Bowling Terms
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1. 300 Game
A perfect game consisting of 12 strikes in a row.
2. 300 Game Jinx
It is customary when someone starts a game with a string of strikes not to mention the possibility of scoring 300, which would "jinx" the player.
3. ABC
This stands for the American Bowling Congress. ABC was the official rule-making body of tenpin bowling in the United States. It was the men's bowling association. In 2005, this association was dissolved and became part of the USBC which incorporates the men's, women's and youth associations.
4. Absentee
See Blind
5. Action
Motion of the pins caused by the bowler's technique; generally, the combination of accuracy, rotation (also see), and other factors, causing pin motion which is horizontal, rather than vertical, since a horizontally spinning pin covers more of the lane.
6. Address
Bowler's starting position. (stance)
7. All the way
Finishing a game from any point with nothing but strikes. AKA: Off the sheet
8. Alley
Slang: bowling establishment, ie a bowling center, the playing surface or lane.
9. Anchor
Last man to roll in team competition. Usually the best bowler; i.e., the bowler most likely to get a strike in the "foundation frame" (the ninth frame) and most likely to "strike out." The term originated in 1913 when a bowler (Hans Arfsparger) for the Anchor Brewing team in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, bowled in the fifth position and struck out 94 times in succession.
10. Anchorman
This is last bowler in your lineup. It is often where you place your best bowler on the team so that he/she knows what needs to be bowled to win.
11. Angle of Entry
The direction the ball travels when going into the 1-3 pocket for right handed bowlers and the 1-2 for left handed bowlers.
12. Apple
Bowler who fails to come through in a clutch situation. (choke)
13. Approach
The approach is the area that is at least 15 feet long on which a bowler uses to walk to the fould line.
14. Armswing
This is the arc of the arm that is used to deliver the bowling ball down the bowline lane.
15. Arrows
Sighting targets imbedded in the lane to help player align start position.
16. Automatic foul detector
Light beam at the foul line which sounds an alarm if the bowler's foot crosses it. Penalty for doing so is loss of pins for that ball; the bowler shoots at a new rack of ten pins (which counts as a spare if all are knocked down).
17. Automatic Pinsetter
First used in the 1940s, the original editions took note of the pins left, swept the entire area, and reset the pins for the spare. This invention is credited for the great bowling boom of the 1950s; the inventor received $1 million from AMF.
18. Axis Leverage
Drilling or layout pattern with the center of gravity (c.g.) located on the bowler's positive axis point (P.A.P.) and the pin in the leverage position.
19. Axis of Rotation
(Example, 0, 45, and 90 degrees) This is a measure of the direction of the initial rotation on the ball with respect to the lane. It is a measurement of the angle between the initial spin axis and the foul line running across the lane. A zero degree axis of rotation is all forward roll. The rotation on the ball is in the direction of the forward travel. The rotation will help keep the ball in the initial direction. The ball will not hook very much. It will roll out early. Therefore, a bowler with this style will need balls drilled to go long. A 90-degree axis of rotation is most likely all side roll. The rotation is perpendicular to the initial direction. The rotation is trying to make the ball hook at a 90-degree angle to the initial direction. This gives the ball more potential to hook. This style causes the ball to skid further down the lane and then hook more. A bowler with this style will most likely need balls drilled to hook earlier; such as axis weight, or pins closer to their axis.
20. Axis Tilt
(Example, a spinner versus a full roller) This is a measure of the angle of the initial spin axis to a horizontal plane. A full roller or high track style would have little or no axis tilt. The initial spin axis would be parallel or close to parallel with the lane surface. One rotation of the ball would cover the major diameter of the ball. A spinner would have an initial spin axis tilted up from the lane. The ball track would be far away from the thumb and finger holes. One rotation of the ball would cover a much smaller diameter than other bowlers. The spinner style will get the ball further down the lane before it hooks.
21. Axis Weight
Axis weight is a drilling pattern designed to produce little or no track flare and get the ball into an early roll with little backend reaction. Axis weight has the pin located on or near the bowler's PAP. The core is positioned along the initial spin axis. This places the core in a stable position. The ball will be initially rotating about the minimum RG axis, which is a stable core position. Therefore, it will continue to rotate about this axis creating no track flare. This reduces the backend reaction. Since the ball is rotating about the low RG axis it is easier for the bowler to rotate it off their hand which gets the ball into an earlier roll.
22. Baby Split
A baby split is defined as a split with very little space between them. It is almost impossible to get your bowling ball between the two pins without hitting either. Example: The 2-7 or 3-10 splits.
23. Baby the ball
Too delicate, not enough emphasis on delivering the ball with authority; released too carefully.
24. Back Swing
The path of the arm behind the body during the next to last step in the delivery.
