- A -
ABC American Bowling Congress, one of four organizations that merged to form the United States Bowling Congress on Jan. 1, 2005. Was at one time the worlds largest sports membership organization. With the Womens International Bowling Congress, was an official rule-making body of tenpin bowling in United States, Puerto Rico and military bases worldwide. Founded in 1895.
ACTUAL (also SCRATCH) Bowling without benefit of handicap or bonus.
ABSENT A score used in league when a bowler on the team is not there to bowl in the match.
ADJUST When a bowler makes changes in his/her starting point on the approach and/or target on the lane during competition, or other changes to affect how the ball impacts the pins.
ALLEY (also LANE) Playing surface made of either maple and pine boards, or a synthetic surface.
ALL-EVENTS In a tournament, the combined total score of singles, doubles and team events.
ANCHOR Last player in a lineup for team competition.
ANGULAR MOVE An adjustment where the starting position on the approach is changed and the lane target either remains the same or is moved a different amount, resulting in a different angle.
APPROACH 1) Portion of the lane behind foul line used by bowlers to build momentum to deliver the ball. 2) the movement of a bowler from stance to the delivery.
AREA The margin of error where the bowler can miss their target and still hit the pocket. Most league/house shots give a bowler some area to hit and still get to the pocket.
ARROWS Aiming points embedded in the lanes starting about 15 feet from the foul line.
ASSOCIATIONS Name applied to volunteer organizations serving at the local and state levels for the betterment of USBC.
AVERAGE For a bowler, the total number of pins knocked down divided by the number of games bowled in a specific league.
- Top -
- B -
BABY SPLIT A split where there is one pin missing between those left. For example, the 2-7, 3-10, 4-5, 5-6 splits.
BACK UP A ball a bowler throws which hooks toward the hand that he/she delivers it. For example, a right-hander who hooks the ball to the right.
BACK END The last 15 feet of the lane before the pins.
BAKER SYSTEM A format that calls for different players bowling in different frames. Mainly used in five-person team competition where the No. 1 bowler throws in the first and sixth frames, the No. 2 bowler in the second and seventh, etc.
BALL The object rolled at the pins in order to knock them down.
BALL RETURN The machine that returns the ball to the player.
BALL RACK Storage structure where establishments keep house balls.
BALL TRACK 1) The portion of the ball that comes in contact with the lane surface. 2) The area of the lane where the majority of balls are rolled creating a worn area.
BIG FOUR A split resulting in the 4, 6, 7 and 10 pins still standing after the first shot.
BLIND Score allowed for absent member, usually lower than his/her average as a penalty.
BLOCK A term to describe certain types of lane conditions. Also used in tournaments to describe a specific squad or time to bowl.
BLOW THE RACK Expression that applies to a variety of strikes, especially a light, sweeping strike that carries all 10 pins into the pit or a solid hit.
BOARD Wooden lanes have boards approximately one-inch wide. Synthetic lanes feature the same image. Bowlers use specific boards to line up in their stance and as their target on various shots.
BONUS Extra pins or points given in match play competition for winning a particular match.
BOWLERS AREA (also SETTEE) The area where players wait between shots. Usually contains seats and a scoring unit.
BRACKET FORMAT In a tournament, where bowlers or teams are paired to compete and the winner advances to bowl other winners. This continues until there is only one bowler or team left undefeated.
BREAK DOWN The change or deterioration of the initial oil pattern.
BREAK POINT Place on the lane where the ball begins to hook toward the pins.
BRIDGE The area between the finger holes on a bowling ball.
BROOKLYN (also CROSSOVER) A strike in which the ball goes to the opposite side it was intended to go. For example, a right-hander hitting the left side of the head pin. (In Brooklyn, it is called a Jersey.)
BUCKET The 2-4-5-8 or 3-5-6-9 spare leaves.
- Top -
- C -
CARRY DOWN The oil that is moved, or carried, down the lane from bowling balls.
CERTIFICATION 1) Competition registered with and conducted in accordance with USBC rules. All certified bowling centers must have their lanes inspected by USBC annually to ensure they meet specifications.
2) The accreditation earned by USBC coaches upon completion of training courses.
CHANNEL The 10-inch out of bounds area to the right and left of the lane that guides the ball to the pit once it leaves the playing area.
CHANNEL BALL A ball that falls into the channel before hitting the pins.
CHAMPIONSHIPS FORMAT A tournament format usually run for local, state and national tournaments consisting of multiple events.
CHERRY (also CHOP, PICK) Chopping the front pin of a spare leave while a pin behind or alongside remains standing.
CLASSIFIED Leagues or tournaments with average limitations or other restrictions.
CLEAN GAME A game with a spare or strike in every frame.
CLOSED SHOULDERS When a bowlers shoulders remain parallel with the foul line or return to this position from being open. See also open shoulders.
CONCOURSE The main walkway and spectator area in a center. Where food and drinks should be kept.
CONDITIONER (also OIL) A fluid put on top of a lane in order to protect the lane surface. Also affects the way a ball will curve or hook.
CONTROL DESK The main hub of activity in a bowling center. Where all lane activity is managed.
CONVENTIONAL GRIP The grip in which the fingers are inserted to the second knuckle and thumb fully inserted; recommended for beginning bowlers.
CONVERT Knock down the remaining pins on the lane for a spare.
COUNT Number of pins knocked down on each ball.
CORE The interior of a bowling ball.
CRANKER A bowling style where a bowler throws a wide hook, usually by snapping the wrist sharply at the release point.
CROSS LANE 1) The concept of your starting position being on the opposite side of the approach from where spare leaves stand. For example, standing on the far left side of the approach to shoot at a 10-pin.
2) Alternating between two lanes in different frames.
CROSSOVER See Brooklyn.
CURVE When a ball follows a curved path to the pins.
CUSHION The padding at the rear of the pit to absorb the shock of the ball and pins.
- Top -
- D -
DEAD BALL (also FLAT BALL, ROLL OUT) 1) An ineffective ball that fades or deflects badly when it hits the pins. 2) Can be declared at delivery if any of a variety of factors occurs as listed in the USBC Rule Book. 3) Any ball that enters the channel.
DEAD WOOD Pins that fall over but remain on the lane or in the channel that must be removed before the next shot.
DEFLECTION The movement of the ball after it hits the pins.
DELIVERY The combination of a bowlers approach and release.
DOTS 1) Imbedded in the lane just past the foul line and used by some bowlers as their target. 2) A series of markings on the approach used to assist the bowler in lining up on the approach.
DOUBLE Two consecutive strikes.
DOUBLES EVENT A team of two players. Usually in a tournament.
DOUBLE WOOD (also SLEEPER) When one pin is directly behind the other, especially two pins such as the 1-5, 2-8 or 3-9.
DRIFT When a bowler walks in a curved or crooked line during his or her approach.
DRY LANE A lane that has little conditioner or oil.
DUROMETER TEST An instrument that inserts a needle into the balls surface to determine its hardness.
DUTCH 200 A 200 game scored by alternating strikes and spares.
- Top -
- E -
ELIMINATION FORMAT In a tournament when after a game or series of games, bowler(s) with the lowest scores are eliminated.
ERROR A frame that doesnt produce a strike or spare.
- Top -
- F -
FAST EIGHT A pocket hit that leaves the 4-7 or 6-10.
FILL Pins knocked down following a spare or two consecutive strikes in the 10th frame.
FINGER TIP GRIP The grip in which the fingers are inserted to the first knuckle and thumb fully inserted; recommended for experienced bowlers.
FIT Relating to the way a hand fits in the bowling ball.
FOUL Touching or going beyond the foul line with any body part at delivery. Results in a zero scored for that delivery.
FOUL LINE Solid stripe, usually black, which separates the approach from the lane.
FOUNDATION FRAME The ninth frame. The desire is to roll a strike or spare as a foundation for the 10th frame.
FRAME Each game is divided into 10 frames, the first nine allowing a maximum of two shots with three shots allowed in the 10th frame.
FULL ROLLER A ball that rolls over its full circumference and produces a track between the thumb and fingers.
- Top -
- G -
GREEK CHURCH The 4-6-7-8-10 or 4-6-7-9-10 leave.
GRIP The way the hand fits in the ball. Either conventional or finger tip.
- Top -
- H -
HANDICAP Pins given to individuals or teams in an attempt to equalize the competition.
HEADS The first 15 feet of the lane beyond the foul line.
HEAD PIN The 1-pin.
HIGH HIT A ball striking near the center of the head pin on a strike attempt, or the middle of any pin at which you are aiming.
HITTING UP Releasing the ball late on the upswing.
HOLD An area on the lane that resists hook action of the ball, preventing it from hooking high on the head pin.
HOLE (also POCKET) Solidly between the 1-3 pins for right-handers and between the 1-2 for left-handers.
HOOK A ball path that curves usually sharply, near the pins.
HOOKING LANE A lane on which the ball has a higher tendency to curve or hook.
HOUSE Another term for a bowling center.
HOUSE BALL Bowling ball provided by the center.
HOUSE CONDITION The oil pattern typically used by a bowling center for leagues and other events.
HOUSE SHOES Bowling shoes provided by the center.
- Top -
- I -
INSIDE A line used by a bowler who plays toward the center of the lane such as the third, fourth or fifth arrows.
- Top -
- J -
JUNIOR TEAM USA The official USBC team comprised of male and female youth bowlers who represent the United States in international competition.
- Top -
- K -
KEGLER German word for bowler. The term was used to describe bowlers for many years.
KEY PIN In spare shooting, the pin that the ball must initially hit to convert the spare.
KICKBACK Vertical division boards between lanes in the pit. On most hits, the pins bounce off the kickbacks to knock down additional pins.
- Top -
- L -
LABEL The manufacturers marking on the ball, pin or lane.
LANE (also ALLEY) Playing surface made of either maple and pine boards or a synthetic surface.
LANE DRESSING (also OIL or CONDITIONER) The substance used to coat or dress the lanes, necessary to protect the lane surface.
LEADOFF First player in team lineup.
LEAGUE A competition where bowlers or teams of bowlers compete against others in a series of weeks or sessions.
LEVERAGE Being in the proper release position at the foul line, usually with the knee solidly under the body, to allow maximum power in rolling the ball. Also a type of drilling layout for a bowling ball.
LIFT Giving the ball upward motion with the fingers at the point of release to increase the amount a ball will hook.
LIGHT Describes a shot that is not full in the pocket, for right-handers too much to the right.
LINE 1) The path a bowling ball takes from release to the pocket. 2) One game of bowling.
LOCATOR DOTS 1) Markings imbedded in the lane just past the foul line and used by some bowlers as their target. 2) A series of dots on the approach used to assist the bowler in lining up on the approach.
LOFT The distance beyond the foul line that the ball goes after leaving the bowlers hand to the point it impacts the lane surface.
- Top -
- M -
MAPLE A very hard wood used in lane approaches, headers, pin decks and pins on wood lanes.
MARK 1) Getting a strike or spare in a frame.
2) The spot on the lane the bowler is using as the target.
MATCH PLAY Portion of tournament or league play where bowlers are pitted against each other.
MESSENGER A pin that rolls across the lane bed to knock down additional pins.
MID-LANE (also PINES) The area from approximately the arrows to three-quarters of the way down the lane.
MISS See OPEN
MIXED LEAGUES Leagues of men and women competing together.
MIXER A ball with action that causes the pins to bounce around.
- Top -
- N -
NO TAP A form of competition that awards a strike when nine pins are knocked down on the first ball. Sometimes also for eight pins.
NOSE HIT When the ball hits flush on the head pin.
- Top -
- O -
OIL (also CONDITIONER) A fluid put on top of a lane to protect the lane surface. Also affects the way a ball will curve or hook.
OILY (also SLICK) Indicates there is a heavy coating of dressing on the lanes, making it difficult to hook a ball.
OPEN A frame that doesnt include a strike or spare.
OPEN BOWLING Non-league or non-tournament play for fun or practice.
OPEN SHOULDERS When a bowlers shoulder is
turned back towards the ball side. See also CLOSED SHOULDERS.
OUTSIDE Rolling the ball starting from an area close to the channel, such as the first or second arrow.
- Top -
- P -
PARTICLE BALLS Developed in the mid-1990s, bowling balls made using high-tech manufacturing processes to insert minute pieces of silica such as glass beads into the ball shell.
PACK Roll a flush, solid strike.
PARALLEL MOVE An adjustment where the starting position and lane target are moved the same amount and in the same direction.
PERFECT GAME Rolling 12 consecutive strikes in one game for a score of 300.
PLASTIC BALLS Developed during the 1950s and made of polyester and plastic.
PIN The free-standing targets at the end of the lane. They are set in groups of 10 for each frame.
PIN DECK The area at the end of the lane where the pins are set.
PINFALL The count of the pins knocked over in a shot or series of shots or games.
PIN TRIANGLE The arrangement of pins sitting on the pin deck.
PINES (also MID-LANE) The area from approximately the arrows to three-quarters of the way down the lane.
PIT Open area behind pin deck where pins and balls go after leaving the back of the pin deck.
PITCH Angle at which holes are drilled in a bowling ball.
POCKET Space that is solidly between the 1-3 pins for right-handers and between the 1-2 for left-handers.
POINT To send the ball directly toward the pocket with little or no curve or hook.
POLISH A process used on bowling balls to decrease hook potential.
POSITION ROUNDS Part of leagues or tournaments when teams or players face each other based on their standings. Example, first place meets second, third meets fourth, etc.
POT GAME Competition in which two or more bowlers post some sort of stake to be divided depending upon number of entries, or on a winner-take-all basis.
PUNCH OUT Refers to striking out in the 10th frame.
- Top -
- Q -
QUALIFYING FORMAT In a tournament, when bowlers bowl a set number of games attempting to advance to another round.
- Top -
- R -
REACTIVE RESIN BALLS Developed in the 1990s, made of an advanced urethane. Reactive resin bowling balls increase hook or curve potential.
READING THE LANES Observing ball reaction to try to determine the best place to roll the ball to score a strike.
RELEASE The way that a bowlers hand and wrist position affect the way the bowling ball comes off the hand.
RELEASE POINT The point where a bowler releases the bowling ball.
RESURFACE On wood lanes, when a center removes the lane finish to bare wood in preparation for recoating the lane finish.
REVOLUTIONS Also known as revs. The amount of rotation a bowler imparts to a bowling ball as it travels from the foul line to the pins.
ROLL OUT A ball that stops curving and begins to go straight.
- Top -
- S -
SANDBAGGER Bowler who purposely keeps his/her average down to receive a higher handicap.
SANDING A process used on bowling balls to increase hook potential.
SCOTCH DOUBLES Where two partners alternate shots.
SCRATCH 1) Actual scores not including handicap. 2) Bowling without the benefit of handicap.
SEMI ROLLER A ball that rolls off its center and produces a track outside the thumb and fingers.
SET 1) Ball holding into the pocket. 2) A series of games.
SETTEE (also BOWLERS AREA) The area where players wait between shots. Usually contains seats and a scoring table.
SHELL A term referring to the outside of a bowling ball. Specifically the material from which it is made.
SHOT 1) A single delivery. 2) Reference to the oil/conditioner pattern on the lane.
SINGLES EVENT When one person competes against all others in his or her division, usually in a tournament.
SKID The amount the ball slides though the conditioner/oil.
SLEEPER (also DOUBLE WOOD) When one pin is directly behind the other, such as the 1-5, 2-8 or 3-9.
SLICK See Oily. Indicates there is a heavy coating of dressing on the lanes, making it difficult to hook a ball.
SNOW PLOW A ball that hits straight on the head pin and clears the pins for a strike.
SPAN The distance between the thumb and finger holes on a bowling ball.
SPARE Knocking down all 10 pins in two shots.
SPLICE On wood lanes, the way the hard and soft wood parts of the lane overlap where they meet.
SPLIT A spare leave in which the head pin is down and the remaining combination of pins have a gap in them, ranging from the 4-5 to the 7-10.
SPOT A target on the lane surface at which the bowler aims, ranging from a dot, to an arrow, to a dark board or area.
SQUARE A reference to having the shoulders, hips or body parallel to the foul line.
STANCE The balanced starting position bowlers assume before making their approach and delivery.
STEPLADDER A competition in which lower qualifiers bowl for the right to bowl against the next highest qualifier.
STONE 10 Leaving a 10-pin on a seemingly good first ball.
STRIKE Knocking down all 10 pins on the first ball.
STRIKE OUT Ending the 10th frame, or portion of a game, with a string of consecutive strikes.
STRING A number of continuous strikes.
STROKER A bowling style that relies on being smooth and accurate.
SWEEPER A form of competition that usually is conducted in association with another tournament.
SYNTHETIC LANE A non-wood or man made lane surface that may be placed over an existing wood lane, or a pre-constructed unit placed on a foundation.
SYNTHETIC PINS Non-wood or man made pins.
- Top -
- T -
TAP A single pin that stands on a seemingly perfect strike shot.
TARGET A mark or area of the lane which the bowler uses to aim his or her shot.
TARGETING Selecting a target on the lane for your ball to hit. Some bowlers use the dots, some the arrows, some a particular board or area and others particular pins.
TEAM USA The official USBC team composed of men and women representing the United States in international competition.
TIMING A measurement of where the ball is in relationship to the body during an approach and delivery.
TOPPING THE BALL When fingers are on top of the ball instead of behind or to the side upon release.
TOURNAMENT A competition where bowlers compete in a single or series of events against all others in their division.
TRACK 1) The worn or most used part of a lane.
2) The part of the ball that contacts the lane surface when rolling.
TRACK FLARE When a ball rolls over a slightly different part of the ball each revolution.
TURKEY Three consecutive strikes.
TURN The hand motion that imparts rotation to a ball upon release.
- Top -
- U -
UNITED STATES BOWLING CONGRESS The organization created when the American Bowling Congress, Womens International Bowling Congress, Young American Bowling Alliance and USA Bowling merged into one organization on Jan. 1, 2005.
USA BOWLING Formerly recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee as the organization responsible for amateur competition in the United States. One of four organizations that merged to form the United States Bowling Congress on Jan. 1, 2005.
USBC COACHING Organization headquartered in Greendale, Wis., that trains and certifies coaches to teach the sport of bowling. USBC Coaching is the only coaching program for bowling recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee.
URETHANE A material used in making the cover of a bowling ball.
- Top -
- V -
VACANCY A score given to a team when they do not have a full roster in a league.
VISUALIZATION A mental game technique that helps concentration and focus.
- Top -
- W -
WIBC Womens International Bowling Congress, one of four organizations that merged to form the United States Bowling Congress on Jan. 1, 2005.
WASHOUT To leave the 1-2-4-7-10, 1-2-4-10 or 1-2-10; or, 1-3-6-7-10, 1-3-6-7 or 1-3-7 after the first ball.
WEIGHT BLOCK Part of the core or interior of a ball.
WOOD LANE Material used to construct bowling lanes. See also synthetic lane.
- Top -
- Y -
YABA Young American Bowling Alliance, one of four organizations that merged to form the United States Bowling Congress on Jan. 1, 2005.
- Top -
| 
