How to Bowl a Strike Every Time: Beginners Guide

Picture the excitement of rolling a bowling ball down the lane and seeing all the pins tumble down in one go – that’s a strike! 

Making those pins fly every time might seem like it’s just pure luck, but it’s not just luck. You need to strategize to make those pins fall. 

To bowl a strike every time, you need to hit the “strike pocket.” This is the area between pins one and two for lefties and pins one and three for right-handed bowlers. Once you’ve spotted your target, hit the pins with the correct amount of speed and hook to get multiple strikes in a row. 

But wait, there’s more to it to learn how to bowl a strike every time. Below, we have described it in steps. Keep scrolling to find out.

1. Choose the Right Equipment

The first step in being able to bowl a strike is picking the right stuff for bowling. Now, this might seem simple to you, but the reality is that this simple step lays out the foundation of your bowling experience. 

You have to be sure to pick the right ball and shoes. Trust me, just getting these two things right will make a huge difference. Once you step onto the bowling lane, the right shoes and ball will flip your average game into a total success. 

What to Look for in a Bowling Ball?

So, let’s see what you should look for in your search for a bowling ball. Assess its weight, how it’s made, and how you can hold it. These things will tell you about its moves and spins. 

I’d suggest picking a lighter ball. Sound strange? Well, I have a reason behind this. Most bowlers think that picking a heavy ball is the way to go. But really, choosing a lighter ball is what will help you roll better. 

A lighter ball allows you to have a better grip on it. Plus, it makes it a lot easier for you to aim and throw. 

When you hit the pins with a lighter ball, the pins don’t fly up in the air. What happens is that it makes the pins hit each other instead, which then, makes all of them fall. 

It’s just like the domino effect. One thing leads to another, and before you know it, all the pins are on the floor. 

What to Look for in Bowling Shoes?

Now let’s see what type of shoes you should use. Bowling should not be done in your regular everyday shoes. There are specific types of shoes designed just for bowling. These shoes help your feet to stick when you want them to. Plus, you’ll be able to slide easily as well. 

Wearing the wrong shoes is a recipe for disaster. I once wore my regular shoes for a match, and trust me when I say this, it was the worst match of my life. I kept on slipping, which, in turn, made me lose the game. 

Let me explain it a bit more. Bowling shoes have special soles on them. They come in two types, one is for sliding, and the other is for braking.

Your regular shoes have soles that are made to grip the ground, and if you try to wear them on the bowling lane, you’ll end up sticking to the floor and messing up your game. In the worst-case scenario, you could even hurt yourself by twisting your ankle. 

You’ll get shoes with special soles when you rent them at the bowling alley. But if you’re really into bowling and plan to play a lot, I’d recommend you get a pair of shoes for yourself.

When you get your own shoes, you can pick the type of soles that work best for you. And the best part is that you won’t have to worry about getting germs from used shoes. 

That’s a relief, right? 

One more thing. When you’re getting bowling shoes, be sure to get the ones that fit comfortably. Don’t get shoes that pinch your toes or are too loose. Loose shoes can come off while bowling, and you wouldn’t want that to happen. 

2. Find the Right Starting Position

Now, let’s talk about the starting position. Pay attention to how you’re standing and holding the ball. Position is very important in scoring a strike every time. 

If you’re standing in the wrong position, you will end up doing foul and that will affect your overall game. So, it’s always important to focus on picking the right starting position before you bowl. 

Here is what you should do to fix your position. 

Stand up straight without locking your knees, just bend them a little. Your feet should be apart, they shouldn’t be too close or too far. Just try to keep a balance. 

Your ball should be on the bowling-hand side. If you’re a right-handed bowler, then your ball needs to be on your right side. Similarly, if you’re a leftie, then hold it on the left side. 

Let’s see how your arms should be. Your arms need to be relaxed. Imagine it as if you’re holding something very light. Remember how I suggested picking a lighter ball? That will help you here because if you have a light ball, you can balance it better. 

Having a heavier ball will just make you change your position again and again. Then you’ll just end up ruining your shot. 

Okay, coming back to position, you should know when to swing your ball. When you’re swinging your ball, be sure your arms are straight and near your body, just like a clock swings its pendulum. This should give you a smooth swing. 

