The Unwritten Rules of Bowling -
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- čas přidán 17. 09. 2023
- We're back with another episode of the #RadicalRundown!
This week, Phil talks about the unwritten rules of bowling that you might be breaking.
Comments? Did we miss some? Let us know!
#Bowling #BowlingTips - Zábava
All great points. Another of mine is putting your towel or shammy on someone's ball. I hate having to move stuff off my ball so I can bowl. Don,t cover the fan with said objects either...
This one kind of goes with the "don't wait for your ball on the approach" rule:
If you are using a spare ball, step down and allow the bowlers to your left and right go. Do not grab your spare ball and stand on the approach, at the ready, while your pinsetter is cycling. Let others play, too.
Support your players: We cheer for everyone, always, even the teams we are technically playing against. It's a league it's supposed to be fun. Guy last week bowled a 300. The last four frames, you could hear a pin drop in the alley. It was awesome.
Also as far a routine, make is a routine that doesn't take an hour!
Here's the only exception: If the other team is cheating, no cheer, no high-five, no fist-bump. Case in point: We bowled a team this past week where, in game one, the leadoff guy bounced out of the gutter and picked up the 10-pin. It was scored as a spare. I saw it and I know he saw it. He went to his seat and sat down. I pointed out to him, "Didn't your ball bounce out of the gutter?" Busted. He got up, went to the desk, a couple of his teammates bowled their frames, he came back, said nothing, his score hadn't changed. I went to the desk (I'm the captain and anchor) and had the desk clerk correct the score. Isolated incident? Nah...next game, a different bowler left the Greek Church. He went for the three, got two, but only nudged the 10-pin. It was scored as a 5-3. Two of my teammates saw the mistake and called him on it. I didn't see it. He insisted he got the three. We let it go, because argument-free. From that point forward, I refused to acknowledge their existence until the end of the third game when I got my fill strike and their anchor guttered on his 10-pin for us to win the game by seven pins and take three points out of four.
@@NeilTruick Surprisingly we seem to self regulate. Weird things happen and no one is to a point where cheating means much.
We are a small town, our kids bowl together, go to school together etc.
I bowl in a social league, and we have bowlers after 3 years who STILL don't know how to "give way" on the approach. There are a couple players that I will deliberately wait for them to complete their turn before I even go anywhere near the ball return.
I think you are the Moses of bowling! You nailed every commandment. Thanks Phil. 😂
My biggest pet peeve is ball rack. I only keep the primary ball I am throwing on the ball rack. I put my spare ball bellow the ball rack on a ball cup. On our 4 person team leagues, there simply is not enough space for everyone to have 2 balls on the rack, and often times there are people with 3 or 4 .. this just totally aggravates me. I wish our bowling alley would do something about this. There are solutions to this problem that they could implement easily.
This happens all the league’s I bowl . I bowl at three different centers and it never fails someone and some teams do everything you’re talking about.. I’m a very competitive bowler and I respect other bowler space.. But when I can’t handle it more than I can’t hold back and i tell them. To all bowlers just have some respect to each other.. Thanks for posting this video..
One lane courtesy - you're not Earl - love it, and a great rule to follow too!
Pace of play is huge. It shouldn't take 3.5-4 hours to bowl 3 games. Be ready when it's your turn. If you smoke, don't spend 10-15 minutes between each game outside smoking. Go out, power that thing down, and get back in before your next turn.
Yea I have to agree. I have to wait sometimes 10 - 15 minutes for smokers to come back to the lanes, while I have to sit around and wait for them. I do understand their needs (as I used to be a smoker myself) but I came here to bowl, not to sit around and wait.
Also, don't crowd the approach when another person is up there for their turn. High School/college especially stand the whole time, but in teen non-team competitions, don't stand up there while another bowler is prepping. Give them space to change balls, tend to their adjustments that they can't do while other bowlers are up there at the return. That's especially annoying when they need to step back off the approach for lane courtesy.
I bowl in a senior league and it can drive me nuts when you go to bowl, get your ball off the ball return and the guy on the lane next to you takes a couple minutes to line up his shot. Just bowl damnit!
