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Bowling Terms Glossary



The following are definitions and explainations of common Bowling Terms and Sayings. If you would have a Term you would like to add send it to Administrator@bowlersalley.org.

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  ABC ABC is an abbreviation for the American Bowling Congress which was founded in 1895 as the governing body of 10-pin bowling in America. On January 1, 2005 the American Bowling Congress was replaced by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC).
 
  Absentee See Blind
 
  Address The stance a Bowler takes before beginning the approach
 
  Adjustment Making changes to a part of your game depending on the particular lane conditions on which you are bowling. This can refer to an alignment, equipment or other physical or mental change to your game.
 
  AJBC AJBC is the abbreviation for the American Junior Bowling Congress which was the former governing body for youth bowlers. This has replaced by the Young American Bowling Alliance (YABA).
 
  All Events The score resulting from the combined total of all of a Bowler's games in a tournament. This usually includes 3 games for each singles, doubles and a team portion of the event. This score is usually eligible for additional awards and prizes.
 
  Alley Commonly used to refer to a single bowling lane or Bowling Center.
 
  American Bowling Congress See ABC
 
  AMF AMF is an abbreviation for the American Machine and Foundry. AMF was the first to make the automatic pinsetter that changed the game of bowling. AMF continues to be one of the largest names in bowling machinery and equipment.
 
  AMF 3 Dot One of the most popular original hard rubber bowling balls. The ball was black and had three white dots above the bridge. This term is used today to describe a shot with little action.
 
  Anchor The last bowler in a team's bowling order. Typically the last person is the team's best bowler and good under pressure.
 
  Anchor Man See Anchor
 
  Angle A term used to describe the line a player is throwing into the pocket.
 
  Ankle Shot Refers to a delivery where the ball hits your ankle.
 
  Approach The part of a bowling lane where the player takes their steps before releasing the ball. It is located between the bowlers' settee area and the foul line and is 15 feet in length. This term can also be used to describe the bowler's process of walking toward the foul line to deliver the shot.
 
  Approved Ball Cleaners This refers to the list of substances that are currently approved, under the rules of bowling, to be used to clean a bowling ball during competition.
 
  Arc Describes the movement of the ball that has a relatively slow continuous hooking motion.
 
  Area Describes the location on the lane, usually at the dots or arrows, where the ball must pass in order for the ball to hit the pocket. Bowlers often refer to 'having an area' which means the conditions are right for the bowler to hit a number of boards on the lane and still have the ball hit the pocket. Depending on the lane conditions the 'area' can be around 3-8 boards wide.
 
  Arena Bowling Describes when bowling is held in an auditorium or other large convention center and portable bowling lanes are brought in and setup much like a stage for a concert. This is done for some tournaments in order to have increased seating for fans.
 
  Armswing The path your arm takes during the approach.
 
  Arrow(s) Refers to the 7 arrows that are physically marked on the bowling lane at a distance of 15 feet beyond the foul line. Bowlers typically use these arrows as a target during their release and to describe the line they are playing. (ex: I am playing the second arrow.)
 
  Arsenal A bowler's collection of bowling balls where each ball has a different reaction type. A larger arsenal allows a bowler to make adjustments to lane conditions easier and quicker throughout the game.
 
  Automatic Foul Detector An electric eye used to determine when a bowler crosses the foul line. When this happens a buzzer will sound and a light will usually appear on the display at the end of the lane above the pins.
 
  Automatic Pinsetter Invented by AMF and first used in the 1940s, they track the pins left, clean the area and place the remaining pins for the spare.
 
  Average A bowlers' average is the sum of all the games bowled divided by the number of games. It is one of the key statistics kept in the game of bowling.
 
  Axis Refers to the axis upon which the ball rotates after the release.
 
  Back ends The last 5 to 6 feet of the bowling lane which includes pin deck.
 
  Backup Ball A thrown ball that curves to the right for right handed bowlers and to the left for left handed bowlers.
 
