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Through existing records, bowling can be traced back as far as 700 years ago.  This would easily establish bowling as one of the oldest games known.

          The modern game of tenpins had its inception in northern Italy. Later in the 13^th century, the game spread to Germany, Holland, and England and was known as ninepins.  In 1623, when the Dutch came into the US with the early settlers, they introduced the game to Americans as ninepins.  It was played on grass, clay, and later a singlewide board.  This game attracted considerable interest causing extensive betting to center about it.  Laws were passed in several states in the 1840s banning ninepins.

          Later, in order to circumvent the existing law and continue activity, a Dutchman added one more pin and called the game tenpins.

          In 1895, the American Bowling Congress was organized, and it formulates rules, alleys, ball and pins that have become so popular in America that it can safely be said that bowling has more enthusiasts today than any other sports activity.

          Bowling is a form of sports that appeals to everyone.  It requires the learning of comparatively few skills. It requires no particularly great strength; rather, rhythm, relaxation, and coordination are essentials.  One can play alone to enjoy the game or can easily get on local teams.  Bowling, because it brings into play many muscles, is one of the best modern-day recreational sports and is relatively inexpensive.

• If two people approach the lane at the same time, the person on the right should be given the right of way.
• Be ready to bowl when it is your turn.
• Make sure to take your ball and shoes back to the proper place.
• Be careful not to drop the ball.
• Don’t eat or drink on the alley.
• Always make sure the sweep is up before you bowl.
• Don’t distract bowlers next to you.

• Lay the ball on the alley smoothly.
• Continue the follow through in the direction of the pins.
• Let the thumb come out of the hole first.
• Hold the wrist firm
• Use speed for accuracy.
• Let the weight of the ball do the work.
• Use a comfortable run.
• Be sure fingers are behind the ball when released.
• Step off starting at the foul line to find your starting point.
• Concentrate on a spot desired to be hit.

Techniques In Bowling

          The grip-

·        Three finger grip

·        Upon release the thumb should come out first

The grip-

·        Body facing the pins – erect or slightly crouched

·        Left foot slightly forward for a 3 or 5 step approach (right handed)

·        Right foot slightly forward for a 4 step approach (left handed)

·        Ball held in the bowling hand waist high

Delivery and approach

·        The push away

·        The swing

·        The forward swing

·        The release

Release

·        Body weight should be balanced over left foot on last step (right handed

·        Last step is a slide step

Approach – That part of the alley or runway upon which the bowler
              takes the run or steps to proceed to the foul line.

Double – Two consecutive strikes.

Error – A failure to knock down any remaining pins after the first ball is    
              rolled.

Foul – The act of touching the foul line with the foot.

Frame – The box on the score sheet in which the scores are recorded. 
              Ten frames constitute a game.

Headpin – The number one pin.

Spare – Bowling over all pins with two balls in any one frame.

Strike – Bowling over all pins with one ball

Turkey – Three consecutive strikes.

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