Everyone has a different prep. I know it's irritating when people use a lot of time, but honestly, focus on your own game. We have some handicapped bowlers, and they use a lot of time, but that's ok. They need it.
When people stand on the approach talking to their teammates before they take the shot, THAT I agree is an unwritten rule. Do your talking off the lane, preferably AFTER the shot.
@@AudunWangen There's a guy who is legally blind and doesn't take as long on the approach, but there's nothing I can do about it, but it is a pet peeve.
Great video on bowling etiquette.. most of this should be common sense, but maybe I thinknthus way because this is my 41st year of bowling in leagues, and the very first ball I ever threw was in a league. The only thing I would add would be time on the approach. It shouldn't take any longer than 5-8 seconds to set up for your shot. Some folks stand like a statue for 15-20 seconds only to throw a 6.
The guy next to you gets a strike and then does a slow/salsa dance on the way off the lane. You have to sit there and wait for the shmuck to clear so you can bowl.
Don't put easy slide on the approach. It's humid, we're all sticking. It doesn't belong on your shoes.
YES !! Thank you! We don't ALL need easy slide!!
Plus, it's a USBC rule not to do it!
Totally agree with every point you've made here. I can't understand why ANY of these are not totally obvious. Good video.
My league has two lane courtesy. It's ridiculous. But if we're the last pair to finish at the end of the night, we will occasionally run out the shots.
Don't be the person that the league officers need to harass to pay up. We all forget cash from time to time, most places will give you a week or two to catch back up, but you know you made the commitment, don't punk out on the league and your teammates by trying to skip on your portion of the fees.
*Here's the setup for a pathetic story:* We're in week two of a 36-week senior league (remember this). The team we were bowling had a vacant bowler and an "absent" bowler with a 200 average. I put the word in quotes because he actually dropped out the league after the first week, but he established his average. We won the first game by one pin. One of the people on the other team wanted to take a vacant score for the guy who dropped out. We told him no, because he established an average and they have to use that average for the next three weeks or find a replacement. After the three weeks, if the spot isn't filled, then they can use the vacancy score.
*Here's the pathetic part:* He didn't pay the two weeks we require for bowlers who drop out of the league, but his teammate said that he already started bowling in another league. He's got three weeks to settle up or our league secretary will report him to the local association, which will likely result in a suspension until he settles up.
*Here's the even more pathetic part:* He dropped out of the league because we voted to have our sweepers _IN MAY_ be no-tap, but he still bowled the first week anyway. Screwed his teammates, made himself look bad, and stressed me out unnecessarily because I'm just there to bowl. It's a damn senior league. Most of the people are well over 70, just trying to be social and get their exercise in. I'll be 60 next month, but if I'm looking to take money from the grandparents like that, I've got other options. (P.S. Three out of the last five years, I had high average in this league.)
After you throw a spare ball just put your strike ball down below the rack on your way off the approach. saves the time of waiting for the spare ball to come back. Then just switch them on your next turn. One ball on the ball return.
I always find myself standing there awkwardly waiting for the spare ball. Good call on this one.
This is good advice I will use on league night starting this week. Thanks
Never thought to do that. Good idea
Mine is. When i post my shot and the guy throws his ball at the same time i just post. Scares the crap out of ne. Posting is like 3 seconds and u cannot wait. One time i jist turned around the other bowler hit his foot on ny leg. Of course he was mad at me.
Cool video talk tech bowling bowling radical Phil
When are bowling alleys going to be built with the ball return completely off the approach? What other sport puts an obstacle in the way of the playing field? That was okay 60 years ago when you couldn't hook the whole lane.
I too have been saying this for a while! Why make equipment or lane conditions that require us to play a part of the lane we don't even have access to. If balls and lane conditions continue to evolve/progress then the environment should evolve and progress as well! Ball returns can be moved to the last foot or so of the approach and should be the NEW STANDARD for any bowling alley built today!
I have been to a bowling alley that has the ball return in the pit( where people hang out when they are waiting to bowl or the part of the bowling alley that is the lowest) instead of being on the approach
@@dino_boy_4259 That would also allow people to grab their ball without interfering with other bowlers to fix tape or change their thumb from one ball to another and help speed up play.
