Bowling Technique - Tips For You To Improve Your Bowling Score

Bowling is a complex art, requiring a lot of practice, concentration, and some luck along the way. But the funny thing about bowling is that there are hundreds of successful people making money in tournaments and leagues, who consistently place among the top finishers. After interviewing some of them, I was able to synthesize some important bowling technique tips and improve my bowling score by about 50 pins with just a bit of practice. Here are the five most important bowling technique tips they gave me to improve my bowling scores:

Bowling Technique Tip #1 - When you're taking your practice shots before a league game starts, practice aiming for strikes. Too many times bowlers miss the strike on their initial shot, and then attempt to pick up the spare. Why practice for picking up spares when you could be getting strikes every time? Aim for the sweet spot every time and don't worry about what pins are still standing.

Bowling Technique Tip #2 - Rest up. When you feel yourself getting tired, enough is enough. Practicing tired is going to wear out your muscles and overusing them can cause muscle strain. In tournaments this is sometimes unavoidable, so bring an Icy-Hot patch or Advil for the later rounds. In general, you want to preserve energy and keep the strain down during your swings so that you can continue to bowl well day in and day out.

Bowling Technique Tip #3 - Take care of your equipment - Brush your shoes with the wire brush to keep them sliding properly, clean and wax your ball regularly, and don't become attached to worn out equipment. If it isn't operating in prime condition, you're going to be overcompensating for your equipment's weakness, and practicing bad habits.

Bowling Technique Tip #4 - Keep your throwing arm loose and your grip on the ball relaxed. You can use inserts in the finger holes to make them smaller and allow you to maintain a tight grip on the ball without straining your finger muscles and adversely impacting the roll of the ball. This goes hand in hand with bowling technique tip #2, and it allows you to take advantage of any circumstance. The oiling of the lanes is different center-to-center or even day-to-day, so by letting the alley show you how to correct your throw, you can save time and hassle. Forcing the ball is the worst way to learn to adapt.

Bowling Technique Tip #5 - Positive Attitude is key. If you don't think that you're going to do well, then you probably won't, no matter how many of the bowling technique tips you use. Visualize your success, and sometimes you can't help but make it happen. This is the number one most important bowling technique tip of them all.

Jordan Matthews is an internet entrepreneur with a 239 average, who enjoys bowling at local ABT tournaments every weekend. Visit Jordan's Bowling Website for more information about bowling in tournaments and improving your scores.

Beginning Bowling Technique - Do Not Overlook The Value Of Spares

New bowlers are often so excited to hit a bunch of pins that they are too distracted to hit the remaining pins on the second attempt. As you get more advanced at bowling, you might be able to concentrate on hitting some pins, but not with any concept of the importance of hitting the pins just right to take all of the remaining pins down. No matter how hard it is for you as a beginner to learn how to hit a strike each time, learning to make spares regularly is not that difficult and it will dramatically improve your scores. In fact, learning how to clean up with a spare is the first step to learning how to aim your bowling ball for regular strikes.

Secret to Spares that Most Beginning Bowlers Do not Know

Even if you own your own bowling ball, do not take your second attempt with that ball, nor should you use one of those pretty marble balls at the bowling alley on your attempt for a spare. The plain-colored balls supplied by the bowling alley are similar to what professional bowlers carry just for those rare occasions when they miss a strike and need a spare. These balls are drilled and weighted to roll perfectly straight, making it much easier for you to aim the ball at the pin you want to hit.

Relax

Most bowlers do not play with a time limit, so do not grab your ball as soon as it comes out and throw it right back down. Concentrate on being relaxed. Then concentrate on how you want the ball to hit the pin. Then imagine the ball coming out of your hand, going down the lane, and hitting the pin. Do not forget to throw the ball though.

In a very relaxed, postured stance, make your run and release the ball with a straight wrist. Your whole arm should be relaxed as it flows in an arc in the direction of the pin. Unless you have set up some kind of bad split, you do not need anything but a straight line aim.

Maybe It Is Not All Your Fault

If you find you just keep missing the target, there is a very remote possibility that you not the one at fault for your misses. Often an extremely dirty ball can take some really weird rolls. It is also possible that your ball needs polished or the floor needs a fresh coat of wax. If the ball does a lot of funny movements at the same point in the lane each time, there could be some fluid or a divot in the lane. But you will not make any friends or get extra help for throwing out accusations at bowling alley employees. Simply move over a lane and try a few different balls to find out if the problem is in the lane, ball, or you.

Are you a beginner bowler looking for more Tips For Bowling [http://www.tipsforbowling.net]? Or are you a seasoned bowler looking to take your game to the next level? You CAN dramatically improve your bowling if you have the right information. For more tips on bowling, go to: [http://EzineArticles.com/?id=947394]

Sean Bailey is a fitness and sports enthusiast. He has written for a number of fitness websites and publications. He currently runs a website giving bowling tips at [http://www.tipsforbowling.net]

Bowling Techniques You Need to Know

If you want to be a good bowler, then you need to know the proper bowling techniques. Knowing these techniques will make you a better bowler, and will help you have more fun with this great game.

Essential Tips For Proper Technique

There are many tips that you can learn for being a good bowler, and there are a wide array of techniques. However, if you follow these technique tips, you will be a better bowler very quickly.

1. Make sure you keep your head up, shoulders square and eyes on the target.

2. Grip the ball the right way and have a ball that is fitted for you so your fingers don't get stuck if the swell.

3. If you are right handed, start two arrows right of the middle and do the reverse if you are left handed. This is one of the best bowling techniques you can use.

4. Focus on the target you are aiming at.

5. Take some time to relax yourself. Take some easy deep breaths before you begin your swing.

6. Do not rush your delivery and keep it smooth...that way you won't be way off the mark.

7. Ensure you stay balanced and upright, while focusing on where the ball is going to go.

8. When you release the ball, keep your arm straight, or slightly bent and make a smooth arc from back to front as you move down the lane towards the foul line.

9. Follow through and maintain the position of pointing where you want the ball to go until it is down the lane and heading to the pins.

A useful tip is to also watch the bowling techniques of the bowlers around you. You can learn a lot just by observing how professional bowlers look when they are on television as well.

How To Bowl Strikes
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Are You Searching For The Ultimate Bowling Tip and Technique?

It seems like bowlers everywhere are frequently in search of the ever elusive bowling tip and technique that promises to perfect their game. Surprisingly, there is no perfect bowling tip and technique, due to the fact that there are no right or wrong methods or styles. Bowlers, both novice and professional, discuss different methods that work for them, but may not for someone else. Hence the acceptance of the statement, there is no 'right or wrong' bowling tip and technique.

We will be discussing some ways of improving your game by listing a bowling tip and technique with its respective explanation. The first bowling tip and technique to keep in mind is stretching before you begin. Bowling, just like any other sport, requires you to warm up your muscles.

The next bowling tip and technique includes two important posture related techniques,

- Balance line- consists of timing your movement and balance over your leading foot, to accomplish the most beneficial amount of energy when releasing the ball.

The second posture related bowling tip and technique is as follows:

- Spine posture- a fifteen degree angle from the beginning to the end of your delivery is recommended.

Each posture related bowling tip and technique directly influences the angle of your swing, and increases your knowledge of basic bowling techniques.

The next bowling tip and technique refers to your swing, or your delivery of the ball. While keeping your grip relaxed (making sure not to squeeze the thumb) let the swing begin at your shoulder, allowing the weight of the ball to lead the swing. A more in-depth bowling tip and technique for your arm swing is keeping your swing and elbow in close to your side as you deliver the ball.

Proper hand positioning is another important bowling tip and technique. Always remember to keep a relaxed grip, and when holding the ball in stance, let the pinkies touch on the underside of the ball, while spreading the rest of your fingers.

A useful bowling tip and technique for picking up spares is to face the pins you are aiming for. Use the hook position, but try not to use the snap wrist release.

Learning to analyze your game is an excellent bowling tip and technique. Pay close attention to what works and what doesn't. Learning from others helps also.

A bowling tip and technique concerning lane conditions is to watch our ball. If it favors the right, try bowling from the right then the left. A bowling tip and technique for dry lanes are to move to the left on your approach, and for oily lanes, move to the right on your approach.

The next bowling tip and technique addressed, concerns the type of ball to use. We suggest a highly polished plastic ball for exceedingly dry lanes. Perhaps the best bowling tip and technique is to remember that bowling can be a great sport for fun or competition, give it a chance and see which way the ball rolls.

All in all, the best bowling tip that one can get is to never stop learning. Bowling is a sport that is constantly changing, and one of the only ways to stay on top of your game is to learn new techniques from the masters of the sport.

Jordan Matthews is an internet entrepreneur with a 239 average, who enjoys bowling at local ABT tournaments every weekend. Visit Jordan's Bowling Website for more information about bowling in tournaments and improving your scores.

How To Focus Your Mind On Your Bowling Game

If you are able to focus on your bowling game it will help you to improve your technique and win more games. Each one of us has an inner voice which tells us whether we're doing well or badly. If that inner voice keeps telling you you're doing badly, then you must try to control it, or it will cause you to fail. You don't want to hear friends or family speaking badly about you, so you mustn't allow yourself to do it.

