your lead arm towards the target and bowl with a braced front leg (your weight should be through this leg). Pivot on the ball of the lead foot and bring your bowling arm up high with your wrist cocked outwards. Drive your back leg through and release the ball. Generate the spin by rotating your wrist from right to left and by most importantly using the third finger to impart the most spin. Finish with your palm facing leg side.

Follow through by rotating shoulders through the line of the wickets and driving your back leg through the action so that your hips rotate over your front foot. Keep your hips and shoulders inline and head as upright as possible throughout the delivery and your eyes fixed on the target at all times.

The Googly and the Doosra: Deceptive deliveries

The googly is bowled by a leg spinner and is a ball that appears to look like a leg spinner when it’s bowled but then moves unexpectedly in the opposite direction after it pitches. It’s bowled out of the back of the hand and requires the shoulder to be dropped a little at the point of release. A great example of a bowler who has mastered the googly is Shane Warne.

The doosra is bowled by an off spinner and is a ball that initially seems to look like an off spinner when it’s bowled but then moves unexpectedly in the opposite direction after it pitches. The doosra has been pioneered by the Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan and is very difficult to bowl, Muralitharan reputedly practiced the delivery for 2-3 years in the nets and practice before using it in first class cricket…I can’t bowl it so I’m not going to go into it!

The power and rotation on the ball are generated through a strong action and is enhanced by flicking the wrist and straightening the fingers at the point of release. Always try and spin the ball as much as you can, your consistency and accuracy will come with practice and hard work. Remember to bowl your spinners with oomph and purpose, don’t just throw it up and hope for the best.

Tip- Examine the pitch before bowling and try to identify areas of rough, cracks and other features on the wicket to aim at which may cause increased spin, variable bounce or erratic ball behaviour when pitched on and aim to bowl the ball into these areas provided they don’t cause you to bowl bad deliveries (e.g. short and wide).

Believe it or not, the average recreational bowler, though capable of performing well on the bowling alley, may be at a total loss when it comes to being able to keeping score.

Many bowling alleys now have an automatic scoring system that does all the figuring of the scores for them. While it isn’t exactly a skill that can contribute to an improved game, fully understanding bowling includes knowing how to score a game.

Below is an easy way (hopefully) to follow walk-through of how the fallen pins convert to points on the board:

1. As you may already know, each game is divided into 10 frames. That number corresponds with the number of boxes lined up in a row next to a players name on the scoreboard. Each box has a smaller box inside at the top left corner.

2. In the smaller box, you should write down the number of pins that fell on the player’s first try of the frame.

3. In the box next to the smaller one where you recorded the first attempt, write down the number of pins that fell on the second try.

4. Add the two numbers together and place the result (total) in the larger space at the bottom of the box.

5. If a strike was made on the first attempt, mark it with an ‘X’ in the small box. Add 10 points (for the strike) to the total number of pins that was recorded in the previous box and write it down in the totals area of that particular frame.

6. If a second strike followed the first one, add 10 points for the first strike, another 10 for the second, but before closing the tally for this particular frame, record the number of pins that fell on the next frame’s first attempt. Add this number to the 20 points from the previous frame.

7. In the event of a spare, indicate a slash () in the small box after all the pins have been knocked down on the second attempt. Then wait for the number of pins to fall on the next frame’s first attempt and add this to the 10 points from the spare. Write this number in the totals area of the frame where the spare was made.

The tediousness of the process is overshadowed by the convenience of computers doing it, but it is part of knowing what bowling is about. For one to fully appreciate the game in all of its aspects, taking the time to practice it won’t hurt.

Watching more experienced and skilled bowlers, nimbly hook their bowling ball down the lane and score a strike can be a bit frustrating for beginner bowlers. I first learned true mechanics of bowling when I was in college. I had bowled before then. But, I never really learned how to bowl. I remember being frustrated because I was able to run a fantastic hook shot one day but not the next. I remember wondering how my bowling skills could fluctuate so much on a day to day basis.

