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Whether you’re a seasoned bowler chasing the elusive perfect game or a total beginner still trying to avoid the gutter, there’s always room to improve your skills! Ready to take your bowling game to the next level? Then it’s time to learn all about strikes and spares, two of the biggest point-earners in the sport.
What Is a Strike and a Spare?
Before we dive into the details, let’s first define what exactly a strike and spare in bowling means.
- Strike: A strike is when you knock down all 10 pins with your first ball.
- Spare: A spare is when you knock down all remaining pins with your second ball.
How to Keep Score for Beginners
Keeping score in bowling combines basic math with tracking your strikes, spares, and open frames. A spare adds an immediate 10 points plus your next roll, while a strike earns an immediate 10 points plus the total of your next two rolls.
Open frames, or frames where you failed to knock down all the pins, are simply counted as the number of pins knocked down. For a complete guide to bowling scoring, check out our extra detailed guide How to Keep a Bowling Score.
6 Tips to Score a Strike and Spare
Strikes and spares are the biggest moneymakers, so we’ve gathered the best techniques to help you score more of them!
1. Choose the Right Ball
The weight, size, and grip of your bowling ball have a huge impact on your success. A good rule of thumb is to choose a ball that weighs 10% of your body weight. As for size, you should be able to grip the holes easily, and the thumb hole should feel snug but not too tight. Finding your perfect fit might take a few rolls with different balls, so don’t be afraid to experiment!
2. Strike the Right Posture
Maintaining the perfect bowling posture can help you throw a more powerful and accurate shot. Practice the following tips to strike a good form:
- Relax your grip and wrist to reduce tension in your swing
- Tilt your spine slightly forward to create more power (if your nose is over the bowling ball, you’re doing it right)
- Bend or drop your knees very slightly
- Keep your shoulders level and square to the lane
- Don’t stagger your feet—keep them next to each other
- Keep your elbow close to your body instead of forward or backward
3. Aim Between the 1 and 3 Pins
The best place to aim for a strike is between the 1 and 3 pins. This will help your ball hit the strike pocket, which is the sweet spot that maximizes pin action.
Bonus Tip: If you’re left-handed, aim for the 1 and 2 pins instead.
4. Avoid Rolling the Ball Straight (AKA The Granny Roll)
The granny roll is when you roll the ball straight towards the pins instead of curving it. While this technique may work for beginners, it’s not ideal for strikes and spares because the ball loses speed and power as it rolls.
Instead, try to curve or hook your shot by aiming toward one of the arrows on the lane and releasing your thumb first.
5. Adjust Ball Speed and Angle As You Go
As you play, be mindful of your ball speed and angle. Adjusting these factors can help you pick up spares and even strike more frequently. For example, if you keep missing to the right or left, try changing the angle of your throw slightly. And if you consistently have too much or too little power, make adjustments to your speed.
6. PRACTICE!
The more you practice, the better your chances of scoring strikes and spares. Find a local bowling alley or join a league to get regular playing time. And don’t be afraid to ask for tips from experienced bowlers—sometimes all it takes is a little guidance to improve your game.
Head to Stars and Strikes: The Perfect Practice Ground
Ready to put these tips into action? Come bowl with us at Stars and Strikes! With state-of-the-art bowling lanes and friendly staff, we’re the perfect place for beginners and seasoned bowlers alike. Plus, we offer leagues for all skill levels and discount nights so you can keep improving your game. Visit your nearest location today!