When you realize you're indulging in negative self-talk, picture a big red stop sign. Stop the negative thoughts, and replace it with a positive affirmation. Make sure you do this before you even arrive at your bowling game. Visualize yourself making your best shots, using your best technique, and not becoming upset by a few bad shots. By doing this, you're creating a game plan in your head.

Your positive thoughts can be very simple - 'I can bowl well. I will try my best. My body is moving well. I can do this really well' are some examples. I'm sure you can think of more which are personal to you. Once you get used to positive self-talk, you can counter any negativity by using it when you need to.

If you always think negatively, you will lose your self confidence. This is true with all things in life as well as sports such as bowling. If you wonder where your fear of failure stems from, it's often coming from yourself and your own negative self-talk. It's easy to fix this by thinking positively.

When you practice your bowling, don't worry about the score you're making. Concentrate on how you feel, how the ball rolls, and where it finishes. Try new movements, do things differently, but above all, don't worry about the score as you won't let yourself improve your bowling technique.

When you're taking part in competitions, focus on the bowling ball rather then how your body's moving. If you're aware of how the ball's moving, it will help you decide on the condition of the lane. This will help you decide which will be the best ball to use, how to line yourself up, and what moves will work best for the condition of the lane.

Are you new to the game of bowling? Do you love to bowl but wish you could make better scores? Visit my bowling website to discover how to improve your game in just 5 minutes.

How to Bowl Strikes - 5 Bowling Tips

If you want to improve your bowling game then you need to learn how to bowl strikes. Bowling a lot of strikes can earn you a lot of bonus points and increase your bowling average. But how do you bowl strikes? Well, no one can score strikes all the time. Not even the professional bowlers. But you can still try by following the 5 bowling tips below.

If you just want to have some fun with friends then I wouldn't worry too much about it. But if you want to take your hobby a little more seriously, impress your buddies and improve your bowling game then keep reading for some great bowling tips on how to bowl strikes.

The easiest way is to spin or hook the bowling ball while aiming for the ideal place of impact. I didn't mean to make it sound that easy though. It will take a lot of time to learn the bowling technique and you will have to practice it a lot if you want to consistently score strikes and improve your bowling game. Read the following bowling tips.

1. Learn how to hook the ball. This involves twisting your wrist as you release the ball. You need to start with your hand under the bowling ball and as you let go, turn your hand to the left (if you are right-handed) if you get this right the ball should travel straight and then curve into the pins as it gets to the end of the lane. Right-handed bowlers will need to aim for the second triangle from the right.

2. If you want to score a strike you will need to aim for "the pocket". If you are right handed this is between the 1st and 3rd pins. If you are left-handed the pocket is between the 1st and 2nd pins.

3. Take into account the lane conditions. Oily lanes make for a smoother delivery though it can make it more difficult to control the bowling ball.

4. It is important to completely focus when you are bowling a strike. Clear your mind of everything else going on, you must remain calm and positive or you will not score your strike. This focus must start from the first step you take as things can start to go wrong from this point.

5. Practice, practice, practice. You should practice your bowling technique over and over to consistently score strikes. Follow these bowling tips and find the technique that works best for your style. You can even do this without the bowling ball. Once you find what bowling technique works for you, practice until its perfect!

If you want more information on how to bowl strikes, bowling technique or more bowling tips, click on the following link for a great bowling guide with everything you need to know: Better Bowling Guide

How To Hone Your Hook In Bowling

Bowling is a leisure sport that may seem simple, but it involves both discipline and creativity. If you want to be a good bowler, you have to learn the various techniques and movements used in bowling.

Bowling has been around for ages, and over the years techniques and strategies have been discovered that help modern bowlers improve their bowling game. Some bowling moves were created to give your bowling ball maximum power when it hits the pins by creating sharp angles to the pocket.

These days, you can choose from any number of bowling balls, and this helps promote styles that allow the bowler to hook the ball. Today's bowling balls are designed to enable stronger and more efficient hooking.

Follow these tips to learn the hook technique in bowling:

1. Make sure you are using the right bowling ball. Both the size and weight of the ball must be in perfect proportion to the shape and strength of the bowler. If you are not using the proper ball, you will not hit your target.

2. It is vital to have a good grip on the bowling ball. You always want to bowl with your dominant hand. If you are right handed, bowl with your right hand. If you're a leftie, then use your left hand. Some players tuck their "pinky" underneath their bowling ball for additional support and to increase the force when releasing the ball.

3. When you bowl, you must remain focused and visualize where you want the ball to go. Some bowlers use the arrow markings as a guide when judging the ball's path.

4. Your release needs to be perfectly timed. Some bowlers take four steps, with the third being a half step to make sure they are in the correct position for release. To get perfect timing, swing the bowling ball while you are taking your steps, and start to release the ball when your ankle touches the ground and you begin sliding. Release the ball when you stop sliding.

5. The swinging and release of the ball is the last step. If you want to use the hook, the trick is to make the bowling ball rotate as it rolls down the lane. To make this happen, you have to bend your elbow during your swing and straighten it out as you release.

Use caution when you first practice using this hook technique, so you don't injure yourself. If you are a beginner, it is recommended that you practice with someone with more experience so they can guide you toward the correct movements and timing.

Learn more about the history of bowling and bowling score at The Bowling Coach site.

Want to Improve Your Bowling Game? 5 Great Tenpin Bowling Tips

Tenpin bowling is a lot of fun but, at times, it can be as equally frustrating. The thing is, it is not really as easy as the pros make it seem. There are many bowling techniques involved in becoming a good bowler (if you want to improve your bowling game!) and it involves much more than just launching a heavy ball towards some pins. Consistency is key when you want to improve your bowling game and even the most experienced bowlers have a bad game.

I'm not going to lie to you. There is no easy way to get good at anything. You still have to put in the time and effort and practice, practice, practice. But there are bowling techniques and bowling tips that can help you get the most out of that bowling practice time and set you on your way to an improved game. Master the following tips and see just how much you can improve!

1. Assess your strengths and weaknesses. Think about which are the areas of your game you would like to improve and build your bowling practice sessions around this area. For example, if you wanted to improve your accuracy, concentrate on hitting just one pin before focusing on another pin. Ask a friend or team mate for an outside opinion on what they think you may need to do to improve your bowling game.

2. Always maintain a positive attitude. As we all know, it's very easy to focus too much on the bad aspects of your game. Over-analyzing that gutter ball is not going to improve your game. Thinking bad things only brings bad things so stay happy!

3. Get a bowling coach. Yes, there are a lot of bowling instructors out there ready to help you improve your bowling game. Look online, at your local bowling alley or on community web sites like Craigslist or Gumtree. Make sure your bowling instructor is registered with an official body of bowling instructors.

4. Learn to focus. If you want to really improve your skills you will need to learn to relax and clear your mind. Thinking about the mortgage or what you are going to have for dinner while you're trying to score a strike is not going to work.

5. Have fun and don't keep score. When you are practicing, treat it as just that. Bowling practice! It's not a competition so just have fun and don't worry about the score. It will only distract you from your game and interfere with your positive mental attitude you've been working on. Bowling is supposed to be fun so don't forget to enjoy yourself!

Next time you practice have a go at these bowling tips. If you practice enough, and keep these bowling tips handy you will soon see the improvements and a rise in your average score.

Be persistent and you never know you may be on your way to achieving that elusive 300!

For more ten pin bowling techniques and tips on how to improve your bowling game and amaze your teammates, visit the following link: bowling tips

The Proper Bowling Technique For Beginning Bowlers

Bowling is a wonderful sport for those who know the proper bowling technique to use. If you have an aversion to gutterballs, then using the proper technique will help. Knowing which way you should stand and what type of ball is all included in the proper bowling technique.

The first thing to learn when trying to find your proper bowling technique is in holding the bowling ball. There are three holes on the ball. The two together are for your middle fingers and the single hole is for your thumb. To hold the ball in the proper bowling technique, hold the ball with the palm of your hand facing upwards. Turn your thumb position to be more at the ten o'clock position and do not change this until you let it go. This is the proper bowling technique for holding the ball.

The second proper bowling technique is known as the approach. As the name suggests this proper bowling technique is when you move toward the lane to release the ball. The proper bowling technique for the approach begins about four and a half steps before the foul line. You should see dots on the lane. When you finish your approach, you should have your feet in the proper bowling technique for your dominant foot. If it is the right foot, the proper bowling technique for you is the center dot. If you are a left foot, it is the exact opposite.

Let us continue on to the proper bowling technique for getting a strike. Proper bowling technique is not in aiming for the first pin but to go for what is known as the pocket. If you have right hand dominance, your proper bowling technique is to aim between the one and three pin. If you are left hand dominant, your proper bowling technique is to aim for the one and two pin.

Releasing the ball also has a proper bowling technique. This is started when you are in your approach. Proper bowling technique combines the approach and the release together. The first step you take towards the dots is done with the right leg. Your right arm should be out. The second step brings the proper bowling technique with the arm pointed straight to the floor. The third step brings the proper bowling technique with the ball behind you and the forth step brings release. Once your feet come into their proper bowling technique at the dots, you release the ball in a roll and not a drop.

