1. Get a plastic ball.  
2. Stand on the middle dot.
3. Throw over the middle arrow.
4.
5. Profit.

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Visionary Test Staff 07-08

Whenever I'm working with someone who has trouble making spares near the corner, they usually have the same problem:  they have trouble judging where the pin is actually located in relation to their body.  Think about how the lane is 60 feet long, but only a little over 3 feet wide.  To throw at a cross-lane spare, you do NOT need to use that much angle to get the ball all the way across the lane to that pin.  Line your right shoulder up with the target on the lane that will get you just barely to the right side of the pin.  I shoot in-between the 2nd and 3rd arrow at my 7 pins and 4 pins, but some people prefer to go even straighter and stand a little further left.  Either way, just get yourself lined up straight, turn your body toward the spare even, and roll it straight over that target.  At first you'll feel like "oh crap, I missed it to the right!"  However, it's going to pick up the spare more than likely.  Just keep practicing that until you get used to the difference in what you think will make the spare, and what actually will make the spare.

In addition to the other previous good stuff, I would add something that causes me to miss such apparently easy spares: taking it for granted that I will make it. When I do that, I don't set myself as carefully as I do for strikes. I also tend not to focus as much; this leads to overall carelessness.

You must take your time and focus on every aspect of the shot, especially that of lining up your body properly. It is different for every spare, while it is the same for every strike. Think! do not just run up there and throw it.

It takes 4 or 5 extra seconds. People will wait.

They won't be impressed with your making a spare, but they will be surprised with your score, as you will be, with the difference between making 1 or 2 single or two pin spares per game!!!
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
Unofficial Ballreviews.com FAQ

Glad I'm not the only one with problem!


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The Angry Bowler



Edited on 3/29/2008 2:13 PM

Trubador, I have been in a similar situation like you. I insisted for a long time on the "straight-polyester-shot-at-corner-and-single-pins", but always had trouble with the 4 or 7, too. Even though I had found a basic line to work with, I'd pull the ball to the left far too often, costing me unnecessary wood.

After some frustration and discussing this with other local bowlers and their approaches, I started taking on left side spares with my strike ball, adjusting my feet from the strike shot position to the right (7 boards for the 4, 10 for the 7) - and it was and is a success. I feel much more comfortable and confident - sure I have to watch out and test the lane for this cross-lane approach. But the mental "feeling" is much better.

As always - nothing in bowling is written in stone. Try different strategies, and chose the one that makes you feel best
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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dizzyfugu -

I've been where you've been - going back and forth for a while between hooking the strike ball or throwing straight at the left side spares. Learning to throw straight at that side was harder than I thought it would be.  Hooking the strike ball is a lot easier, and more comfortable, but it only works reliably on a house shot, and on some fresh sport conditions. It is not reliable on most sport or PBA conditions once the lanes start breaking down. The secret for me was to find an angle and target I was comfortable with, and practice it until it was second nature. I throw straight on any condition now, and have last the  sense of "fear" when shooting a bucket or other sleeper combination.
Imagine the confidence that Norm Duke needed throwing straight at that bucket to win the U.S. Open. That only comes after a LOT of practice and repetition.