If you’ve spent any time on the lanes, you already know the frustration: you throw what feels like a perfect shot, the ball drives through the pocket… and yet, that stubborn 10-pin is still standing.
The 10-pin is one of the most common single-pin leaves in bowling (if you are lefty – that’s a 7-pin for you), and it often feels unfair. But in reality, it’s one of the best teachers in the game. Understanding why you leave a 10-pin – and how to adjust – can make the difference between good games and great ones.
Why Bowlers Leave the 10-Pin
Leaving the 10-pin isn’t just bad luck. There are real, technical reasons why it happens:
1. Entry Angle into the Pocket
If your ball enters the pocket too shallow (closer to the headpin), it doesn’t drive through the pins with the right angle. Instead of carrying the 10-pin, the ball deflects, and the pin remains standing.
2. Ball Speed and Rev Rate
If your ball is too fast or doesn’t have enough revs, it won’t hook strongly into the pocket. On the flip side, if it hooks too much or too early, it can hit “flat” and lose power. Both scenarios increase the chance of leaving a corner pin.
3. Lane Conditions
As oil patterns break down, your ball may not react the way you expect. A ball that once carried the 10-pin can suddenly start leaving it as lanes transition. Adjustments are key.
4. Pin Action
Sometimes, it’s simply about how pins bounce around. If the 6-pin (next to the 10) lies down flat instead of kicking back toward the corner, the 10 will stay standing. This is often called a “flat 10”.
How to Pick Up the 10-Pin Consistently
Now that we understand why it happens, here’s how to deal with it:
1. Use a Spare Ball
Most pros use a plastic spare ball to shoot at corner pins. Plastic doesn’t hook much, so you can throw straighter and reduce variables.
2. Play Across the Lane
Instead of shooting from your strike line, move to the far left and aim across the lane. This angle gives you more room for error and increases your margin of safety.
3. Focus on Target, Not the Pin
Don’t aim directly at the 10-pin. Pick a spot on the lane (usually an arrow or board) and focus on rolling straight over it.
4. Control Your Speed
Many misses happen because bowlers throw too fast. Stay smooth and consistent with your release.
5. Practice, Practice, Practice
The only way to remove fear of the 10-pin is repetition. Dedicate part of every practice session to shooting only at corner pins.
Advanced Tips for Competitive Bowlers
Stay Mentally Strong: Don’t let frustration creep in. The best bowlers in the world still leave corner pins. The difference is – they pick them up.
Adjust Ball Surface: If you’re constantly leaving the 10-pin on strikes, try polishing your ball for more length or switching to a different ball to improve carry.
Read Your 6-Pin: If it’s laying flat, you may need to adjust your angle or speed. If it’s kicking hard around the 10, your shot is close – you just need fine-tuning.
Leaving a 10-pin doesn’t mean you threw a bad shot – it means your margin for error is slim, and you’re close to striking. By making small adjustments in speed, angle, or ball choice, you’ll turn more of those 9s into strikes. And when you don’t? Nail the spare, keep your confidence, and move on.
The 10-pin is the ultimate test of patience, focus, and spare shooting ability. It can frustrate beginners and challenge even the pros – but it can also make you a better bowler. By understanding why you leave it and learning how to pick it up every time, you’ll immediately raise your game.
At Bowlers Link, we believe that every spare is an opportunity to grow. In our video-library you’ll find the tools you need to master bowling, improve your spare game, and build consistency under pressure.
Next time you leave the 10-pin, don’t get angry – get focused.
Knock it down, and move on to your next strike!