What is a Brooklyn in Bowling? All You Need To Know
If you are new to bowling, it’s possible that you may not have come across the word “brooklyn” before. However, for regular bowlers, the term holds significant meaning and is often used to describe a particular type of shot. So let’s first find out what is a Brooklyn in bowling?
In the blog post, I’ll talk more in detail about the Brooklyn shot and furthermore you’ll learn how to throw a ball for Brooklyn.
What Is a Brooklyn In Bowling?
In bowling, the term “Brooklyn” refers to a shot that hits the pins on the opposite side of the lane from where the bowler intended. For example, if a right-handed bowler aims for the right side of the headpin but ends up hitting the left side, that’s a Brooklyn shot.
While this may seem like an error, some bowlers intentionally aim for this kind of delivery to gain an advantage over their opponents.
I’ve seen my fair share of Brooklyn shots over the years. In fact, I’ve even had a few lucky ones myself.
But don’t just take my word for it – some of the greatest bowlers in history have had memorable Brooklyn shots.
Why Is it Called a Brooklyn In Bowling?
The origin of the term “Brooklyn” in is not entirely clear, but there are a few theories.
One theory is that it originated in New York City, where a popular style of bowling was played in which bowlers would intentionally aim for the opposite side of the lane.
Since Brooklyn is a borough of New York City located across the East River from Manhattan, it’s possible that the term was named after this style of play.
Another theory suggests that the term may have originated from the Brooklyn Bridge, which was completed in 1883 and was a popular landmark at the time when bowling was becoming a popular sport.
It’s possible that the term was named after the bridge due to the way the ball “crosses over” to the opposite side of the lane, much like the bridge spans the East River to connect Brooklyn to Manhattan.
However, the exact origin of the term remains a topic of debate among bowling enthusiasts.
What Is A Brooklyn Strike?
Brooklyn strike is gained by a bowler as a result of a Brooklyn shot. It is a rare and exciting occurrence in the game that happens when a bowler misses their intended target on one side of the lane but still manages to bring down all the pins by hitting them on the opposite side of the lane.
Even the bowler themselves may be surprised and delighted by their good fortune after getting this unexpected hit.
Why Is A Brooklyn Strike Bad?
While a Brooklyn strike can technically still result in all the pins being knocked down, it is generally considered a “bad” strike because it is not the intended or ideal shot.
In fact, it often indicates that the bowler made a mistake in their approach or release, and the ball did not go where they planned it to.
But it can still be effective and may even be intentional in certain situations, such as when a bowler is struggling to hit the pocket consistently or when the lane conditions favor a more inside shot.
How To Throw A Brooklyn Shot?
If you’re willing to perform a Brooklyn shot, here are the steps you can follow:
Step 1: Stand On The Opposite Side
Position yourself on the side of the approach opposite to your dominant hand, i.e., on the left side of the approach if you are right-handed and on the right side of the approach if you are left-handed.
By doing so, your ball will have a higher chance of crossing over and hitting the opposite side of the headpin.
If you’re interested in learning more about left-handed bowling, we’ve written a full article about it here.
Step 2: Adjust Your Aim
To make your ball curve towards the opposite side of the headpin, it’s important to direct your aim towards the area on the opposite side of the pocket instead of aiming directly for the pocket itself.
As an example, if you’re a right-handed bowler, aim for the space between the 1 and 2 pins rather than the 1 and 3 pins. This small shift in targeting can make a big difference in the trajectory of your ball.
Step 3: Release The Ball Early
Release the ball slightly earlier than usual and with a higher loft, so it can cross over to the opposite side. Try to send out the ball with a slight rotation to create hooking action.
Step 4: Follow Through Opposite Side
It’s important to complete your shot by extending your arm and following through towards the opposing side of the headpin, while also ensuring that your body is aligned in the direction of your shot.
When Should You Attempt For Brooklyn Shot?
In fact, attempting a Brooklyn Strike should be a rare occurrence and only used as a last resort.
This is because attempting this shot can lead to inconsistent and unpredictable results. A bowler may hit the Brooklyn side one time and then leave a difficult spare the next.
But one situation where attempting a Brooklyn strike can be useful is when the bowler continuously misses the pocket on the opposite side of the Brooklyn side.
In such a case, consciously striving for the shot may result in a strike and provide the you with some momentum and confidence.
Another situation is when there is a particular pin or group of pins that the you’re struggling to knock down. If those pins are located on the Brooklyn side, attempting this strike may be the best option.
Should You Rely On Brooklyn Strike?
The Brooklyn strike should not be a default strategy for every shot. It’s important to assess the lane conditions and adjust the approach and target accordingly.
Also, consistently relying on Brooklyn strikes can make it harder to improve accuracy and consistency, which are crucial for long-term success in bowling.
Is There Any Advantage Or Disadvantage Of Brooklyn Shot?
Yes of course, just like everything has negative and positive aspects, so has Brooklyn which are as follows.
Advantage
- Can be a helpful strategy when the lanes are dry or when the bowler struggles with hitting the pocket.
- Can result in higher pinfall since it hits more pins than a typical pocket shot.
- Can be a useful alternative when the lane conditions are difficult and don’t allow for a standard shot.
- Can help the bowler adjust to changing lane conditions by providing an alternative shot to use.
- Can be a useful way to break up a string of spares or low-scoring frames by providing a different look to the pins.
- Can help the bowler stay focused and engaged in their game by challenging them to try different shots.
- It can be a helpful way to create more hooks on the ball for bowlers who struggle with generating enough hooks.
- Can be a useful way to mix up a bowler’s approach and style, which can throw off opponents.
- Can help the bowler develop a more diverse set of skills and shots, which can be useful in various tournament or league scenarios.
- Can be a fun and challenging shot to try, which can add some excitement and variety to the game.
Disadvantage
- It’s not a reliable or consistent way to hit the pocket, which can lead to inconsistent scores.
- It’s a riskier shot that can lead to splits, which are difficult to convert.
- It requires more skill and precision than a standard shot, which can be challenging for less experienced bowlers.
- It can be seen as a cheap or lucky shot, which can affect the bowler’s confidence and reputation.
- It can lead to inconsistency in a bowler’s form and technique, which can negatively affect their overall game.
- It can be frustrating for the bowler to consistently miss the pocket, which can lead to a decline in morale and motivation.
- It requires a higher degree of accuracy and consistency than a standard shot, which can be difficult for some bowlers
- It can lead to negative feedback from other bowlers or coaches, who may not approve of the shot.
- It can lead to inconsistent ball reaction, which can make it difficult to read and adjust to lane conditions.
- It can be a risky shot that can negatively impact a bowler’s score and performance.
Conclusion
So what is a Brooklyn in bowling? Well, it denotes a type of shot that impacts the pins on the opposite spot of the lane from where the bowler had aimed to hit.
While it may not be shot for everyone, it remains an intriguing and challenging aspect of the game for those who choose to incorporate it into their repertoire.
If you want to learn more about A Brooklyn Bowling Story, we have a full article about it here.
FAQs
What is a jersey in bowling?
Jersey is another terminology used for Brooklyn. It is a shot where the bowling ball hits the opposite side of the spot that was intended to target.
Is a Brooklyn shot an effective strategy for all bowlers?
No, a Brooklyn shot is not an effective strategy for all bowlers. It requires a higher degree of precision than a standard shot, which can be challenging for less experienced bowlers or beginners.
Are there any downsides to using a Brooklyn shot?
Yes, there are downsides to using a Brooklyn shot. It can be a risky shot that can lead to splits, which are difficult to convert. It can also be seen as a cheap or lucky shot, which can affect a bowler’s confidence and reputation.
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