To get the ball down the lane in the right positioning for your proper bowling technique, aim for the arrows at the top of the lane. If you are right handed, aim for the second and third arrows to the left side. For left hander, aim for the same arrows on the opposite side. You now have all you need to start practicing on your proper bowling technique. Practice your bowling and enjoy your new sport!

Jordan Matthews is an internet entrepreneur with a 239 average, who enjoys bowling at local ABT tournaments every weekend. Visit Jordan's Bowling Website for more information about bowling in tournaments and improving your scores.

The Top Ten Bowling Techniques To Improve Your Score

Bowling is one of the best ways to improve fitness and coordination while having fun with your family and friends. It's a lot more than simply throwing a heavy ball down a long corridor...it's one of the most complicated and competitive sports around. By learning to master the top-ten techniques of bowling, you'll gain confidence, have more fun, and beat the competition!

The top 10 bowling techniques:

1. Have perfect Posture

In bowling, posture counts! Keep your head up, looking straight at your target. Your shoulders should remain square to the foul line, especially through the swing.

2. Grip the ball properly

If you use a house ball, make sure the thumbhole is loose fitting. The thumb frequently swells a little during bowling and if you're forcing your fingers into the holes before you bowl, they're likely to get stuck! If you have your own ball, have your pro shop custom drill your finger holes. If your thumb routinely swells, wrapping it in bowler's tape can help. If your hands sweat, be sure to carry a towel to wipe them on and then dust your hands with a little rosin. If you have a hard time gripping the ball, your pro shop can insert grips into the finger holes.

3. Remember where you are

If you're right handed, a good place to start is 2 arrows right of the middle. If you're left handed, start 2 arrows to the left of center. Adjust your position right or left after you have bowled a couple of balls, depending on where your ball ended up.

4. Focus on your target

Decide where you're going to aim. If it's your first ball, aim to bowl just to the right of the 1 (front) pin if you're right handed or to the left of it if you're left handed.

5. Breathe

Relax yourself by taking three slow, deep breaths. It's common to feel anxious before bowling... but the calmer you are, the more control you will have over your ball.

6. Smooth moves

The way you carry yourself to bowl decides the speed and power of your ball. Position yourself so you will take four consistently paced steps to throw the ball.

7. Slow down!

One of the most common traits beginning bowlers have in common is to rush. It's important to have some speed to deliver the ball correctly, but too much speed is the #1 reason for both gutter balls and 7-10 splits in beginning bowlers!

8. Maintain your balance

Be sure to stay upright and focused on your target as you approach the foul line. Keep your shoulders square as you use your leg as a counterweight to keep your balance during the release.

9. Release the ball

Keeping your arm slightly bent at the elbow, retract your arm behind your body, cradling the ball in your hand. Keep a smooth straight arc from back to front. Be careful of arcing around your body and back...that's a common habit in many new bowlers! At the low point of your swing, release the ball. A relaxed arm and wrist make for an effective shot!

10. Follow through

Keep your target in sight and your arm continuing its arc forward even after the ball has been released. Just "letting the ball go" and pulling your arm back will cause the ball to roll off-course.

The most important thing to remember when learning to bowl is to have FUN! By learning proper bowling techniques you will make the game much more enjoyable for yourself and for those who bowl with you.

ImproveBowling offers a bowling guide e-book that is great for bowlers interested in improving their bowling skill, especially for beginner and recreational bowlers. Visit http://www.ImproveBowling.com to learn more about what the e-book has to offer and you can download it instantly.

How to Improve Bowling Skills

Are you an aspiring bowler? Perhaps your familiarity with bowling is very limited? Upper limb swiftness, ball's rotary motion, the four stride method and some of the other bowling techniques are conceivably unknown to you.

A fine bowling tutorial must be prepared so that you'll learn the whole method - from handling a bowling ball right up to the point of its release. Bowling lessons are going to provide you with a pattern that you can use time and time again. After all, as the saying goes, practice makes perfect!

The Experienced Bowler

Have you been playing ten-pin for a long period of time but haven't yet experienced the triumphs that you've been longing for? It may be that you are but a small step from victory.

Are you trying to maintain your head steady from the beginning of your move until you set the ball free? Do you let the ball "roll" off your fingers so that you can maintain the rotary motion you want? Perhaps your hand and footwork doesn't coordinate too well during the execution?

If you are at this stage in your bowling career, then there is no doubt that bowling lessons at a higher level will ultimately benefit!

The Intermediate Bowler

Are you an intermediate bowler who wants to improve upon your current skills set? Bowling lessons are certainly a solution for a bowler like you who has the desire to get to a higher level of performance even though you may have only just gained the fundamentals of the game.

Knowing and understanding the techniques of bowling, it helps you to move on to a much more advanced stage of bowling style like discharging the ball with a "popper", producing strength from your lower limbs and not just from the upper body, and a jam-packed upper limb swing.

As you progress in your own path of learning with added help from the application of bowling lessons, you'll notice how your score improves along the way and become more consistently higher too.

No matter which stage you are at right now in your bowling career, you will find that bowling lessons are a fundamental part of how to improve bowling skills over-all.

Dennis Reynolds is an avid league and tournament bowler with a 227 average. He is the owner of the website http://www.howtobowlastrike.net, a blog dedicated to helping people learn how to bowl a strike and improve bowling scores.

The Hook Ball - Mastering the Technique of Hooking the Bowling Ball

Most people, probably including you, start out bowling by using a "straight" shot. With this style of bowling, you simply point and shoot. Bowling with this style is effective, and you can in fact bowl an excellent score using it.

Even so, if you want to be more serious about bowling, or further improve your score, you'll need to learn more advanced techniques, adding more skill than luck to your game.

One of the first advanced moves most bowlers incorporate in their game is the hook ball.

By adding the hook ball to your arsenal, you gain much more control over where the ball travels, and which pins are knocked down.

The reason straight bowling can only get you so far is because you have to send the ball down the center of the lane, and hit pins straight on, while avoiding the gutters (and the dreaded gutter ball).

Few people can consistently bowl strikes with straight bowling -- often it's simple luck dictating where the ball strikes the pin, how much the ball is spinning, and how the pins fly around once hit.

More often than not, by sending the ball down the middle of the lane, you'll end up with a nasty split that is difficult to convert into a spare. Even if you do manage to nail the spare, you still won't be able to win a game against others that are able to hit strikes consistently.

That's where the hook ball comes in.

By using the hook ball, you add spin into your shot, using the spin to send the ball exactly where you want it to go.

Creating the hook is controlled by the way you release the ball.

In general, you should release the bowling ball with your thumb close to the bottom, using your fingers to give the ball some spin. With the right amount of spin, the ball should travel in a fairly straight line, until it reaches the "break point".

The break point is the spot in the lane when the ball begins to turn towards the target, leaving it's straight path. When the ball hits the break point, it should arc outwards slightly, then curve back toward the pins you were targeting.

To get the perfect hook ball, you'll need to analyze your bowling habits. You need to figure out your typical axis rotation and axis tilt -- or the amount of vertical and horizontal spin you usually put on your shots.

You can get an idea of these by the position of your hand when you release the ball -- get someone else to watch or take pictures or video of you while you throw several shots.

Once you've identified your axis rotation and tilt style, you can make appropriate corrections to your game. You can also get the best bowling ball for your style.

For a hook game, urethane balls are perfect. The texture of these bowling balls helps to add just the right amount of spin to your throw.

Once you've got the right ball, you need to practice. Learning how to hook the ball properly takes many throws, as you need to become comfortable with each aspect of the throw -- rotation, spin, location, speed.

It does take an investment of time, but once you've mastered the hook ball, you'll have a bowling technique available to you that will help you to score higher, making more strikes, and giving you a greater chance of hitting difficult spares.

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Practicing Your Bowling Techniques

You probably see the bowling alley a few times a year, maybe once every month or perhaps everyday. Practicing your bowling techniques has a great impact on your performance. Just like other sports, bowling needs practice. In fact, learning how to bowl is relatively easy, but it's quite challenging to improve and score a high level of accuracy within most of your bowling games.

Even if you are a pro, scoring a row of strikes is not so easy to get even if you master hooking a bowling ball. Your position on the bowling lane, physical posture, mental state and many other factors including lane conditions contribute to your performance on how to bowl consistently.

A better bowler is most likely a bowler that simply practices more and practicing the techniques he/she needs consistently. Earning several strikes in a row can help you achieve high scores and self-recognition as well because it is then that you know that your hard practice is starting to pay off.

There are many popular skill sets out there for a beginner to pro bowler one of which is the hook ball bowling. If you are not so familiar with bowling terms, this means being able to adjust and twist your wrist as you let go of the bowling ball to have the ball move straight at first and later curve down the lane. This method is one of the most commonly known bowling technique for helping with consistent strikes because straight balls are usually not able to reach the "pocket" where the combination of either pins 1 and 2 or pins 1 and 3.

