Targeting

In order to bowl effectively, you need a good understanding of the fundamentals of how to release the ball on a trajectory that is effective.  One fundamental skill is to have a firm understanding of where to start and where to effectively roll the ball that will result in knocking down the intended pins time after time.

The trajectory of the ball rolling down a lane determines where it impacts the pins. The trajectory is determined by variables such as the point where the ball is first placed onto the lanes, its direction of travel, as well as its speed, revolutions, velocity, friction on the lane, and of course, the lane conditions.  Each bowler has a unique trajectory which they attempt to duplicate in order to score repeated strikes and spares.

Skilled bowlers can predict when a strike will be attained during early portions of a ball's trajectory down the lane.  They evaluate, and if needed, adjust their approach starting point, speed, and hand position to enhance their ability to score following each shot.  Most bowling lanes have guide marks in the form of dots, arrows, and rangefinders on the lane boards to assist bowlers in setting up their ball along a preferred trajectory.

Targeting Rules

Basic bowling educators tell us to aim at a target.  The basic objective is to roll the ball toward an area in the pins resulting in a strike or picking up a spare.  Targeting is a matter of matching your bowling style along with selecting a stance location, a release position and a focal point that proves to be most effective.

There are no hard and fast rules for setting targets; only options that best fit a bowler’s style, the lane conditions, and the shot to be hit. Bowlers need to define and develop their own targeting strategy.  In order to do that, acquired knowledge is the key for developing a targeting process that is best tailored to you.  You need facts.

Your stance location (your feet) and focal point (your target) is determined by your bowling style and the resultant path you expect the ball to take.  Your targets, speed and hand position are evaluated following each shot to ensure your bowling remains effective.  In this section, we focus primarily on strikes.  A dedicated section for spare adjustments will utilize these same principals, so keep this in mind.

Basic Targeting

When you roll a ball at a target, you normally focus on a target or set of targets.  The idea is to roll the ball toward a specific area using the dots, arrows and rangefinders as guides makes the alignment more precise. Don’t feel constrained by these targeting guides.  You use targeting guides to quickly locate the basic area.  You can then make single board adjustments from that point.  Experienced bowlers evaluate previous ball release effectiveness and alignment to determine if their ball trajectory reflects their intent or how it should be modified.  This process is known as targeting.

In the beginning, it is more effective to focus on a nearby “target” than a distant target.  A nearby target is easier to roll the ball over without introducing excessive force behind the ball.  Granted, there are other targeting methodologies that utilize distant targeting, but unless you can roll the ball over a nearby target while matching the ball reaction and revolutions, advanced targeting matters little.   It is far more effective to focus on a closer target and roll the ball than attempting to force the ball toward a distant target.  As your expertise becomes ingrained, additional targeting methodologies can be introduced to enhance your game.

The best advice is to identify a set of targets during practice.  Whether you target the dots, arrows, board, pins, or any other place on the lane you need to focus on your target until you are comfortable and prepared before starting your approach.  Once you are in your stance, focus on your intended target for a couple of seconds until your internal focus tension relaxes.

Once you're set up and ready to go, focus your eyes on your target and block out all external distractions.  Don't think about the mechanics of your physical game, just bowl reflexively and react to the target as you release the ball.

If you use a 3-point targeting system, line up your shot using the distant focal point for a couple of seconds, and then back to your closer target for a second, then deliver the bowling ball.

Whether you target the dots, arrows, a board, pins, or any other place on the lane you need to focus on your target until you are comfortable and prepared to begin your approach.  Once you are in your stance, you should focus on your intended target for a couple of seconds until your internal focus tension relaxes.

If you use a 3-point targeting system, line up your shot using the distant focal point for a couple of seconds, and then back to your closer target for a second, then deliver the bowling ball.

Once you're set up and ready to go, focus your eyes on your target and block out all external distractions.  Don't think about the mechanics of your physical game, just bowl reflexively and react to the target as you release the ball.

Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything