Bowling Terms and Slang: A to Z Glossary

Absentee For more information, read the entry for Blind.

Action Action is the way pins move after a shot, influenced by the bowler’s accuracy, rotation, and technique. Pins that spin sideways cover more of the lane than pins that move vertically.

Address Address is a bowler’s starting position, also called a stance.

All the way Going all the way means finishing the rest of a game with nothing but strikes. It is also called going off the sheet.

Alley Alley is slang for a bowling center or for the lane itself.

Anchor The anchor is the last bowler in a team lineup, usually the player most likely to strike when the team needs it.

Anchorman The anchorman bowls last in the team lineup. Teams often put their best bowler here so that player knows what score is needed to win.

Angle of Entry The angle of entry is the direction the ball travels as it enters the 1-3 pocket for a right-handed bowler or the 1-2 pocket for a left-handed bowler.

Apple An apple is a bowler who fails to come through under pressure. This is also called choking.

Approach The approach is the area behind the foul line where a bowler takes the steps leading up to the delivery.

Armswing The armswing is the arc your bowling arm follows as you deliver the ball.

Arrows Arrows are targets marked on the lane that help bowlers line up their starting position and aim.

Automatic foul detector An automatic foul detector uses a beam at the foul line to signal a foul. The delivery scores zero, and after a first-ball foul the bowler shoots at a full rack.

Automatic Pinsetter An automatic pinsetter clears fallen pins, identifies those left standing, and sets the proper rack for the next delivery.

Axis Leverage Axis leverage is a ball layout with the center of gravity on the bowler’s positive axis point and the pin in the leverage position.

Axis of Rotation The axis of rotation is the angle between the ball’s initial spin axis and the foul line. At zero degrees, the ball rolls forward; at 90 degrees, it has side roll.

Axis Tilt Axis tilt is the angle between the initial spin axis and the lane. More tilt creates a smaller track and commonly delays the hook.

Axis Weight Axis weight is a drilling layout that puts the pin on or near the bowler’s positive axis point. It produces little or no track flare, an early roll, and less backend reaction.

Baby Split A baby split, such as the 2-7 or 3-10, has very little space between the pins. The gap is so narrow that the ball can hardly pass through without hitting either pin.

Baby the ball To baby the ball is to release it too carefully, without putting enough force into the delivery.

Back Swing The backswing is the arm’s path behind the body during the second-to-last step of the delivery.

Backends The backends are the last part of the lane before the pins, where bowlers with a big hook want most of the ball’s movement to happen.

Backup A backup ball hooks to the right for a right-handed bowler or to the left for a left-handed bowler.

Backup alley A backup alley tends to stop a ball from moving to the right for a right-handed bowler or to the left for a left-handed bowler.

Bag Size Bag size tells you how many bowling balls a bag holds, from one to six.

Bag Style Bowling bags come in two styles: totes that you carry by hand or on your shoulder, and rollers with wheels.

Bagger Bagger follows a number to describe that many consecutive strikes, such as a three-bagger or seven-bagger.

Baker System In the Baker System, five teammates combine to bowl one game, with each person bowling two frames. The first bowler handles frames 1 and 6, the second handles 2 and 7, and the pattern continues through the lineup.

Balance Hole A balance hole was an extra, non-gripping hole used to adjust a ball’s static weight. USBC rules prohibit balance holes, effective August 1, 2020, and classify any gripping hole not used throughout the approach as an illegal balance hole. Source: USBC Playing Rulebook, Chapter 8, item 7.1.c.

Balk A balk can mean stopping an approach before delivery. It can also mean interference that prevents another bowler from completing a normal approach.

Ball Rack A ball rack holds balls before they are rolled and after they return from the pit. The term also refers to a rack used to store house balls.

Ball Return The ball return is the track between lanes that brings the ball back to the bowler.

Ball Track The ball track is the area of the lane where most balls are rolled.

Balsa Balsa is a light, weak hit on the headpin.

Barmaid A barmaid is a pin hidden directly behind another pin, as in the 1-5, 2-8, or 3-9 leave.

Bed The bed is the entire area that holds the lane, from the approach to the pit, including the gutters.

Bedposts Bedposts is another name for the 7-10 split.

Beer frame A beer frame is a frame in team play where the only bowler who does not strike buys the others a treat, usually drinks. The treat may also fall to the lowest scorer in a designated frame.

Belly the ball To belly the ball is to widen its hook from an inside starting angle, sending it farther outside before it returns to the pocket.

Bench work Bench work is talk or behavior intended to distract an opponent. Other names include bench jockeying.

Bender A bender is a hooking shot that travels near the gutter before turning into the pocket.

Berlin Wall A Berlin Wall is a block with a very sharp contrast between the oily center and the dry outside. Compare Blended condition.

Bevel A bevel is a rounded, smooth edge around a finger or thumb hole.

Bicycle A bicycle is a pin hidden directly behind another pin.

Big ball A big ball is a strong hook that can produce strikes on less-than-perfect pocket hits.

Big ears Big ears is a nickname for the 4-6-7-10 leave.

Big fill A big fill is nine or ten pins after a spare, or two strikes after a strike.

Big five A big five is a leave with three pins standing on one side and two on the other.

Big four The big four is the 4-6-7-10 split.

Blended condition A blended condition is a lane condition where the oil changes gradually from the oily middle to the drier outside, with no sharp edge.

Blind A blind is the score credited to a team for an absent member, usually that bowler’s average minus a penalty the league sets. League rules set the exact number and may treat a blind and an absentee differently.

Blocked lanes Blocked lanes have oil or finish arranged to create an easy scoring track. See Blended condition.

Blow A blow is a missed spare, also called an error, miss, or open.

Blow a rack To blow a rack is to hit the pins solidly for a strike.

Blowout A blowout knocks down every pin except one. Other names include a tap.

Board A board is one of the 39 lengthwise strips that make up a lane, numbered from the right for right-handed bowlers and from the left for left-handed bowlers.

Body English Body English is the twisting and leaning a bowler does after release in an attempt to steer the ball.

Bonus A bonus is a set number of pins, usually 30 or 50, awarded for winning a game in match play.

Bowling Hand Your bowling hand is the hand you use to deliver the ball. A right-handed bowler usually slides on the left foot, so this affects which shoe needs a sliding sole. Universal shoes have sliding soles on both feet or interchangeable soles.

Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA) is a trade organization for bowling center owners and operators.

Bowling shoes Bowling shoes pair a sliding sole with a traction sole, and some models allow either or both to be changed. See our soles and heels guide for slide options.

Box A box is a single frame on the score sheet.

Break Break can mean a lucky shot. It can also mean a shot that stops a string of strikes.

Break of the boards The break of the boards is where maple and pine boards meet about 20 feet beyond the foul line. Other names include dovetails, piano keys, or splice.

Bridge The bridge is the distance between the finger holes. The span is the distance from the thumb hole to the middle finger hole.

SlangBrooklyn A Brooklyn is a hit that crosses over the headpin to the opposite pocket, such as hitting the 1-2 side when aiming for the 1-3 pocket.

Broom ball A broom ball hits the 1-3 pocket and scatters the pins as though a broom swept them away.

Bub A bub travels with bowlers and may drive, dress lanes, drill and weigh balls, or sell gift items. It can also describe someone getting organized.

Bucket A bucket is a four-pin diamond: 2-4-5-8, 3-5-6-9, or 1-2-3-5. Other names include a dinner bucket.

Burner A burner is a pin left standing after what looks like a perfect strike hit. It is also called a rap, tap, or touch.

Buzzard A buzzard is a run of three consecutive open frames.

Call the numbers To call the numbers is to name the standing pins in numerical order, such as 1-2-6-7 rather than 1-2-7-6.

Carry Carry is a ball’s ability to knock down pins. CC is older shorthand for a 200 game, meaning double century.

Carrydown Carrydown is oil that bowling balls push or carry farther down the lane during play.

Center of Gravity The center of gravity is the point where a ball’s weight is evenly balanced. A label or punch mark usually shows its location.

CG CG is an abbreviation for center of gravity, the point where a ball’s weight is evenly balanced.

Changeable Heel A changeable heel lets a bowler adjust a shoe’s slide or replace a heel that has worn out.

Changeable Sole A changeable sole can be swapped when worn or when a bowler wants a different amount of slide.

Channel A channel is the depression along either side of the lane that guides a ball to the pit if it leaves the playing surface. It is also called a gutter.

Charge A charge is a sudden run of high scores, a term used by professional bowlers.

Charts Charts are records bowlers keep to remember which shot to play on a particular lane.

Cherry A cherry occurs when the front pin goes straight back without touching the pins still standing beside it.

Choke To choke is to fail under pressure because of nerves or fear. The term can also mean cutting the armswing short.

Chop A chop leaves a rear or neighboring pin upright after the front pin is removed from a spare leave. Other names include cherry.

Christmas Tree A Christmas tree is an oil pattern that narrows across the lane toward the pins, resembling a tree when viewed from above.

Cincinnati Cincinnati is another name for the 8-10 split.

Classified Classified leagues and tournaments limit eligibility according to bowling average.

SlangClean game A clean game has a strike or spare in every frame, with no open frames.

Clothesline A clothesline is the 1-2-4-7 or 1-3-6-10 leave.

Clutch Clutch describes a pressure situation when a bowler needs to come through.

Coefficient of Friction The coefficient of friction measures how strongly two surfaces resist sliding against each other. A higher value means the ball grips the lane more and hooks sooner, while oil reduces friction and helps it skid.

Come up A ball comes up when its spin makes it hook into the pocket.

Conversion A conversion is a successful spare shot, especially one that picks up a split.

Core The core is the inner part of a bowling ball whose shape, density, and position affect ball motion. See our cores guide for RG, differential, and core shapes.

Count The count is how many pins the first ball knocks down.

Counting marks Counting marks is a way to track a team’s strikes and spares as each frame is completed. A strike or spare counts as one mark, a double as two, and a turkey as three.

Coverstock The coverstock is a ball’s outer shell. Materials such as polyester, urethane, reactive resin, and particle create different amounts of lane friction. See our coverstock guide for comparisons.

Cracked thumb A cracked thumb has cracks in the callused skin of a bowler’s thumb.

Cranker A cranker is a bowler who puts a lot of revolutions on the ball.

Crawler A crawler is a strike that misses the headpin, with the pins falling slowly into one another like dominoes. They usually fall in the order 4-2-1 or 6-3-1.

Creeper A creeper is a ball rolled at very low speed.

Crooked arm A crooked-arm bowler bends the elbow while delivering a hook ball.

Crossover A crossover ball hits the 1-2 side for a right-handed bowler or the 1-3 side for a left-handed bowler. Other names include a Brooklyn.

Crow hopper A crow-hopper is a loose, claw-shaped hold on the ball at release.

Curtain A curtain occurs when the anchor misses in the final frame even though a spare would have won the match.

Curve A curve is a ball that follows a wide arc from right to left for a right-handed bowler, or from left to right for a left-handed bowler.

Cushion The cushion is padding behind the pin pit that absorbs impacts from balls and pins.

Cutter A cutter is a sharply hooking ball that seems to slice through the pins.

D.O.A. D.O.A. stands for “dead on arrival” and describes a ball with no pin action or power, often leaving a split.

Darts Darts are the arrow-shaped targets 12 to 16 feet beyond the foul line that help bowlers aim.

Dead apple, dead ball A dead apple, or dead ball, fades or deflects sharply at impact and produces weak pin action.

Dead wood Dead wood consists of fallen pins left on the lane or in a gutter, which must be cleared before play continues.

Deck The deck is where the pins stand at the lane’s far end. Ten pin spots mark their positions.

Deflection Deflection is the ball’s sideways change in direction after it contacts the pins.

Delivery A delivery includes the preparation, release, and follow-through.

Denier Denier measures the fineness of rayon, nylon, and silk fibers by their weight over a set length. One denier equals 1 gram per 9,000 meters of yarn.

Deuce A deuce is a 200 game or a 200 average. See also par.

Differential Differential is the difference between a ball’s highest and lowest radius of gyration readings, and a larger value allows more track flare. USBC limits differential RG to a maximum of 0.060 inch between any two axes of the same ball. Source: USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual.

Dime store Dime store is a nickname for the 5-10 split, also called Woolworth. The 5-7 split is called Kresge.

Dinner bucket A dinner bucket is a four-pin diamond: 2-4-5-8, 3-5-6-9, or 1-2-3-5. Other names include a bucket.

Ditch A ditch is the gutter or the very edge of the lane.

Dive A ball takes a dive when it hooks sharply at the last moment.

Division boards On a wood lane, division boards show where the maple and pine sections meet. Compare break of the boards.

Dodo A dodo is a ball that exceeds USBC’s 16-pound maximum or its legal static-balance limits, so it cannot be used in certified play. See our ball rules guide.

Dots Approach dots help a bowler place the feet, while lane dots provide visual targets for the ball and swing path.

Double A double is two strikes in a row.

Double pinochle Double pinochle is the 4-6-7-10 split. Other names include big ears, big four, or golden gate.

Double wood Double wood is a pair of pins with one directly behind the other, such as 1-5, 2-8, or 3-9.

Dovetails Dovetails are the joints where maple and pine lane boards meet. This area is also called the splice, piano keys, or break of the boards.

Drive Drive is another word for a lane or alley. It can also mean the ball’s rotation as it hits the pins.

Dry, dry lanes Dry lanes have very little oil on them.

Dummy A dummy is a penalty score assigned for a missing team member. Other names include blind.

Dump the ball Dumping the ball means releasing it without bending the knee, which may damage the lane.

Durometer A durometer is a gauge that reads a ball’s surface hardness on the Type D scale, averaged over 10 readings. USBC requires an average of at least 73D for standard coverstocks; since December 31, 2025, slow-oil-absorbing high-performance balls must be at least 78D to be USBC approved for sale.

Dutch 200 A Dutch 200 is a score of exactly 200 made by alternating strikes and spares.

Early foundation An early foundation is a strike in the eighth frame. See also foundation.

Emblem The emblem is the logo on a bowling ball, usually marking its heaviest part.

Ends Ends is short for back ends, the last part of the lane before the pins. See Backends.

Error An error is a missed spare, also called a blow, miss, or open.

Faith, Hope, Charity Faith, Hope, Charity is a nickname for the 2-7-10 or 3-7-10 split. It is also called a Christmas tree.

Fast Fast has opposite regional meanings. It may describe a lane that hooks easily or one that holds back the hook.

Fence Posts Fence posts is another name for the 7-10 split. Other names include bedposts, goal posts, mule ears, or snake eyes.

Field Goal A field goal sends the ball through the open space separating two pins in a wide split.

Fill Fill is the number of pins knocked down after a spare or double that completes the score for an earlier frame.

Fill Ball / Fill Frame A fill ball is an extra ball earned by a spare or strike in the tenth frame. A spare earns one fill ball, a strike earns two, and the pins knocked down count as bowled.

Finger grips Finger grips are inserts placed in finger or thumb holes to improve the bowler’s grip and help add spin at release.

Fingertip A fingertip grip lets the fingers enter the ball only as far as the first joint. The longer span between the thumb and fingers allows more spin, but takes a strong wrist and practice to master.

Fingertips A fingertip grip lets the fingers enter the ball only as far as the first joint. The longer span between the thumb and fingers allows more spin, but takes a strong wrist and practice to master.

Finish Finish is the texture and polish of a ball’s surface. A polished ball travels farther before hooking, while a sanded ball may hook earlier. The best finish depends on the lane conditions.

Fit Split A fit split leaves enough room for the ball to contact both standing pins.

SlangFive-bagger A five-bagger is five consecutive strikes, one more than a Hambone.

Flare Flare is the movement of the ball’s oil track across its surface as the rotation axis changes.

Flat Alley A flat alley is a level lane that does not make the ball hook or hold its line as expected.

Flat Arc A flat arc is a delivery arc too low or too far sideways to form a true circle.

Flat ball A flat ball has few revolutions and produces little pin movement.

Floater A floater is a poorly released ball with little lift or turn, so the lane largely determines where it goes.