What does "Run out a shot" mean?
Yeah, I don't know either.
@@brandonleonard6987 It is when you are predicting a strike and it is a sort of celebration where you go into other lanes
When people really want a strike or they are celebrating a strike and they run sideways into the other lanes after letting the ball go.
I do that to allow others behind me to see my beautiful shot hahahaha@@theinsaneshecklador6598
Most people don't have any issue with running out shots if its not a habitual thing..have fun..its league who gives a shit..once in a while doesn't hurt to be extra
What does it even mean
I believe you should give a person in the 10th frame working on a 300 time to focus and let him complete the frame.
Dont take all the chairs. Especially if you are bringing three generations of your family with you, neighbors, and random people you just met to watch you bowl a night of league.
What, all of a sudden I’m not supposed to invite my garbage man to league night?!
Hey Phil, can you a video like this for golf!
like this, too many times been waiting for someone at the bar or pulling them out saying HEY no waiting on lane 5
I once bowled in a big-money league that had some semi-pros and such there was a two-lane courtesy which took forever I think they finally changed it after I left. if you can't concentrate well enough you should not be out there.
I’ve got one that peeves me.
Guess who wait to see what the other team is doing so they can slack off for handicap or pick up the pace is needed to win.
I thought sandbagging was an unwritten rule
I ALWAYS move a guys bag when they leave it on my teams side of the lanes. It is very inconsiderate for someone to put their equipment where we sit. They always seem to need to get something out of it at a bad time
What is "running out a shot"? being new to bowling that's a term I'm not familiar with.
It is when a bowler throws a strike or is on a run with x number of strikes and they take extra long to celebrate the shot. Like walking onto the other lane and cheering or one of the other million strike motions people make. I only ever run out a shot when it is a big game at the end of the season or a rival team we have the chemistry with to let us do that. If I know a ball is about to strike, normally I just walk back and point or something to not take up a ton of time. Same thing with people who over post their shots and stand there for like 6+ seconds after their pins fell. They'll just stand there and swing their arms like 6 times after they throw a 7.
I stand in front of the dots nearest the foul line, having short legs. I wait 2 lanes because it scares the shit out of me to suddenly see a runner come into my view. It completely screws up my game. So, I’m gonna wait 2 lanes. Besides, I throw a lot less shots than most people in my leagues, so on the night I’m up there a lot less time than they are.
last Person to run out a shot that came on to my plane got trucked hard. they stop sliding on the lane past the arrows
Is there a reason why League Bowling doesn't have solo options? It's always a "team of 4, team of 3, etc.."
Bowling centers want to fill the house.
@@RadicalBowling Gotcha! I guess I just wish they'd have a solo league option so I could be responsible for just myself in scoring.
My biggest pet peeve is someone throwing a full frame in practice/shadows. Just throw one shot and move on....
Warmup is the only opportunity to warm up the swing, and allows bowlers two opportunities to read ball movement of oil down lane if they don't strike. Sure a strike when warmup starts is nice. But bowlers mainly use warmup to read ball reaction.
@@kipp1755 Warmup is there to do just that...warmup. The pair will get more shots in overall if everyone takes just one shot each...as long as nobody pushes the reset button to get a full set of pins :)
@@300revs in my house everyone takes two shots. Some guys throw at a 10 or 7 to start with. It's weird, because I bowled in college and practice definitely seemed better when you threw one shot and moved over.
@@christ9359 it is because the pair will get more total shots than the other way
Most of the leagues I bowl in have a rule that you only get one practice shot, then go to the other lane for one shot, and so on till practice ends. Everyone likes that rule.
what does "running out of shot" mean?
also - recognize when you are bowling next to someone who doesn't bowl regularly. like if they are the type of person who only bowls at bowling parties or like once a year. you should expect them to do "rude" things because they simply just dont know the etiquette. Try not to be a jerk about it. Especially if they are children.
Im new to bowling and was hoping you could explain "running out a shot" for me.. what does that mean exactly. Im here to learn.
I was also wondering this, ive been bowling a few years, and ive never heard this before
@colinlynch6491 tried google and nothing describing the phrase.. this probably isnt the place but as a new bowler who bowls around 90-100.. I switched to two hand and have been bowling 180 190.. hit 192 last night almost broke 200 but botched my last throw in the gutter..
