Aerobic Bowling Activities

Bowling is not traditionally a very "aerobic" activity. When one thinks of getting a workout, bowling is not immediately thought of. It is a great "social" activity. It is a super way to get together with friends and have a good time. Even though it's not a way to get your heart pumping, it can still be an important part of your total program. The imaginative teacher can easily adapt it to fit into their instruction.

Bowling in an alley with 10 pins is what most people think of. It is not, though the only way to bowl. Here are a few lead-up games that I have found to be very successful. These are very active games. The kids will not have any trouble getting their heart rates up at all!

KEGLER ATTACK:
The name allows me to introduce a little history. I use this chance to talk about how small wooden kegs were originally used for bowling pins. Everyone starts with a partner. They have a hula-hoop, a bowling pin and a ball to use. I like to use "gator" balls, but any ball heavy enough to knock a pin down, but light enough not to hurt anyone will do. One partner is the "goalie" and the other partner is the "kegler." The "goalie sets the hoop anywhere on the floor and sets the pin up inside the hoop. Their job is to guard the pin. They can use any part of their body to stop the ball. (This is a carryover from soccer and hockey when we talked about goaltending.) The only catch is that the goalie CANNOT go inside the hoop at all! They must stay completely outside the hoop while guarding their pin. The "kegler's" job is to try to bowl their ball to try to knock down other pins. They must keep one foot in the hoop whenever they shoot at another pin. This forces them to step with one foot when they release the ball. I use this to help them to step with the correct foot.

While we are bowling, it is a great way to review their throwing mechanics. When I teach throwing technique, I tell them to "stand sideways to their target. Put the ball in their 'pencil' hand and make that hand their back hand." I then say to "step with their front foot and throw with their back hand." By keeping one foot in the hoop to bowl, it makes it easy for the "keglers" to step with their front foot and bowl with their back hand. I tell the "goalies" that they have to be quick, because any team can bowl at their pin from any direction. Since the hoops are scattered throughout the gym, shots can come from all angles. The "keglers" are allowed to get another ball at any time from somewhere on the floor. They MUST return back to their hoop before they can roll to another pin. I give the kids unlimited lives; they are never "out." They get a chance to score some points. They get one point for every pin they knock down. They lose a point every time their pin gets knocked down. Once they have switched roles a few times, I let them find a new spot for their hoop. I just wont let them put their hoop in a corner.

PIN SHOOT:
This game is similar to "Kegler Attack" with just a few changes. There are no hula-hoops and no partners. Everyone is on their own! They are both "goalie" and "kegler." Start by giving all of your students (except for 5-6 of them) a ball and a pin. Tell them that they can set the pin anywhere in the gym, just not against a wall. The 5-6 kids without any equipment are in a line in one corner of the gym. They are waiting for a turn to get into the game. Don't worry, once the game starts, they won't be in line for very long at all! On "go," everyone tries to roll their ball to try to knock someone else's pin down. They also have to protect their own pin (without touching it) at the same time. If someone's pin gets knocked down (from someone else, or by themselves), they carry their pin over to the line in the corner. They hand their pin to the first child in line; then go to the end of the line. The person who was given the pin now enters the game. They go get a ball on the floor, then set up their pin anywhere they want to. They now try to bowl a ball to knock down nearby pins. They stay in the game until their pin is knocked over. When that happens, they turn their pin in to the first person in line and go to the end of the line. Again, they won't be in line very long; just long enough to catch their breath!

These two games are great lead-ups in a bowling unit. Your kids will love them. They won't stop moving! Seeing a pin go down is a big thrill that will more than keep them interested. You will love them because they are very "aerobic" in nature. They also stress proper release and follow through; both very important skills in bowling.