Flying elbow A flying elbow is a swing fault, also called a chicken wing, in which the elbow moves away from the body and can disrupt the ball’s line and roll.

Follow-Through The follow-through is the arm’s movement after release, ideally toward the target pin. It may include a second practice swing without the ball.

Forward Pitch Forward pitch angles a finger or thumb hole toward the center of the grip. See Pitch.

Foul A foul is when a bowler steps on or over the foul line and touches the lane or anything beyond it during a delivery. A foul ball still counts as a delivery, but the pins it knocks down don’t count.

Foul Line The foul line separates the approach from the lane. A delivery where the bowler steps over it and touches the lane is a foul, and that ball scores zero.

Foundation A foundation is a strike in the ninth frame that sets up a chance for three more in the tenth.

Four Bagger A four-bagger is a run of four consecutive strikes.

Four-step line The four-step line is usually the row of approach dots closest to the foul line. The dots farther back are for five-step deliveries.

Frame A frame is one-tenth of a game, and a full game has ten frames. Use our bowling scoring calculator to total strikes, spares, and the tenth-frame bonus.

SlangFront Seven The front seven is seven strikes consecutively to start a game. Five more consecutive strikes make a 300.

Frozen rope A frozen rope is a ball thrown with excessive speed almost straight into the pocket.

Fudge To fudge a shot is to reduce the ball’s revolutions on purpose, weakening its hook and impact.

Full Hit A full hit strikes near the center of the headpin on a strike attempt, or near the center of another pin being targeted.

Full Roller A full roller is a release style whose ball track runs between the thumb and finger holes.

Funnel Block A funnel block is a block of oil that narrows toward the pins. Compare Blended condition.

Garbage hit A garbage hit misses the pocket but still knocks down all the pins for a strike.

Getting the Wood Getting the wood can mean an above-average score. It can also mean taking the easiest available pins from a difficult split.

Goal Posts Goal posts is another name for the 7-10 split. Other names include bedposts, fence posts, mule ears, or snake eyes.

Golden Gate Golden Gate is the 4-6-7-10 split. Other names include big ears, big four, or double pinochle.

Grab Grab describes enough traction between ball and lane to produce a sudden hook.

Grandma’s Teeth Grandma’s teeth is a nickname for a random assortment of pins left standing.

Grasshopper A grasshopper is an effective ball, especially on a light pocket hit.

Graveyard A graveyard is a lane or pair of lanes where scores tend to be low. In a high-scoring center, it means the lowest-scoring pair.

SlangGreek Church A Greek church is a split with three pins on one side and two on the other, resembling church steeples.

Groove A groove can be a ball track or lane indentation. It can also describe a bowler whose footwork and arm swing are working smoothly.

Gutter A gutter is the depression along either side of the lane that carries a ball to the pit if it leaves the playing surface. It is also called a channel.

SlangGutter Ball A gutter ball rolls off the lane into a gutter.

Gutter Shot A gutter shot is a technique developed by professional bowlers in which the ball is rolled from the lane’s extreme edge, usually the first inch.

Half Hit A half hit describes contact heavier than a light hit but thinner than a full hit.

SlangHambone A hambone is four strikes in a row, also called a four-bagger.

Handicap A handicap gives extra pins to a bowler or team to help even out the competition.

Hard Way The hard way can mean scoring a Dutch 200 by alternating strikes and spares. It can also mean making the 2-7 or 3-10 by knocking the front pin into the back pin instead of hitting both with the ball.

Head Pin The headpin is the front pin in the rack, numbered 1.

Heads The heads are the front section of the lane, made of maple on wood lanes.

Helicopter A helicopter release makes the ball spin like a top and travel straight instead of following a hook.

High Board A high board is a lane board whose slight expansion or contraction changes a ball’s course, even when the board actually sits low.

High Hit A high hit contacts a pin near its center. On a first ball, it means contacting near the middle of the headpin.

High RG Drilling High RG drilling places the pin about 90 degrees from the positive axis point so the ball skids farther before hooking.

Higher Higher describes farther left for a right-handed bowler or farther right for a left-handed bowler.

Hold, holding alley A holding alley is a lane that resists the ball’s hook.

Holds Shoes Holds shoes indicates whether a bowling bag was designed with shoe storage, not whether a particular pair will fit.

Hole A hole can mean the 1-3 pocket for a right-handed bowler or the 1-2 pocket for a left-handed bowler. It can also mean a split or an open frame.

Home Alley A home alley is a bowler’s or team’s favorite lane or pair of lanes.

Honey A honey is slang for a ball that performs well.

Hook A hook is a ball path that curves sharply toward the pocket.

Hook Alley On a hook alley, shots curve readily as they travel downlane.

Hook Out Hook out, also called roll out, occurs when the ball finishes hooking and begins to roll straighter.

Hook Potential Hook potential describes how strongly a ball tends to change direction, based largely on its coverstock and RG differential. Also called flare potential. See our coverstock guide.

Hot Hot describes an individual or team that has started stringing strikes.

House A house is another name for a bowling center.

House Ball A house ball belongs to the bowling center and is available for customers to use.

In There In there describes a ball that makes solid pocket contact.

Inside Inside describes a starting or release position near the lane’s center, as opposed to outside near its edge.

Jam To jam the ball is to force it high into the pocket.

Jersey, Jersey Side The Jersey side is left of the headpin for a right-handed bowler and right of it for a left-handed bowler.

Kegler A kegler is another name for a person who bowls.

Kick Off A kick off is a smooth, effective delivery.