It was not until college that I would learn that it was not my bowling abilities that had changed. But what had changed were the characteristics of the lanes that I was bowling on, and the bowling balls that I was using. For practical purposes I want to concentrate on bowling ball basics and not on lane characteristics. What you as a beginner need to know about bowling balls.

There are several variations of bowling played through out the world. But for the most part these variations are forms of either five-pin bowling or ten-pin bowling. When most people think of bowling they think of what is called ten-pin bowling. Ten-pin bowling is the most popular and the most widely played form of bowling.

Bowling balls used when playing ten-pin bowling have several set physical characteristics. First, ten-pin bowling balls are 8.5 inches in diameter. However, simply stating the diameter of a bowling ball is a bit deceptive. It makes bowling balls seem smaller than they really are. The actual circumference of a ten-pin bowling ball is about 26 inches.

The weight of a bowling ball is between 6 pounds and 16 pounds. There is a wide variation between ball weights to accommodate different physical strengths of bowlers. And to some extent, like in baseball with a baseball bat, the weight of a ball used can depend upon the skill level of the bowler.

The size or circumference of a bowling ball is relatively uniform despite differences in weight. A bowling ball is made up of three distinct parts; the core, the coverstock and the filler. The coverstock is the outside of the bowling ball. It is what makes contact with the lane. The core of the bowling ball is a complex mixture of dense materials that controls it spin and hook.

As a ball becomes smaller in weight the core becomes smaller. The filler is material that fills the void between the coverstock and the core. The density of the filler material used to make a bowling ball will change based on the desired weight of the ball. In essence, because all bowling balls are nearly uniform in size the filler is what enables the uniformity in bowling ball circumference while enabling different bowling ball weight classes. This is accomplished by changing the density of the filler material dependent upon the weight desired.

Although the filler makes up for the weight between different balls the two most important parts of a bowling ball are actually the core and the coverstock. The shape of a bowling balls core can influence whether it hooks and by how much. Public use bowling balls at bowling alleys will have cores that are of uniform shape. This uniformity in shape means the ball will roll relatively straight. Cores, of house balls, are kept uniform, symmetrical, because they are designed to be used by any player of any skill level. Because house balls have very little hook many bowlers like to use them as spare balls.

Just like the core of a bowling ball can affect the action of a bowling ball as it rolls down the lanes, so can the coverstock. Coverstocks can be made of resin, high friction resin, urethane, polyester, plastic or a combination of materials. The material that makes up the coverstock can determine how the ball reacts to lane conditions. A softer (duller ball color) is better for more oily lane conditions and a harder (shinier ball color) reacts better to drier lane conditions. But, whether you use a ball with a harder or softer coverstock for a particular lane condition depends heavily on your skill level, your ability to read lane conditions and what you are trying to accomplish with the shot.

Now you know that not all bowling balls are created equal. House balls are harder to hook because they are not designed for it. So the next time you watch someone with their own bowling ball making it beautifully hook to the target, remember that it may be more the bowling ball than the skill of the bowler.

I hope by reading this you now have a better understanding of bowling ball basics. There are definitely more complex issues surrounding bowling balls. But, the intent was to give you some practical insight into bowling balls that might help you with your bowling game.

When one witness a bowling game where the players use balls and pins that are midget-like, he is witnessing a duckpin bowling competition.

Beginnings

Duckpin bowling was born somewhere in the 1900’s in the eastern part of the United States. Duckpin is believed to have been born in the bowling alley which was owned by the famous baseball players Wilbert Robinson and John Mcgraw. History has it that people back then had an interesting idea of making the pins and balls smaller. The manager of the bowling alley, Mr. John Van Sant, hired a wood turner to customize the balls and pins. The people loved the new game and played it.

By the 1930s, around 200,000 people were playing the game. It has continuously gained popularity because people who wanted the fun of ten-pin bowling but hated the stress and backaches caused by the game quickly shifted to duckpin bowling.

Why is it called “duckpin” bowling?