It's enjoyable to see efficient bowling techniques in action but it is also reasonable to practice emotional control as you practice bowling physically. Many might know the effect of over dramatizing or getting angry on games. You might simply lose focus, roll the ball to hard, or even get it completely out of the lane! Just remember that this is a game that you are coming to enjoy. The more you put your emotional actions into control, the more you will be able to focus on getting your techniques right. Keeping the right bowling etiquette can make your game better too.

If it's been a long time since you've been bowling and you are still not able to reap the results, start practicing and you will learn great bowling techniques and tricks to make your game soar through that score sheet.

Want to learn how to bowl? Sick of not performing consistently on the bowling alley? Discover the best bowling techniques among professional bowlers that no amateur ever learns on their own. Learn great bowling techniques that get you scoring game after game in TheBowlingTips.com.

Tuning Up Your Bowling Technique - Picking Up Spares

Why bother to pick up your spares?

All too often, beginning bowlers overlook clearing their frames. They're just delighted to have knocked down any pins at all, and laugh as they shoot yet another obvious gutter ball down the alley.

Picking up spares is the one thing that even a beginner bowler can learn to dramatically improve their game. It can easily make the difference between a 110 and 180 average!

While strikes are an important thing to learn, for a beginning to intermediate level bowler, I advise this: Clear your spares and the strikes will come. You will beat most of the competition by simply clearing your frames.

Tools of the trade

Professional bowlers use a "spare ball". That being a regular, plastic ball they use solely for the purpose of picking up their spares.

Even if you have your own ball, try using one of the regular, plain-colored, plastic "house" balls to pick up your spares. They are drilled to roll perfectly straight, enabling you to better hit your target.

Ready... Aim... Bowl!

Take the time to learn how to effectively pick up your spares. Start by looking at your body posture and stance. The way you hold yourself makes a difference. When your wrist is straight yet relaxed and your arm flows smoothly and in a straight arc forward (not curving around your body and back) your aim will be more accurate.

The easiest bowling technique to knock down your spare pins is to aim the ball directly at them in a straight line. It's not the time to use your $300 hook ball; you want to minimize any spin.

Be sure to relax your wrist as you release the ball and it will roll smooth and straight. Take the time to practice picking up your spares every chance you get. Many experienced league and professional players practice by aiming for the 7 or 10 pin. This method allows them to see how the ball reacts to the effort of crossing the lane.

Practice, relax, concentrate and take your time when going after your spare. A moment taken to line up your shot and take a deep, relaxing breath will make all the difference.

A good rule of thumb is to aim your ball at the pin closest to you, striking it on the side opposite any other pins. Always start from the arrow to the left or right of whichever pins remain standing. Roll across the strike target at the pins you're aiming for and before you know it you will be picking up your spares!

What can stop your efforts to pick up spares?

There are a few instances in which your efforts may prove futile. If you know that you're doing the right bowling techniques but are missing your targets, one of the following culprits is usually to blame:

If your ball is too dull or dirty, it can roll early and use up all its energy instead of storing it up until it reaches the back-end. Pop it in the ball-polishing machine.

If your ball is consistently hooking early and slowing down on the back end, it could be the ball's surface. Again, use the polisher or have it buffed with very high-grade sandpaper.

If your ball seems to slip, or obviously moves funny at the same spot on a lane, it could be a divot, oil, or other flaw in the lane. Try a different lane and see if that helps.

If you've tried a new ball surface and a new lane and your ball is still hooking too early, move your feet a little to the left if you're right handed or right if you're left handed to compensate.

With just a little extra effort you can learn to improve your average and clear your frames. You will have a newfound appreciation for the sport, admiration of your teammates and the envy of your competitors once you've mastered the bowling tips and techniques to effectively pick up your spares.

ImproveBowling offers a bowling guide ebook that is great for bowlers interested in improving their bowling game especially for beginner and recreational bowlers. Visit http://www.ImproveBowling.com to learn more about what the ebook has to offer and you can download it instantly.

Want to Be a Better Bowler? Try These Ten Pin Techniques!

Everyone, no matter how old or young can enjoy bowling nowadays. There are bumpers for the kids to prevent those pesky gutter balls and ramps for those who find the bending and swinging a little difficult.

Because bowling is fun, right? Of course, but it can be irritating when you find yourself barely reaching the 100 mark time after time and want to be a better bowler.

The good news is, there is something you can do. There is a lot of technique involved in learning to improve your bowling game . Professional bowlers will have practiced these bowling techniques over and over again. So the two main bowling techniques you can work on; are your approach and the way you roll the bowling ball.

When you are approaching the line and are about to release the ball, timing is everything if you want to be a better bowler. Not timing your swing correctly means you not only run the risk of stepping over the foul line but it can have a detrimental effect on your game and could be the reason you are not achieving your potential.

Most bowlers take a three to six step approach, this means they take between three and six steps during their run-up. To be a better bowler you should try out how many steps you feel most comfortable with. Many bowlers favor a four step approach.

You should start with the foot which is on the same side as your swinging arm. This is your pushing foot. The ball should be slightly in front of you. Then, as you take your next step forward, pull back your swinging arm. As you step forward with your other foot, lean forward slightly.

At this point, your arm should be raised behind your head. Then slide your left foot out and swing your bowling arm forwards. Release the bowling ball but when you do so follow-through with the swinging motion of your arm.

There are two methods of rolling the ball. Put very simply, you can either roll it in a straight line which is great for getting those spares where accuracy is paramount. Alternatively, you can spin the bowling ball. Learning to spin the bowling ball makes it roll straight and curves into the pins as it approaches them.

This spin (or hook) causes the pins to knock each other over and increases your chances of scoring highly and helps you to be a better bowler. To spin the bowling ball you need to begin with your hand under the ball, thumb facing up. As you release the ball, twist your wrist so your hand is nearly at the top of the bowling ball.

Remember to stay positive and stay focused if you want to be a better bowler. When you are about to take your shot forget about everything you have to do, the chatter from your team mates and the surrounding lanes.

Concentrate on nothing but your next shot and practice the above bowling techniques to send you on your way to that 200 or even 300 game!

For even more advice on how to improve your bowling game and a wealth of information on everything you need to know about tenpin bowling visit the a fantastic web site by clicking on this link: --> Bowling Techniques

Tips On the Hook Technique For Bowling

It seems like people are always looking for tips on making their game better than it was before. The hook technique for bowling is no exception to the things that can be added. Before we discuss any hook technique, we will define 'hook' for clarification: A hook is measured by boards and certain angles to show how much the ball is curving away from the point it started at. The hook angle is the exact place where the ball changed its direction. The hook potential is the most intense path the ball will go to.

The hook technique for bowling involves, and is, basically defined by these three definitions. To use the hook technique, keep your hand in a handshake position from the approach, through the swing, and to the release.

Your swing, when using the hook technique for bowling, is what makes or breaks your hook ball. In stance, keep your bowling hand, palm up under the ball. As you move through your swing, turn the ball so that upon release, your hand will be on the outside of the ball, similar to shaking hands Using the hook technique may seem complicated to the novice bowler, but the hook technique for bowling is an excellent way for picking up spares, which ultimately increases your points which then raises your overall average. What better way to improve your game?

There are three types of hook balls to learn when researching the hook technique for bowling. The first hook technique for bowling is the Stroker. This technique involves the slider foot coming to a stop right before the ball reaches the low point in the swing, which increases the control of the ball. This requires you to keep your shoulders square.

The second hook technique for bowling is the Cranker. This hook technique for bowling produces more power and involves you being at the foul line before your ball arrives. The bowler needs to be aware that this requires a slightly difficult level of movement which, when not controlled, could result in severe muscle injury.

The third hook technique for bowling is referred to as the Helicopter. This hook technique for bowling is mostly used in the bowling world in Asia, due to their low quality lanes, is best delivered when opting for a 10 - 12 pound ball. This requires a different grip. The fingers remain all the way around the top of the ball. Once delivered, the ball travels straight, but spinning similarly to, yes you guessed it, a helicopter.

As with any other techniques, the hook technique for bowling allows for adjustability to suit your style, while the basic method remains the same. This leaves plenty of room for you to make one of these techniques your favorite or signature delivery. Try it out and improve your game at the same time.

Jordan Matthews is an internet entrepreneur with a 239 average, who enjoys bowling at local ABT tournaments every weekend. Visit Jordan's Bowling Website for more information about bowling in tournaments and improving your technique and your scores.

7 Bowling Tips To Improve Bowling Game

We've heard it many times before... practice makes perfect. And for good reason-it's the truth! The best way to get better at anything is to practice; bowling is no exception. However, how you practice will mean the difference between slowly improving and supercharging your game!

Bowling Tip #1: Use the right tools

In any sport, using the correct equipment for the job you have to do improves your performance. In bowling, the ball is the most important piece of equipment you will use, so choose the right one for the job! Be sure to try out many, and select one that's the right weight, material and finger-grip fit.

Bowling Tip #2: Are you bowling enough?

To progress at bowling, you need to bowl at least once or twice a week. The most economical way to get this amount of practice in is by joining a league. Usually, the more experienced players show up before the game to practice. This is when you can learn the most, from people committed to the sport.

