Pinstats.com - Glossary

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Actual span: Distance from edge of thumb hole nearest to center to edge of finger holes nearest to center, including all inserts and/or grips.
Angle of entry: Angle, measure parallel to the boards, at which the bowling ball hits the pocket after completing its path down the lane.
Approach: The area at least 15' long, on which the player walks to the foul line. Usually adjacent to the ball returns and has spots embedded in the approach to aid in lining up.
Arc: Describes a ball path from foul line to headpin that does not have a sharp, defined break point.
Axis of rotation: An imaginary line, perpendicular to the track, about which a bowling ball rotates during its path down the lane.
Axis point: One of two points located on opposite poles marking the endpoints of the axis of rotation.
Axis leverage: Type of drilling in which the label of center of gravity is placed on the positive axis and the pin is positioned between the positive axis point and the center of grip, usually above the line to the ring finger.
Axis tilt: Angle between axis of rotation and the horizontal plane.- Caused by the bowler at the release, represents an angle of the axis rotation above a horizontal line through the middle of the ball.
Axis rotation: Angle between the Translational and rotational energy vectors. The Degree the axis is rotated on the horizontal axis.
Axis weight: Type of drilling in which the weight block is positioned such that its mass is evenly distributed about the axis of rotation. AKA- Pin on the axis.

Back swing: Portion of bowler's delivery from the time the ball breaks the lateral plain of the body until the ball reaches the apex of the bowler's swing.
Backend: The 15 ft. of lane directly preceding the headpin.
Backup ball: Style of bowling in which the movement of the ball is from left to right for right handers and from right to left for left handers.
Ball cups: A concave holder for bowling balls.
Ball fitter: A tool used to measure the bowlers hand size for length, hole size and sometimes angles.
Ball plug: A two part epoxy used to fill holes in bowling balls.
Ball spinner: Motorized cup and pulley system used to spin a bowling ball during sanding or polishing.
Bevel: Refers to the rounded edge of any hole drilled into a bowling ball.
Bevel knife (Three edged knife): A knife with three edges used to customize hole size and bevel.
Boards: Any one of 39 one inch wide individual pieces of wood pieced together to comprise the surface of the lane.
Bottom weight: Imbalance in which the half of the ball opposite the center of the grip weighs more than the half containing the center of the grip.
Breakpoint: Point in the trajectory of a bowling ball at which the ball makes its greatest change in direction.
Bridge: Distance between the finger holes. A common place for ball cracks to occur.

Carry down: Oil moved down the lane by the passing of bowling balls.
Center of gravity: 1) The point, at which, no matter how the ball is rotated, it will weigh the same. 2) It is the point at which the entire mass of a bowling ball acts as if it is concentrated. 3) The point on the surface of the bowling ball where static balance is zero for both finger and side weights; usually marked by a logo.
Centerline: The vertical line between the fingers and through the middle of the thumb.
Centerline transposition (CLT): A lateral shift of the centerline after drilling thumb to drill fingers off of.
Channel: There are 2 channels on each side of the lane. Once a ball falls into the channel or gutter before hitting pins, the bowler shall receive a zero.
Conventional grip: A grip in which the bowler places his or her fingers in the ball to the second joint at a 90 angle, while placing his or her entire thumb in the ball.
Core: Internal portion of bowling ball around which the shell is poured.
Core axis angle: Angle that which the core is from the bowlers axis point.
Contour Abrasion Blocks: A concave tool contoured to the shape of the bowling ball, used to aid in the sanding and finishing process to maintain the true roundness of the bowling ball.
Count: The number of pins knocked down on the first ball.
Cranker: A bowler who generates revolutions by a cupped, broken or muscled armswing.
Cut span/ cut to cut span: Distance from edge of thumb hole nearest to center to edge of finger holes nearest to center, excluding all inserts and/or grips. See also Edge Span/Edge to Edge Span.