The owners of the bowling alley (the baseball players) were also duck hunting enthusiasts. They loved hunting birds, especially duck during their spare time. As they watched the pins scatter around the alley, one of them made a comment about how the pins resembled ducks. This is the story of why the game was named “duckpin”

Specifications

Duckpin bowling has the same goal as that of regular ten-pin bowling- knock all the pins down. However, there are some major differences between the two games:

-The size of the duckpin ball is smaller, of course. A duckpin ball will measure to about 5 inches in diameter (maximum). The duckpin balls do not have holes in them, they are meant to be held in one hand.

-The pins are also smaller. The duckpins measure to around 10 inches in height.

-In duckpin, one can throw three balls during a certain round. Unlike regular ten-pin bowling, a player can try his luck three times during a certain round. This is because it is much harder to get a strike or a spare in duckpin bowling as compared to regular bowling.

-When a player knocks down all the pins in three throws, he is merited with 10 points. No bonuses are given to him for knocking all the pins down.

One must try playing duckpin bowling to experience the fun and excitement it brings. It’s as fun as ten-pin bowling but minus all the back and finger aches.

Along with golf, bowling is one of the more popular recreational sports a person of any age and gender can play. Participating in activities like these brings about not only physical benefits but social ones as well – the secret being that one enjoys the game regardless of whether they win or lose.

But that is not to say that a recreational bowler should simply settle for mediocre results. In fact, enjoyment of the game can only increase if the scores proportionally increase as well. In order to accomplish this, a bowler has to develop a consistent bowling game that works on maintaining good technique and improving on problem areas.

Attitude Being able to bowl consistently is challenging, but not impossible for the average bowler. The first requirement, of course, is the drive to want to get better at the game. Hours and hours of coaching and practice will not get a lot of results if your attitude is less than enthusiastic.

A little help Even if you have no intentions of bowling professionally, getting a coach to help with your game can increase your game’s efficiency. This is because a coach is able to watch and analyze your movements to see what you are doing right and what you’re doing wrong. You don’t even have to get a one-on-one coach. Classes of about six students to a coach are perfectly fine and a lot cheaper, while allowing the right amount of focus a coach can give each student. If no coach is available, ask a friend who you think has a better game for some help.

Practice – even outside the lanes! The recommended practice time for a recreational bowler is around 4 to 6 hours a week. If you think that’s a lot, realize that an average visit to the lanes is no less than two hours. (Of course, it is another matter if it was spent practicing or spending time at the snack bar.)

At the lanes, practice with a schedule. Start with some warm up exercises to avoid injury. Then while you’re still fresh, work on the problem areas of your game. The areas you have less problems with can be worked on after the problems have been addressed.

Even when you’re not in the lanes, you can still practice your approach and swing. Try this in an area where the flooring most resembles the alley to get a consistent feel.

All it takes is a positive attitude coupled with disciplined practice to improve. The fun doesn’t only come from averaging above 180, but also from the fact your hard work is paying off.

Watching more experienced and skilled bowlers, nimbly hook their bowling ball down the lane and score a strike can be a bit frustrating for beginner bowlers. I first learned true mechanics of bowling when I was in college. I had bowled before then. But, I never really learned how to bowl. I remember being frustrated because I was able to run a fantastic hook shot one day but not the next. I remember wondering how my bowling skills could fluctuate so much on a day to day basis.

It was not until college that I would learn that it was not my bowling abilities that had changed. But what had changed were the characteristics of the lanes that I was bowling on, and the bowling balls that I was using. For practical purposes I want to concentrate on bowling ball basics and not on lane characteristics. What you as a beginner need to know about bowling balls.

There are several variations of bowling played through out the world. But for the most part these variations are forms of either five-pin bowling or ten-pin bowling. When most people think of bowling they think of what is called ten-pin bowling. Ten-pin bowling is the most popular and the most widely played form of bowling.

Bowling balls used when playing ten-pin bowling have several set physical characteristics. First, ten-pin bowling balls are 8.5 inches in diameter. However, simply stating the diameter of a bowling ball is a bit deceptive. It makes bowling balls seem smaller than they really are. The actual circumference of a ten-pin bowling ball is about 26 inches.

The weight of a bowling ball is between 6 pounds and 16 pounds. There is a wide variation between ball weights to accommodate different physical strengths of bowlers. And to some extent, like in baseball with a baseball bat, the weight of a ball used can depend upon the skill level of the bowler.