Kickbacks Kickbacks are the upright dividers near the pin pits between lanes. Pins can rebound from them and knock down others. Other names include sideboards.

Kill the Ball To kill the ball is to release it without lift or spin so it travels straight for greater accuracy.

Kindling wood Kindling wood is a nickname for pins that are unusually light.

Kingpin Kingpin may refer to the headpin or the 5 pin, depending on local usage.

Kitty A kitty is money collected from team fines, then used for tournament expenses or divided among members after the season.

Kresge Kresge is a name for the 5-7 split. The 5-10 is called Woolworth or dime store.

Lane The lane is the playing surface from the foul line to the pin deck, not including the approach or gutters.

Lane Condition Lane condition describes how much oil is on the lane, from dry to heavy. It is partly a matter of feel, so bowlers may describe the same lane differently.

Late 10 A late 10 occurs when the 10 pin hesitates before becoming the final pin to fall on a strike.

Layout A layout is the plan for where the finger and thumb holes go in relation to the ball’s core and the bowler’s hand. It affects how early or late the ball hooks. See our drilling layouts guide.

Leadoff Man A team lineup begins with its leadoff bowler.

Leave A leave is the group of pins still standing after a frame’s first shot.

Left lateral pitch, or left side pitch Left lateral pitch angles a finger or thumb hole away from the palm side of the hand. Other names include left side pitch.

Length Length describes how far a ball travels before it begins to hook.

Leverage Leverage is the power produced by coordinated sliding and lifting with the legs.

Leverage Drilling Leverage drilling places the pin and center of gravity 3-3/8 inches from the bowler’s positive axis point to maximize track flare. The added friction encourages an earlier roll and may sharpen the hook for bowlers with fewer revolutions. For bowlers with more revolutions, it can use up energy early and reduce the hook at the breakpoint.

Lift Lift is the upward force the fingers add to the ball as it leaves the hand.

Light A light hit catches less than the full face of a pin and too much of its Jersey side.

Light seven A light seven is a hit too far to either side of the headpin that leaves the 2-4-5 or 3-5-6.

Light wood Light wood means pins lighter than the standard weight range, which fall more easily and raise scores.

Lilly Lilly is another name for the 5-7-10 split.

Line A line can be the route a ball follows or one complete game.

Line Ball A line ball travels fairly straight over the second arrow toward the pocket, then breaks late. It suits players without a large hook.

Loafing Loafing means failing to lift or turn the ball properly, so it falls short of the target and usually drifts right.

Loft Loft is the airborne distance a ball travels beyond the foul line before touching the lane, and a bowler can adjust it to change rotation.

Lofting A bowler is lofting when the released ball remains airborne past the foul line before contacting the lane.

Logs Logs are unusually heavy practice pins that can weigh as much as four pounds.

Looper A looper is an extra-wide hook, usually thrown slowly.

Loose Hit A loose hit catches the pocket lightly and closer to the 3 pin than the headpin, opposite a high hit.

Lose Count To lose count is to miss pins that could have been knocked down, reducing the bonus added to an earlier strike or spare.

Love Tap A love tap is a gentle hit from a moving pin that knocks down a standing pin. The moving pin usually comes off the sideboard.

Low Low describes a thin or light contact with the headpin, opposite a high hit.

Makeable split A makeable split does not leave the two pins nearest the foul line standing parallel to each other.

Maples Maples is a nickname for bowling pins.

Mark A mark can be a strike or spare. It can also be a lane target where the bowler intends to place or roll the ball.

Mass Bias Mass bias is a marker on an asymmetric bowling ball that shows the strong side of its core. Pro shops use it with the pin to lay out a drilling. Read our cores guide.

Match Play Match play is the part of a tournament where bowlers compete one-on-one instead of against the whole field.

Medal Play Medal play ranks players by total pinfall rather than by individual games or handicap.

Messenger A messenger is a pin sent sideways across the deck or off a sideboard that knocks down another standing pin.

MICA Mica is a mineral added to some ball covers to give them a pearlized look and affect their performance. These balls usually skid farther through oil and hook more sharply at the breakpoint.

Mid Line On a drilling sheet, the midline runs horizontally from the middle of the grip toward the positive axis point.

Miss A miss is a failed attempt to make a spare. It is also called a blow, error, or open.

Mister Average Mister Average or Mrs. Average is a name used for an absent bowler whose average counts toward the team’s score.

Mixer A mixer is a ball that makes the pins rebound and scatter around the deck.

Moat A moat is another nickname for the lane’s gutter or channel.

Mother-In-Law Mother-in-law is a nickname for the 7 pin or for a pin hidden behind another in a sleeper leave.

Move In To move in is to begin near the middle of the approach.

Move Out To move out is to begin near an outer corner of the approach.

Mule Ears Mule ears is another name for the 7-10 split. Other names include bedposts, fence posts, goal posts, or snake eyes.

Murphy Murphy is a baby split, either the 2-7 or 3-10.

No Tap Bowling No-tap bowling awards a strike for fewer than 10 pins, such as nine pins in a nine-pin no-tap game.

Nose Hit A nose hit is a first ball that hits the headpin squarely in the center.

Nothing Ball A nothing ball is an ineffective shot with little pin action.

Off the Sheet Off the sheet means completing every remaining frame with strikes, starting from any point in the game.

On the Nose On the nose means a direct hit on the headpin, which frequently produces a split.

