Whether you’re an aspiring pro, a casual hobbyist, or just somebody heading to the bowling alley for a group date, everybody wants to bowl a strike when they’re out there on those lanes. There’s no better feeling than hearing those ten pins crashing down and turning around to the cheers of your friends or teammates congratulating you on a job well done. So, if you want to learn how to get a strike reliably every single time you step up for your turn at the bowling alley, this article will teach you just what to do.
Choose the Right Ball
One of the most important parts of how to bowl a strike starts before you even play, with the choice of the right bowling ball. You may think that you should go for sheer power and choose the heaviest ball that you could realistically throw, but that isn’t exactly the right approach. The truth is, you actually want to pick a ball on the lighter side, as it will be easier for you to control and will make the pins hit each other rather than flying up into the air.
The Approach
How you approach the lane is crucial to how to get a strike. This is how the pros do it: Take four steps, starting with the foot opposite from your throwing hand. Keep your eyes on your target arrow and walk in a straight line. For right-handed bowlers, your target arrow will be the second arrow from the right, while lefties will want to aim for the second arrow from the left. Take your approach slow and steady, making deliberate movements.
Get into Position
One of the keys to how to bowl a strike is your stance and positioning. Your stance should be straight and upright, with a slight bend in your knees and your feet slightly apart. You should hold the ball on the same side of your body as your bowling hand. Keep the arm relaxed for a natural swing. On your backswing, keep your arm straight and close to your body. Think of the swing like a pendulum.
Get the Right Timing
Timing of when you release your ball is key to how to bowl a strike. Release the ball just as your swing reaches its lowest point, by your feet. This way, you’ll avoid dropping the ball onto the lane (which happens when you release too early) or lofting the ball (which happens if you release too late).
Hit the Pocket
Your goal for how to get a strike is to have the ball hit in the pocket, which is the space between the first ball and the three-pin for a righty or the two-pin for a leftie. To get it there, you’ll have to curve the ball a bit. This requires giving the ball a bit of spin by rotating your thumb to a 10 o’clock position as you release the ball, or a 2 o’clock position if you’re left-handed.
As long as you follow this advice and stay calm, relaxed, and flexible enough to adjust your technique as needed, you should be able to get that strike. If you’re looking for a place to practice or play with friends and family, look no further than Stars and Strikes! At Stars and Strikes, we offer bowling as well as arcade games and laser tag. Check out our website or give us a call at 678-965-5707.