The smoother your swing is, the more chances you have of scoring a strike. 

3. Focus on the Pocket

Let me tell you another trick for scoring a strike. Your ball should hit the right spot, which is the pocket. 

If you’re a leftie, you’ll find the pocket between pins one and two. If you’re a rightie, then you’ll find this pocket between pins one and three. 

To score a strike, you need to put a little spin on the ball. You can do this by just turning your thumb a little bit when you let go of the ball. 

For right-handed bowlers, imagine that you’re pointing to 10:00 on a clock. If you’re left-handed, point to 2:00. 

Lots of practice will allow you to curve the ball just the way you want. This way, you’ll be well on your way to scoring a strike every time. 

4. Timing Should Be Calculated

Timing is another important aspect of scoring strikes. Let’s be real, without timing, I feel no sport can ever be won. So, it’s extremely important that you make the right move at the right time. 

Want to know how you can calculate your timings? 

The key here is to release the ball right before your swing is at a low point. 

If you let go of the ball too early, it’ll end up rolling on the lane before you want it to, and that’s not ideal for a strike. 

Similarly, if you let go of the ball too late, it’ll fly up too high, and it won’t hit the pins the way you want.

So, be sure to calculate your timings and always try to release the ball when your swing is down low, near your feet. 

Lastly, just like anything, practice helps you get your timing just right. The more you practice, the better you’ll become at hitting that sweet spot and getting those strikes.

5. Have Control of Your Arms

So, the next thing you need to keep in mind is having control of your arms. 

For that, you need to have a relaxed grip on the ball, keeping your fingers in a comfortable position. As you start to throw, keep your elbows close to your body. This will create a compact and stable position for your arms. 

As you let go of the ball, keep a smooth and controlled swing. Make your arms follow a straight path toward the pins. 

To perfect this, you have to practice a lot. Only then you will be able to succeed in your mission of scoring strikes every time. 

Just to test whether or not controlling your arms works, I played one match without focusing on my arms. I was able to score two strikes during that match, and I believe that was only because of luck. 

I didn’t win that match. Although this was during my earlier bowling years, that was about the time I realized that there was a lot more to bowling. And even small things can make or break your game. 

So take it from me, if you want to win the game, you need to follow the tips that I’ve mentioned. 

6. Make Your Approach

Also, how you walk on the lane is another very important factor for hitting a strike. 

Here’s what I do. When I’m about to make a throw, I take four steps, starting with the foot that’s on the opposite side of my throwing hand. Then, I observe the arrow on the lane and start walking towards it. 

Now, since I’m right-handed, I aim for the second arrow. If you’re left-handed, you have to consider the second arrow from your left. Then, I walk really smoothly, and while at it, I take my time to take careful steps. 

One pro tip here is to take your time and move carefully. It will help you keep control and be able to focus on exactly where you want the ball to hit. 

And that’s how I score a strike. 

7. Make Necessary Adjustments

So, the last thing that we need to discuss here is making necessary adjustments. Don’t hold the ball too tight, especially with your thumb. This will make the ball go in the wrong direction, which, most likely, will not be a strike. 

When you hold the ball, put your fingers in first. Using your free hand, keep the ball steady while you walk to the lane. 

For bowling a strike, let go of your thumb just a little bit before you release your fingers from the ball. 

I’d like to give another pro tip here. Keep your nails clean and short. Otherwise, your nails will most likely keep getting caught in the holes and mess up your throw. 

Also, using both hands while bowling helps to keep the ball steady. If you don’t do that, you will mess up the position you’ve set for your ball. 

So, making these last few necessary adjustments is also important. Remember that every tiny thing matters in scoring a strike. It’s not just about luck. It takes precision and strategy to score a strike every time. 

You just have to keep practicing, and in no time, you’ll be scoring strikes every time you bowl. That’s right. 

FAQs

Conclusion

I’ve given you all the tips that have helped me score strikes every time. It’s not just about rolling a ball and hoping for the best, it’s more about having a cool strategic game plan. 

Just keep practicing until you achieve your goal. Also, this includes even small things like how you hold the ball or how you walk up. 

So, here’s to more strikes, more fun, and greater times at the bowling alley with your teammates.