One­-in­-the­-dark One-in-the-dark is the hidden rear pin in a 1-5, 2-8, or 3-9 leave. Other names include barmaid, bicycle, double wood, sleeper, or tandem.

Open An open is a frame that ends without a strike or spare. It is also called a blow, error, or miss.

Open Bowling Open bowling is play for recreation or practice rather than league or tournament competition.

Out and in An out-and-in shot starts near the lane’s middle, travels toward the gutter, and hooks back into the pocket.

Out of Bounds Out of bounds is a lane area from which the ball cannot recover enough to return to the pocket.

Outside Outside is a line nearer the lane edge than an inside line but not as far out as a gutter shot.

Over In professional bowling, over means the number of pins scored above 200, which is considered par. It is also called being in the black.

Over-Turn To over-turn is to add excessive side rotation with too little finger lift, commonly because the thumb exits late.

Pack A pack is a full count that knocks down all ten pins.

PAP For more information, read the entry for Positive Axis Point.

Par A single-game score of 200 is par, the baseline used to describe higher or lower totals.

Part of the Building Part of the building describes the 7, 8, or 10 pin when it stays standing after what looks like a perfect hit. It is also called part of the house.

Perfect Game A perfect game has twelve strikes consecutively for a score of 300, with 30 pins in every frame. Rolled one? Submit your honor score.

Pick To pick a spare is to knock down only its front pin. Other names include cherry or chop.

Picket Fence A picket fence leaves 1-2-4-7 or 1-3-6-10 for a spare. Other names include rail.

Pie / Pie Alley A pie alley, or pie, is a lane where it is easy to score well.

Pin A ball’s pin is a polyester or urethane stem that holds the core while the coverstock is poured. A colored dot commonly marks it.

Pin Bowling Pin bowling means using the entire rack of pins as your target. Before lane arrows and visible board divisions, the similar-looking boards made aiming down the lane difficult.

Pin Buffer The pin buffer is the horizontal distance from the ball’s pin to the vertical axis line. A shorter distance makes the turn at the breakpoint sharper, while a longer one smooths it out.

Pin In A pin-in ball has its pin and center of gravity no more than 1 1/2 inches apart.

Pin Out A pin-out ball has its pin and center of gravity more than 1 1/2 inches apart.

Pinching the Ball Pinching the ball means gripping it too tightly during the swing or release.

Pindicator A pindicator is a lighted display above the pin deck showing which pins remain standing.

Pine Pine is the softer wood used after the division boards, beginning where the maple heads end.

Pit The pit is the space beyond the pin deck where balls and fallen pins collect.

Pitch Pitch is the angle of a finger or thumb hole compared with a line through the center of the ball. Forward pitch angles the hole toward the center of the grip, and reverse pitch angles it away from the center of the grip. Pitch can also lean right or left; right pitch on the thumb is also called palm pitch.

Platform The platform is the area from the back of the ball return to the foul line. It is also called the approach or runway.

Plugged Ball A plugged ball has had its original gripping holes filled and then redrilled. USBC requires plug material to be like, though not identical to, the original coverstock and to have a density between 0.9 and 1.5 g/mL. Source: USBC Equipment Specifications and Certifications Manual.

Pocket The pocket is the gap between the 1-3 pins for a right-handed bowler or the 1-2 pins for a left-handed bowler.

Point Shot A point shot begins near the first arrow and travels directly over it toward the pocket. Compare swing shot.

Point the Ball To point the ball is to aim directly and tightly at the pocket.

Poison Ivy Poison ivy is the 3-6-10 spare leave.

Polyester Polyester is a plastic coverstock. Read our coverstock guide to learn how plastic covers react.

Poodle To roll a poodle is to send the ball into the gutter.

Position Rounds Position rounds match bowlers or teams according to the standings, such as first against second and third against fourth.

Positive Axis Point The positive axis point is the spot around which a ball initially rotates at release. Its location depends on the bowler’s delivery.

Pot Game A pot game is a competition where at least two players stake something and the high scorer takes the pot.

Powder puff, puff ball A powder puff, or puff ball, is a slow ball that reaches the pins without enough force to carry them.

Powerhouse A powerhouse is a hard, forceful ball that produces a strike.

Preparation Preparation includes getting the hand, ball, and equipment ready and checking the lane and pin rack before delivery.

Puddle A puddle is another name for a ball rolled into the gutter.

Pull the rug To pull the rug is to barely touch the headpin and watch the pins wobble before collapsing together for a strike.

Pumpkin A pumpkin is a spinless ball that hits the pins softly.

Punch Out To punch out is to finish the rest of a game with strikes from the current frame onward.

Pushaway The approach begins with a pushaway, which starts the ball and lead foot together.

Quality Quality tells you whether a bowling ball is first quality or a second with a blemish. BowlersMart identifies known seconds and blemished items on the product page.

Quick Eight A quick eight is a good pocket hit leaving the 4-7 for a right-handed bowler or 6-10 for a left-handed bowler.

Radius of Gyration Radius of gyration measures, in inches, how a ball’s mass is distributed around its spin axis. For balls 13 pounds and up, USBC requires 2.447 to 2.813 inches on any axis and a class average of 2.460 to 2.800 inches. See our cores guide.

Rail A rail is the 1-2-4-7 or 1-3-6-10 spare leave; a little rail has one end pin missing. The term also means the outer board of a wood lane, which can stand above worn inner boards and keep a ball from falling into the gutter.

Railroad A railroad is a large split with two pins on one line, including the 4-6, 7-9, 8-10, and 7-10. Other names include hole.