Bowling Tip #3: Learn to walk the walk

While professional bowlers tend to use a 5-step approach, that's just not suitable for someone just learning the sport. Beginners are usually more comfortable with a 4-step approach. You can practice your approach without throwing a single ball. Keep your shoulders square to the front, your head up, arm swing smooth, and your pace consistent and even.

Bowling Tip #4: Let 'em roll

Spend time rolling the ball. A bowling ball should never be thrown. How do you tell the difference? A thrown ball will land with a loud "clunk" and then slide a few feet before beginning to roll. A rolled ball lands quietly and quickly rolls down the lane. If you find that you're in the habit of throwing the ball, simply slow down. Try taking a slow, deep breath or two before bowling to settle any anxiety. You will hit more pins with a rolled ball than with a thrown one.

Bowling Tip #5: What you think is what you do

Spend time visualizing and analyzing your shots. Visualize your movements and your shots before you do them. If your ball goes consistently too far right, begin a little further left. You will learn to "feel" when you've bowled a good ball. When you do, write it down before you forget. What did you do? How did the ball feel? Where did the ball hit? Keep it for future reference so you can do it again.

Bowling Tip #6: What if I can't be at the alley enough to practice?

Any smooth surface with a long, clear distance is suitable for practicing your approach. It's not safe to practice the release, however, as a bowling ball will easily roll straight through walls if you miss your target! Not to mention you'll ruin the surface of your ball. When practicing at home, mark your foul line and arrows in masking tape or other material that will not damage your floor. Also mark where your toes need to be for each step. Practice your approach until it's second nature.

You can practice your arm swing outdoors with a bucket of water with a small hole at the bottom. The water drops on the ground will mark the path of your arm and the direction the ball would go. It's a good way to see if you arc around your body when you bowl and which direction your arm is going. This can be a very enlightening experience.

Bowling Tip #7: Don't spare yourself the trouble

It's a very good idea to practice picking up your spares. A bowler who can consistently pick up his spares can easily hold a 180 average without getting any strikes. It's especially useful to practice bowling at the 7-or 10-pins by aiming at them and bowling across the strike zone (the "x" on the lane) from the opposite side of the lane.

By practicing these bowling techniques on a regular basis, you'll be honing the skills that will help you improve your bowling game!

ImproveBowling offers bowling tips for bowlers who want to take their game to the next level. Visit http://www.ImproveBowling.com for more information on improving bowling score and techniques.

3 Bowling Tips and Techniques You Can Use Today

I am going to share some bowling tips and techniques with you that you can use immediately to improve your game. There are so many ways that you can improve your bowling game, and I am going to share a few of those with you. These are three tips that should help you bowl better if you take them seriously.

The first thing that I want to share with you is that when bowling, you need to use your lower body leverage during delivery. On your last step, bend your knee to get closer to the lane and slide your foot making sure that it stays straight. You can think of it like sliding into a deep knee bend. Then, with the leg that is not sliding, move it over across from the arm you are throwing with. This will counter balance your body. You want to make sure that you keep your upper body straight when doing this. It may take a while to get down, but if practiced, you can drastically improve your game.

The next tip that I want to share with you is all about the release. Make sure that you are not squeezing the ball with your grip. Relax your thumb and come through cleanly during the release. If you don't, you can cause your swing to veer off and you will not be able to get consistent delivery. For the best release you need to use your lower body leverage and make sure that you are close to the foul line when your release the ball. If you find that you are too far behind the foul line when you release, adjust your starting point to make up the difference. Getting close to the foul line will allow the ball to strike the lane later and conserve some energy for the pins.

The third tip and technique that I want to share is that you need to develop your own bowling style. There is no set way to do things when it comes to bowling. The important thing is to be able to develop a style that you can do over and over and get good results. If you can do that, you will be a successful bowler. Don't let anyone tell you that you are doing something wrong when you are comfortable with your style. Let them whine when you beat them.

I hope that these bowling tips and techniques have helped you with your bowling game. Remember to always have good lower body leverage, a relaxed grip on the ball, and to develop your own style. Sure you can watch other good bowlers and see how they bowl, but every bowler will have a style that fits them best.

Did you know that all bowlers face 4 troublesome problems? Find out what they are and how easy it is to solve them right here.

Bowling Tips and Techniques ? The 4 Troublesome Problems Resolved Here

Advanced Tips For Bowling That Will Improve Your Game

Bowling enthusiasts are always on the look out on tips for bowling so that they can play the game better and ultimately become a better bowler. There are many bowling techniques you can learn but the hook technique is one of the bowling techniques you can learn to be good at and add to your bowling arsenal.

If you've never heard of "hook" as it is used in bowling, the term simply refers to the curve taken by the bowling ball away from where it started and through the board. The exact point where the bowling ball changed its direction is called the hook angle. The most curved path that the bowling ball will go to is referred to as the hook potential. In bowling, these three concepts are what define the hook technique.

Basically, the hook technique involves keeping your hand in a handshake position beginning from the approach, swing and up to when you release the ball. Your swing will make or break your hook ball. When you are getting ready to swing, make sure the hand holding the bowling ball is positioned palm up under the ball. As you swing, turn the bowling ball in such a way that when you release it, your bowling hand is on the outside of the bowling ball (as if you are shaking hands).

If you're a novice bowler, you may find the hook technique a bit difficult to master at first. However, once you do master the hook technique, you will find it pretty useful for picking up spares. Needless to say, learning the hook technique will help increase your score, thereby raising your overall bowling average.

Now that you know the basic of hook technique, the next thing you need to know is the three types of hook balls you can learn and use on the bowling alley: stroker, cranker and helicopter.

The stroker is a hook technique wherein your slider foot comes to a complete stop prior to the bowling ball reaching your swing's low point. This hook technique helps you increase your control of the bowling ball. You will need to keep your shoulders square when using the stroker.

The cranker is a hook technique you can use if you want to produce a lot more power in your swing. In this hook technique, you arrive at the foul line even before you release the ball. Of all the three types of hook balls, the cranker involves movement that if not controlled can severely injure muscles.

The helicopter is the third hook technique that is more commonly used by Asian bowlers. This is because bowling lanes in this part of the world tend to be low quality, and so for balls that are between 10 and 12 pounds, the helicopter hook is best used. The helicopter requires a grip much different from the other hook balls: the fingers remain around the top of the bowling ball. Once the ball is released, the ball travels a straight path but is spinning like a helicopter.

Are you a beginner bowler looking for more Tips For Bowling [http://www.tipsforbowling.net]? Or are you a seasoned bowler looking to take your game to the next level? You CAN dramatically improve your bowling if you have the right information. For more tips on bowling, go to: [http://EzineArticles.com/?id=947394]

Sean Bailey is a fitness and sports enthusiast. He has written for a number of fitness websites and publications. He currently runs a website giving bowling tips at [http://www.tipsforbowling.net]

Marshall Kent named BWAA Bowler of the Month

8/17/10

ARLINGTON, Texas - Marshall Kent of Yakima, Washington, has been named the July 2010 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

In a span of two weeks, Kent won the prestigious USBC Junior Gold Boys Division Championship presented by Brunswick, as well as the Boys Division in the fifth annual North Pointe Insurance Group $100,000 High School Open Singles Classic.

An upcoming senior this fall at West Valley High School, Kent earned an impressive $25,000 in scholarship winnings from the two tournaments: $10,000 from the Junior Gold win and $15,000 from the North Pointe Insurance victory.

The more dramatic of the two wins was in the USBC Junior Gold as the 17 year-old Kent struck out in the tenth frame of the tournament's final game, shutting out Matthew Gasn, Laurel, Maryland, 269-265.

Others capturing votes were Brittni Hamilton, the USBC Junior Gold Girls Division Championship winner, Czech Open winner Brian Voss and  Chris Loschetter, winner of the European Bowling Tour 6th Storm San Marino Open.

View the original article here

Marshall Kent storms onto bowling scene in 2010

8/13/10

By Gianmarc Manzione
USBC Communications

Marshall Kent packed his bowling balls and hit the road last month with the same destination in mind as many other youth bowlers around the country: Indianapolis, where he would bowl the 2010 USBC Junior Gold Championships as well as the North Pointe Insurance High School Open Singles tournament later that week.

By the time he packed up once again to head back home, the 17-year-old native of Yakima, Wash. had won both tournaments, signed on with an emerging college bowling program, and racked up about $75,000 in scholarships. Oh, and he had also clinched a spot on Junior Team USA for the first time.

“It’s a dream come true,” Kent says of joining Junior Team USA. “I could not even imagine that I would make the team this soon.”

If this all sounds like a pretty good deal for one week’s work to you, you’re not the only one.

“It was an incredible week,” says Jim Kent, Marshall’s Father. “Junior Gold was $10,000, then the North Pointe was $15,000, and then the next day he signed a letter of intent with Robert Morris [of Illinois], so ultimately it ended up being about a $75,000 week for him.”

But this is no evening news story of the lucky local who strikes the jackpot with a scratch-off ticket or the pull of a slot handle. This is a story of tireless work and its just reward.

It is a story in which 4 A.M. is as good a time as any to get in a few extra games of practice.

