What to do about the guy that stands there forever on the approach.

[Tony]

I assume every league has a few guys that get up on the approach and you'd swear they fell asleep they stand there for so long. I bowled next to a guy last week who stood there for what seemed like a minute but was actually about 25 seconds, and half the time he would break and step back and then do it all over again.
My strategy was just to avoid him, if he was up to bowl I would just stay in my seat until he had thrown the ball.
Does this bug you and what works for you?

[Timmyb]

We have a number of them in my league. I count to 15. If they haven't moved by then, fair game. Bowling courtesy also extends to not taking too much time.

[J Anderson]

These guys don't bother me in the least. In fact I like either having one on my pair or next to it in singles competitions since many of the higher average bowlers will become so irritated that it begins to affect their performance.

Your league could make a rule about this but it's doubtful that the rule would be evenly andeffectively enforced.

Most of the 'trance' bowlers are their own worst enemies. Their muscles tense up leading to poor swing mechanics, and they tend to overthink the shot leading to second guessing themselves and losing confidence.

[fokai73]

I bowl with a few at leagues and I know it bugs other ppl when they freeze at approach. Plus two lane courtesy, it makes for a long night.
I do agree, standing there for so long can cause some problems before they take the first step.

[fordman1]

I always give 2 lane courtesy. Except when the statues bowl next to me. Then I go to the USBC rule one lane courtesy. After a while they will tell me to go ahead and they wait. 90% of one pin spares I don't even set my feet just walk up and throw the ball. The 10% is the "10PIN" I don't take long just have to set my feet in the right area.

[dnhoffman]

I give two lane courtesy - with the caveat that when lane 2 starts their approach, i'll step up - when it's the lane next to me I'll wait until they throw.

Honestly - I'm one of those people who is absolutely annoyed at people who don't give two lane courtesy because it goes right into your peripheral vision and is just kind of an inconsiderate jerk move.

How to deal with those people that take forever? Well, I prefer to make jokes about it, or just accept it. I'll take someone who statues for 20 seconds over someone who walks up on me two lanes over any day of the week.

[Timmyb]

I give two lane courtesy - with the caveat that when lane 2 starts their approach, i'll step up - when it's the lane next to me I'll wait until they throw.

Honestly - I'm one of those people who is absolutely annoyed at people who don't give two lane courtesy because it goes right into your peripheral vision and is just kind of an inconsiderate jerk move.

How to deal with those people that take forever? Well, I prefer to make jokes about it, or just accept it. I'll take someone who statues for 20 seconds over someone who walks up on me two lanes over any day of the week.

This whole "two lane" thing is something fairly new. Standard growing up was one lane. I'll bow to the two lane thing if the guy starts all the way back, because I don't. Past that, I kind of find it a bit annoying, and I think it slows down the game as well. I set the first foot, the second, smash my thumb in the hole, and go. If there's 5 seconds, I'd be shocked. But you should clarify--Do you mean two full lanes between you and him? Because if it's one, that's a one-lane courtesy.

[Blomer]

We have a few guys like that. I often will just sit till they are done. But, if I can beat them to the lane to go, I will. We have a could of two lane bowlers also, they usually let others go and wait.

[AlexNC]

We have a particular team in our league with a few guys that do it. In addition to the delay on the approach, they often don't realize when they are up. It felt like it took an additional hour bowling them.

[Tony]

This whole "two lane" thing is something fairly new. Standard growing up was one lane. I'll bow to the two lane thing if the guy starts all the way back, because I don't. Past that, I kind of find it a bit annoying, and I think it slows down the game as well. I set the first foot, the second, smash my thumb in the hole, and go. If there's 5 seconds, I'd be shocked. But you should clarify--Do you mean two full lanes between you and him? Because if it's one, that's a one-lane courtesy.

To clarify the original question lets say you are bowling on the 7/8 pair and up to bowl on lane 8.

One lane -- you would bowl when lane 7 X 9 are clear

Two lane -- you would bowl when lanes 6,7, X 9,10 are clear

One pair --- you would bowl when lanes 5,6,7, X 9,10 are clear ( not part of the original question )