  Ball rack The place where the bowling ball remains before the bowler picks it up for their approach; the shelves in most Bowling Houses used to store house balls.
 
  Ball return The track located between the lanes or under the floor in which the ball travels back to the ball rack.
 
  Barmaid See Sleeper
 
  Bed Posts Refers to the 7-10 split.
 
  Beer frame A designated frame in which the player who doesn't throw a strike or the lowest scorer is required to buy 'drinks' for the rest of the team. This is fun side game decided upon by the team not something specific to the sport of Bowling.
 
  Belly the ball Refers to the attempt to maximize the number of boards the ball crosses from its release point to the farthest outside point on the lane before turning back toward the pocket.
 
  Bevel The rounding or smoothing of the thumb or finger holes in the ball after drilling.
 
  Bicycle See Sleeper
 
  Big ears See Big Four
 
  Big fill Refers to following a spare with a shot that knocks down nine or ten pins; getting a double following a strike.
 
  Big five A spare in which there are three pins left on one side and two on the other.
 
  Big four Another name for the 4-6-7-10 split.
 
  Blind Score allocated for an absent bowler. Typically this score is their average minus ten pins, but each league can set this as they wish.
 
  Blow See Miss
 
  Blowout See Tap
 
  Board The actually pieces together make the lane. They are each numbered 1 through 40 (sometimes 41) starting on the right for right-handed bowlers and the left for left-handed bowlers.
 
  Body English Moving of the bowler's arms, legs or body after they release it in an attempt to guide the ball in the desired direction.
 
  Bonus Points awarded to the winner in a match play situation.
 
  Bowler A person who bowls.
 
  Bowling Center A collection of lanes or Bowling establishment.
 
  Bowling Proprietors Association of America See BPAA
 
  Bowling Shoes Shoes required for Bowling that consist of a sticky, rubber sole on the non-sliding foot and a harder slippery sole on the sliding foot.
 
  Box Refers to a single frame.
 
  BPAA An organization consisting of people who own Bowling Centers. They are also responsible for publishing the Bowling Digest magazine.
 
  Break A lucky shot; Failing to get a strike following a string of consecutive strikes.
 
  Bridge The distance between the finger holes in a bowling ball.
 
  Brooklyn When a thrown ball crosses the opposite side of the head pin from which it was thrown. (i.e. 1,2 pocket for right handed bowlers 2,3 pocket for left handed bowlers).
 
  Bucket Refers to pins left forming a diamond pattern (ie: 2-4-5-8, 3-5-6-9 or 1-2-3-5).
 
  Bumper Bowling A device used to block the gutters so the ball will always stay on the lane.
 
  Burner See Tap
 
  Buzzard Three open frames in a row.
 
  Carry Refers to the ball's ability to knock pins down.
 
  Channel See Gutter
 
  Cherry See Chop
 
  Chicken wing See Flying Elbow
 
  Choke Refers to the bowlers failure to accomplish the objective due to nervousness.
 
  Chop Knocking down only part of a spare when the pins are next to each other.
 
  Christmas Tree Refers to the 3-7-10 or 2-7-10 spares.
 
  Cincinnati Refers to the 8-10 split.
 
  Clean Game Refers to a game in which the bowler makes all of his or her spares.
 
  Clean Sheet See Clean Game
 
  Clothesline Refers to the 1-2-4-7 or 1-3-6-10 spares.
 
  Clutch A situation in which the bowler feels pressure to accomplish something.
 
  Conversion See Making a Spare; Used generally with splits.
 
  Count The number of pins knocked down on the first ball of the frame.
 
  Counting marks A way to total the number of marks a team gets per frame. A spare or strike has a value of one, a double has a value of two, a turkey has a value of three.
 
  Cracked Thumb Cracks that can form on the calluses of a bowler's thumb from repeated use during bowling.
 
  Cranker A bowler who uses lots of lift and turn at the top of their backswing to generate high speed and maximum hooking action.
 
