Essential Bowling Terms & Definitions
Anchor
The last bowler in a team’s line-up. (H. Arfsbarger, 1913, “struck out” in 94 consecutive games for the Anchor bowling team.)
Armswing
The arc of the bowling arm from push away until release.
Arrow(s)
The five evenly-spaced triangles embedded into the lane about 15 feet from the foul line.
Backend
The last section of the lane, from about 20 feet in front of the pins.
Backswing
The arc of swing after the push away up to the highest point of the swing.
Belly the Ball
To increase the initial angle of the ball path, also known as “launch angle,” in order to send it wider on the lane.
Bevel
The rounded edges of a finger hole.
Breakdown
The removal of lane conditioner from the lanes by evaporation or ball action.
Brooklyn
Hitting the pocket opposite of the intended strike pocket; for example, a right-hander hitting the 1-2 pocket.
Carry
The ability of the ball to knock down pins.
Carrydown
The movement of lane conditioner farther down the lane due to ball action.
Cherry Pick or Pick
Taking off the very last pin of a spare leave while leaving the remaining pins standing.
Chop
Taking off the front pin (or pins) of a spare leave while leaving the remaining pins standing.
Cranker
A bowling style characterized by imparting excessive revolutions on the ball using dramatic wrist action.
Dead Wood
Pins that have been knocked down but not removed from the lane or gutters by the sweep.
Double Wood
Also known as Sleeper or Bar Maid: one pin standing directly behind another pin (e.g., 2-8 or the 3-6).
Dutch 200
A score of exactly 200 achieved by alternating strikes and spares throughout the game.
Dump the Ball
Dropping the ball onto the lane; use of a very weak and ineffective release.
Foul
Touching any part of the building, lane, or machinery which is past the foul line.
Foul Line
The line which marks the end of the approach, usually equipped with a detection device.
Follow-Through
Arm swing movement after the release.
Foundation Frame
The ninth frame.
Frame
A bowler’s complete turn, 1/10th of a full game.
Graveyard
A pair of lanes that are particularly low scoring, or a center characterized by a low-scoring environment.
Gutter
Also known as Channel: the depressions on either side of the lane.
Heads
The front part of the lane (first 20-25 feet) where most of the lane conditioner is applied.
High or Heavy
Contacting a pin close to its center.
Lane Conditions
The distribution pattern (depth, width, and length) of the oil (lane conditioner) on a lane.
Lift
Upward drive of the fingers imparted on the ball at the release.
Loft
The distance a ball travels in the air from release until contact on the lane.
Low or Light
Contacting a pin lightly, near the outside edge.
Mark
A strike or spare – these are indicated by putting a ‘mark’ on the score sheet rather than a number.
Messenger
A pin that bounces and/or rolls across the lane after most of the other pins have fallen.
Midlane
The central section of the lane, past the heads, where the lane conditioner tapers out.
Open
A frame in which a bowler fails to “mark” – i.e., get a strike or spare.
Pitch
The angle at which the holes are drilled into the ball.
Push Away
The initial movement of the ball, out from the shoulder, at the start of the arm swing.
Rip the Rack
Also known as Pack the Rack, Shred the Rack, or Ten Back: a strong, perfect-looking strike shot that clears the pins off cleanly.
Release
The rolling of the ball off the hand and the associated hand/wrist movement.
Revolutions or Revs
The number of rotations the ball makes as it moves down the lane.
Sandbag
To intentionally bowl badly; misrepresenting one’s ability in order to take advantage of a handicap system.
Split
A pin formation in which a pin is missing from in front of, or from between, the space between two (or more) standing pins – none of the standing pins can be the head pin.
Spare
Using both throws of a bowler’s turn to knock down all of the pins.
Strike
Knocking down all of the pins on the first throw of a bowler’s turn.
Strike Out
Also known as Go off the Sheet: a string of consecutive strikes that goes until the end of the game.
Tapped
Leaving a pin standing after an apparently good throw.
Track
- A – The ring of oil or scratches on the ball indicating which part of the ball makes contact with the lane.
- B – The part of the lane which receives the most play, the worn area of the lane or lane condition.