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Modifications & Adaptations In competition, it is important that the rules not be changed to suit athletes' special needs. There are, however, approved bowling aids that do accommodate athletes' special needs and are permitted in the rules. However, coaches can modify the training exercises, sport equipment and ways of communicating to meet athletes' special needs to better help them to achieve success.   Modifying Equipment Successful participation for some athletes requires equipment modifications to suit their particular need.   Ramp Bowling Procedures Bowlers unable to throw a bowling ball may use a bowling ramp. This is a two-piece unit which assists wheelchair users and/or those with limited strength or mobility. A light push by the bowler pushes the ball down the ramp and onto the lanes. There are two types of ramp bowling: assisted and unassisted.     Coaching Tip Remember that the bowling ramp functions as the bowler's foot and cannot cross the foul line.   Assisted Ramp Bowling Another alternative for wheelchair athletes, who do not have the strength or desire to bowl traditionally, is the bowling ramp. It is a metal or aluminum frame with a 30-degree slope. The ramp is placed on the approach and the direction in which it aims is controlled by the athlete through small movements of the ramp. The ball (preferred ball weight is 16 pounds) is placed atop the ramp by an attendant after the athlete has aligned the ramp properly and requested the ball. The bowler ensures that the ball is placed properly and, if not, rotates it as needed. When the athlete is ready to roll the ball, one hand is placed on the ramp to help hold it steady as the ball comes off the ramp at the bottom.   Ramp bowling serves as a viable method for all athletes who need a little more assistance to enjoy the game of bowling with family and friends.   For making spares, only a small adjustment in the ramp's position is needed. The rear of the ramp is moved slightly left for right-side spares, and slightly right for left-side spares. For center spares, use the strike alignment. Only a small push is needed to get the ball rolling. Positioning of the ball with regard to thumb and finger holes will have an effect on the direction the ball will roll. Experiment with the ball to determine the proper place of the ball on the ramp.     Once the proper placement of the ball had been determined have the athlete note a feature on the ball to use as an alignment mark. This can be thumb or finger hole, or a name or number on the ball. Remember a criterion for advancement to competition is that the athlete must do his or her own alignment without assistance.     An assistant moves the ramp to the foul line and places it in the position requested by the bowler, by either voice or sign. When possible, please allow the athlete to adjust and direct where he/she wants the ramp to go. The assistant may not arbitrarily place the ramp. The ramp may not go over the foul line or the throw will be marked as a foul for the bowler.   Whether using a ramp with a wheelchair or when standing, it is important to let the athlete adjust his/her ramp. You can always give guidance; however, let the athlete have the final say whenever possible.       Next, the ball is placed on the ramp and the assistant holds the leg of the ramp with one hand. This is done while the assistant's back is turned to the pins, so as not to direct the ball or see the path the ball is going. The assistant then removes his/her hand from the ball. The athlete must hold the ball on the ramp and then push it down the ramp towards the pins. This is repeated as needed for each of the 10 frames.   At the end of the frame, the ramp is then placed back over the ball return until the next frame.     Unassisted Ramp Bowling The bowler moves the ramp to the position he/she wants it. Next, the ball is taken from the ball return and put on the ramp. The bowler then pushes the ball down the ramp toward the pins. This is repeated as needed for each of the 10 frames. At the end of the frame, the ramp is then placed back over the ball return until the next frame.   Bumper Bowling The sport of bowling has begun using devices (often referred to as bumpers) placed in the gutters most of the way down the lane to prevent the ball from going in the gutter. These bumpers almost eliminate the gutter ball entirely and thus permit a bowler to get some pin fall. Bumpers are normally used when instructing beginning bowlers (normally young bowlers). They permit the coach to teach the skills and at the same time allow the bowler to get some pin fall, thus achieving a measure of success. These can only be used for instructional purposes. Scores bowled using the bumper cannot be used to determine a bowling average for advancement to any competition. Athletes who only bowl using bumpers are not to be considered for competition.   Modifying Your Communication Method Different athletes require different communications systems. For example, some athletes learn and respond better to demonstrated exercises, whereas others require greater verbal communication. Some athletes may need a combination — to see, hear and even read a description of the exercise or skill.   Modified Bowling Equipment Bowling ramps for athletes who are unable to lift the ball or for those in wheelchairs. Adapter-Pusher device to aid in pushing the ball down the lane. Handlebar Extension Accessory used with the Adapter-Pusher device by ambulatory bowlers unable to lift the ball. Handle-grip bowling ball where the handle snaps back in the ball instantly upon release. Stable guide rail for athlete who can lift and deliver the ball but has balance problems. Use of chair or wheelchair to deliver the ball for those with upper body strength but unable to stand or walk.   Specific Bowling Hints For Adapted Bowling Bowling for the Blind It is very difficult, if not impossible, for blind persons to visualize angles. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a system whereby all shots will be in a straight line. The following systems are being used successfully:   Bowling with the Rail Strike Ball: Hook the elbow of the guiding arm over the rail and adjust the rail position so the ball is lined up with the center of the lane when hanging at the slide of the bowler in their delivery hand. The rail will now remain in this position for all succeeding shots. Left-Side Spares: 4, 7 and 8 pins. Hook rail under the armpit of the guiding arm. This will line up the delivery arm with the above pins. Right-Side Spares: 6, 9 and 10 pins. Hold rail in the hand of the guiding arm with the arm extended straight out to the side, parallel to the floor. This will line up the delivery arm with the above pins. Center Spares: Return to the Strike position (number 1). This will cover the 1, 2, 3 and 5 pins.   Bowling without the Rail Many blind bowlers prefer not to use the rail. These people utilize the ball return as a starting position from which to adjust. This is accomplished by resting the leg against the side of the ball return and then side stepping to gain the proper position for various shots. Since the ball return is between the two lanes used in a match, this will mean using the left leg on the right lane and the right leg on the left lane. It is necessary to develop a uniform side step. The moves in this method are usually as follows: Right Lane: Rest left leg against the ball return. Strike ball and/or center spares; two side steps to the right. Right-side spares; three side steps to the right. Left-side spares; one side step to the right. Left Lane: Right leg will rest against the ball return. The strike ball or center spare move will remain the same, two side steps to the left. Left-hand spares; three side steps to the left. Right-hand spares; one side step to the left. Assistance must be given the bowler in establishing the proper length of a side step. After this, the only assistance necessary is to guide the bowler to the lane and call out the pins remaining. The bowler generally develops a sense of hearing which can tell him/her approximately how many pins have been knocked down. Some blind bowlers roll a hook ball, which creates an almost impossible problem in picking up the number 6 or 10 pins. Try to have the bowler develop a straight ball with the thumb of the bowling hand at about 12 o'clock at the time of delivery.   When teaching beginners, it is advisable to have them stand at the foul line in the proper position and deliver the ball with just a pendulum swing and no steps. This later can be developed into one, two or three steps for an approach. The shorter the length of the step, the easier it is to maintain a straight line. Rolling the ball smoothly and slowly in the beginning is of the utmost importance, for as soon as the ball is thrown or rolled too hard, the person has a tendency to pull the arm across the body and angle the ball.   For those not totally blind, have them stand about two feet in front of the foul line with the delivery arm in line with the center or "big" dot on the floor at the foul line. Make sure their shoulders are square to the foul line and then let them roll over the center dot for the strike ball and center spares and the dot to the right of center for the 3-6 or 6-9 combination. The athlete can move to the second dot to the right of center for the 6 pin or the 6-10 combination. Use the dot to the left of center for the 2-4 combination or the 8 pin, and second dot to the left of center for the 4 pin or the 4-7 combination.   Wheelchair Bowling — Without a Bowling Ramp The basic concept of rolling the ball is the same, minus the approach. Centers can aid bowlers by furnishing ramps down into the bowling areas and up to approaches. A wheelchair with a wheel-locking device is required. The chair should also be equipped with an extra seat cushion to raise the bowler up so that the forearm is parallel to the floor when resting on the chair arm. A wedge cushion is also to be used between the non-throwing side of the bowler and the side of the chair so he/she does not slide when delivering the ball.   Most bowlers, when able, prefer to pick up the ball from the ball return by themselves. They then roll the chair up to the foul line, position themselves so that when their arm hangs over the side of the chair it is aligned with their "spot" on the lanes; then set their wheelchair brake. Rest the throwing arm on the arm of the wheelchair, palm up, ball in hand. Then push the ball out to the front and side away from the wheel of the chair.   The best results are gained by rotating the wrist one turn, so the back of the hand is next to the wheel on the back swing and continue this hand position forward until the ball has passed "bottom dead center." For the remainder of the swing, rotate the wrist until the thumb is at about the 9 or 10 o'clock position (right-hand bowler). This will produce a hook but is the easiest method to ensure the ball does not hit the chair wheel. Spare shooting here, as in the "blind system," should be restricted to direct-line shooting where possible, no cross lane, especially where it would be necessary for the ball to cross in front of the chair.   In some cases, wheelchair bowlers are unable to handle the ball well enough to bowl using the above method. In such instances, a good method is to get a wooden, straight-back chair, attach a rubber covering to each leg and improvise a seat belt on the chair. Place the chair at the foul line, pick up or aid the bowler to the chair and strap the seat belt across the bowler's lap. The chair should be low enough so that by leaning a bit the bowler can pick the ball up off the floor. The bowler then straightens up so the ball clears the floor and can then go into a pendulum swing. It is necessary for an attendant to hold the back of the chair down. In most cases of league or tournament bowling, special exceptions as to the rules are requested so a bowler may roll three frames without moving since it is a major effort to get them strapped into the chair.

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