Basic 3-6-9 Spare System: Moving Right
Scott PohlFor beginner and intermediate bowlers, the 3-6-9 spare system is a great way to quickly get lined up to make spares on both sides of the lane. In this free video lesson, Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, teaches right-handed bowlers how to hit the 2, 4, and 7 pins consistently.
Getting Started
In order for this spare system to be effective, you must be lined up and constantly hitting the pocket. Hailey Triske is lined up utilizing board 29 on the approach and targeting the second arrow.
It is called the 3-6-9 system because that is how many boards you will be moving with your feet to the right to make the 2, 4, and 7 pins from your strike shot, using the same strike target.
You can use your strike ball or a plastic spare ball with this system.
2 Pin
Located just left of the headpin, the 2 pin requires right-handed bowlers to move three boards to the right on the approach, while throwing at the same strike target on the lanes to convert this spare.
4 Pin
The 4 pin is located next to the 2 pin and it requires right-handed bowlers to move six boards to the right on the approach while utilizing the same strike target to convert this spare.
7 Pin
The 7 pin is located next to the 4 pin and it is the farthest pin on the left-hand side. Right-handed bowlers will move nine boards to the right on the approach to hit the 7 pin while using the same strike target on the lane.
Check out “Left and Right Side Spares with Kegel’s Torch” and “Low Ball” for more spare shooting tips from National Bowling Academy’s expert coaches.
Scott Pohl here. For all you bowlers out there beginning learning how to shoot spares. And we're going to go into a system that's going to be good for you. It's called the 369. It can work for spares on the left-hand side.
We're going to move our feet to the right and show you how to do this. Let's get on the lanes. First of all, it's very important that you are lined up to hit the pocket consistently. Otherwise this system does not work. So we're going to talk about how we can make the two pin.
This is the pin to the left of the head pin. What we want to do is move our feet three boards to the right from our strike shot. Use the strike target, deliver the ball. This will take over the two pin. Next up, we're going to discuss the four pin, which is the pin to the left of the two pin.
What we're going to do, based on our strike shot, is move six boards to the right, use the intended strike target, deliver the ball, and get the four pin. Next, is the seven pin, which is the pin to the left of the four pin. What we want to do is move our feet nine boards to the right, use the strike target, and make the seven pin.
This system works for the bowler shown because she is starting somewhat to the left for strikes. For me my starting board is usually around 21/22 for the left foot and 18 for the right foot. My target is the 10 board at the 2nd arrow. 3 boards right is okay, but anything beyond that becomes a problem. What advice would you have for someone who starts further to the right?
What about a video for left handed bowlers for a change.