@Mwellmac yea, i tried that too.
And thats awesome, youll get 200 soon. Dont stress over it.
Rn im in a slump, been bowling 20 under average the last month
@colinlynch6491 how often do you bowl? I try to go at least once or twice a week
@@Mwellmac i bowl 3 games each weekend, i want to do more, but money and time makes that tough
Wow, what an intelligent and well reasoned comment. You need your own channel to inform us more anout your superior intellect.
excellent video, two thumbs up! I have another peeve, please, please, please DO NOT put your shoes on the table!!! Ever, never, ever put your shoes on the table. Sometimes, we eat off that table.
What is "running out a shot"?
i think it’s what he calls showboating
Don’t put your towel over the hand air blower on the ball return… it prevents others from using it.
What does "Running out the shot" mean?
You start moving 2-3 lanes to your right (as a right-hander) near the foul line in anticipation of a strike; usually for a 300 or 800. It's bad sportsmanship if others are bowling while you're running one out.
Just last night we were always two or three players behind, because the other team just sits and talks, or are off in the stands somewhere. Constantly having to wait for them to catch up. Drives me crazy. BE READY TO BOWL DAMMIT!. If you want to gossip join a coffee clutch..
You must be bowling jaylucas1969 team.
I was taught as a grade schooler in bowling league not to play my ball while the players next to me were playing theirs. From this video, I am learning that was incorrect. I do feel distracted and annoyed by people rolling at the same time as my play. May it annoys people but, I thi will stick to the manners I was taught in the late 70’s. I expect lane courtesy and IAM the girl and so are all the other ladies bowling beside me.
*think
Sounds like you’re addressing league bowlers. Open play bowlers need to learn lane courtesy etiquette
Bowling with open play bowlers who don't know about courtesy is a great tool to work on your concentration so when you are in league, you aren't bothered by somebody a lane over. Glo-bowling with kids is even better for this!
People who stand and aim on the approach wiggle their body, then aim some more drive me crazy. One lane over two people bowled while they are aiming and then always the last team done.
I naturally give two lane courtesy. Just an old habit.
I never had the privilege of seeing Earl Anthony bowl under league conditions but given his reputation for not taking along time on the approach I doubt that he would have been insisting on two lane courtesy.
If you're the leadoff bowler let your anchor finish their frame before rushing up to the opposite lane
No freaking way! You must want 4 hour league nights.
Here's mine:
Don't reach into the ball return area when I'm setting up on the approach. You're not sneaky. I can see you, and it's distracting. Please wait the extra couple of seconds for me to start moving before you reach in.
That's a good one. Guilty of this myself, because it doesn't bother me, but other small things do, so I understand the issue.
That's something I've always been conscious of, but wondered if I was being overly polite. Now I know I'm doing just what I should.
LET HIM COOK!
#yourenotearl
Any bowler, whether their release is 2 handed, 1 handed or no thumb that thinks they have to stand on the adjacent approach and loft it over the gutter cap or ball return cap clear to the arrows just to get out of the first 15 feet oily or dry heads because they don't want to ball down or use less lift. That to me is just poor adjustment ability. And this goes for tour pros and beginners alike. Stay within the gutters on the lane your currently on for your turn.
First, I have to admit when I saw the title, I was a little triggered. I constantly complain about the "unwritten rules" of baseball, which is why I haven't watched it in over 13 years. That being said, every one of these was spot-on! I will add one: Don't put your towel/shammy/cloth on someone else's ball in the rack. When someone puts their towel on my ball, I literally toss it over the console and I don't care where it lands...chair, floor, person's lap...don't care. I wipe my ball off. When I'm done, I put it either on the seat I just left or on top of the ball return well clear of the opening. Yes, we now have a dry towel rule, but I don't care. I don't want someone else's track remnants on my ball...keep your towel cooties to yourself and your equipment.
You sound vaccinated.
This guy needs to learn the double jump rule.
Don’t put your towel or shammy on my ball at the ball return. If I wanted a dirty towel on my balls, I’d go use a gym shower.
