Tip 1

• There are 4 aiming methods in 5 pin bowling. The one that produces the best results is spot bowling. This uses a fixed target 15 feet from the foul line. To properly understand spot bowling you need to better understand the rifle technique. When you have found your starting position  on the approach this is the rear sight. The dot at the foul line where the ball is released is the front sight and the arrow which the ball rolls over is the target.

• It is suggested that the target remains the same and that only the right sight and front sight is adjusted.

Tip 2

• In this lesson we are going to look at making adjustments when you are missing your target. If you are missing your to the left then you should move your rear sight to the left and if you are missing to the right move your rear target to the right.

Tip 3

• How do you adjust to eliminate head pins? You may move your starting position up a few inches and this change causes the ball to get to the head pin sooner and hit it more on the left side. You may move your starting position back a couple of inches and this change the ball gets to the head pin a little later and hits it more on the right side. You may move right or left one or two inches and then the ball hits the head pin on the side , one or two inches in the opposite direction.

Tip 4

• One of the easiest and most effective ways to practice spot bowling is the target drill. Here you will place two towels on either side of your intended target arrow. The distance between the towels can be adjusted depending on your skill level. This drill allow you to concentrate on hitting the target and not worrying about hitting a pin.

Tip 5

• In this lesson we are going to look at reading lanes. On a fast lane the ball intends to slide over the surface and the spin on the ball is ineffective. This condition generally produces lower scores. On slow lanes the ball breaks before it hits the head pin and this energy is transferred to to the pins to produce higher scores. Lanes usually have a fast/slow texture. Lanes are relatively heavily conditioned in the first 15 to 45 feet to protect them from the pounding of the ball. The ball slides though the oily part of the lane and begins to break in the last 15 feet where the lane is dry.

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  Dave Post is President of the Canadian 5 Pin Bowlers’ Association, and has been a key player in development of both the certified coaching courses developed for 5-pin bowling, as well as in the development and implementation of bowling’s Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Plan.  Check back regularly for more great tips.  In the meantime…ENJOY YOUR GAME!