One
of the most common things that can occur on a bowling lane is someone
sticking on the approach. In some of the cases, the person will fall
and possibly suffer an injury.
More often than not, the affected bowler is "snake-bit" and their game is thrown off because they are now tentative on the approach and will lose their rhythm. They either don't recover from the sticking incident and end up bowling a lousy series, or it takes them at least half-a-game or so to get over it. It has happened to me so I know the feeling.
Some sticking injuries I have personally seen are broken ankle, broken arm, broken rib, and numerous bruises on various parts of the body. When a bowler falls on the lane, there is no predicting what part will hit first.
More often than not, the affected bowler is "snake-bit" and their game is thrown off because they are now tentative on the approach and will lose their rhythm. They either don't recover from the sticking incident and end up bowling a lousy series, or it takes them at least half-a-game or so to get over it. It has happened to me so I know the feeling.
Some sticking injuries I have personally seen are broken ankle, broken arm, broken rib, and numerous bruises on various parts of the body. When a bowler falls on the lane, there is no predicting what part will hit first.
Even
though I'm fully aware and try to be as cautious as I can before my
full approach, I have stuck during my bowling sessions. In other
words, no matter how cautious one is, sticking on the approaches can
happen at any time.
I see so many bowlers who don't bother to check the approach. I guess they believe that the floors and carpeting in bowling centers are kept clean all the time so they don't have to worry about it. The really serious accidents happen only a small percentage of the time so people, more than likely, don't pay too much attention to it.
While water, spilt drinks, and food/snacks are the major causes of sticking on the approaches, there are instances when someone perspires and their sweat drips off their body onto the approach.
Anytime I get ready to bowl, my pre-start routine includes testing the approaches to make sure I can slide properly. Here it is by-the-numbers:
I see so many bowlers who don't bother to check the approach. I guess they believe that the floors and carpeting in bowling centers are kept clean all the time so they don't have to worry about it. The really serious accidents happen only a small percentage of the time so people, more than likely, don't pay too much attention to it.
While water, spilt drinks, and food/snacks are the major causes of sticking on the approaches, there are instances when someone perspires and their sweat drips off their body onto the approach.
Anytime I get ready to bowl, my pre-start routine includes testing the approaches to make sure I can slide properly. Here it is by-the-numbers:
1)
Scan the settee and spectator sitting areas for any tell-tale signs
of water, popcorn, discarded tape, and powder so that I can clean it
up or at least be aware to stay away from the affected area.
2) Make sure both my soles are free of any debris - water, tape, gunk, etcetera.
3) Check that my sliding foot, at the foul line, in the area of the middle (large dot) and far-right and far-left portions of the lane approach do not stick.
4) If I walk away from the immediate area of my assigned lanes, I always check at least the sole of my sliding shoe and, take a quick practice slide on the approach before I take my next shot.
Obsessive Compulsive Behavior? Paranoia? I prefer to think of it as a safety measure that is necessary to prevent any chance of injury to myself. I don't think reminding people to check the approaches can be over-emphasized.
2) Make sure both my soles are free of any debris - water, tape, gunk, etcetera.
3) Check that my sliding foot, at the foul line, in the area of the middle (large dot) and far-right and far-left portions of the lane approach do not stick.
4) If I walk away from the immediate area of my assigned lanes, I always check at least the sole of my sliding shoe and, take a quick practice slide on the approach before I take my next shot.
Obsessive Compulsive Behavior? Paranoia? I prefer to think of it as a safety measure that is necessary to prevent any chance of injury to myself. I don't think reminding people to check the approaches can be over-emphasized.