Deflection: Amount of displacement incurred in a bowling ball's trajectory after making contact with a headpin.
Degree of oval: The degree from centerline the oval of a hole will be.
Dodo scale: A balance beam scale system that measures weight and distance. Used to find whether a bowling ball will meet ABC/WIBC guidelines of imbalance for one side to another.
Differential of radius of gyration: The differences between the Rg axes XYZ.
Drill press/mill Press: Stationary stabile motorized apparatus with the ability for bit to travel to drill holes.
Drill jig: A device used to hold a bowling ball stationary, while being drilled. A jig can be either stationary and used on a mill press or have sliding plates to adjust for desired pitch.
Dull: Refers to the surface of a bowling ball appearing listless. In general a dull bowling ball is one in which the pours are open and clean.
Durometer: Device used to measure the hardness of a bowling ball.
Dynamic imbalance: Measure of weight in an object in motion.
Dynamics: The characteristics of the mass inside a bowling ball. This includes Moment of Inertia and Differential of Rg, which in turn contribute to the balls preferred spin axis.

Edge span/ edge to edge span: Distance from edge of thumb hole nearest to center to edge of finger holes nearest to center, excluding all inserts and/or grips.
Engraver: Motorized etching tool used to engrave names on bowling ball.
Equator: The line around the ball perpendicular to the Midplane and the Midline covering the entire circumference of the ball.

Finger tip: A grip in which the bowler inserts fingers to the first joint, with the combined total of angle of the two joint equals 90 , while placing the entire thumb in the ball.
Finger weight: Imbalance which effectively makes the side of the ball, divided by the midline, containing the finger holes heavier than the side containing the thumb.
Flare: Refers to the bowling ball changing its axis of rotation during its path down the lane. The result is several different oil rings being visible around the ball.
Follow through: Portion of bowler's delivery after the ball has been released.
Forward pitch: The center line of the hole is displaced toward the center line of the grip.
Foul: Touching or going beyond the foul line. When a bowler fouls they recieve zero count for that delivery.
Frame: One-tenth of a game. Each square on score sheet is one frame.
Full roller: A bowler whose track passes between the thumb and fingers and whose track measures the circumference of the ball.
Full span: Distance from edge of thumb hole nearest to center to edge of finger holes nearest to center, including all inserts and/or grips. See also True Span, Actual Span.

Gripper/squeezer: Someone who holds on to the ball with excessive force.
Gutter: There are 2 channels on each side of the lane. Once a ball falls into the channel or gutter before hitting pins, the bowler shall receive a zero.
Gutter ball-: Delivery which rolls off the lane and into the gutter. Once a ball falls into the channel or gutter before hitting pins, the bowler shall receive a zero.

Heads: Portion of the lane from the foul line to the range finders which are generally located 15 to 18 feet down the lane.
Heavy hit: Refers to a pocket shot that makes more contact with the headpin than an ideal shot.
High performance balls: Premium balls designed to create specific reactions for different bowlers.
High track: Refers to a track outside of the thumb hole and finger holes that is no more than an inch from either.
Hinge angle: Angle at which the thumb is connected to the hand.
Hit the ball: Refers to the acceleration of the hand, at the release point.
Hook: Refers to the amount, measured in boards and angle, that a bowling ball deviates from its original trajectory during its path down the lane.
Hook angle: Refers to the angle at which the bowling ball changes direction at its break point.
Hook potential: Refers to the capability a bowling ball has for traversing boards during its path down the lane.
Horizontal axis measurement: Is the distance, measured perpendicular to the centerline of the grip, at which the positive axis point is located.

Imbalance: Is the displacement of the center of gravity from the geometric center of a bowling ball.
Inside: Refers to the portion of the lane bounded by ten boards on both sides.

: We currently do not have any terms beginning with the letter J.

: We currently do not have any terms beginning with the letter K.

Label shift: Refers to the displacement of the label from the center of the grip.
Layout tool: A tool used to draw the lines necessary to position the holes in the proper place upon a bowling ball.
Lateral pitches: Refer to the right and left components of pitch in any drilled hole in a bowling ball.
Leave: Refer to the pins remaining after the first delivery.
Leverage position: In bowling it is the position at which the bowler is able to use his body to create rotation, speed and momentum on the bowling ball.
Leverage weight: Refers to a drilling in which the center of the weight block is placed at a 45 degree angle with the axis of rotation.
Lift: Refers to the vertical component of a bowler's release.
Line: Refers to the intended path of the ball down the lane.
Linear velocity: Ball traveling down the lane towards the pins. See also Translational energy.
Loft: Is how far the ball travels before actually making contact with the lane surface.
Low track: A track outside the finger holes and thumb hole, but more than two inches from either.

Mark: Point on the lane at which the bowler is aiming.
Mass bias: Weight in a particular area of the ball.
Mid-line: Line that perpendicularly bisects the center line of the grip. A horizontal line halfway between the fingers and thumb.
Mid-plane: A line perpendicular to the midline that passes through the bowlers positive axis point and the negative axis point when extended completely around the ball. Separates top of ball from bottom of ball on the bowler's axis of rotation.
Mid or half weights: A ball whose net weight is more than .35 or below .8 of an integral weight.
Moment of inertia: The amount of force required to spin an object.

Negative weight: Any imbalance, thumb, negative, or bottom.
Negative side weight: Imbalance in a ball that effectively makes the left side of the ball side heavier, for right handed release players, and right side of the ball heavier for left handed release players.

Offset: Difference in span between middle and ring fingers.
Offset thumb: Outdated shift of thumb increasing ring finger span.
Open: To open is to rotate part of one's body in such a way pointed on a line away from the center of the lane.
Ovaled: Refers to the shape of a hole being obtuse.
Over reaction: Refers to a ball whose hook/oil ratio is very elastic. An over response of the balls contact or lack of contact to the surface of the lane.
Over turning the ball: Occurs when the bowler completes the entire rotation of the hand before releasing the ball.

Pie chart formula: Theory that breaks fitting a ball to the bowlers hand in to three parts Span, Pitches and Holesizes. The standard starting percentage being 40% Span, 40% Pitch, and 20% Hole sizes.
Pin: A small round discoloration on a bowling ball that marks the top of the weight block.
Pin action: Is the manner in which the pins react to the collision of the bowling ball.
Pin shift: Refers to the process of creating reaction in a bowling ball by displacing the pin from the Axis of rotation or the PAP.
Pitch: Refers to the angle at which a hole is drilled into a bowling ball.
Pitch gauge: A tool used to measure how much a hole is angled away from the center of the of the bowling ball.
Plug dams: Foam, neoprene, clay or plastic accessory used to coral excess plug to a desired height above the ball.
Plug pumps: An accessory used to obtain a predetermined amount of ball plug at the proper ratio.
Plug colors: Liquid coloring used to match plug to the bowling being plugged.
Pocket: Area between 1-2 pins for a lefty and 1-3 pins for a right hander.
Pocket Entry Angel: The angle at which the ball enters the pocket.
Positive Axis Point (PAP): Point on the surface of the ball that is the end of the bowlers axis of rotation, on the positive side of the ball.
Positive weights: Any imbalance, finger, side or top.
Positive side weight: Imbalance that effectively makes the Right side of the bowling ball form the center of grip heavier than the left for right handed release player, and left side of the ball heavier than the right for left handed release player.
Power player: Someone who relies more on speed and revolutions than accuracy.
Preferred spin axis/preferential spin axis: Refers to the axis about which the bowling ball wants to rotate.
Pull the ball: Is when the bowler misses his or her target to the inside of the armswings intended direction.
Push away: Portion of delivery in which the bowler sets the ball in motion.

: We currently do not have any terms beginning with the letter Q.

