Double Check Your Bowling Spare Shooting System
Updated 12/1/2020If you question your methods for picking up spares, then double check your bowling spare shooting system.
It is the little things we sometimes take for granted which, when improved upon, can help us increase our scores.
Challenge yourself to become a great spare shooter. Develop a system for shooting spares and work hard at getting familiarized with technique for making slight adjustments when you bowl on a variety of lane conditions.
It is key to develop a basic and sound system for spares and then figure out how you adjust from that system when you bowl on oily or very dry lanes.
It really does not matter which system you use so long as you become very good at picking up spares.
There are top tier players who continue using a basic variety of the old 3-6-9 spare alignment system.
There are modern players who use the center arrow, or very near the center arrow, for every spare and opt for using a plastic ball and a “no-hook” delivery technique.
Regardless of the system you settle on, make sure you practice enough and understand which bowling balls match best to the system and how you adjust as lane conditions vary.
Avoid the temptation of rolling only for strikes during practice sessions. If you can roll only for spares for about 5 consecutive practice sessions, you will surely become skilled at adjusting for spares using your own system.
If you have not figured it out yet, you can never reach your potential as a bowler until your spare shooting becomes a strength of your game.
In fact, once your spare shooting skills improve, your ability to align to the pocket and make adjustments as lanes change will also improve.
There is no greater advantage in bowling than to hit the pocket repeatedly and pick up any spare left standing aside from splits.
If you do not have a system in place for spare shooting and have questions in mind about how you should develop a system, consult with a local instructor and work out a system you both think is best for your game.
Spend time on becoming a great spare shooter and watch your scores improve.
