Had this happen in league tonight and cannot find a USBC rule covering this.  The last game was close coming down to the 2 anchors.  Anchor on left bowls and gets a strike.  He steps back to allow the other anchor to bowl.  He refuses to go.  So anchor on left rolls his second ball and gets 9 and he again steps back to allow the other anchor to bowl. Again he refuses.  Anchor on left makes his spare.  Now the other anchor decides to go.  He gets the double he needs to win the game.  I think I remember years ago there may have been a rule stating in a case like this that the bowler on the right goes first.  Or it may have been just an unwritten understanding.  I am interested on some thoughts on this and how others would have handled it.

I don't let people get away with that and it has nothing to do with "pressure".  I have seen guys watch the other anchor strike out and win the match and they get up there and magically whiff the ten pin while being in the 240's so they can bag a little.  No uh uh.  Get up there and roll your ball after the guy you're bowling has rolled a ball.  There is only ONE reason to wait and that's to bag.  You have three balls in the tenth and you should be trying to strike on every one of them irregardless what the anchor man next to you has done.   

Interesting topic. As an anchor I've never given much thought about when the anchor on the other team chooses to make his shots. The usual behavior for an anchor is (if possible) to shot first. That's certainly my preference if it works out.


Sometimes if I start, the anchor on the other team will stay in back of the lanes. If so, no big deal. I finish my business and he'll then take his turn. Sometimes if the other anchor starts I'll do the same. If the game is down to the wire, I like the extra time to focus on the finishing shots. Again, no big deal and I don't remember it ever being an issue.


I'll ask our league president if the issue has ever come up. I'll be surprised if it has.