| Every sport has its rules of etiquette. In | | | | next alley and bothers the adjoining bowler. |
| golf, for example, one does not talk or move | | | | Try to cut down on your "body english" in |
| while a player is shooting. In basketball, | | | | practice and you will use less of it in |
| the crowd is silent when a free throw is | | | | league and tournament play. |
| made. Even in such a rugged sport as boxing, | | | | |
| a man who has scored a knockdown retires to | | | | 6. Give the bowler on your right preference |
| the farthest neutral corner to allow his | | | | at all times. |
| opponent a chance to get up after a count. So | | | | |
| it is in bowling. What it really boils down | | | | Because you swing your ball at your right |
| to is courtesy, once you have an inkling of | | | | side, you have to be more careful of the man |
| the rules. Here are some points to remember: | | | | on your right than the one on your left. Let |
| | | | him shoot before you do, if you are both |
| 1. Observe the foul line at all times. | | | | beginning at the very same time. |
| | | | |
| This goes for practice as well as for | | | | 7. Eliminate dilly-dallying between shots. |
| tournament or league play. You owe it to your | | | | |
| teammates and to those around you to refrain | | | | Don't fall into the habit of going through a |
| from any such action as fouling, which would | | | | dozen meaningless motions, such as scraping |
| penalize your score and consequently that of | | | | your feet back and forth, wiping your hands |
| your team. Fouling frequently brings on loud | | | | on your clothing three or four successive |
| and unpleasant grumbling, in itself another | | | | times, moving your ball back and forth or up |
| breach of etiquette. | | | | and down without moving your feet, or any |
| | | | such actions which not only delay the game |
| 2. Never two-ball a pinboy. | | | | but serve to make you more tense than before. |
| | | | Get into your starting stance, sight at the |
| By this, I mean don't fire another ball down | | | | target and roll the ball. |
| the lane before the first one has been | | | | |
| returned to you. You might injure the pinboy, | | | | 8. Don't distract or bother other bowlers. |
| and you are sure to make yourself mighty | | | | |
| unpopular with those around you, even if you | | | | Before going to the rack for your ball, make |
| don't hurt him. Remember, if the pinboy | | | | sure that you will not interfere with other |
| should be injured, you might find yourself | | | | players. After you have selected the ball, be |
| liable for damages. | | | | careful not to back into anyone's path. These |
| | | | are important safety rules as well as good |
| 3. Don't mar bowling alley approaches. | | | | bowling manners. |
| | | | |
| If you have any slippery or gummy substance | | | | 9. Be ready to bowl when it is your turn. |
| on your bowling shoes (one should never bowl | | | | |
| in street shoes), get rid of it before you | | | | Don't carry on long conversations with |
| step onto the approaches. If your shoes leave | | | | outsiders or engage in activities not |
| skid marks, remove the marks with steel wool. | | | | directly concerned with your bowling. You owe |
| Avoid excessive use of chalk. Do not mar the | | | | it to your teammates and your opponents alike |
| alley approach or the alley bed with pencil, | | | | to keep your mind on the game at all times. |
| crayon, chalk or any such substance. | | | | |
| | | | 10. Confine your remarks to those on the |
| 4. Remain on the bench until it is your turn | | | | bench. |
| to bowl. | | | | |
| | | | Do not talk to or attempt to gain the |
| If you get up before your time you will | | | | attention of a bowler already on the |
| interfere directly or indirectly with those | | | | approaches. |
| who are already on the approaches. Give | | | | |
| others the same common courtesy you would | | | | 11. Control your temper - Be a good loser. |
| want for yourself. | | | | |
| | | | By that I don't mean that you should give up |
| 5. There is no rule against body english. | | | | easily, for everyone likes a real competitor. |
| | | | But once beaten, take your defeat gracefully. |
| Lots of bowlers, even the experts, are prone | | | | |
| to use it at times. But when you use it, | | | | 12. Don't give advice unless asked for it. |
| remember that you have the right to use only | | | | |
| the space enclosed by the width of your own | | | | In short, simply do unto others as you would |
| lane. You are not expected to teeter or lean | | | | have them do unto you. |
| so far that your body encroaches onto the | | | | |