Posted Sep 18, 2012 In: Bowling Terms | Special Note
By Bowling.com
We have put together a list of bowling terms that every bowler should know. The list of terms is always growing so if you see one we missed let us know and we'll add it to the list.
The List of Terms in Alphabetical Order
ABCAmerican Bowling Congress. Former official rule making body of ten-pin bowling.
AlleySurface on which the ball is rolled(also lane bed).
ApproachThe space extending back from the foul line used to make the steps and delivery (also runway).
ArrowsThe triangles embedded on the lane used in aiming the throw.
Baby splitThe 2-7 or 3-10 split.
Backup ballA ball that curves left to right for a right-handed bowler or right to left for a left-handed bowler.
Bed postsThe 7-10 split.
Big fourThe 4-6-7-10 split(also double pinochle).
Blind scoreWhen a league bowler is "blind" and can't find his/her way to the league that evening, the bowler's average is simply used (as if he/she just bowled that score) when figuring the team's total for each game.
BlockingCreating an illegal track to the strike pocket by the way the lane is dressed (oiled).
BlowA miss or an error failing to convert a spare other than a split.
BrooklynRefers to a ball that crosses over to the other side of the headpin opposite the side it was thrown (i.e. a Brooklyn strike hit the 1-2 pocket for a right-hander)(also crossover).
BucketThe 2-4-5-8 or 3-5-6-9 leave after the first throw.
CarryTo knock down a pin or pins.
ChannelSemicircular grooves or drop-off area on each side of the bowling surface(also gutter).
CherryTo pick off the front pin or pins but leaving the back pin on a spare attempt.
Christmas treeThe 3-7-10 split for a rt. hander; 2-7-10 split for a left hander
Clothesline The 1-2-4-7 or 1-3-6-10 pins still standing after the first ball(also picket fence).
CountUsually the number of pins knocked down in the next frame that apply to a spare or strike.
CreeperA slow ball (also known as a puff ball).
Curve ballA ball thrown with spin that follows a wide arc toward the pins.
Dead ballA weak ball that has lost its drive, rotation, or forward thrust
DeadwoodPins that have been knocked down.
DeliveryThe rolling of the ball.
Dime Store A split leaving the 5-10.
Double. Two consecutive strikes.
Dutch 200A game of exactly 200 by alternately rolling spares and strikes.
Field goalA missed throw between widely separated pins hitting nothing but air.
FoulTouching the foul line or beyond in any way when delivering the ball.
Foul lineThe restraining line between the lane and the approach.
Four baggerThrowing four strikes in a row.
FrameOne of ten units that comprise a game (represented by a large square and smaller squares within on the score sheet).
GameA line on the score sheet consisting of 10 frames. (Same as Line.)
Goal postsThe 7-10 split. (Same as Bed posts.)
Graveyard(s) An extremely difficult lane in the house.
GutterSemicircular grooves on each side of the surface on which the ball rolls (also channel).
Gutter ballAn errant ball that enters the gutter before reaching the pins(also channel ball).
Hambone New term given to a 4-bagger (four strikes in a row).
HandicapAn adjustment in scores in order to equalize competition by adding pins on a predetermined basis.
Head pinThe number one pin.
High hitA solid hit on a pin due to contact near its front center; hitting too much head pin on a strike attempt.
Holding laneA lane where the ball does not curve or hook much.
HookA ball that initially moves straight down the alley and curves towards the pin (from right to left for a right-hander or left to right for a left-hander) on the latter part of the lane.
HouseThe bowling establishment or building.
KeglerA bowler (German word).
KickbacksThe side boards around the pins that divide lanes where pins frequently rebound or "kick" back onto the lane aiding in pin action.
Kindling (wood) Light pins or pins that are falling easily during a game.
King pinThe number 5 pin. It is a key pin to produce a strike: a light pocket hit or deflected leaves this pin still standing.
Lane bedThe surface on which the ball is rolled.
LeagueOrganized competition on a weekly basis for team play.
LeavePins left standing after the first ball has been rolled.
LiftUpward motion on the ball at the point of release. (As the ball rolls from the fingers of the up swinging hand, spin is imparted to help drive the ball.)
Light hitA ball hitting mostly the side of the pin deflecting it sideways.
LineA game--10 frames. Also refers to the path of the ball from release to the pins.
Line bowlingA method of aiming by visualizing the imaginary line the ball will take to the pins.
Lofting. Throwing the ball too high above the lane bed.
LPBTLadies' Professional Bowling Tour (former name of the current PWBA).
MarkMaking either a spare or strike in a frame.
MissAn error in a spare attempt other than a split. (Same as a Blow.)
MixerA ball that creates a lot of pin action.
Move inAdjusting of stance position nearer the center of the approach.
Move outAdjusting of stance position nearer the outside of the approach.
NoseThe front of the pin.
OilDressing or conditioner used to coat the lanes.
Open frameA frame having neither a spare or strike.
PBAProfessional Bowlers Association.
Perfect gameA game of all strikes--twelve strikes in a row--resulting in bowling's maximum score of 300.
Pin bowlingLooking at the pins to aim and throw the ball (better bowlers tend to spot or line bowl).
Pin deckArea on which the pins are set.
Pocket The space between the 1-3 pins for the right-handed bowler; between the 1-2 pins for the left-handed bowler.
PushawayThe pushing out (forward) of the ball to begin the swing (coincide with first step of four-step approach.)
PWBAProfessional Women's Bowling Association.
RailroadA split.
RakeThe part of the pin-setting machine that drops and sweeps the fallen pins into the back of the lane(also sweep bar).
Running laneA lane where the ball curves a lot relative to a normal delivery(opposite of holding lane).
SandbaggingDeliberating keeping an average low so that person can receive a bigger handicap.
ScratchThe actual score the bowler makes; it is without any handicap adjustment (to equalize competition).
Six packSix strikes in a row!!
SleeperA rear pin that is not easily seen because of a pin directly in front of it (Ex.: 2-8, 3-9, 1-5).
SpanOn a bowling ball, the distance between the thumb and finger holes
SpareTo knock down with the second throw the pins standing left after the first throw.
SplitVarious combinations of pins standing after a first throw where one or more pins has been knocked down creating a space between standing pins and thus a harder spare. Examples: 4-5, 5-6, 4-7, 6-10, 7-10, 4-6-7-10.
SpotA target on the alley bed (usually the arrows or the dots) where the bowler aims.
Spot bowlingA method of aiming the ball in which spots (arrows and dots) on the lane are used as targets rather than looking at the pins during the throw.
Stiff laneA non-hooking lane.
Straight ballBall thrown that takes a direct path to the pins without curving.
StrikeKnocking down all ten pins with the first effort.
Strike outMaking three strikes in the tenth frame.
TapAn apparent perfect hit for a strike but one pin is left standing.
Thin hit(See light hit.)
Throwing rocksPiling up strikes with a speed ball.
TripleThree consecutive strikes(also turkey).
TurkeyThree consecutive strikes.
USBC United States Bowling Congress. Official rule making body of ten-pin bowling.
VacancyA "dummy" score used when a team does not have the same number on the team roster as do other teams. The vacancy score is set by the league and carries a handicap the same as if some bowler was carrying that average.
WashoutThe 1-2-10 or 1-2-4-10 leave for right-handers; 1-3-7 or 1-3-6-7 for left handers. Distinguished from a split due to the head pin (1 pin) still standing.
WIBCWomen's International Bowling Congress.
Working ballA ball with great spin that produces a lot of action among the pins. The same ball will break up splits when hit on the nose.
