Targeting

In order to bowl effectively, you need a good understanding of the fundamentals of how to release the ball on a trajectory that is effective.  One fundamental skill is to have a firm understanding of where to start and where to effectively roll the ball that will result in knocking down the intended pins time after time.

The trajectory of the ball rolling down a lane determines where it impacts the pins. The trajectory is determined by variables such as the point where the ball is first placed onto the lanes, its direction of travel, as well as its speed, revolutions, velocity, friction on the lane, and of course, the lane conditions.  Each bowler has a unique trajectory which they attempt to duplicate in order to score repeated strikes and spares.

Skilled bowlers can predict when a strike will be attained during early portions of a ball’s trajectory down the lane.  They evaluate, and if needed, adjust their approach starting point, speed, and hand position to enhance their ability to score following each shot.  Most bowling lanes have guide marks in the form of dots, arrows, and rangefinders on the lane boards to assist bowlers in setting up their ball along a preferred trajectory.

Targeting Rules

Basic bowling educators tell us to aim at a target.  The basic objective is to roll the ball toward an area in the pins resulting in a strike or picking up a spare.  Targeting is a matter of matching your bowling style along with selecting a stance location, a release position and a focal point that proves to be most effective.

There are no hard and fast rules for setting targets; only options that best fit a bowler’s style, the lane conditions, and the shot to be hit. Bowlers need to define and develop their own targeting strategy.  In order to do that, acquired knowledge is the key for developing a targeting process that is best tailored to you.  You need facts.

Your stance location (your feet) and focal point (your target) is determined by your bowling style and the resultant path you expect the ball to take.  Your targets, speed and hand position are evaluated following each shot to ensure your bowling remains effective.  In this section, we focus primarily on strikes.  A dedicated section for spare adjustments will utilize these same principals, so keep this in mind.

Basic Targeting

When you roll a ball at a target, you normally focus on a target or set of targets.  The idea is to roll the ball toward a specific area using the dots, arrows and rangefinders as guides makes the alignment more precise. Don’t feel constrained by these targeting guides.  You use targeting guides to quickly locate the basic area.  You can then make single board adjustments from that point.  Experienced bowlers evaluate previous ball release effectiveness and alignment to determine if their ball trajectory reflects their intent or how it should be modified.  This process is known as targeting.

In the beginning, it is more effective to focus on a nearby “target” than a distant target.  A nearby target is easier to roll the ball over without introducing excessive force behind the ball.  Granted, there are other targeting methodologies that utilize distant targeting, but unless you can roll the ball over a nearby target while matching the ball reaction and revolutions, advanced targeting matters little.   It is far more effective to focus on a closer target and roll the ball than attempting to force the ball toward a distant target.  As your expertise becomes ingrained, additional targeting methodologies can be introduced to enhance your game.

Targeting Guides

It is all about how you look at the lane.  When lanes are constructed, boards or lane surface shadings, and several identifiable targeting guides (references points and markings) are placed on the lane surface to enhance your ability to bowl with greater accuracy .  These targeting guides are further identified by board number, or named as dots, arrows, and rangefinders.  Let’s identify the targeting guide markings more closely using the drawing at the right side of the page:

The Approach

The approach section of the lane is where the bowler begins their approach and slides while delivering the bowling ball out onto the lane section called “the heads”.  The approach and the lane are separated by a “Foul Line” that delineates where the bowler delivers the ball from an area where the ball rolls out toward the pin deck area of the lane.  The bowler may not cross over onto the lane surface without incurring a penalty.

The Approach Dots

Where you place your feet in your stance affects your ball launch angle out toward your target.  Three sets of dots are placed on the approach to provide easily recognizable reference points where to establish your stance.   Each set of dots may consist of either 5 or 7 dots.  There is always a centermost dot placed on the 20 board (the center board on the lane), and is normally the largest dot for easy reference.  The center dot is in line with the head pin.  The dots are separated by 5 boards (approximately 5 inches between dots).

The set of dots closest to the foul line are placed 2 inches from the foul line on the approach.  These dots are placed for easy recognition of where your feet stop at the release of the ball.

