How to Coach Bowling

Bowling is a popular recreational sport, played by participants ranging from small children to the elderly both for fun and in leagues. When participating in a league structure, particularly for young players who are still developing their game, a coach is a vital part of the team. The coach is tasked with choosing the appropriate lineup for every match, as well as with working with the members of the team during practice sessions to correct errors in their technique and improve their average scores.

Instructions

    • 1

      Assess the strengths and weaknesses of your players. Determine which players are consistent bowlers who can be counted on to hand in similar scores most of the time, and which players are inconsistent and prone to scores substantially above or below their average.

    • 2

      Select a core of players to build around, consisting of your strongest and most consistent bowlers. A wild-card player can be useful when playing a team that averages a score well above yours (that is, when a gamble is likely needed to help make up the difference), but the more consistent bowlers will prove most beneficial over the course of a season.

    • 3

      Monitor players on your team for their potential to improve. A player who is new to the sport might not be good enough to make it into your current lineup for matches, but he or she may have great potential for improvement. That player may eventually become a valued member of the main team.

    • 4

      Watch players' approaches and releases carefully during practices. While it is unwise to attempt any drastic changes during a match, practice sessions are a great time to help a player iron out flaws in their form that can be taking crucial pins off their average.

    • 5

      Understand the rules of your league and how they must affect your team selection. A consistent lineup is ideal for a league in which all scores count, but if bowling in a league that utilizes, for example, the top five of six scores, then using one or two inconsistent bowlers with high potential scores can be ideal. As long as one of them performs well, the poor game can be dropped. If two such players are used and both turn in an "up" game, the team can score very well.

    • 6

      Make adjustments to your lineup between games if the rules allow it, depending on your needs from game to game. If a player is struggling and is unlikely to turn it around before the end of the match, he should be replaced by one of the practice team's top performers. Similarly, if you find that your team is losing by a lot of pins but none of your bowlers are performing below their averages, then bringing in one or more players capable of higher games can give your team a chance to win.