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Bowling is a game that requires good eye hand coordination.
In sports like bowling, golf and pool your alignment with your target is very
critical. Years ago the very first bowling lanes and approaches did not have
lane markings on the approach or the lanes. Now every bowling center has a
configuration of dots and arrows to help you aim more precisely instead of
aiming directly at the pins.
The dots on the lanes are closet to the foul line and
located about 8 feet from the foul line. The arrows are the farthest from the
foul line and are located 15 feet beyond the foul line. But in today’s game
there is another less visible target that is used by many of the professionals
and that is the area known as your break point.
(1) First the dots: I tend to use the dots when I am playing
an outside line like the gutter or when I am trying to get the ball into an
earlier roll. If the lanes are really dry and you need to play inside I do not
suggest aiming at the dots.
(2) The arrows are probably the most commonly used target
and are located on every fifth board. The principle behind aiming at the arrows
instead of the pins is that it is easier to aim at something 15 feet away than
directly at the pins that are 60 feet away.
I feel personally that it is easier to get the ball longer
down the lane the further you look. I will discuss using the breakpoint as your
target last. The dots on the approach will help you find the proper starting
point for your feet in relationship to your target. The dots on the approach
are located on every fifth board just like the arrows. Unlike the arrows
sometimes the set of dots on the approach can vary. Some approaches have five
dots and some have 7 dots. The basic rule of thumb is to keep 10 boards between
your left instep and your strike target. Example if you are standing on the
15th board you would aim at the first arrow or fifth board. If you stand on the
20th board you would aim at the second arrow or the 10th board.
(3) The last target which is less visible is the breakpoint
which is the area in the back part of the lane where your ball changes
direction and heads toward the strike pocket. The power players will use this
method because it is a way to be more precise with a big sweeping hook shot. If
a big hook player can consistently get the ball to this area down the lane they
know that they can get a consistent ball reaction.
You may have to look 30 to 40 feet down the lane. I have
been on conditions on tour where I have had to look 45 down the lane. For the
higher average bowlers I suggest that you experiment with using the different
markings on the lane to help you adjust to different lane conditions and how
you throw the ball.
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