The size or circumference of a bowling ball is relatively uniform despite differences in weight. A bowling ball is made up of three distinct parts; the core, the coverstock and the filler. The coverstock is the outside of the bowling ball. It is what makes contact with the lane. The core of the bowling ball is a complex mixture of dense materials that controls it spin and hook.

As a ball becomes smaller in weight the core becomes smaller. The filler is material that fills the void between the coverstock and the core. The density of the filler material used to make a bowling ball will change based on the desired weight of the ball. In essence, because all bowling balls are nearly uniform in size the filler is what enables the uniformity in bowling ball circumference while enabling different bowling ball weight classes. This is accomplished by changing the density of the filler material dependent upon the weight desired.

Although the filler makes up for the weight between different balls the two most important parts of a bowling ball are actually the core and the coverstock. The shape of a bowling balls core can influence whether it hooks and by how much. Public use bowling balls at bowling alleys will have cores that are of uniform shape. This uniformity in shape means the ball will roll relatively straight. Cores, of house balls, are kept uniform, symmetrical, because they are designed to be used by any player of any skill level. Because house balls have very little hook many bowlers like to use them as spare balls.

Just like the core of a bowling ball can affect the action of a bowling ball as it rolls down the lanes, so can the coverstock. Coverstocks can be made of resin, high friction resin, urethane, polyester, plastic or a combination of materials. The material that makes up the coverstock can determine how the ball reacts to lane conditions. A softer (duller ball color) is better for more oily lane conditions and a harder (shinier ball color) reacts better to drier lane conditions. But, whether you use a ball with a harder or softer coverstock for a particular lane condition depends heavily on your skill level, your ability to read lane conditions and what you are trying to accomplish with the shot.

Now you know that not all bowling balls are created equal. House balls are harder to hook because they are not designed for it. So the next time you watch someone with their own bowling ball making it beautifully hook to the target, remember that it may be more the bowling ball than the skill of the bowler.

I hope by reading this you now have a better understanding of bowling ball basics. There are definitely more complex issues surrounding bowling balls. But, the intent was to give you some practical insight into bowling balls that might help you with your bowling game.

When one witness a bowling game where the players use balls and pins that are midget-like, he is witnessing a duckpin bowling competition.

Beginnings

Duckpin bowling was born somewhere in the 1900’s in the eastern part of the United States. Duckpin is believed to have been born in the bowling alley which was owned by the famous baseball players Wilbert Robinson and John Mcgraw. History has it that people back then had an interesting idea of making the pins and balls smaller. The manager of the bowling alley, Mr. John Van Sant, hired a wood turner to customize the balls and pins. The people loved the new game and played it.

By the 1930s, around 200,000 people were playing the game. It has continuously gained popularity because people who wanted the fun of ten-pin bowling but hated the stress and backaches caused by the game quickly shifted to duckpin bowling.

Why is it called “duckpin” bowling?

The owners of the bowling alley (the baseball players) were also duck hunting enthusiasts. They loved hunting birds, especially duck during their spare time. As they watched the pins scatter around the alley, one of them made a comment about how the pins resembled ducks. This is the story of why the game was named “duckpin”

Specifications

Duckpin bowling has the same goal as that of regular ten-pin bowling- knock all the pins down. However, there are some major differences between the two games:

-The size of the duckpin ball is smaller, of course. A duckpin ball will measure to about 5 inches in diameter (maximum). The duckpin balls do not have holes in them, they are meant to be held in one hand.

-The pins are also smaller. The duckpins measure to around 10 inches in height.

-In duckpin, one can throw three balls during a certain round. Unlike regular ten-pin bowling, a player can try his luck three times during a certain round. This is because it is much harder to get a strike or a spare in duckpin bowling as compared to regular bowling.

-When a player knocks down all the pins in three throws, he is merited with 10 points. No bonuses are given to him for knocking all the pins down.

One must try playing duckpin bowling to experience the fun and excitement it brings. It’s as fun as ten-pin bowling but minus all the back and finger aches.