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Teaching the Areas of the Bowling Center At the beginning of each training season and at regular intervals, each athlete needs to be assessed to determine what knowledge and skills have been mastered and which areas require further work.   Control Counter This is the hub of the bowling center. Lane assignments are made here, and house shoes are distributed from this location. This is also where athletes go if there are any problems with their lanes and there is not an intercom.   Concourse Area This usually is the area behind the lanes where spectators watch bowlers and where the bowling racks holding house balls are located. A restaurant is often located in this area.   Bowling Area This area consists of a number of lanes, normally set apart in pairs by the seating area. It is here that the athlete bowls. Explain to the athlete that the lanes are set apart in pairs because during competition bowlers are expected to alternate between the two lanes.   Competition requires that alternate lanes be used. Therefore, when bowling games, athletes alternate lanes.     Settee Area It is here the athlete will wait until it is his/her turn to bowl. In many bowling centers, space is provided here for coats, street shoes, bowling bags, etc. If a specific area is not provided, then the area under the seating area is where ball bags and street shoes will be placed.     Coaching Tip This area is the hub of activity for the bowlers, therefore, it is important to maintain order and keep this area clear of non-bowlers or coaches.     Ball Return Equipment The reset button is located here. Teach your athletes the purpose of the reset, when to use it and who may use it (e.g., athletes, coaches, lane assistance, etc.). In addition, teach athletes the correct way to pick up the bowling ball from the ball return, so they will not hurt themselves.     Coaching Tip It is important that the bowlers pay close attention to oncoming balls to the return. Remind athletes to take a moment and watch for balls before picking up their ball.     Approach Area Have the athlete observe the dark "locator" dots or arrows on the approaches and lanes; discuss the purpose of these markings. They provide very visible reference points for the athletes to use when they take their stance. The locator dots help athletes line up their approach and aim the ball.       Foul Line and Foul Lights Explain the purpose of the foul line. Just as court lines function as boundary lines for basketball, the foul line serves as the boundary line for bowling. What happens if an athlete crosses the foul line? The foul light comes on and usually a loud buzzer or horn sound will also ring out.   Foul lights are a requirement for competition. Therefore, all training is best conducted with the foul lights on. With foul lights turned on, show athletes what happens if a bowler steps over the foul line. If your athletes find themselves stepping on the foul line, adjust their starting mark further away from the foul line. You can also assess their approach to make sure they are not overreaching in their steps.   Step on the foul line and the buzzer will sound. The athlete will not receive any credit for pins knocked down which will impact his/her overall score.     Bowling Lanes and Channels Point out the dots and arrows/darts located out on the lanes. Explain that these become targeting points when they begin to bowl. Point out the channels and what happens when the ball is bowled into the channel.     Pin Deck The pin deck is where the pins are located. There are 10 pins arranged in a triangle with the number 1 pin being the "headpin." When facing the pins, the number 2 pin is to the left of the headpin; the number 3 pin is to the right of the headpin. This is the second row. In the third row, the number 4 pin is the left pin; the number 5 pin is the middle pin; and the number 6 pin is the right pin. In the fourth row, the number 7 pin is the left pin, followed by the number 8, 9 and 10 pin. The number 10 pin is the right pin in the fourth row. The athlete needs to be able to identify the pin number to report to the control counter if a pin needs to be reset.     Automatic Scoring Equipment Explain that the scoring equipment is used to keep score for each bowler. The overhead display is also a valuable tool that highlights the name of the person whose turn it is to bowl next.   Key Words What shape are the pins set up in? Remember: no food or drinks in the settee area (bowling area) When do we and who presses the reset button?

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