When bowlers say a shot was "high," they mean the ball hit too much of the head pin. Instead of entering the pocket (between the 1 and 3 pins for a right-hander, or the 1 and 2 for a left-hander), it struck the head pin nearly full-on. The opposite is a "light" hit, where the ball barely touches the head pin.
What a high hit leaves
A ball that hits the head pin square drives straight through the middle of the rack and sends pins out to both sides. The pins on the edges are left standing. Typical leaves from a high hit are:
- The 4-6, 7-10 and other wide splits
- The 4-6-7-10 ("big four") on a really square hit
- The 8-10 or 7-9
A ball that crosses over the head pin into the other side of the rack (the 1-2 pocket for a right-hander) is called a Brooklyn. It's an extreme high hit that sometimes still strikes, but usually doesn't.
What causes it
- Too much hook: the ball hooks earlier or harder than you expected, often because the lane has dried up in front of you.
- Missing your target to the inside: for a right-hander, rolling over a board to the left of your target sends the ball higher.
- Slower speed: a slower ball has more time to hook.
- Too strong a ball for the condition: an aggressive ball on a dry or burned-up lane.
How to fix it
- Move your feet: the standard adjustment is to move your feet and target in the direction of the miss. For a right-hander hitting high, move a couple of boards left with your feet and one board left with your target (the 2-and-1 move). The rule of 31 and board numbers guide help you count it.
- Add a little speed: a slightly faster ball hooks later. The ball speed calculator shows what a small change means in mph.
- Weaken the ball: switch to a less aggressive ball, or one with a shinier surface, so it skids further before it hooks.
- Check your release: if you're turning the ball harder than usual, it will hook more.
Converting what's left
High-hit leaves are some of the hardest spares in bowling. Aim to make one pin, not both, if the split is wide, and use a straight spare ball for corner pins. The splits guide covers the conversions.