Any advice for teaching younger bowlers?

[TheSheibs]

The biggest thing when I was being taught by my dad was that he would tell me what I did wrong after every shot including saying that I did the same thing as I did last time. It made me frustrated especially since he would only tell me how to correct it once and then the next time bowling, I would make the same mistake and he wouldn't remind how to correct it. Just that I was making the mistake again. I would get frustrated to the point where it wasn't fun anymore. However, now when I make a mistake I hear him in my head telling me what I did wrong and I now know how to correct it. Take the time to teach proper lane courtesy and also that it is more important to enjoy bowling than it is to do well. The more fun they have the more they will want to go bowling.

As for the whole league thing. My personal thoughts on it is that 5 and 7 years old is too young to be bowling in a league. If they are bowling "granny" style, you should focus on lane courtesy, what the arrows and dots are for, and about aiming. Then once they can hold the ball with one hand start teaching that technique. It is a process and you should take it one step at a time. The score will come as they get familiar with the game and what they are doing. I was bowling at a young age but didn't join a youth league until I was in middle school. By then I knew my average and could give proper lane courtesy. As well as understood all the rules and scoring.

[Tampabaybob]

Shelbs, Because I've done this for so many years and had the pleasure of helping so many kids (and adults) along the way, I have to disagree with you. By not letting them participate they (not you) are losing out on several points. First, they'll be bowling with kids of their own age and skill and probably will make some friends that could last for years. Second, this is a good time for kids to learn about team sports and what it means to be a part of a team. This is a learned skill that will apply all throughout their life whether in sports or a working environment. Just the winning and losing aspect teaches kids some real life lessons. And last but not least, how about having fun? Our kids at that age have a peanut gallery of parents that you can hear all the way to the end of the bowling center ! They have matching USBC shirts so they all feel like a part of the team and almost all of the get weekly awards for the scores they posted from the week before. When they run up to the desk to get their award they have a smile a mile wide.

I'll agree there are "some" people that drop off their kids and use it as a babysitting service, but for most it's a time for the parents to allow the kids some enjoyment as their parents look on. Just my thoughts on the subject.

Bob

[billf]

Even the 4 year old in our bumper club, who bowls granny style, understood and followed lane courtesy. Bowling etiquette, safety and having fun are the priorities. And with bowling the kids have to learn how to deal with losing unlike with baseball, soccer and basketball leagues for those ages. It also gives us a chance to teach how to be a good teammate and sportsmanship.