The second set of dots is 12 feet from the foul line, and the rearmost set of dots can be 14 or 15 feet from the foul line depending on the bowling center design.  If you are unfamiliar with the bowling center, it is important that you pace off the distance of the approach for a good understanding of the length of the approach.

Selecting a Target

The best advice is to identify a set of targets during practice.  Whether you target the dots, arrows, board, pins, or any other place on the lane you need to focus on your target until you are comfortable and prepared before starting your approach.  Once you are in your stance, focus on your intended target for a couple of seconds until your internal focus tension relaxes.

Once you’re set up and ready to go, focus your eyes on your target and block out all external distractions.  Don’t think about the mechanics of your physical game, just bowl reflexively and react to the target as you release the ball.

If you use a 3-point targeting system, line up your shot using the distant focal point for a couple of seconds, and then back to your closer target for a second, then deliver the bowling ball.

Whether you target the dots, arrows, a board, pins, or any other place on the lane you need to focus on your target until you are comfortable and prepared to begin your approach.  Once you are in your stance, you should focus on your intended target for a couple of seconds until your internal focus tension relaxes.

If you use a 3-point targeting system, line up your shot using the distant focal point for a couple of seconds, and then back to your closer target for a second, then deliver the bowling ball.

Once you’re set up and ready to go, focus your eyes on your target and block out all external distractions.  Don’t think about the mechanics of your physical game, just bowl reflexively and react to the target as you release the ball.

Lane Dots

The lane dots are placed halfway between the foul line and the closest set of arrows.  This is approximately 6 feet beyond the foul line.  There are two sets of five dots, one set on the right side of the lane and the other on the left.  Beginning from either side of the lane, the dots are located on boards 3, 5, 8, 11, and 14.

Arrows or Darts

The “arrows” or “darts” are located between 15 and 17 feet beyond the foul line with the centermost arrow being the most distant, and the closest arrows toward the outside of the lane.  This distance is approximately 25% of the distance to the head pin.  The lane section just beyond the furthermost arrow begins “the Pines” section of the lane.  The arrows line up with the dots on the approach dots.  There are seven arrows positioned on boards 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35. The arrows are reference targets, but of course, bowlers often target the boards between two arrows. 

The arrows are the most commonly used target guides, with the second arrow from the outside of the lane being the most commonly used as a beginning target.

Range Markers or Rangefinders

Rangefinders are 3-foot darkened boards located on the tenth and thirtieth boards.  The tenth board rangefinder extends from 40 to 43 feet down the lane, and the fifteenth board rangefinder extends from 34 to 37 feet down the lane.

These are not the only targeting aids on the lane but they are the main ones, and those most commonly used. If you have not used them before, have a look for them next time you go bowling and see if you can use them to improve your game.

How to Use Targeting Guides in Bowling

There are three major ways of targeting in bowling, pin bowling, spot bowling, area bowling and three-point targeting.

When you’re a beginner, it’s most likely you will be looking at the pins when you throw the ball. After all, they are your ultimate target so it makes sense to look at them when you’re making your shot.

This is known as pin bowling, and although it can be effective, there are actually better ways to do it.  Instead of looking all the way down at the pins, you should keep your focus closer to you.

Spot bowling is the preferred method, and this means aiming at the target arrows spread across the lane about 15 feet down from the foul line. If you aim your ball according to these seven arrows, you will have a much better chance of consistently hitting your target.

The reasoning behind this makes sense if you think about it. The pins are 60 feet away from you, while the arrows are much closer to you.

It is much easier to hit a target that’s closer rather than farther, and if you can hit the right arrow, your ball will most likely continue down that path and hit the right pin.

Area bowling is High-level players experiment when practicing to find out what works best for them. They will practice using targets and then switch to using just an area. When the lanes are conducive to scoring they may just target an area on the lane. When bowling on a USBC Sport Bowling condition such as at the USBC Masters where accuracy becomes a premium, players will use targets since hitting the pocket and leaving easier spares is very important

Targeting Techniques

3-Point Targeting Technique

Spares

Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything