How to Pick Up the Split in Bowling
When the pins left standing after your first ball are not arranged together, this is called a "split." Most modern bowling facilities have video dispays that help show you where to hit your split. The following are some simple tips on how to approach the three possible types of splits.
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Instructions
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Fit-it-in-between Splits
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Hit exactly in between the remaining pins to pick up this split.
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2
Realize that the ball is wide enough that it can knock down two pins with a full empty pin space in between. This is the strategy on this type of split.
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Remember, the angle on each fit-it-in-between split is slightly different in your approach.
Slide-it-over Split
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Bowl for the two pins instead of the one pin when only three pins remain.
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Realize that you can knock a pin sideways to take out the other pin.
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Hit the the pin you want to slide on the side opposite the direction you want it to travel.
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Understand that a pin will not travel directly sideways, but always sideways and back. So it must be the forward-most pin that you cause to slide-over.
Impossible Split
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Understand that this split is called an "impossible split" for a reason: it can't be made.
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Bowl for the side with two pins rather than one whenever three pins remains split.
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10
Don't try to be a hero on this shot, just get what you can.
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Tips & Warnings
Learning to put some action (spin) on the ball will help you to pick these splits up.
Comments
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ednjen85
Oct 12, 2007
7/10 split - I have converted one in the manner described in these threads. It has to be just right and I am a right hand hook bowler. I threw it across the lane with a lot of rotation and it cliped the 10 pin slightly off center to the right, slammed it against the back wall and it took out the 7 pin. Unfortunately, I did not see it as I thought I missed the angle and turned around to see the stunned bowlers behind me. -
ednjen85
Oct 12, 2007
7/10 split - I have converted one in the manner described in these threads. It has to be just right and I am a right hand hook bowler. I threw it across the lane with a lot of rotation and it cliped the 10 pin slightly off center to the right, slammed it against the back wall and it took out the 7 pin. Unfortunately, I did not see it as I thought I missed the angle and turned around to see the stunned bowlers behind me.
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Aug 08, 2006
This split seems impossible, it actually isn't. And you certainly don't need hook in order to spare this. End over end roll on your ball (very straight) will do the trick. You must shoot for the pin opposite from the ball return, because the pit slants downward. This will increase the chance of having the pin popping out. When throwing the ball with an end over end roll, and hitting the 7 pin (just a tad left of center) or the 10 pin (just a tad right of center) will cause the pin to smack hard against the back wall. It will bounce back, making it either fly across (knocking down the other pin) or rolling on the deck (coming over to trip the pin). It's a hard concept to explain, but that is the secret.
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Aug 08, 2006
This split seems impossible, it actually isn't. And you certainly don't need hook in order to spare this. End over end roll on your ball (very straight) will do the trick. You must shoot for the pin opposite from the ball return, because the pit slants downward. This will increase the chance of having the pin popping out. When throwing the ball with an end over end roll, and hitting the 7 pin (just a tad left of center) or the 10 pin (just a tad right of center) will cause the pin to smack hard against the back wall. It will bounce back, making it either fly across (knocking down the other pin) or rolling on the deck (coming over to trip the pin). It's a hard concept to explain, but that is the secret.
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Jan 19, 2006
It's possible to pick this up in multiple ways, but none are high percentage shots. However, I've had the most luck by throwing a rocket at either pin, and pushing it back into the corner of the pit and hope to get a good bounce out of the pit. I've converted it twice with this strategy, but almost always (maybe 99.9%) get at least 1 of the pins, whereas trying to just clip the 7 or 10 you're likely to put more balls in the gutter than not.
