Bumpers up / bumpers down ? Summer unplugged program

[Judy clemons]

I have officially signed my husband & i up for the summer unplugged program and have added
3 of our grandsons up with us. Two of them are 8 years old and the youngest is 3... just one of them hollers to bowl with out the bumpers and he actually does rather well. the other two could care less up or down
does not matter to them very much, however the small fry needs them up to have any chance at all of
getting some pins down. my question is i would like to know if it is harmful to have them up for the one
that wants to bowl with out them? Is it damaging to the other ones to use them? Seems like this might be one of those catch 22 but i would like feedback regarding this matter, please.

[TCJ]

If you want them to learn to bowl, get rid of the bumpers. Bumpers train the kid to just dump the ball anywhere on the lane instead of trying.

[J Anderson]

I have officially signed my husband & i up for the summer unplugged program and have added
3 of our grandsons up with us. Two of them are 8 years old and the youngest is 3... just one of them hollers to bowl with out the bumpers and he actually does rather well. the other two could care less up or down
does not matter to them very much, however the small fry needs them up to have any chance at all of
getting some pins down. my question is i would like to know if it is harmful to have them up for the one
that wants to bowl with out them? Is it damaging to the other ones to use them? Seems like this might be one of those catch 22 but i would like feedback regarding this matter, please.

In some centers the bumpers are automated and will drop down when it is time for an adult to bowl and then pop back up for the kids.

In my opinion, eight year old kids shouldn't need bumpers. If the three year old enjoys rolling the ball regardless of whether the bumpers are up or down, leave them down.

[Tampabaybob]

Judy, as a Junior bowling coach for many years, my take is with John. Teach the 8 year olds right the first few times you go out but definitely let the 3 year old have the bumpers. The 8 year olds should be able to start with at least an 8 - 10 lb ball. let them use which ever one they feel comfortable with and as they get a little stronger move them up right away to a little heavier weight. The heavier ball helps stabilize their arm swing. A ball that's too light they'll be swinging all over the place. Hopefully they'll have some good Junior coaches there to help you. As you know the kids will always listen better to someone they don't know. LOL Good luck.

[TCJ]

When I was three, I never used bumpers. I didn't want them either!

[Greenday]

My coaches son bowls 2 handed with a backup spin. He's three years old. He doesn't use bumpers. He bowls a 100 at least once a day.

Lookout world!

[billf]

I'm against using the bumpers.
I coach the regular USBC Junior league AND the non-sanctioned bumper league immediately after. The ages are interchangeable as there are several under 6 in Junior league and most of the bumper league is over 6. The bumper league kids couldn't care less about form, function and etiquette. They just slam the ball off the bumpers and complain if they don't strike. That league had only one kid who seemed to try and I talked his parents into transferring him to the Junior league.

BTW, our Junior league had a 5 year old who averaged a 36. He still had fun and is actually practicing a little this summer to get better.