Intro:
Before you begin
Step 1:
Select your equipment
Step 2:
Understand the lane
Step 3:
Take your stance
Step 4:
Begin your motion and roll
Step 5:
Think about special shots

2torial #0636:
Learn2 Bowl (continued)

Understand the lane

• A bowling lane, from the foul line (where the actual lane begins) to the ten pins, is 60 feet long.
  
  
• Less than an inch before the foul line are seven dots. Their purpose is to help you with aim and direction. You can look at these dots, instead of at the pins, when deciding where to begin rolling the ball. The center dot is positioned directly across from the center pin. If you roll the ball in a straight line starting at this dot, it will hit the center pin. If you find that your balls are starting off straight, and then drifting to the left or right of center, you may want to consider beginning your roll at one of the dots to the left or right to compensate for this movement.
  
  
• Seven arrows, positioned 15 feet down the lane from the foul line, function basically in the same way as the dots. Since they're closer to the foul line than the pins are, it may be easier to aim for the center arrow instead of the center pin.
  
  
• The part of the lane before the foul line is called "the approach." The purpose of the approach is to give you room to walk three to six steps and gain momentum before you release the ball. The approach is 15 feet long.
  
  
• The beginning of the approach, the area the farthest away from the foul line, is marked by five dots. Three feet forward are another five dots. While these sets of dots represent points from which to begin your approach, bowlers are free to find a spot to begin where they feel most comfortable.
  
  
• To the left and right of each lane are the gutters, which carry the ball past the pins without contact. If your ball ends up in a gutter, you've scored a zero for that turn.
  
  
• The pins are arranged in a triangle. The pin farthest forward and directly centered, called the "number 1 pin," stands alone. Diagonally behind it are the number 2 and 3 pins. Behind them are numbers 4, 5, and 6. Behind them are numbers 7, 8, 9, and 10.