uStrike bowling information
How to play
A game of ten-pin bowling is divided into ten rounds (called "frames"). In a frame, each player is given two
opportunities to knock down the ten pins. He or she rolls the first ball at the pins. If the first ball knocks down
all ten pins, it is called a "strike" and the frame is completed. When pins are left standing after the first ball,
those that are knocked down are counted and then removed. Then the player rolls a second ball and if all the
remaining pins are knocked down, it is called a "spare". There are bonuses for removing all the pins. If there is
more than one player scheduled on a lane, play passes to the next player until all players have completed the frame.
Then play continues with the next frame. The final or tenth frame of a game may involve three balls (see
scoring).
The ten pins are usually automatically set by machine into four rows. The pins are numbered one through ten, starting
with one in the front, and ending with ten in the back to the right, as shown below:
7 8 9 10 4 5 6 2 3 1
Neighbouring pins are set up 12 inches (30cm) apart, measured from centre to centre. Due to the spacing of the pins
and the size of the ball, it is impossible for the ball to contact every pin. Therefore, a tactical shot is required,
which would result in a chain reaction of pin hitting pin. In an ideal shot, for a right-hander, the ball will
contact only the 1, 3, 5 and 9 pins. (For a left-hander, the 1, 2, 5 and 8 pins).
Setting up your bowling approach:
You will notice lots of dots and arrows marking the floor, with dots on the approach and arrows on the lane. These are
to help you position yourself as you bowl. Before you start, walk up to the black line, called the 'Foul Line', that
marks the beginning of the lane. Turn your back to the pins and take three reasonable paces. Now look down at your feet
and note how you are positioned in relation to the dots on the floor. Use this as a guide for where to start your
bowling approach.
Choosing a correctly-sized ball:
Put your thumb in the biggest hole and place the rest of your hand flat on the ball. The thumb hole should be neither
too loose nor too tight. The other two holes should line up with the middle knuckles of your middle two fingers (not
the index finger). Place your thumb and fingers in the ball while it is firmly placed on the stand. Always pick up the
ball with two hands from the stand and take more of the weight in your non-bowling hand.
Basic bowling technique:
Stand at the position you paced out for yourself earlier on and bring the ball up to your chin so that you are looking
at the pins over the top of the ball. Your thumb should be closest to your face if you have the ball the right way round.
When you are ready you will push the ball away from yourself in a big arc (don't let go yet) while you take your first
step with your left foot (if right-handed). As you move forward in your three-step approach the ball swings behind you,
you begin to slightly crouch. Let the ball come back in the same arc and let go as you and the ball arrive at the 'Foul
Line' simultaneously. Your left foot (the one opposite to the hand you bowl with) should be in front of you. The ball
should not bounce but glide smoothly down the lane, and if your aim is true hit the 'pocket', which is the space between
the 1 and 3 pins (or 1 and 2 pins if left-handed).
Advanced bowling technique:
There are generally two primary styles of rolling the ball down the lane. Most newer players play by rolling the
ball straight, hopefully into the 1-3 pocket for right-handed bowlers or the 1-2 pocket for left-handed bowlers.
More experienced bowlers usually roll a hook, which means that they make the ball start out straight and then
curve towards the pocket. To produce a hook the player needs to let go of the ball with his thumb first, then the
middle and ring finger release almost simultaneously. This gives the bowling ball its spin needed for the hook.
If the player is right-handed, an ideal position of the thumb after letting go of the ball is "10 o'clock",
meaning that the thumb has gone from 12 to 10, as looking at a clock. The corresponding position for left-handed
players is 2 o'clock. Of course there are innumerable variations in style and technique and the position of the
thumb can vary from person to person. Lab research has shown that the ideal shot will enter the pocket at an
angle of 6 degrees with respect to the lane boards, which means that a straight ball should be thrown from the
side of the lane, near the gutter.
Some extremely young or physically challenged players may use both hands to swing
the ball forward from in between their legs. This kind of style has the bowler start close to the foul line,
and is called "Granny style".
[source: bbc.co.uk & Wikipedia]