  Creeper A ball that moves very slowly down the lane.
 
  Cross See Brooklyn
 
  Curve A ball that moves in a huge arc.
 
  Cutter A ball with a sharp, breaking hook that appears to slice through the pins.
 
  Dead Ball A ball that deflects badly upon hitting the pins.
 
  Dead Wood Pin or pins that are left laying on the lane after the rack has cycled.
 
  Deflection The moving away of the ball from the pins when it comes in contact with them.
 
  Delivery Referst to the preparation, release and follow-through of the bowler.
 
  Deuce Refers to a 200 game or 200 average.
 
  Dime Store Refers to the 5-10 split.
 
  Dinner Bucket See Bucket
 
  Dive The large hooking action of a ball at the last second.
 
  Dodo A bowling ball that is over the legal weight or out of legal balance.
 
  Dots Spots on the approach that the bowler uses to line up their feet at the beginning of their approach. Spots on the bowling lane used as targets for releasing the ball.
 
  Double Refers to two strikes in a row.
 
  Double Pinochle See Big Four
 
  Double Wood See Sleeper
 
  Dry Lanes Bowling lanes with very little oil on them.
 
  Dummy See Blind
 
  Dump the Ball The action of releasing the ball without bending the knee.
 
  Dutch 200 A game in which the bowler get a strike followed by a spare or vise-vera for the entire game. This scoring pattern results in a score of exactly 200 for that game.
 
  Early Foundation Refers to a strike in the eighth frame.
 
  Emblem The logo on a bowling ball that typically marks the heaviest portion of the ball.
 
  Ends See Back Ends
 
  Error See Miss
 
  Fence Posts See Bed Posts
 
  Field Goal Refers to a ball rolled between two pins of a split in which neither one is touched by the ball.
 
  Fill The amount of pins knocked down following a spare or a double.
 
  Fill Ball The final ball thrown in the 10th frame which adds ten pins or less.
 
  Fill Frame See Fill Ball
 
  Finger Grips Inserts made of a rubber-like material that are put into the finger holes giving the bowler better ability to hold onto the ball and get maximum lift and turn.
 
  Fingertip A way to drill a bowling ball where the finger holes are far enough from the thumb hole that the bowler can only put their fingers in up to the first joint. This allows more lift and turn to be put on the ball during the release.
 
  Five-bagger Refers to five strikes in a row.
 
  Floater A ball released without lift or turn which travels down the lane wherever the lane takes it.
 
  Flying Elbow Refers to the motion of the elbow during the swing when it does not stay close to the body. This is usually considered bad form but can be used by bowlers with physical problems.
 
  Follow-Through The bowler's motion after releasing the ball.
 
  Forward Pitch The drilling of a bowling ball where the finger or thumb hole is angled toward center of ball.
 
  Foul Crossing the Foul Line during your delivery either before or after releasing the bowling ball. This results in a score of 0 for that ball and is marked on the scoresheet with an "F".
 
  Foul Line The line drawn across the lane to separate the approach from the start of the lane.
 
  Foundation Refers to a strike in the ninth frame.
 
  Four-bagger Refers to four strikes in a row.
 
  Frame The scoring segments a game of bowling is divided into. Each frame consists of up to two deliveries. The frame ends when either all the pins have been knocked down or the second delivery is thrown.
 
  Frozen Rope A ball rolled at a high rate of speed almost straight into the pocket.
 
  Garbage Hit Refers to a shot when the ball does not enter the pocket but still results in a strike.
 
  Goal Posts See Bed Posts
 
  Golden Gate See Big Four
 
  Grab Refers to the friction between the ball and the lane which causes a sudden hook.
 
  Grandma's Teeth Refers to a random array of pins left standing usually caused by a very slow ball.
 
  Greek Church Refers to a split in which three pins are left on one side of the lane and two on the other side.
 
  Groove Refers to a bowler who is scoring well and appears to have an almost perfect approach on every shot.
 
