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Bowling refers to a series of sports or leisure activities in which a player rolls or throws a bowling ball

towards a target. In pin bowling variations, the target is usually to knock over pins at the end of a lane.
In target variations, the aim is usually to get the ball as close to a mark as possible. The pin version of
bowling is often played on a flat wooden or other synthetic surface,[1] whilst in target bowling, the
surface may be grass, gravel or a synthetic surface.[2] The most common types of pin bowling include
ten-pin, nine-pin, candlepin, duckpin and five-pin bowling, while in target bowling, bowls, bocce, carpet
bowls, ptanque and boules, both indoor and outdoor varieties, are popular. Today, the sport of
bowling is enjoyed by 95 million people in more than 90 countries worldwide.

The earliest most primitive forms of bowling can be dated back to Ancient Egypt[3] and the
Roman Empire. From records and artifacts in ancient Egypt, going back 30005000 years ago,
remnants of bowls used at the time were found.[4] Balls, made of husks of corn, covered in
material such as leather, and bound with string were made. Other balls, made of porcelain, also
exist, indicating that these were rolled along the ground, rather than thrown, due to their size and
weight.[4] Some of these resemble the modern day jack used in target bowl games of today.
Bowls games of different forms are also noted by Herodotus as an invention of the Lydians in
Asia Minor.[5] About 2,000 years ago a similar game evolved between Roman legionaries: it
entailed tossing stone objects as close as possible to other stone objects (this game became
popular with Roman soldiers, and eventually evolved into Italian Bocce, or outdoor bowling).[6]

The first standardized rules for pin bowling were established in New York City, on September 9,
1895.[7] The oldest surviving bowling lanes in the United States is part of the summer estate of
Henry C. Bowen in Woodstock, Connecticut, at Roseland Cottage. The lanes, now part of
Historic New England's Roseland Cottage house museum, dates to the construction of the
cottage in 1846. It contains Gothic Revival architectural elements, in keeping with the style of
the entire estate.[8]

Rules for target bowls evolved in each of the countries who had adopted the predominantly
British based game. In 1905, the International Bowling Board was formed, and it subsequent
constitution adopted the Laws of the Scottish Bowling Association, with variations allowed for
various regulations at individual country level.[9] The oldest known bowls green for target style
bowling is that which is now part of the Southhampton Bowling club, in southern England. The
use of the land as an area for recreational bowls dates back to 1299, and was then known as the
"Master's Close".[10]

Today, bowling is enjoyed by 95 million people in more than ninety countries worldwide[11] and
continues to grow through entertainment media such as video games for home consoles and
handheld devices.[12]

Pin Bowling

Five main variations are found in North America, varying especially in New England and parts
of Canada:

Ten-pin bowling: largest and heaviest pins, bowled with a large ball with finger holes,
and the most popular size in North America
o See also Introduction to Ten Pin Bowling
Nine-pin bowling: pins usually attached to strings at the tops, uses a ball without finger
holes
Candlepin bowling: tallest pins, thin with matching ends, and bowled with the smallest
and lightest (at 1.1 kg) handheld ball of any bowling sport
Duckpin bowling: short, squat, and bowled with a handheld ball
Five-pin bowling: tall, between duckpins and candlepins in diameter with a rubber girdle,
bowled with a handheld ball, mostly found in Canada

Target Bowling

A bowls tournament in Berrigan, New South Wales, Australia

Another form of bowling is usually played outdoors on a lawn. At outdoor bowling, the players
throw a ball, which is sometimes eccentrically weighted, in an attempt to put it closest to a
designated point or slot in the bowling arena. Included in the outdoor category:

Bocce
Bowls ("Lawn bowls")
Carpet Bowls
Cherokee marbles

Irish road bowling


Lane/alley bowling
Mlkky
Ptanque

Health benefits
Bowling is an anaerobic type of physical exercise, similar to walking with free weights. Bowling
helps in burning calories and works muscle groups not usually exercised. The flexing and
stretching in bowling works tendons, joints, ligaments, and muscles in the arms and promotes
weight loss. While most sports are not for elderly people, it is possible to practice bowling very
well at advanced ages.

Apart from the physical benefits, it also has psychosocial benefits, strengthening friendships or
creating new ones in groups.[13]

Bowling Centers

A bowling center (more commonly known as a bowling alley) is a facility that is equipped to
play the game of bowling. Bowling centers usually have at least two lanes with larger centers
having over 80 lanes. Depending on the building, lanes may be laid all on one floor, across
multiple floors, or a setup with a group of lanes facing one direction and another group of lanes
facing another direction. Bowling lanes are laid out in married pairs with each pair sharing a ball
return rack, automatic scoring console, and in some cases a bowler seating setup. Weekly league
sessions are normally contested on one married pair of lanes with equal play for each participant
on each lane. In a tournament, one game will be played on a married pair of lanes and bowlers
will change to a new pair of lanes after every game.

The lane bed is built from either wood or phenolic. A wood lane uses maple for pin decks, the
ball impact zone and the approach while pine is used for the second half of the lane after the
impact zone. The measurement from the foul line to the center axis of the head pin is exactly
sixty feet. In ten pin, the pins are either Surlyn-coated maple or a plastic composite. For small
ball bowling, all pins are now made of plastic composites. The pinsetter varies by game, but have
two foundations string and free-fall. Most ten-pin, candlepin, and duckpin centers are free fall
while five-pin and soft belly duckpin centers are dominated by string pinsetters. String pinsetters
have a lower operating cost. The ball return consists of a ball tray and an up-ramp. Most ten pin
centers and some small ball centers use a power lift to raise the ball to the tray.

A bowling center requires a lot of space. A single lane requires a footprint of about 620 square
feet including the lane bed, gutters, pit end, pinsetter, ball returns, and approach area. This does
not include space for seating, party rooms, arcades, the concourse, kitchen, administrative areas,
fire safety systems, and other building requirements.

Scoring

The most common bowling is ten pin bowling. In ten pin bowling, matches consist of each
player bowling a "game". Each game is divided into ten "frames". A frame allows a bowler two
chances to knock down all ten pins. The number of pins knocked over in each frame is recorded,
a running total is made as each frame progresses, and the player with the highest score in his/her
game wins the game. Scores can be greater than the actual number of pins knocked over if strikes
or spares are bowled. A "strike" is scored when a player knocks down all pins on the first roll in
the frame. Rather than a score of 10 for the frame, the player's score will be 10 plus the total pins
knocked down on the next two rolls in the next frame(s). A "spare" is scored when all pins are
knocked down using both rolls in the frame. The player's score for that frame will be 10 plus the
number of pins knocked down on the first roll in the next frame. A player who rolls a spare or
strike in the last frame is given one or two more rolls to score additional points, respectively.

Two consecutive strikes is known as a "double" (also known among older bowlers as a hambone,
prior to Pro Bowling Association/ESPN announcers changing it). Three consecutive strikes is
known as a "turkey". Four consecutive strikes is known as a "hambone" (PBA announcing in
2009/2010) or "four bagger". Five consecutive strikes is known as a "five bagger", "dropping the
nickel", or "Yahtzee" (PBA). Six consecutive strikes is known as a "six-pack" or "Six bagger".
Seven or more follow the "-pack"/"bagger" rule, or is simply called (number of strikes) in a row.
A perfect game consists of 12 consecutive strikes, one for every frame and two more on the extra
rolls in the 10th, and results in a score of 300. A clean game is filling every frame with either a
spare or a strike. In many forms of indoor bowling (specifically ten-pin, candlepin, and duckpin),
the highest possible score is 300. In five-pin, the highest possible score is 450.
A common variation of the game is no-tap, a form of bowling where a specific number or more
pins knocked down counts as a strike. Nine or eight pin no-tap is most often used. No-tap in five-
pin awards a strike if the first ball leaves one of the corner pins. Standard only two people plays
in the international tournaments.

Equipment

Types of pins

Five main variations are found in North America, varying especially in New England and parts
of Canada:

Ten-pin bowling: largest and heaviest pins, bowled with a large ball with finger holes, and the
most popular size in North America
Nine-pin bowling: pins usually attached to strings at the tops, uses a ball without finger holes
Candlepin: tallest pins, thin with matching ends, and bowled with the smallest and lightest (at
1.1 kg) handheld ball of any bowling sport
Duckpin: short, squat, and bowled with a handheld ball
Five-pin bowling: tall, between duckpins and candlepins in diameter with a rubber girdle,
bowled with a handheld ball, mostly found in Canada

Ball

Bowling balls vary, depending on the type of bowling game. Ten-pin balls are large, up to
27 inches in circumference (approximately 8.59 inches diameter), and have as many as twelve
holes, typically three holes. The balls come in various weights from 6 to 16 lbs, with the size and
spacing of the finger holes often smaller on lighter balls to accommodate smaller hands.
Different kinds of balls are available for different styles of bowling. There are balls for hook
shots and balls for bowling straight. The bowling balls meant for hook shots have different core
shapes and different chemical covers. There are a few types of chemical covers that allow a
bowling ball to hook more. One of these types of covers is a resin cover. This resin cover is
designed to move and absorb the oil on the lane to create a path for the bowler where there is less
oil, increasing the amount of hook of the bowling ball. Balls for other games vary, e.g., candlepin
balls which fit in the palm of the hand need no holes. Unlike most sports, the ball can be
different weights based upon the player.

All bowling centers provide bowling balls (house balls) - their usage is included in the bowling
fee. For ten pin bowling, the center will provide a fleet of house balls in varying weight and
standard grip sizes while idle lanes have empty ball return racks. Customers that use house balls
will pick a ball that fits from the house ball fleet and place it on the ball rack at the designated
lane. When done, the customer should return the house ball to the house ball racks. In small-ball
games, each ball return contains a quantity of house balls usually in at most one or two color
patterns.
Shoes

Bowling shoes are designed to mimic any style of flat shoe from regular dress shoes to athletic
shoes. The sole of the non sliding foot is generally made of rubber to provide traction, while the
sliding foot's sole is made of a smooth and flat material that allows a bowler to slide into the
release with a rubber heel to allow for braking. Rental shoes are typically leather and rubber on
both feet for durability. These shoes can be bought, but most casual players rent the shoes each
visit to a facility. Players must be very careful while wearing them that the soft material does not
get wet or excessively dirty; if it does get wet or dirty, it will not slide properly, and could
damage the approach surface.[21]