“I had to come into my center at 4 A.M. one morning — we’re open 24 hours — and there’s Marshall throwing some practice with a friend,” says Bob Hanson, one of Marshall’s long-time coaches. “I said ‘Marshall! What are you doing?’ He said they weren’t tired so they came down for some practice games. That was about four days before Junior Gold.”

It is a story of the 160-mile drives Kent takes through the Cascades from Yakima to Tacoma just to bowl six games a month in a travel league there.

Most of all, it is a story of needing all three strikes to win Junior Gold and putting 30 in the pit as if it’s just another few shots of practice back home, of leading the North Pointe the next morning on no sleep and a stomach so ill it might have kept anyone else off the lanes.

“We didn’t get back to the hotel until about midnight because we went out with a bunch of friends from Washington after he won Junior Gold,” Jim Kent recalls. “And I think at that time it finally hit Marshall what he’d done and he started vomiting and had to be at the bowling center at 8 A.M. the next morning for the North Pointe. I don’t know how he did it, but he got up and led qualifying the next day.”

One person who has some idea how he does it, though, is Junior Team USA member Chris Bardol, who also is a standout on the Robert Morris University bowling team that Marshall Kent will join in 2011.

“Chris was sitting behind the lanes when Marshall threw those three strikes in the tenth to win Junior Gold, and he turned to me and said ‘Those three shots were strikes right off his hand,’” recalls Dale Lehman, Head Coach with the Robert Morris University bowling program. “He said ‘That kid’s got ice water in his veins.’ He had amazing composure all week; whatever he needed to have, he was able to come up with it every time.”

And now, in the biggest three shots of his life and at a tournament where he did not even make the cut last year, he had come up with it again to clinch the title by a score of 269-265 over Matthew Gasn. And he had done it on the pair where he previously shot his lowest score of the day, a 150 in game 42.

“Neither of them should have been able to bowl that well on that pair,” says Marshall’s father. “Nobody had shot over a 211 on that pair all day long. There is no way these two kids should have shot a couple of 260s, especially with all those people watching in the center and on the live stream. That was the most incredible match I had ever seen in my life.”

“I had been in that situation before,” Marshall explains. “Just the confidence in knowing that I had done it before gave me all I needed to do it again.”

In fact, Marshall Kent had bowled that match many times before he stepped inside Woodland Bowl in Indianapolis that day. He bowled it while playing buddies for sodas back home. He bowled it in each of the six Junior Bowlers Tour events he has won this year alone. He bowls it every time he shoes up for practice while the rest of Tacoma sleeps.

“He practices like he’s bowling a tournament,” says Harry Mickelson, a Two-Time Team USA member and coach of Marshall’s. “He knows you can’t just flip a switch when it comes time to compete; it doesn’t work that way and he knows that. He wants to make good shots, whether he’s practicing by himself or bowling Junior Gold. I've coached high school basketball for years too, and I've coached plenty of kids that wanted to win, but only a couple that needed to win, and Marshall falls in that category. He's got a lot of fire in his belly.”

“Every time I practice I ask myself ‘What can I do to get better?’” says the boy with the fire in his belly. “‘How can I get to that elite level?’”

“He’s been bowling from the time when he had to push the ball from between his legs, from the time he was two years old,” Marshall’s father says. “We almost had to kick him off the lanes when he was growing up. He would bowl for six hours and we’d have to drag him out of the center, and sometimes it was kicking and screaming.”

But the only ones who needed to be dragged out of the center kicking and screaming at Junior Gold were the college coaches that swarmed Kent like kids at a candy stand with a frenzy of scholarship offers.

“In one way it was fairly entertaining, because I’ve never had this kind of attention before,” Marshall says. “But on the other side there is sorrow because you have to turn most of them down.”

“We went down there with a package that we gave out to all the collegiate coaches with the intent to get this decision done this summer so he didn’t have to worry about it in his senior year,” Jim Kent explains. “We had to work a little at it, but after Junior Gold all the coaches were interested in it.”

Funny how quickly the same coaches that make you “work a little at it” come around when your son shoots 715 in the final three games of Junior Gold to win it at age 17. But when Marshall Kent shows up at Robert Morris to join the bowling team in the fall of 2011, the coach that will greet him at the door will be the one who beat out most of them by several years.

“I’ve watched him for three years,” says that coach, Dale Lehman. “I’ve been talking to him and his dad for several years. I expect him to step right into our starting lineup. The day he came and worked with us, we made suggestions to him right then and he could not wait to try them and get a little better. It doesn’t matter what level you’re at, you can always get better, and he is extremely eager to do that.”

“I am so excited for college,” Kent says. “I am just really looking forward to it.”

For now, though, there is still a full year of high school ahead for Marshall Kent, who enters his senior year this fall. There are those three-hour trips through the mountains and the six games of league to bowl on the other side, the predawn practice sessions in Tacoma, and that dream he’s been working on since the day he pushed a ball down the lane at two years old.

View the original article here

Back to reality

8/18/10

By Matt Cannizzaro
USBC Communications

Hello everyone.

So much has changed in the last few weeks.

In that time, I have driven nearly 4,500 miles from Reno to Fort Worth, Fort Worth to Fort Lauderdale and Fort Lauderdale back to Fort Worth.

I've said goodbye to new friends, reunited with old ones and even had a chance to relax a little bit and enjoy some sunshine. On my way through Florida, I had the opportunity to take down a 3-pound cheeseburger. It was all quite an adventure.

The National Bowling Stadium and this year's USBC Open Championships now are just memories. Gone are the days with 21 hours of crashing pins, the lines of team captains waiting to check in and the waves of bowlers headed back to the scale room. No longer does the national anthem let me know that it's 2:30ish and time for lunch.

No one has the front seven, and there won't be any new leaders today. We won't be handing out any bronze medals or 30 Clean awards, and no one will be wondering what the low-to-cash numbers are.

I am back at my desk at the International Bowling Campus in Arlington, Texas, and it's eerily quiet. The workday here is much more structured with less freedom to roam, and it takes some getting used to. At the tournament, if I get a little restless, I can go watch bowling or chat with some bowlers in the stands.

Scores for the 2010 USBC Open Championships have been finalized, the final prize checks are being stuffed and mailed as I type this, awards all have been ordered and the website already has been updated to promote and reflect the 2011 tournament, which is scheduled to begin on March 4, 2011.

It's much different this half of the year, but it's also a good opportunity to regroup and look ahead to next year.

For the next few months, I will dive into other projects and tournaments, but helping the Open Championships succeed as is travels to the same city in consecutive years for the first time won't be far from my mind.

That's the news for now. See you on the lanes.

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U.S. lefties come up empty in singles at World Men's Championships

8/13/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

RESULTS: Singles

MUNICH, Germany - Team USA left-handers Rhino Page and Patrick Allen finished outside of the cut to the semifinals in singles Friday at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships.

With three of the five qualifying squads completed, Page was in 31st place with 1,235 for six games, an average of 205.8, while Allen sat in 67th place with 1,172, an average of 195.3. The rest of the Team USA lineup will compete Saturday.

The top four players after the five qualifying squads will advance to Saturday afternoon's semifinals. Finland's Pasi Uotila had the tournament's first perfect game and currently leads with 1,357.

Page had games of 183, 227, 208, 205, 212 and 200 on the medium oil pattern at Dream Bowl Palace. Allen started with 180 and 169 before closing with games of 207, 224, 193 and 199.

"I think we both struggled with our ball reaction and physically," Page said. "I don't want to put words in PA's mouth, but neither one of us were really sharp. The conditions are really demanding and it showed."

With four players yet to compete, Team USA still has medal hopes in the event. Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting will bowl on the fourth qualifying squad, while Wes Malott and Tommy Jones will compete on the final squad.

The top four players after Friday's three rounds will sit and wait to see if they remain in position to contend for the gold medal. Mexico's Earnest Franco is second, trailing Uotila by four pins. In third is Japan's Nobuhito Fujii with 1,347, while fourth place belongs to Korea's Jang Dong-Chul at 1,346.

The 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships features 356 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events - five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage can also be viewed live on BOWL.com. The singles semifinals and final are scheduled to begin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Eastern.

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Opening ceremonies usher in 2010 World Men's Championships

8/12/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

MUNICH, Germany - More than 350 players from 66 countries were celebrated Thursday night as the opening ceremonies officially ushered in the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships.

The players took part in the traditional march out of the teams at Dream Bowl Palace, a 52-lane bowling center in suburban Munich that opened nine months ago.

The Championships begin with the singles event Friday morning. Qualifying will take place over five squads (three Friday and two Saturday) with the top four players after six games advancing to the semifinals Saturday afternoon.

Team USA's Rhino Page and Patrick Allen will compete on the opening qualifying squad and will be the only U.S. players competing Friday. The Americans will then field Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes in the first squad Saturday morning and Wes Malott and Tommy Jones will compete on the final qualifying squad Saturday afternoon.

