Importance of an anchor

[fokai73]

I didn't bowl handicap leagues the last 5 years. And the league I bowl has a point system which is match play/individual and team/total pins - 3 man team 6 points per game. Every bowler in each team are "anchors" pretty much. That's kind of a mentality I guess. But almost all in this league have been an anchor at some point in their bowling life.

When I do bowl a handicap league, like this winter season, I set up the line up for the team. One of the four is heck of a bowler in tournaments. Cash, cash, cash, almost every event. But when the game is close, he had blown some away........ Next season he's our anchor. When I told him about his position in the team He was reluctant, but I believe in him. He will learn and the team has his back too.

even a 160 has the ability to mark the tenth, it's helpful if the team is behind him too. also as a team, if you allow anchor to deal with the pressure of close games, then ALL of you are not doing your job as teammates.

if I was on your team, I have no hesitation to let him know that the anchor position isn't right for him. I was removed as an anchor one year when I struggled badly and got burnt out. I took a year off after the season, but I pride myself as an anchor, yet I wasn't performing well. I moved to the first seat and finished the season as the lead off guy.

[JasonNJ]

Traditionally I always thought of the anchor as the best bowler or at least someone who is your best clutch bowler. Someone you can depend on throwing good shots and not miss makeable spares.

But now that this question was asked and I'm thinking about it, I may have to approach this differently next season. I think everyone would agree there is a mental\psychological component to bowling. The more relaxed you are, the better you'll probably bowl and vice versa, more tense the harder it is to bowl. So if you stack your lineup with the best bowlers first and they're stringing strikes together. I think this could do 2 things, it's puts pressure on the other team to match and when it gets down to your weakest bowler in the anchor position he may be more relaxed knowing the team is already up.

[LOUVIT]

I took myself out of the anchor position, my first league in 25 years I felt I wasn't ready. I was always good under pressure but needed to get back into the game. You say the anchor averages 160 what do the other team members average and who can hit the pocket under pressure.and convert but if the first 2 bowlers miss in the tenth why should all the pressure be on the anchor anyway.

[foreverincamo]

I was our anchor all of last season and half of this season. I took myself out when I started slumping. I'm now 4th, and our 4th bowler, who has climbed up from the 160's to nearly 200, has been doing quite well.

[chip82901]

Being a team captain on my men's team, before we switched to head to head format, I would put the guys who I knew could make up 30-40 pins in the 10th at the bottom. I'd actually put my weaker bowlers leading off instead of the middle. I'm in the same boat, I bowl with 60-70 year old guys, then me (29) and a kid I used to coach made the jump to men's leagues at 18. My older guys are usually pretty consistent 160-180 average guys, although from time to time you'll see em get hot and roll over deuce. I'd say put your guys that are most comfortable performing under a bit of pressure toward the bottom

[Tony]

Being a team captain on my men's team, before we switched to head to head format, I would put the guys who I knew could make up 30-40 pins in the 10th at the bottom. I'd actually put my weaker bowlers leading off instead of the middle. I'm in the same boat, I bowl with 60-70 year old guys, then me (29) and a kid I used to coach made the jump to men's leagues at 18. My older guys are usually pretty consistent 160-180 average guys, although from time to time you'll see em get hot and roll over deuce. I'd say put your guys that are most comfortable performing under a bit of pressure toward the bottom

I don't know about you but if I find guys who can score 40 pins in the 10th I'll be mighty impressed !

[chip82901]

I'm talking between 1-2 guys (4th and 5th). Those guys that are going to have a mark in the 9th frame going into the 10 that can at least get a mark in the 10th and make up some pins

[fordman1]

You want to put the person on your team who has the best chance to throw 3 strikes and put pressure on the other team. If you league isn't that strong go with the person who can get you a mark and good count. The confidence factor goes both ways you must have it in them and they have it in themselves.

[Tony]

I'm talking between 1-2 guys (4th and 5th). Those guys that are going to have a mark in the 9th frame going into the 10 that can at least get a mark in the 10th and make up some pins

Ok J/k

[chip82901]

Ok J/k

Hey, you never know with some of the people on these forums lol. Some just blow my mind (that sniper kid for instance)