Have a pre-shot routine under 30 seconds. Clean your ball off while not on the approach, celebrate your shot when you get off of the approach. Stop being mad you are having a bad game and calling everyone that's bowling well a sand bagger. Stop cussing at every bad shot. Don't bring 6 balls to bowl on a house shot and need to tell everyone there about your adjustment to a new ball. Stop acting like the world is coming to an end when you miss a single pin spare when you know you don't practice sparing. Stop expecting to bowl 200-210 when you never practice.
if its league and your walking it out for 300, 800, etc. that's ok, obviously don't walk it out for a double in the middle of the game.
Don't roll the other balls up the ball return so you can pick yours up.
Don't sit there and spin your ball on the ball return and pick it up with the fingers. Use 2 hands and adjust it before you get on the approach.
If you see the person next to you is using the full approach don't put your foot at the last set of dots on the lane. Wait until they start their approach before you step up on yours.
Never say "Nice Run" after they miss on x in a row. They will probably be pissed they didn't get number 7 or 8 or 9 that saying nice run will make them mad.
Don't stand on the approach with ball in hand and being a statue for 45s. If you need 45s to find a place to throw the ball get your eyes checked.
Picking up the ball with two hands is also a safety thing. I've seen bowlers drop balls back in the ball return straight on someone's hand, and that can easily break a finger or two.
Also, don't try to fix a broken lane. Leave that to the professionals. One guy almost ripped his fingers off trying to fix the ball return. Luckily he only needed some stitches.
I disagree on a couple. If you're too much of a baby to take a compliment when you miss a shot, try knitting.
Also I have a checklist I run through every time that helps me get lined up and ready to throw. It probably takes less than 30s, but I wouldn't want to feel rushed if it took longer. We're there to have fun, not rush three games and run home.
Other than those two, I agree with everything you said.
"Don't roll the other balls up the ball return so you can pick yours up."
hm, I do that because I wear a wrist positioner because I have a wrist ravaged by injury and arthritis
the alternative would be to scratch up the ball next to mine, so that seems worse
I kicked a guy off my team, because he would rush to get up on the approach, but then he'd stand there for 3 and half minutes. What is going on in his head that requires 3.5 minutes of standing on the approach? Does the pocket and 10 pin give him a catatonic seizure?
I've been bowling in leagues for decades and I've never seen anyone stand in the approach for 3.5 minutes. Thirty seconds is long on the approach, but 3.5 minutes, no way do I believe that. But kicking him off the team was the right thing to do.
His fast approach is around 2 minutes. I sit there looking at my phone yawning while watcing the clock. his slow ones are really really long. Longer than anyone I've ever seen.@@ou812true5
Don't shimwreck.
Too many balls on the rack, and putting your bag/crap in my area... Keep your shit tight!
Taking 1 minute and 5 seconds to throw a shot
How about league players jumping on the approach at the same time you do. That's very irritating!
Don’t tell me how to spend my money.
Are you allowed to make remarks like "that was a 7 day ball" or "you sent that out to christmas and it didn't make it back for new years" Is that bad manners
A little bantering is ok, in my opinion, just not when the bowler is on the approach or constantly during a whole game. We even do that to our teammates in our league 😂
Here's some more for you:
"8 is not bad" (when they get a 7-10 split)
"Are you decorating for Christmas?" (when someone gets a lot of splits on the board)
"Snowplow!" (when they hit the 1 pin straight on and get a strike)
All depends on the team you are against mainly. In my league, out of 24 teams, there are about 7 we always will talk shit with and cut up, 2 we never would consider it as they take it serious. All depends on the chemistry you have with the other bowlers in your league.
Bowler Etiquette: if the person in front of you uses a secondary ball for their spares, take it off the rack for them. Then they don't have to stand up there and wait for it to come back.
Sorry, Don't touch another bowlers ball
@@retiredslamjammif it's your teammate's, no big deal. Unless they've told you not to.
My biggest pet peeve is those bowlers that have a never ending list of things to cry and whine about. Especially if it’s not etiquette related. STFU with the complaining boomer and bowl already!
By "boomer" are you saying only those people born between the years 1946 and 1964 are the ones doing the complaining?
