Shooting at Double Wood and the Bucket

When two pins are stacked one in front of the other on a spare shot, it’s known as “double wood” in bowling.

For right-handed bowlers, it is the 2-pin and 8-pin, and for left-handed bowlers, it’s the 3-pin and 9-pin.

The “sleeper” in a “double wood” shot refers to the rear pin (that is, the 8-pin and 9-pin). There is no right or wrong way to make these spares. It really is dependent on what’s comfortable for you.

In this free video, Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, explains how the sleeper increases the difficulty when attempting to fill frames and how to convert it with more regularity.

If You’re Lined Up

Being lined up means the bowling ball is properly matched up to the lane conditions with good ball motion and as a result. You are consistently hitting the pocket. If this is the case, Pohl recommends using your strike ball and moving to the outside part of the lane, utilizing the same release and speed you have been using with your strike shot.

Straight Shot

If you are not comfortable with your line or you like to shoot straight at your spares, Pohl recommends grabbing your plastic ball, flattening your wrist and targeting the middle arrow to convert double wood.

“The Bucket”

The 2-pin, 4-pin, 5-pin and 8-pin is known in bowling as the bucket. The sleeper pin is the 8-pin and this can be a tricky spare to convert.

The same strategy you use to convert double wood should be used when shooting at the bucket. Comfortability shooting at sleeper spares will increase with a strategy that you stick with and can rely on.

Check out our spare shooting library for more ways to increase your average.