Range Finders Range finders are two groups of lane markers for setting a target line: dots beyond the foul line and arrows farther downlane.

Rap A rap is a single pin left standing after a good hit. It is also called a burner, tap, or touch.

Rat Club A rat club is a team that bowls unusually low scores for an entire game.

Reactive Resin Reactive resin is a urethane-related coverstock with additives that create more traction and a stronger backend response. See our bowling ball buyer’s guide for comparisons with polyester and urethane.

Reading the Lanes Reading the lanes means figuring out where the ball hooks or holds its line so you can choose the best scoring path.

Release The release is the hand motion used to put the ball onto the lane.

Release Date A release date tells when a product becomes available. For a preorder, BowlersMart expects to ship on that date or when the item reaches our warehouse, whichever is later.

Reset A reset puts pins back in their proper positions when they are off spot.

Resurfacing Resurfacing removes a thin layer of coverstock with an abrasive pad or machine to restore a worn track or change the surface grit. Read our ball care guide for maintenance guidance.

Return The return is the track that carries balls from the pit back to the ball rack.

Reverse A reverse is an especially strong backup ball.

Reverse Block A reverse block puts more oil on the outside of the lane and less in the middle. Compare Blended condition.

Reverse Pitch Reverse pitch angles a finger or thumb hole away from the center of the grip. See Pitch.

Revolutions Revolutions are the complete turns a ball makes as it travels from the release to the pins.

RG RG is the abbreviation for Radius of Gyration.

Right lateral pitch, or right side pitch Right lateral pitch is the angle of a finger or thumb hole toward the palm. It is also called right side pitch.

Ringing Ten-Burner A ringing ten, or burner, is a pocket shot that appears solid but leaves the 10 pin standing.

Rotation Rotation is the spin put on the ball at release that makes pins move sideways. A pin spinning sideways covers more of the lane than one moving vertically.

Rug Jerker A rug-jerker happens when the 5 pin shoots right on a strike as though the floor moved beneath it.

Run, running late A lane is said to run when the ball hooks easily on it.

Runway The runway is the starting area ending at the foul line. Other names include the platform or approach.

Sanctioned Sanctioned competition runs under certified league or tournament rules, today USBC’s. Before USBC, the American Bowling Congress and the Women’s International Bowling Congress, known as ABC and WIBC, filled that role.

Sandbagger A sandbagger deliberately bowls below their ability to establish or maintain a lower average. The lower average can create an unfair handicap advantage later in league or tournament play.

Sandwich Game A sandwich game scores 200 by alternating strikes and spares. Other names include Dutch 200.

Scenic Route The scenic route is the broad arc followed by a large hook.

Schleifer A schleifer is a thin-hit strike in which the pins seem to fall individually.

Scratch Scratch describes actual scores calculated without handicap pins.

Semi-Fingertip A semi-fingertip grip rests the ball between the second and third finger joints, offering leverage between conventional and full fingertip grips.

Semi-Roller A semi-roller is a ball whose track runs just outside the thumb hole. It is also called a semi-spinner.

Separation Separation is the distance from a bowler’s starting position to the intended ball-placement point on the lane.

Set Set describes a ball that holds its course in the pocket.

Shadow ball A shadow ball is a practice ball rolled with no pins set, usually just before competition.

Short Pin A short pin rolls toward a standing pin but stops just before hitting it.

Shotgun Shot A shotgun shot is a delivery released from the hip.

Sidearming; sidewheeling Sidearming, or sidewheeling, lets the arm drift away from its proper path during the backswing or forward swing.

Sideboards At the pin-pit end, sideboards are upright lane dividers. Other names include kickbacks.

SlangSix Pack A six-pack is six consecutive strikes and follows a five-bagger.

Sixpack A sixpack is a run of six consecutive strikes.

Sleeper A sleeper is a pin hidden directly behind another, such as the 8 behind the 2, the 9 behind the 3, or the 5 behind the 1. Also called double wood or tandem.

Slick Slick describes a highly polished lane that commonly delays hook, although it is not the same as oily.

Slide Slide describes the final stride of the delivery.

Slot / Slot Alley A slot alley is a lane with a worn track that makes strikes easier to get.

Slot Grip A slot grip joins the third- and fourth-finger openings by drilling away the material between them, creating one large hole.

Small Ball A small ball creates little pin mixing and must contact the pocket accurately to strike.

Snake Eyes Snake eyes is another name for the 7-10 split. Other names include bedposts, fence posts, goal posts, or mule ears.

Snow Plow A snow plow is a ball that clears every pin for a strike.

Soft alley; soft lane A soft alley, or soft lane, is one where strikes come easily.

Sour Apple Sour apple can describe a weak shot leaving 5-7, 5-10, or 5-7-10. It can also name the 5-7-10 split itself.

Span Span is the measured distance between the thumb hole and finger holes.

Spare A spare is recorded when a bowler knocks down all ten pins with both deliveries in a frame. See our spares and pin numbers guide.

Spare Leave A spare leave is the pin arrangement remaining after the first ball.

Spiller A spiller is a light-hit strike where the pins fall slowly and seem to melt aside.

Splasher A splasher is a strike marked by pins dropping especially fast.

Splice A splice is where maple and pine lane boards meet. Other names include the break of the boards, dovetails, or piano keys.

Split A split is a spare leave with the headpin down and a gap between standing pins, or a down pin directly ahead of them. Other names include hole or railroad.

Sport Shot Compared with a common house shot, a sport shot spreads oil more evenly and offers less room for error. Leagues and tournaments identify its use.

Spot Bowling Spot bowling uses a specific lane mark, such as a dot, board, or arrow, as the aiming target.

Squeeze Squeeze is the second and third fingers moving against the thumb at delivery, much like snapping the fingers.

Steal To steal pins is to knock down more than the quality of the hit would normally earn.

Stiff / Stiff Alley A stiff alley is a lane that tends to hold back a ball’s hook.

Strap the Ball To strap the ball is to create as much lift as possible at release.

Strike A strike occurs when the first ball in a frame knocks down all 10 pins.

Strike Split A strike split leaves 8-10 for a right-handed bowler or 7-9 for a left-handed bowler after an apparently good shot.

Striking Out A bowler strikes out by throwing all three possible strikes in frame ten.

String A string can mean at least three consecutive strikes. In some areas, it can also mean one game.

Stroke A stroke is the combined arm and hand motion that sends the ball across the foul line.

Stroker A stroker is a bowler with a smooth approach and release.

Sweeper A sweeper is a wide hook that carries a strike as though a broom pushed the pins over. It can also mean a designated league night when bowling fees fund prizes for the highest-scoring bowlers or teams.

Sweepstakes A sweepstakes is a tournament for bowlers.

Swing Shot A swing shot starts at the third arrow, moves out toward the second, and hooks back into the pocket. It suits bowlers with a large hook.

Swiss Cheese Ball A Swiss cheese ball is a pro shop fitting ball with sample holes for measuring finger size and span.

Take off a Mark To take off a mark is to remove or withhold a counting mark when a bowler gets five pins or fewer after a spare or double.

Tandem A tandem is a pair of pins with one directly behind the other. It is also called a barmaid, bicycle, double wood, or sleeper.

TAP A tap is one pin left standing after a shot that looked likely to strike.

Team Captain A team captain ensures players are present, arranges substitutes, and sets the lineup.

Telephone Poles Telephone poles are heavy pins. “The fire’s out” describes the end of a string of strikes.

Ten in the Pit Ten in the pit is a strike that sends all ten pins into the back of the pit, leaving none on the pin deck.

Thin Hit A thin hit barely catches the headpin as the ball enters the pocket.

Three quarter bucket A three-quarter bucket is a leave with any three pins from the 2-4-5-8, 1-2-3-5, or 3-5-6-9 bucket.

Three Quarters Three-quarters is a ball-placement spot halfway between the right corner and the center of the lane for a right-handed bowler. For a left-handed bowler, it is halfway between the left corner and the center.

Throwing Rocks Throwing rocks means delivering fast, powerful balls while stringing strikes.

Tickler A tickler is the 6 pin when it gently knocks down the 10 pin from the gutter to complete a strike.

Topping the Ball Topping the ball happens when the fingers pass over the ball instead of staying behind or beside it, reducing power and pin action.

Touch A touch is a pin left standing after a good hit. It is also called a burner, rap, or tap.

Track A track is the common line to the pins worn or followed by many balls.

Triple A triple is three consecutive strikes. Other names include turkey.

Tripped 4 A tripped 4 occurs when the 2 pin rebounds from the kickback and knocks down the 4.

Tumbler A tumbler is a strike whose pins seem to topple one after another.

Tunnel Block A tunnel block concentrates a block of oil around one arrow, usually the second arrow. Compare Blended condition.

SlangTurkey A turkey is a run of three consecutive strikes.

Turn Turn is the hand and wrist movement toward the pocket at release.

Tweener A tweener combines traits of a high-revolution cranker and a smooth stroker.

Umbrella Ball An umbrella ball hits high on the headpin and still produces a strike.

Under Under describes a score below 200 in professional bowling.

Up the Hill Up the hill means coaxing a ball over a high board and into the pocket.

Urethane Urethane is a coverstock material that grips dry lanes with a smoother, more controllable backend than reactive resin. Slow-oil-absorbing high-performance urethane balls must meet a 78D hardness minimum for USBC sale approval as of December 31, 2025, and face limits at some national tournaments starting in 2026. Read the BowlersMart urethane rules article for competition requirements.

Venting / Vent Hole A vent hole is a small hole drilled to relieve suction in the thumb hole.

Wash Out A washout is the 1-2-10 or 1-2-4-10 leave for a right-handed bowler, or the 1-3-7 or 1-3-6-7 leave for a left-handed bowler.

Water in the Ball Water in the ball describes a weak shot leaving 8-10, 5-7, or 5-10.

Web The web is the bridge between finger holes, commonly one-quarter to three-eighths of an inch.

Weight Block For more information, read the entry for Core.

Winding Them In Winding them in describes big-hook bowlers who repeatedly bring the ball into the pocket.

Wood Wood can mean handicap pins, the number knocked down on a shot, or pins in general.

Wooden Bottles Wooden bottles is a nickname for bowling pins.

Woolworth Woolworth is a nickname for the 5-10 split, also called dime store. The 5-7 split is called Kresge.

Working Ball A working ball mixes the pins enough to strike on an off-pocket hit and can break up splits when it hits the headpin squarely.

Wrap Around A wrap-around is a 10-pin tap where the 6 pin circles the 10 without knocking it down.

Wrist Master A wrist master is a support worn to keep the wrist firm during the backswing.

X X is the scoring symbol for a strike.

Yank the Shot A bowler yanks the shot by holding the ball too long and pulling it across the body.

Zero In To zero in is to identify the best strike target on a particular lane.