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.

Things You'll Need

  • Bowling Balls
  • Bowling balls
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Instructions

  1. Fit-it-in-between Splits

    • 1

      Hit exactly in between the remaining pins to pick up this split.

    • 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.

    • 3

      Remember, the angle on each fit-it-in-between split is slightly different in your approach.

    Slide-it-over Split

    • 4

      Bowl for the two pins instead of the one pin when only three pins remain.

    • 5

      Realize that you can knock a pin sideways to take out the other pin.

    • 6

      Hit the the pin you want to slide on the side opposite the direction you want it to travel.

    • 7

      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

    • 8

      Understand that this split is called an "impossible split" for a reason: it can't be made.

    • 9

      Bowl for the side with two pins rather than one whenever three pins remains split.

    • 10

      Don't try to be a hero on this shot, just get what you can.