Is bowling the most dangerous sport in the world? Of course not. However, this article offers essential bowling safety tips you should always remember. While bowling might seem risk-free, taking safety seriously can prevent unexpected injuries and conditions.
Hereโs an example. Bowling alleys tend to use oil on the lanes to help the ball roll smoothly. When you go over the foul line as you bowl, it doesnโt take much for you to slip and fall. Thatโs a perfect storm for different possible injuries depending on how you land.
How about avoiding dangerous situations altogether? If that sounds good to you, here are some essential bowling safety tips you should always remember:
Another interesting article> What Constitutes A Foul In Bowling?
Are Warmup Exercises Necessary When Bowling?
In any sport, youโll want to do warm-up exercises before you start. This universal rule is meant to help you improve your performance and reduce the risk of injury. Sometimes, muscles end up pulled or torn because they werenโt given the chance to be prepared for the movements that use them.
The last thing you want is to end up on an operating table because you wanted to have some fun playing some bowling with friends, right?
For more information on Warmup Exercises, watch this video>>
What Makes a Bowling Ball Comfortable to Use?
Everyone knows you canโt bowl without a ball. Not as many people realize that using the right ball is just as important. There will usually be different balls for you to choose from, and you should pick up a few to feel things out.
If the ball is too heavy, youโre setting up yourself for disaster. The same goes for balls with small finger holes.
Even if throwing the ball feels comfortable, you may still need help picking it up. Be sure to ask a staff member for help if thatโs the case.
Do You Need to Wear Bowling Shoes?
Some people want to avoid bowling shoes like the plague, and considering how goofy they can look, thatโs understandable.
However, you need to think about whatโs more important. Choosing the right bowling shoes is a critical bowling safety tip. Would you rather be safe and look goofy or would you rather injure yourself looking good?
The choice there should be obvious, so make sure youโre wearing the right shoes as you play. One of the biggest reasons is to avoid slipping on the approach.
Apart from putting on the right shoes, you also want to ensure the laces are tied and that the soles are moisture-free.
Do You Need to Practice Your Approach?
If youโre a professional bowler, then you already have the technique down.
For everyone else, practice is a must. Most of the trips, slips, and falls in bowling happen during the approach. You read that right! They hadnโt even released the ball yet.
How about you do everything you can to prevent that from happening to you? Take the time to inspect the approach and do a few practice slides. You can usually tell when the floor is slippery or sticky. If so, ask an attendant to clean things up a bit before you continue.
What Is Proper Bowling Posture?
Following bowling safety tips about posture is crucial. Bowling with bad posture is another thing to avoid. The question is, what does good posture even mean? Remember these three things:
- Your head should be up, and your back should be straight, which allows you to see over the top of the ball properly.
- Always keep your shoulders down and relax.
- When youโre moving a ball or picking one up, bend at the knees. Keep them bent during the bowling motion, so they can absorb some of the impact that comes with each strike.
What Should You Do When Bowling Balls Are Stuck?
Sometimes, bowling balls will either get stuck down by the pins or by the ball return. The problem solver in you may tell you to get it free by yourself, but thatโs a bad idea. Thereโs mechanical equipment there, and it doesnโt play well with fingers.
Trapped fingers can lead to some serious injuries that come with steep medical bills. Therefore, itโs in your best interest not to use your hands to get the ball free.
Remember the staff members at the bowling alley are there to help you, so donโt be afraid to call on them for some assistance. Theyโd much rather help you free the ball properly than have to help you get to a hospital for an injury.
Is It Bad to Go Over the Foul Line?
Again, remember that bowling lanes are treated with oil. Itโs the reason the ball moves so smoothly, allowing the game to work the way it does. While the ball does well with some extra oil, your feet donโt.
The foul line is there to prevent you from stepping too far and hurting yourself. Sure, it can seem like getting further forward is a good strategy to help your targeting but it is dangerous to do that.
Sometimes, it happens accidentally, and you really canโt help it. If that happens, then get a wet towel and wipe your shoes off as soon as possible before you even think about bowling again.
No one needs to tell you what bowling with a slick sole could mean for you.
What Does Proper Bowling Etiquette Look Like?
There isnโt a rule book per se that will cover all of what proper bowling etiquette is. For the most part, it boils down to being mindful of bowling rules, and people. Here are a few things that you can do:
- Though youโre at the bowling alley to have fun, pay attention to any regulations and follow them.
- Donโt roll your ball down the alley if the pins are not yet fully exposed or if you see someone working on the pin-setting machine.
- Swing practice is great, but you donโt want to hit anyone with your ball, so look around for others before you start.
The Bottom Line
Bowling is a non-contact sport, but that doesnโt mean you canโt get hurt or hurt others. It just takes a little effort to have fun at the alley in the safest way possible and prevent injury yourself. By following these bowling safety tips, you ensure a safer experience for both yourself and others at the alley.
