There are a few things to know about bowling before getting started, such as the scoring system, the arrangement of pins, and the different types of bowling balls. Mainly, every player needs to be aware of the pin arrangement, and one of the most important pins in this arrangement is the headpin.
In tenpin bowling, the pin at the top of the pin triangle is known as the headpin. This pin is labeled as 1, the only pin standing in the first row of the pin arrangement. It is also the closest pin to the bowler.
Sometimes the headpin is referred to as the front pin or the kingpin. It is important because it sets up the rest of the pins for a possible strike or spare. If the front pin is not knocked down, it can result in an open frame.
Let’s find out how to knock down the headpin on your first shot.
How to Knock Down the Headpin?
Hitting the front pin in bowling is all about aim and control. If you can practice these two things, you’ll be well on your way to getting strikes.
There are a few ways to knock down the headpin on your first try. The most common way is to aim for the 1 and 3 pins if you’re right-handed, also known as the “pocket.” This is because the 1 and 3 pins are the closest to the headpin. If left-handed, you will aim for the 1 and 2 pins and enter the pocket from the left side.
Using the correct technique to hit the pocket (either from the left or the right) can improve your odds of getting a strike every time. However, it requires the right amount of speed and a lot of practice. Moreover, you will need to aim for the right target arrow to enter the pocket by having the ball turn at the right point.
Another way to knock down the headpin is to aim for the 2 and 4 pins, also known as the “outside line.” This is because the 2 and 4 pins are further away from the headpin, so they have a greater chance of deflecting the ball into the headpin.
However, both these techniques require the ball to hook; therefore, they may not be suitable for beginner bowlers. If you plan on throwing a straight ball, you will need to aim for the middle of the lane to knock down the headpin. This will ensure that the pin falls over and that the ball doesn’t bounce off to the side.
One way to achieve this is to focus on the center arrow on the lane. This arrow points straight to the headpin, so if you take its aim, you will know for sure that it will lead to the headpin. Shooting straight in bowling is also beneficial when only a single pin is left standing.
Finally, you can try a Brooklyn shot to knock down the headpin, but in this case, the ball will enter the pocket from the opposite side of the hand. It is more complicated than entering the pocket from your own side and is only meant for pro bowlers.
