This is the second of the spare systems that I promised to tell you about. It is a particular favorite of Fred Borden, but much more complicated than the 3-6-9 from last month or the 2-4-6 which I will tell you about later.
This system uses both 'stance movement' and 'target movement' and should only be used if you are comfortable identifying with a single board, or even a part of a board. However it is a very good system, and well worth a try in your practice sessions to see if it suits your game.
For left-sided spares, assuming you are a right-handed hook bowler, you will be using a part of the 3-6-9 system (see May Go Tenpin), just as left-handers and right-handed 'backup' bowlers will use part of that system for right-side spares.
Chart A is for righties and B for lefties.
Starting with Chart A, the right part relates to 2-, 4- and 7-pins. You can see in this example that we have started from your base stance position with a target between 2nd and 3rd arrows. Your particular strike line and stance position are what counts. That is your base, and you MUST apply movements from YOUR base position and target.
The rule for left-sided spares is move your feet 3 boards right for each pin to the left of the headpin. Chart B shows the same movement for lefties sparing the 3-, 6-, and 10-pins.
Now we'll take a look at the left part of Chart A, conversion of right-side spares. This system says move four boards left for each pin to the right of the headpin. However you must also move your target as well.
For the 3-pin, it stays as your start position, for the 6-pin aim at 3rd arrow, and finally for the 10-pin aim between 3rd and 4th.
Left-handers and right-handed backup bowlers look at Chart B to attempt spares on the left side.
Of course all bowlers should be able to convert the headpin (1-pin) and 5-pin spares by using base position of feet and target.
If you've followed all the way through this, you may wonder about the logic of moving 3 boards on one side and 4 for the other.
All will be revealed next time.