  Gutter The depression on either side of the lane that in which the ball falls when it leaves the lane.
 
  Gutter Ball A shot in which the ball goes into the gutter.
 
  Gutter Shot A shot where the ball rolls on the extreme edge of lane but does not go in the gutter.
 
  Hambone A term used to describe when a bowler gets 4 strikes in a row.
 
  Handicap Pins that are awarded to teams or individuals as a way to equalize competition.
 
  Hard Way See Dutch 200
 
  Head Pin The very front pin in the rack which is referred to by the number 1.
 
  High Hit A ball that contacts a pin near it's center. Also refers to a first ball shot that hits the center of the head pin.
 
  Higher Referst to the left for right-handed bowlers and the right for left-handed bowlers.
 
  Hold A lane that resists the hooking action of a ball.
 
  Hole Refers to the 1-3 pocket for right-handed bowlers and the 1-2 pocked for left-handed bowlers. Also refers to an open frame.
 
  Home Alley Refers to the favorite lane or pair of lanes for a bowler or team.
 
  Hook A ball that breaks to the left for right-handed bowlers andto the right for left-handed bowlers.
 
  Hot Refers to a bowler or team that is striking consistantly.
 
  House See Bowling Center
 
  House Ball Bowling balls found on the racks at bowling centers.
 
  Inside A starting point near the center of the lane usually referring to the point of release.
 
  Jam Forcing the ball high into the pocket.
 
  Jersey See Brooklyn
 
  Kegler See Bowler
 
  Kickbacks See Sideboards
 
  Kitty A container used to collect money from team members for misses, low games or other set fines as determined by the team. At the end of the season the team can determine what to do with the money (ie: split it between members, pay expenses, take a trip, etc).
 
  Kresge Refers to the 5-7 split.
 
  Lane The playing surface made of wood or urethane 62' 10-3/4" long and 42 inches wide. This does not include the approach.
 
  Late 10 Refers to a strike hit where the 10 pin hesitates and is the pin to fall.
 
  Leadoff Man The first member of a team.
 
  Leave The pins that were not knocked down with the first shot.
 
  Leverage Refers to the power generated by the sliding and lifting motion during the release.
 
  Lift The upward motion given to the ball by the fingers during the release.
 
  Lilly Refers to the 5-7-10 split.
 
  Line Refers to the path of the ball or one game of bowling.
 
  Loft The distance past the foul line the ball travels before it hits the lane.
 
  Lofting The act of throwing the ball out onto the lane instead of rolling it.
 
  Love Tap When a moving pin touches another pin and delicately knocks it down.
 
  Low Refers to a light hit to the pocket.
 
  Making a Spare Knocking down all of the remaining pins with a second ball.
 
  Miss Failing to convert a spare.
 
  Open Frame Any frame where the bowler fails to make the spare shot meaning at least 1 pin is left after completion of that frame.
 
  Perfect game A game in which a bowler gets a stike in every frame resulting in a score of 300.
 
  Pin deck The area of the lane where the pins sit.
 
  Scratch A bowlers score before any handicap might be added.
 
  Series The total pins of all games you have bowled. The majority of bowling leagues will consist of a 3 game series.
 
  Sideboards The vertical division between the back ends of each lane where pins may bounce from and knock down additional pins.
 
  Sleeper A spare where one pin is standing directly behind another, the rearmost pin is called the "sleeper" (ie: 1-5, 2-8, 3-9).
 
  Span The distance between the finger and thumb holes.
 
  Spare Knocking down all ten pins down with a combination of the two deliveries during one frame.
 
  Split A spare shot where there is a a gap between the remaining pins. Common splits are 6-7, 4-10, 5-7, 5-10, 7-10, etc.
 
  Strike Knocking down all of the pins with the first ball thrown.
 
  Strike out When a bowler has three strikes in the tenth frame.
 
  Tap Knocking down all the pins but one on an apparent perfect strike hit.
 
  Turkey A term used to describe when a bowler gets 3 strikes in a row.