The 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships features 358 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events - five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

Team USA bowls the practice session BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage can also be viewed live on BOWL.com. Here's the live streaming schedule:

- Saturday, Aug. 14, 12:30 p.m., singles semifinals and final
- Monday, Aug. 16, Noon, doubles semifinals and final
- Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2 p.m., trios semifinals and final
- Friday, Aug. 20, 1:30 p.m., team semifinals and final
- Saturday, Aug. 21, 2 a.m., Masters Round of 16 and quarterfinals
- Saturday, Aug. 21, 7 a.m., Masters semifinals and final

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USA third, eighth after opening round of trios at World Men's Championships

8/17/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

MUNICH, Germany - The United States sits in third and eighth after the opening three games of trios at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships.

Patrick Allen, Rhino Page and Wes Malott were the top U.S. finishers on the medium oil pattern Tuesday at Dream Bowl Palace in third place with 1,930, an average of 214.4. Bill O'Neill, Chris Barnes and Tommy Jones are eighth with 1,885.

Trios qualifying continues Wednesday with the final three games on the long oil pattern. The top four teams after six games advance to the semifinals Wednesday night to determine the medalists.

Allen had the top individual score among the Americans with a 686 series and was followed by Page with 623 and Malott, who closed with a 258 game to shoot 621. For the other trio, O'Neill led the way with 654, Barnes shot 634 and Jones had 597.

"We weren't looking too hot after Game 2," Allen said. "But Wes got in the right part of the lane, got comfortable and threw a lot of strikes to carry us. We're going to have to figure out how to score as a team on the long pattern tomorrow. Today we were just trying to stay in the hunt."

Malaysia's Alex Liew, Syafiq Ridhwa and Aaron Kong led the field Tuesday with a 1,964 total. Italy's Massimo Pirozzi, Mauro Rampi and Marco Reviglio sit in second with 1,956.

BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage can also be viewed live on BOWL.com. The trios semifinals and final are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern.

In the all-events standings after 15 games, O'Neill leads the field with 3,291, an average of 219.4, while Barnes sits in second at 3,246. Allen is currently sixth with 3,225, while Malott is 13th with 3,162.

The top 16 players in the all-event standings after 24 games advance to Saturday's Masters match play competition. Jones, who is 51st, and Page, who is 64th, are currently outside of the cut.

The 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships features 356 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events - five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

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Association Operations - 08/12/2010

New membership products being tested
USBC headquarters is partnering with several local associations to test new membership products this fall. The goal of the pilot programs is to try new concepts designed to provide enhanced member benefits and an improved experience for bowlers. All concepts were designed after surveying USBC associations, league secretaries, proprietors, avid bowlers and casual bowlers.

Local associations in the test markets have agreed to participate in the pilot programs that will offer several types of awards, member gifts and price structures. In some associations, the program also involves testing a different processing system. USBC headquarters will work closely with all local associations participating in the pilot programs to ensure the associations are not negatively affected because of the tests.

We understand many of you will be eager to hear details about the pilot programs. USBC will share results and feedback when the tests are complete. If you have questions or concerns about the pilot programs, please contact your regional manager. 

New enhancements to "Find a Member"
The "Find A Member" function on BOWL.COM now provides more information. Enhancements to the search criteria allow searches to be performed within a range of zip codes, by association number or by state. Also, members with single letters for a first name, such as J A Smith, can now search for and display their information.  

While bowler's individual average records are still listed, we also have added composite averages for both standard and Sport bowling on the Leagues/Averages page.

This new feature is a benefit to associations, tournament managers, leagues and bowlers who have a need for composite averages. USBC has offered this feature for information purposes for leagues, tournaments and associations to aid in curbing average manipulation. It is not required that leagues or tournaments use this average but it is their option.

WinLABS updates and version 9.9.31
We are continuing to test the new version of WinLABs and expect WinLABs 9.9.31 will be available for download by the end of next week (August 20). Once available, you should download and install this version as soon as possible.

The new version includes awards and achievements for the 2010-2011 season and reintroduces youth data and functions.  Please note that if your association processes youth data, you will not receive the 2009-2010 data immediately. We will not make the youth 2009-2010 youth files available until Thursday, Aug. 25 in order to give you time to install the new version of WinLABs so that you can import this data successfully. If you do not have version 9.9.31 installed, you will not be able to load and process your youth transmission files properly. The updates are as follows:

Added WinLABs update link to connect to WinLABs download page on BOWL.comResolves some rebuild issues identified with version 9.9.30Resolves disk space issues when archiving old files during WinLABs installs

Youth

Added functionality for 2009-2010 youth National Data Change files to be imported into WinLABsAdded functionality to receive ongoing national data changes from the Online Youth System to be sent and imported into WinLABsYouth memberships can be viewed but not purchased or updated in WinLABsYouth leagues can be viewed but not set up or updated in WinLABsYouth averages can be entered or updated in WinLABsYouth achievements and awards from 2009-2010 can be seen in WinLABsYouth achievements and awards can be created and transmitted in WinLABsYouth award availability dates re-added

Leagues

Added lane conditions to league set up

Awards and Achievements

Added ladies Sovereign ringsAdded Changes to averages required for 2010-2011 achievementsAdded age requirements for youth achievements (Bowlopolis)Modified award names for Imperial and Sovereign rings to be included in award description

Delegates

WinLABs now verifies the number of delegates entered is not more than the number of allowable delegates for an association.

USBC WINLABS and Red, White and Blue webinars
For new, inexperienced WinLABS users and/or those needing a refresher, USBC has created a webinar focused on how the program can be used to complete the business process from the start of a season through the end of a season.

Specific topics will include:

Updating association informationPreparing for a bowling yearCertifying leagues and membersProcessing achievements and awardsProducing yearbooksPreparing for summer leagues

The Webinars are scheduled as follows (all times CDT):

Thursday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.Monday, Aug. 30 at 6 p.m.Wednesday Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.Friday, Sept. 17 at 11 a.m.Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 5 p.m.

To register, please send an e-mail with your name, association name and number, email address and phone number lucy.herman@bowl.com.  Classes are limited to 25 participants, so please register early. Registration ends 48 hours before the webinar is conducted. After registering, we will send you webinar sign-on instructions and handout materials.

In addition, David Bartlett will host a webinar covering the new Red, White, and Blue patterns on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at 3 p.m. (Central). It will last approximately one hour and has proven to be very informative. This is information association managers will find essential for tournament operations, but also would be a great information session for any other board members that might be interested. If you or anyone on your board is interested in attending this webinar, please email David.Bartlett@bowl.com with your name and association information. The webinar is limited to the first 25 participants that sign up, so be sure to get registered early. 

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Marshall Kent named BWAA Bowler of the Month

8/17/10

ARLINGTON, Texas - Marshall Kent of Yakima, Washington, has been named the July 2010 Kegel Bowler of the Month by the Bowling Writers Association of America.

In a span of two weeks, Kent won the prestigious USBC Junior Gold Boys Division Championship presented by Brunswick, as well as the Boys Division in the fifth annual North Pointe Insurance Group $100,000 High School Open Singles Classic.

An upcoming senior this fall at West Valley High School, Kent earned an impressive $25,000 in scholarship winnings from the two tournaments: $10,000 from the Junior Gold win and $15,000 from the North Pointe Insurance victory.

The more dramatic of the two wins was in the USBC Junior Gold as the 17 year-old Kent struck out in the tenth frame of the tournament's final game, shutting out Matthew Gasn, Laurel, Maryland, 269-265.

Others capturing votes were Brittni Hamilton, the USBC Junior Gold Girls Division Championship winner, Czech Open winner Brian Voss and  Chris Loschetter, winner of the European Bowling Tour 6th Storm San Marino Open.

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USA takes bronze, Sweden gold in doubles at World Men's Championships

8/16/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

WATCH: Semifinals | Final | Medal ceremony

MUNICH, Germany - The Team USA pairing of Patrick Allen and Rhino Page earned an unexpected bronze medal Monday night at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships.

After competing on the opening of five qualifying squads, Allen and Page didn't think their qualifying score would be high enough to advance to the semifinals as one of the top four teams. Instead, they slide into the semifinals as the fourth seed.

In the semifinals, the Americans fell to the eventual gold medalists, Sweden, 449-373. The Swedes went on to win the title with a 398-379 victory over Malaysia.

"We feel fortunate that we made it into the semifinals, but as a team we don't feel like we bowled as well as we should have on this pattern," Allen said. "The bottom line is that we aren't here to win bronze medals. Great bowlers are able to take advantage of situations like this, and we didn't get it done today."

Team USA fell behind early in the semifinal against Sweden and was unable to recover as Allen shot 209 and Page had 164. Mathias Arup had 253 for Sweden, while Martin Paulsson shot 196 in the winning effort.

In the championship match, the Swedes edged past the Malaysians after Nur Aiman left a 4-6-7-10 split in the final frame. That setup Arup to mark in the final frame for the title, and he delivered a perfect strike to lock it up.

Paulsson led the Swedes in the gold-medal match with 221, while Arup shot 177. Aiman shot 192 for Malaysia, and Alex Liew had 187.

Malaysia advanced to the championship match with a 429-325 victory over Germany's Bodo Konieczny and Jens Nickel. The Germans and Americans shared the bronze medal with the semifinals losses.

The Team USA pairing of Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes finished just outside of medal contention, taking fifth place, 11 pins out of the semifinals. Wes Malott and Tommy Jones took 17th place, missing the semifinals by 68 pins.

