Definition:
In exactly two shots, knocking down all 10 pins in a frame.
Obviously, the goal in bowling is to throw a strike on every shot. That, however, is not feasible to do. Sooner or later, no matter how good a bowler is, he or she will fail to strike. Fortunately, every frame of bowling consists of two chances to knock down all 10 pins. If a bowler does not strike on his or her first shot, and then knocks down all remaining pins on the second shot, it is a spare.
How to Throw Strikes
No matter how many pins are left standing after the first shot, as long as there is at least one, it's possible for a bowler to throw a spare. That is, if you leave a single pin after your first shot, you need to knock down that pin on your second shot for a spare. If you throw a gutter ball on your first shot, you need to knock down all 10 pins on your second shot for a spare. This is also called a sprike.
There are many different types of spare systems (essentially, an easy way for a bowler to know how to pick up any possible spare) in the bowling world, and some work for some bowlers while others work for others. Although these are not definitive for all situations, here are a couple of the most basic spare systems that can help you improve your game:
Your score for a frame in which you throw a spare is 10 plus the value of your next shot. For instance, if you spare in the first frame, you must throw one shot in the second frame to determine your score for the first frame.
So, if your first shot in the second frame is a strike, for example, your score in the first frame is 20 (10 + 10). If you throw a gutter ball in the second frame (not recommended, obviously), your score in the first frame is 10. A spare cannot be worth less than 10 and cannot be worth more than 20.
Examples: Barry had a tough night on the lanes, struggling to strike. Fortunately, he was able to pick up his spares and keep his scores respectable.
In exactly two shots, knocking down all 10 pins in a frame.
Let's Elaborate
Obviously, the goal in bowling is to throw a strike on every shot. That, however, is not feasible to do. Sooner or later, no matter how good a bowler is, he or she will fail to strike. Fortunately, every frame of bowling consists of two chances to knock down all 10 pins. If a bowler does not strike on his or her first shot, and then knocks down all remaining pins on the second shot, it is a spare.
How to Throw Strikes
Earning a Spare
No matter how many pins are left standing after the first shot, as long as there is at least one, it's possible for a bowler to throw a spare. That is, if you leave a single pin after your first shot, you need to knock down that pin on your second shot for a spare. If you throw a gutter ball on your first shot, you need to knock down all 10 pins on your second shot for a spare. This is also called a sprike.
There are many different types of spare systems (essentially, an easy way for a bowler to know how to pick up any possible spare) in the bowling world, and some work for some bowlers while others work for others. Although these are not definitive for all situations, here are a couple of the most basic spare systems that can help you improve your game:
Scoring a Spare
Your score for a frame in which you throw a spare is 10 plus the value of your next shot. For instance, if you spare in the first frame, you must throw one shot in the second frame to determine your score for the first frame.
So, if your first shot in the second frame is a strike, for example, your score in the first frame is 20 (10 + 10). If you throw a gutter ball in the second frame (not recommended, obviously), your score in the first frame is 10. A spare cannot be worth less than 10 and cannot be worth more than 20.
Examples: Barry had a tough night on the lanes, struggling to strike. Fortunately, he was able to pick up his spares and keep his scores respectable.
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