25. Backends
The last 20ft. of a bowling lane. This is where big hook bowlers like to see the majority of movement in their bowling ball.
26. Backup
A ball that falls away to the right (for right-handers) or left (for left-handers).
27. Backup alley
A lane that holds or tends to stop a ball from rolling to the right (or left for left-handers).
28. Bag Size
Bowling Ball Bags come in various sizes that hold from one ball up to six bowling balls.
29. Bag Style
Bowling ball bags come in two styles. Either as a Tote(Non Roller) which you carry by hand or on your shoulder, or as a Roller with wheels for dragging around.
30. Bagger
A term indicating consecutive strikes thrown that is preceded by a number. Ex: three bagger = three strikes in a row, seven bagger = seven strikes in a row.
31. Baker System
Each member of a five-person team rolls two frames to comprise a normal 10-frame game. The leadoff bowler rolls in the first and sixth frames; the second bowler throws the second and seventh frames, and so on. This format emphasizes the team concept in which many high schools and colleges around the country use during competitions.
32. Balance Hole
This is an extra hole (balance hole or weight hole) in a ball which is used to get the ball within ABC specifications for imbalance (static balance). The maximum allowable diameter is 1-1/4" for ABC and WIBC sanctioned play and 1-3/8" for the PBA.
33. Balk
1) An incomplete approach in which the bowler does not deliver the ball; 2) to interfere or cause another bowler to stop his approach or not complete it in his normal fashion.
34. Ball Rack
1) Where the ball rests before it is rolled and after it returns from the pit; 2) the structure used to store house balls.
35. Ball Return
Track between the lanes the ball travels on when being returned to the bowler.
36. Ball Track
Area on lane where most balls are rolled.
37. Balsa
A slight, powerless hit on the headpin.
38. Barmaid
A pin hidden behind another pin; 1-5, 2-8, 3-9.
39. Bed
The entire area a lane is set into, from the approach to the pit, including the channels.
40. Bedposts
The 7-10 split.
41. Beer frame
In team play, when all players strike, the one who doesn¹t must treat (usually liquid refreshments). May also be the low scorer in a designated frame (often the 7th frame).
42. Belly the ball
Increase the width (number of boards ball crosses from its maximum outside position) of a hook from an inside starting angle.
43. Bench work
Any type of conversation or actions intended to upset an opponent. (bench jockeying)
44. Bender
Hooking or curving shot that comes close to the channel before breaking into the pocket.
45. Berlin Wall
See "Blended condition"
46. Bevel
Rounding of thumb and or finger holes to smooth their edges.
47. Bicycle
Pin hidden behind another pin.
48. Big ball
A working hook that enables a bowler to carry strikes on less-than-perfect pocket hits.
49. Big ears
The 4-6-7-10 split.
50. Big fill
Nine or ten pins on a spare, or a double on a strike.
51. Big five
Spare leave of three on one side and two on the other.
52. Big four
The 4-6-7-10 split.
53. Blended condition
Oil pattern resulting from lanes with a slight depression in the middle; proprietors compensate by "accidentally" over-oiling, resulting in a "regular blended block." If the contrast from the oily center to the dry sides is very great, it's called a "Berlin Wall." A blocked condition around one arrow (usually the second arrow) is a "tunnel block." When the block narrows toward the pins, it¹s a "funnel block." If you can find the edge of a block, the edge will move toward the center as the oil evaporates. A "reverse block" has more oil on the sides and less in the middle; thus the edge will move outward as the oil evaporates (and can be followed outward).
54. Blind
When a team member does not show they are considered absent. A score is usually calculated from their average and given to them as a blind score.
55. Blind
Score allowed for an absent member, usually the average minus ten or a set score (for example, 140 for men and 120 for women); considered a penalty. Many league rules define "Blind" and "Absentee" with different qualifications.
56. Blocked lanes
A lane maintenance condition in which oil or some sort of lane finish is used to create a track; almost always results in high scoring. [see "Blended condition"]
57. Blow
A missed spare. (error, miss, open)
58. Blow a rack
A solid strike hit.
59. Blowout
Downing all the pins but one. (tap)
60. Board
An individual piece of the lane (total of 40 or sometimes 41) which run its length and are numbered from 1 on the right for right-handers and from 1 on the left for left-handers.
61. Body English
Contortion of arms, legs and trunk in an attempt to steer the ball after it has left the hand.
62. Bonus
In match play, pins awarded for winning the game, usually 30 or 50.
63. Bowling Hand
When purchasing shoes, it is important to know which hand you bowl with because most bowling shoes have a slide sole and a traction shoe. If you bowl with your right hand, you will probably slide with your left foot. Universal shoes have slide soles on both shoes(or are interchangeable) so it doesn\'t matter which hand you bowl with. For more information watch TalkBowling episode #5 at www.TalkBowling.com.
64. Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA)
Trade organization of the people who own bowling centers; publishes Bowling Digest magazine.
65. Bowling shoes
Special shoes for bowlers have a sticky, rubbery sole on the non-sliding foot to act as a brake and a slicker, harder sole on the other foot to allow sliding on the last step.
66. Box
A single frame.
67. Break
1) A lucky shot; 2) a stopper after a number of consecutive strikes.
68. Break of the boards
Area approximately twenty feet from the foul line there the maple boards meet the pines boards. Hard maple boards are used between the foul line and the break of the boards to withstand the impact of bowling balls. (dovetails, piano keys, splice)
69. Bridge
Distance separating finger holes (as opposed to span, the distance between the thumb hole and middle finger hole).
70. Brooklyn
When a ball crosses over the headpin i.e., when shooting for the 1-3 pocket the ball goes left and hits the 1-2 side.
71. Broom ball
A ball that hits the 1-3 pocket in such a way that the pins scatter as though they were swept with a broom.
72. Bub
A person who travels with a group of bowlers that usually spend more money than they make. This person performs many duties which includes driving the truck, dressing the lanes, drilling the balls, weighing in the balls, and selling gift items to unaware bowlers. Also refers to a person trying to get their ducks in a row.
73. Bucket
Four-pin diamond on sides or center of lane (2-4-5-8, 3-5-6-9, or 1-2-3-5). (dinner bucket)
74. Burner
When a pin stands on an apparent perfect strike hit. (rap, tap, touch)
75. Buzzard
Three open frames in a row.
76. Call the numbers
Pins left standing are always announced in numerical sequence (1267, not 1276).
77. Carry
Ability of the ball to knock down the pins (as in "carry more pins"). CC: A 200 game; stands for "double century."
78. Carrydown
Oil that is pushed or carried down the lane by bowling balls when the lane is in use.
79. Center of Gravity
The position in which the ball is evenly balanced statically from the right side to left side and from the finger quadrant to the thumb quadrant. The perfect balance point where the weight on any straight line drawn through the c.g. is zero on either side of the c.g.. This spot is usually indicated by the position of the label or a punch mark.
80. CG - See Center of Gravity
81. Changeable Heel
Some bowling shoes have a changeable heel that allows you to slide more or less. Or if your heel is getting worn down from use, you can just put a new one on.
82. Changeable Sole
Some bowling shoes make it possible to remove one sole and replace with another. If one wears out, you can replace it with the same, or if you want to slide more or less than you currently are, you can just put a different sole one.
83. Channel
Depression approximately 9.5 inches wide to the right and the left of the lane to guide the ball to the pit should it leave the playing surface. (gutter)
84. Charge
Term used by pros to described a sensational spurt of high scoring.
85. Charts
Records kept by bowlers to remind them of which shot to play on a given lane.
86. Cherry
Chopping off the front pin by driving it straight back past any other standing pins to the right or left.
87. Choke
1) Failure to accomplish objective because of nervousness or fright; 2) cutting arm swing short. (apple)
88. Chop
Chopping the front pin of a spare leave while a pin behind and/or to the left or right remains standing. (cherry)
89. Christmas Tree
A conditioning (oil) pattern. The oil is tapered from right to left and long ways down the lane, tapering into a point. The pattern if viewed from above would resemble a christmas tree with the base beginning at the foul line. The taper may be varying differences.
90. Cincinnati
The 8-10 split.
91. Classified
Leagues or tournaments with average limitations.
92. Clean game
Strike or spare in each frame (i.e., no open frames).
93. Clothesline
The 1-2-4-7 or 1-3-6-10.
94. Clutch
Pressure situation.
95. Coeffiicient of Friction
The coefficient of friction (also called COF, or friction) is a measurement of the force it takes to slide an object across another surface divided by the object's weight. In bowling, the coefficient of friction refers to how well the bowling ball grabs the lane surface. If lane oil is present the ball slides on the lane surface very easily and there is a low COF. If there is no oil on the lane, the ball does not slide as easily and the coefficient of friction is high. A more aggressive shell material has an even higher coefficient of friction. The greater the coefficient of friction, the sooner the ball will grab the lane and hook.
96. Come up
Hook into the pocket caused by spin on the axis.
97. Conversion
"Making" a spare; i.e., knocking down all the pins that remain with a second ball. Usually used only when remarking on the conversion of splits.
98. Core
The inner portion of the bowling ball which influences ball reaction based on its density and position.
99. Count
The number of pins knocked down on the first ball.
100. Counting marks
In team competition, it is common to total the number of marks per frame as the frame is completed. A spare or strike is one mark; a double is two marks, a turkey is three. See also "take off a mark."
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