Attention now shifts to the trios event, which begins with two days of three-game qualifying blocks on Tuesday. Team USA's Page, Allen and Malott will team up, while O'Neill, Barnes and Jones will join forces.

BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage can also be viewed live on BOWL.com. The trios semifinals and final are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern.

The 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships features 356 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events - five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

2010 WTBA WORLD MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Dream Bowl Palace, Munich, Germany
Monday's Results

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)

(1) Martin Paulsson/Mathias Arup, Sweden def. (2) Alex Liew/Nor Aiman, Malaysia, 398-379

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)

(1) Martin Paulsson/Mathias Arup, Sweden def. (4) Patrick Allen/Rhino Page, United States, 449-373
(2) Alex Liew/Nor Aiman, Malaysia def. (3) Bobo Konieczny/Jens Nickel, Germany, 429-325

QUALIFYING
(Top 10, six games)

1, Martin Paulsson/Mathias Arup, Sweden, 2,621. 2, Alex Liew/Nur Aiman, Malaysia, 2,568. 3, Bodo Konieczny/Jens Nickel, Germany, 2,514. 4, Patrick Allen/Rhino Page, United States, 2,513. 5, Bill O'Neill/Chris Barnes, United States, 2,505. 6, Choi Yong-Kyu/Kim Tae-Young, Korea, 2,498. 7, Anders Lousdal/Frederick Ohrgaard, Denmark, 2,497. 8, Syafiq Ridhwa/Aaron Kong, Malaysia, 2,497. 9, Cho Young-Seon/Jang Dong-Chul, Korea, 2,493. 10, Cheuk Yin Mak/Wu Siu Hong, Hong Kong, 2,484.

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Videos from the World Men's Championships

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Live streaming from the World Men's Championships

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USA takes bronze, Sweden gold in doubles at World Men's Championships

8/16/10

By Lucas Wiseman
USBC Communications

WATCH: Semifinals | Final | Medal ceremony

MUNICH, Germany - The Team USA pairing of Patrick Allen and Rhino Page earned an unexpected bronze medal Monday night at the 2010 World Tenpin Bowling Association World Men's Championships.

After competing on the opening of five qualifying squads, Allen and Page didn't think their qualifying score would be high enough to advance to the semifinals as one of the top four teams. Instead, they slide into the semifinals as the fourth seed.

In the semifinals, the Americans fell to the eventual gold medalists, Sweden, 449-373. The Swedes went on to win the title with a 398-379 victory over Malaysia.

"We feel fortunate that we made it into the semifinals, but as a team we don't feel like we bowled as well as we should have on this pattern," Allen said. "The bottom line is that we aren't here to win bronze medals. Great bowlers are able to take advantage of situations like this, and we didn't get it done today."

Team USA fell behind early in the semifinal against Sweden and was unable to recover as Allen shot 209 and Page had 164. Mathias Arup had 253 for Sweden, while Martin Paulsson shot 196 in the winning effort.

In the championship match, the Swedes edged past the Malaysians after Nur Aiman left a 4-6-7-10 split in the final frame. That setup Arup to mark in the final frame for the title, and he delivered a perfect strike to lock it up.

Paulsson led the Swedes in the gold-medal match with 221, while Arup shot 177. Aiman shot 192 for Malaysia, and Alex Liew had 187.

Malaysia advanced to the championship match with a 429-325 victory over Germany's Bodo Konieczny and Jens Nickel. The Germans and Americans shared the bronze medal with the semifinals losses.

The Team USA pairing of Bill O'Neill and Chris Barnes finished just outside of medal contention, taking fifth place, 11 pins out of the semifinals. Wes Malott and Tommy Jones took 17th place, missing the semifinals by 68 pins.

Attention now shifts to the trios event, which begins with two days of three-game qualifying blocks on Tuesday. Team USA's Page, Allen and Malott will team up, while O'Neill, Barnes and Jones will join forces.

BowlingDigital.com will provide live streaming of the semifinals and finals of each event and coverage can also be viewed live on BOWL.com. The trios semifinals and final are scheduled to begin on Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern.

The 2010 WTBA World Men's Championships features 356 competitors from 65 countries competing for medals in six events - five-player team, trios, doubles, singles, all-events and Masters match play.

2010 WTBA WORLD MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Dream Bowl Palace, Munich, Germany
Monday's Results

CHAMPIONSHIP
(Winner earns gold, loser gets silver)

(1) Martin Paulsson/Mathias Arup, Sweden def. (2) Alex Liew/Nor Aiman, Malaysia, 398-379

SEMIFINALS
(Winners advance, losers tie for bronze)

(1) Martin Paulsson/Mathias Arup, Sweden def. (4) Patrick Allen/Rhino Page, United States, 449-373
(2) Alex Liew/Nor Aiman, Malaysia def. (3) Bobo Konieczny/Jens Nickel, Germany, 429-325

QUALIFYING
(Top 10, six games)

1, Martin Paulsson/Mathias Arup, Sweden, 2,621. 2, Alex Liew/Nur Aiman, Malaysia, 2,568. 3, Bodo Konieczny/Jens Nickel, Germany, 2,514. 4, Patrick Allen/Rhino Page, United States, 2,513. 5, Bill O'Neill/Chris Barnes, United States, 2,505. 6, Choi Yong-Kyu/Kim Tae-Young, Korea, 2,498. 7, Anders Lousdal/Frederick Ohrgaard, Denmark, 2,497. 8, Syafiq Ridhwa/Aaron Kong, Malaysia, 2,497. 9, Cho Young-Seon/Jang Dong-Chul, Korea, 2,493. 10, Cheuk Yin Mak/Wu Siu Hong, Hong Kong, 2,484.

View the original article here

Major Leaguer C.J. Wilson hosts bowling charity for children's hospitals

8/16/10

By Gianmarc Manzione
USBC Communications

ARLINGTON, Texas - If the phrase “charity event” brings to mind stuffy soirees and poker-faced philanthropists in suits and ties, you’ve never been to a C.J. Wilson’s Children’s Charities event.

Anyone in attendance at Wilson’s second annual “Strike Out” bowling event at Splitsville Lanes in Arlington, Texas on Aug. 12 knows that in C.J. Wilson’s world, the word “charity” is as much about turn tables and good times as it is about the price of the tickets they buy to get in the door.

“I think a lot of people equate philanthropy with a stuffy, bourgeois kind of thing,” explained Wilson, a starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers with 116 strikeouts so far this season. “I love this venue and I have a really good time making it casual and fun. I want to show people that they can make a difference, too. It’s about the time and effort that they put in by coming to events like this as much as it is about any money the event raises.”

Any starting pitcher in Major League Baseball can send a check to the charity of their choice. But for Wilson, the point is not money; the point is to generate community awareness of the plight that faces children such as eight-year-old Micah Champagne.

“Micah has severe hemophilia. It’s a bleeding disorder that affects 18,000 people in the U.S.,” explains Micah’s father Robert, President of C.J. Wilson’s Children’s Charities. “He takes IVs every other day that help prevent internal bleeding or anything like that.”

The daily experience of most boys is characterized by sights and sounds that will linger in their memories for life: the shriek of a referee's whistle at a flag football game, the wads of gum they chew in little league dugouts, the crashing of pins at a Saturday morning youth league. But when C.J. Wilson met Micah Champagne in a place where childhood is anything but typical — the Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas — the two hit it off like old buddies and C.J. Wilson’s Children’s Charities was born.

Robert Champagne with his son Micah

“The Texas Rangers were at the hospital while my son was being treated for complications with hemophilia, and C.J. came over and he and my son just clicked,” Robert Champagne explains. “As a dad, that meant the world to me. I wrote C.J. a letter thanking him, and he contacted me. We started this charity shortly after that.”

The bond that Wilson formed with Micah in the hospital that day now is an event that brings Micah’s story to people from throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth community — an event that sold 300 walk-up tickets in 2009 and, this year, attracted nearly 500 attendees.

“We do this to promote awareness and community involvement, not for the money,” Robert Champagne says. “If this were about writing a big check, C.J. would write a big check. It’s more about community awareness and letting people know that they need to get involved in their community.”

If they happen to have as much fun as college kids in a frat house on a Friday night in the meantime, well, that’s how it is when C.J. Wilson takes up a cause.

“Really want to see someone do the funky chicken or some other robot moves on the dance floor. Party at Splitsville!” Wilson posted on his Twitter page from the event, where teammate Elvis Andrus, Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels and the team mascot joined in on the fun.

Robert Champagne with C.J. Wilson of the Texas Rangers

The combined force of Wilson’s generosity and the money he raises at local charity events helps to return some sense of normalcy to the lives of boys and girls whose childhoods have been interrupted by illness.

“We provide patient comfort items like video games, televisions, DVD players, entertainment centers, things like that,” Robert Champagne explains. “We just want to try to provide a better experience for the kids in these hospitals.”

“The response has been great,” Wilson says. “It seems with each event we throw, we get a little bit more notoriety, more media attention, more attendance.”

Be sure to check in with C.J. Wilson’s website, leftylefty.com, for information on upcoming C.J. Wilson’s Children’s Charities events.

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