Radius of Gyration (RG): An account of the distribution, of the mass in an object.
Relaxed finger tip: A finger tip grip in which stress on the joints has been reduced to prevent injury.
Release point: Point in the delivery at which the ball loses contact with the hand.
Reverse pitch: Pitch in which the center line of the hole is angled away from the center of the grip.
Reverse block: A lane condition in which the inside portion of the lane is covered with less conditioner than the outside.
Revolutions: The number of times the bowling ball makes a complete rotation about its axis during its path down the lane.
Router: A motorized tool with a blade raised off the surface or placed below the surface. Used to either remove excess material from outer surface of ball (i.e. Excess plugging material) or when modified used to make holes larger or custom sized.
Rotational energy: Spin or Revolutions put on the ball by the bowler. See also Angular Velocity.

Safe zone: The area on the ball from one inch inside the midplane to a line from the bowlers PAP to the Ring finger and from the PAP to the equator, in which the Pin of a ball can be placed safely without the track and holes interfering with one another.
Sand paper: 120,180,220,320,400,600,100,1500- Paper used to sand bowling balls to desired texture.
Semi tip: Refers to a grip in which the bowler places his or her fingers in the ball between the first and second joint while placing the entire thumb in the ball.
Shell: Refers to the outer portion of a bowling ball surrounding the core.
Shiny: Refers to a ball that looks glossy. In general, shiny balls have fewer open/exposed pours.
Skid: Refers to the portion of the bowling ball's path in which the velocity of the contact point on the ball is greater than zero and the ball is therefore actually not rolling but is instead sliding down the lane.
Snap: Refers to a ball path that does have a sharp, defined breakpoint. However, when referring to the actual break point, the term snap is often used as a quantifying term.
Span: Distance from edge of thumb hole nearest to center to edge of finger holes nearest to center.
Span gauge: A tool used to measure the actual distance between two holes drilled into a bowling ball.
Spare: Knocking down all remaining pins in the second ball or delivery.
Spindle sanders (bevel sander): A motorized shaft and cutting tool, used to sand holes.
Squirt: Refers to the action of a bowling ball as it hydroplanes past its breakpoint.
Static weights: Measurements of forces at work in systems that are at rest. Side, finger and top.
Stretched fingertip: A fingertip grip which puts excessive force on the joints and muscles of the hand. A greater than 90 total joint angles into the hole.
Strike: Knocking down all ten pins with the first ball or delivery.
Stroker: Someone who has smooth swing and delivery without sudden acceleration.
Surface: Refers to the texture, both shine and hardness, of a bowling ball.
System of Bowling (SOB): Concerning balls, pins, lanes and dressing distribution.

Tapered: Refers to any hole in which the upper diameter of the hole is larger than the bottom.
Target: Where on the bowling lane the bowler is looking to place the ball.
Target Arrows: Sighting targets embedded in the lane to help the player align start position. Usually 15' down the lane from the foul line.
Thumb weight: An imbalance in a bowling ball which effectively makes the half of the ball containing the thumb heavier than the half containing the fingers, separated by the midline.
Track: Area of bowling ball that makes contact with the surface during its path down the lane. Because of revolving motion, this area is usually in the form of a ring or rings around the ball.
Track flare: The result of the migration of a bowling ball from the bowler's axis of rotation to the balls Preferred Spin Axis.
Track flare management: The concept of regulating the position of the flare intersections and the amount of flare.
Translational energy: Ball traveling down the lane towards the pins. See also Linear Velocity.
True Positive Axis Point (True PAP): The axis point for a bowler taken from a minimum track fare potential ball.
True span: Distance from edge of thumb hole nearest to center to edge of finger holes nearest to center, including all inserts and/or grips. See also Full Span, Actual Span.
Turn: The hand actions lateral movement at the release point.

Under reaction: An under response of the ball not reacting violently to changes in the amount of oil present.

Vertical axis measurement: The perpendicular measurement from the midline to the bowlers PAP.

Weight block: Traditionally, it is the dense part (s) of material found in the interior of a bowling ball.
Weight hole: A non-grip hole that is used to achieve a specific imbalance.

: We currently do not have any terms beginning with the letter X.

: We currently do not have any terms beginning with the letter Y.

: We currently do not have any terms beginning with the letter Z.