| Every sport has its rules of etiquette. In | | | | Try to cut down on your "body english" in |
| golf, for example, one does not talk or move | | | | practice and you will use less of it in |
| while a player is shooting. In basketball, | | | | league and tournament play. |
| the crowd is silent when a free throw is | | | | |
| made. Even in such a rugged sport as boxing, | | | | Give the bowler on your right preference at |
| a man who has scored a knockdown retires to | | | | all times. Because you swing your ball at |
| the farthest neutral corner to allow his | | | | your right side, you have to be more careful |
| opponent a chance to get up after a count. So | | | | of the man on your right than the one on your |
| it is in bowling. What it really boils down | | | | left. Let him shoot before you do-if you are |
| to is courtesy, once you have an inkling of | | | | both beginning at the very same time. |
| the rules. Here are some points to remember: | | | | |
| | | | Eliminate dilly-dallying between shots. |
| Observe the foul line at all times. This | | | | Don't fall into the habit of going through a |
| goes for practice as well as for tournament | | | | dozen meaningless motions, such as scraping |
| or league play. You owe it to your teammates | | | | your feet back and forth, wiping your hands |
| and to those around you to refrain from any | | | | on your clothing three or four successive |
| such action as fouling, which would penalize | | | | times, moving your ball back and forth or up |
| your score and consequently that of your | | | | and down without moving your feet, or any |
| team. Fouling frequently brings on loud and | | | | such actions which not only delay the game |
| unpleasant grumbling, in itself another | | | | but serve to make you more tense than before. |
| breach of etiquette. | | | | Get into your starting stance, sight at the |
| | | | target and roll the ball. |
| Never two-ball a pinboy. By this, I mean | | | | |
| don't fire another ball down the lane before | | | | Don't distract or bother other players. |
| the first one has been returned to you. You | | | | Before going to the rack for your ball, make |
| might injure the pinboy, and you are sure to | | | | sure that you will not interfere with other |
| make yourself mighty unpopular with those | | | | players. After you have selected the ball, be |
| around you, even if you don't hurt him. | | | | careful not to back into anyone's path. These |
| Remember, if the pinboy should be injured, | | | | are important safety rules as well as good |
| you might find yourself liable for damages. | | | | bowling manners. |
| | | | |
| Don't mar alley approaches. If you have any | | | | Be ready to bowl when it is your turn. Don't |
| slippery or gummy substance on your bowling | | | | carry on long conversations with outsiders or |
| shoes (one should never bowl in street | | | | engage in activities not directly concerned |
| shoes), get rid of it before you step onto | | | | with your bowling. You owe it to your |
| the approaches. If your shoes leave skid | | | | teammates and your opponents alike to keep |
| marks, remove the marks with steel wool. | | | | your mind on the game at all times. |
| Avoid excessive use of chalk. Do not mar the | | | | |
| alley approach or the alley bed with pencil, | | | | Confine your remarks to those on the bench. |
| crayon, chalk or any such substance. | | | | Do not talk to or attempt to gain the |
| | | | attention of a bowler already on the |
| Remain on the bench until it is your turn to | | | | approaches. |
| bowl. If you get up before your time you | | | | |
| will interfere directly or indirectly with | | | | Control your temper and Be a good loser. By |
| those who are already on the approaches. Give | | | | that I don't mean that you should give up |
| others the same common courtesy you would | | | | easily, for everyone likes a real competitor. |
| want for yourself. | | | | But once beaten, take your defeat gracefully. |
| | | | Don't give advice unless asked for it. In |
| There is no rule against "body English." | | | | short, simply do unto others as you would |
| Lots of bowlers, even the experts, are prone | | | | have them do unto you. |
| to use it at times. But when you use it, | | | | |
| remember that you have the right to use only | | | | Concentrating on what you're going to do, |
| the space enclosed by the width of your own | | | | that is bowling and don't engage on |
| lane. You are not expected to teeter or lean | | | | unnecessary things, which could distract your |
| so far that your body encroaches onto the | | | | attention. And be cool and accept your defeat |
| next alley and bothers the adjoining bowler. | | | | gracefully. |