Depending on the bowling center, shoe rental may be included in the cost of bowling or be added
as a separate fee. To discourage theft, bowling shoes are often painted in highly distinctive
patterns so that anyone who does steal them will not be able to wear the shoes in public without
making the theft obvious.[22]

Hand Guard

A full-fledged bowling glove

A bowling guard is a metal wrist support to attain a certain angle to the wrist when releasing the
ball; to hook the ball. There are different types of hand guard, including those with a full metal
finger design and ones with an uncovered portion for the middle and ring fingers. There are also
wristguards. They allow a bowler to keep their wrist locked into place to generate revolutions on
a ball or assist with position and/or weak wrists.[23]

Bags

Traditionally, personal bowling balls are carried in special zippered bags, along with shoes and a
polishing cloth. Some bags are only large enough to fit shoes, while others can accommodate
multiple balls, resembling roller bag luggage.[24][25]

Ball release techniques and delivery styles

Ball Release

There are typically two different ways to roll a ball down the lane.

Straight

Beginners commonly just bowl the ball straight down the lane, hoping to hit the 1 and 2 pocket
or the 1 and 3 pocket. When bowling straight like this, people often hold the ball with their hand
in a "W" shaped form.

Hook/Curve
The hook or curve ball is commonly used by more advanced players. As the bowler releases the
ball, the ball starts out straight and then "hooks" because of the rotation the bowler puts on the
ball during release. When curving, most people use two fingers and a thumb.

Delivery Styles

There are three different types of styles used when releasing the ball onto the lane. The three
styles are the stroker, cranker and tweener styles.

Stroker

People who use the stroker style usually keep their feet square to the foul line. Stroking lessens
the ball's spin rate and therefore decreases its hook/curve potential and hitting power. Strokers
use finesse and accuracy.

Cranker

Crankers try to create as much spin as possible by using a cupped wrist. Bowlers that use the
cranking method often cup their wrist, but open the wrist at the top of the swing. Crankers
often use late timing, meaning the foot reaches the foul line before the ball does; this is called
"plant and pull", hardly using any slide on their last step and pulling the ball upwards for
leverage. Crankers rely on speed and power.

Tweener

Tweeners are bowlers that release the ball in a way that falls somewhere in between stroking
and cranking. Tweeners often release the ball with a higher backswing than is normally used by
a stroker or a less powerful wrist position than a cranker.

UFO

The UFO style was create by Taiwanese and widely used in Asia. Unlike other different types of
styles, the flat of UFO's rotation is parallel to the ground. The ball is spun in a counter-clockwise
manner (right handed) and enters the pins close to the middle of the lane, deflecting and
causing pins to scatter rather than fly around. A ball weighing 10-12 pounds is used.

Bowling safety

Like any other physical activity, warming up helps to prevent injuries. Bowling balls are heavy
with varying weight ranges; to avoid back and wrist injury, they should be picked up with both
hands. Its also recommended to bend ones knees while picking up bowling balls to avoid back
injuries. Most bowling ball return mechanisms use a power-lift that includes a spinning wheel,
and it is recommended that bowlers should keep their hands clear of it. Bowlers should also
warm up their fingers before inserting them into a bowling ball, to ensure that their fingers do not
get stuck in the ball.[26][27]
Even in small ball bowling, balls should be picked up with one hand on each side of the ball
small balls return to the rack with enough force to smash fingers.

It is very common in bowling to warm up in other sports by stretching the arms and legs. Some
ways bowler stretch is by using the bowling ball as a sort-of medicine ball. They pick up the
bowling ball and put the ball behind their head and stretch their arms. Normally bowlers squeeze
the bowling ball. They also stretch their quadriceps by lifting their leg behind their back. "A
warm up should begin with some light activity to increase blood flow to the muscles" (called
"bowling stretches")[28]

It is imperative to keep the soles of bowling shoes dry. If the bowling shoe sole gets wet, it can
stick like glue on an approach and result in the bowler suffering a wipeout or blown knee. The
most common causes of wet bowling shoes tend to be spilled beverages, drips in washrooms and
near concessions, and snowmelt or rainwater tracked into the bowling center. Outdoor footwear
should be removed at the bowling center entrance. All spills should be reported to bowling center
staff and cleaned immediately. A shoe cover is sold in most pro shops for bowlers who still want
to wear bowling shoes while walking around the alley, in the washroom etc. Removable soles are
sold with higher end bowling shoes to combat when a bowling shoe does get wet.

The lane surface carries a high amount of oil (lane conditioner) and is extremely slippery. A
bowler should never cross the foul line at the approach. Only authorized personnel should step
past the foul line, even if it is to pick up a loose item that fell onto the lane.

When cleaning lane conditioner from the bowling ball, care must be taken to ensure that the
bowlers fingers don't slip into a finger hole while turning the ball over since it is possible to
break a finger.

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