@@ripvanrevs Not the only ones, just the main ones. Don’t get triggered, if the shoe fits wear it.
@remoevans7847 sounds like your triggered already
@@scottlope4680 Whiners of the world unite. 🤣🤡
"Two-Handers ruining the sport." "That shot missed because you're using urethane." Can confirm, it is usually the 55+ crowd that complains and nitpicks when they just aren't bowling well. Nice as ever when they're winning; but oh boy, wait till the 200 avg old man throws a 150 and complains about what I throw or how I throw it.
i hate when everyone stops bowling when someone going for a 300
That is showing courtesy to the bowler that is on pace for 300 in the tenth frame. It is also showing sportsmanship and less distracting to the bowler. My highschool varsity teammate bowled a 300 and we stopped everything and watched him
While I understand and can agree that it puts extra pressure with everything quieting down, it's just something that is gonna happen. Also makes that 12th shot that much sweeter!
Nah everyone should stop to see and cheer for the 300. 😂😂 it’s fun and bonds people together imo
if someone has 2 strikes in the 10th frame of any score game, i wait for them to finish. Its called courtesy
i would wait for them to finish the last shoot@@yankeesrule587
Get off my lawn 🙄…..
Powder. Every season I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to get baby powder banned from our league.
There are rules for this already. applying something to the soles of the shoes is regulated. If you complain they must stop doing it.
Rule 12 - Approaches Must Not Be Defaced
Detracting from the possibility of other players having normal conditions is prohibited. This includes:
a. The application of any foreign substance on any part of the approach.
b. Improperly applying talcum powder, pumice, soap stone, rosin or any other foreign substance on the shoes causing
the substance to be transferred to the approach.
c. Soft rubber soles or heels that rub off on the approach.
Commonly Asked Questions - Rule 12.
12/1 Does the use of Easy Slide on the bottom of my shoe violate Rule 12?
Commercial products like Easy Slide, soap stone, talcum powder or any other substance applied to the sole of a
shoe could be in violation of Rule 12. If a participant uses a product improperly causing residue to be left on the
approach and the normal sliding conditions of another participant to change, the bowler must discontinue the
use of the product. If applied properly, residue should not be transferred, and the bowler can continue using the
product.
12/2 A bowler is using a sliding product and others are finding the approach too slippery. What should be done?
Any bowler who finds the approach too slippery due to another bowler using a sliding product have the right to
ask the bowler to stop using the product. If the bowler refuses, a leag
@@donerickson1954Excellent reply. If the league is USBC certified, then the league board should inform all members of "powder" violations. Hold your league officers and captains accountable .
I can't stand bowlers that need two pairs courtesy.
All just to shoot 130
We have a couple of bowlers in our league that wait 2 lanes on each side, and one time was complaining about a guy 3 lanes away taking his shot after he was up on the approach contemplating his shot.
@@retiredslamjammeasy solution to that. "Dude, this is a league. You get one lane. If that's not enough, find somewhere else to bowl." Then ignore it.
@@christ9359 I told him "He was 3 lanes over!!! you need to get horse blinders, if that bothers you"
Bowling on the wrong lane, ridiculous.
Poop happens. And if you get old, your poop might not happen, but you might bowl on the wrong lane. But then again, it sounds like you never make mistakes.
Anyone bitching about two handers I have no respect for
I disagree with the moving someone's bags. How about people become more mindful that there's not alot of bowling bag storage space to begin with and stop acting as if you're the only one showing up for league today. Period. Non-negotiable. If not, I'm going to move your stuff and not care about your opinion on it. Tournaments too, especially when you're moving lanes after each game. If you know you're leaving your bags behind, be kind enough not to be a slob and be mindful that someone else is going to be bowling there next and need room too etc.
If I'm already up on the approach set up and about to go, 1 lane courtesy or not, DO NOT step up there please for the love of God. Just wait the extra few seconds, thanks.
This is hilarious.. any bowler that cares dont need to be told this crap.. all others dont give to sh.......ts about anything youjust wasted time talking about
What an intelligent and well reasoned comment. Perhaps you should start your own channel and inform us about your superior intellect.