CHAPTER 3
Instructor Infomation and Instructional Procedures
Instructing blind persons is an individualistic procedure, and many of the basic fundamentals of instruction must be modified or disregarded if the instructor is to get all points across to the student. In many cases you will be able to get the person in the proper position by verbal instructions, but most require some adjustment of positions, therefore, you must actually place the students feet and body in the desired position. You must then show the individual how you want the movement or exercise performed. This normally consists of actually moving the individual's body through the desired movements. Do not be afraid to touch blind students, as many times this is the only way they have of seeing what you want them to do
PRE BOWLING ORIENTATION
Before starting to teach blind persons to bowl, it is necessary to show, with care and detail, the bowling lane and all related equipment to each participant. This involves taking each individual on the lane and letting he/she feel or SEE each object or Item that will be used The instruction should start on the approach with the ball return, ball rack and retarder or ball stop. The orientation should include the safety procedures, particularly the finding and handling of the bowling ball MUST be conducted during this orientation. Explain that different manufacturers have different types of returns and stops and that all bowlers should become familiar with this mechanism before they bowl in any other establishment.. The next instructional item should be a walk on the approach to give the bowler an idea or concept of the distance to give the bowler an idea or concept of the distance allowed. Each student should then be shown the guide rail, ball return and the lane, the foul line, foul lights and head end of the channels should be shown and explained. If possible, it is recommended that each bowler be walked down the lane, from the foul line to the head pin. During the walk, they should be asked to note the number of steps and the approximate distance. Students should then be told the exact distance to better understand. After the walk to the pins, show the bowler the pin spots, the channels by the pin deck, the pin deck, the kickbacks and as much of the pin spotting machinery as is safe for them to see. Also let the student look at the pins to see how they are spotted and give them an idea of how far apart they are, how they fall and how much they weigh.
Following this, walk back to the bowling area, stopping at the foul line before returning to the bowler's benches. After this orientation, the student should be shown the bowling ball and shoes, and assisted in getting a properly fitting ball and shoes.
Additional orientation could include having them walk from their seat to the scoring table alerting them that the lanes they will bowl on are on either side of this table. Let them touch the telescores and score sheets. A complete tour of the bowling center is in order sometime during the early stages, so that the student will know the location of such things as the bathrooms, control counter, ball racks and other facilities that may be available .
LANE ASSIGNMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONAL ORGANIZATION
Following the orientation and the proper fitting of equipment, students should be assigned to lanes, making sure that right handed students are together and left handed students are the same. This is necessary because of the positioning of the rail (see equipment specifications and placement) for each.
Initially one instructor should teach no more than two lanes at one time, with no more than two students per lane.
The student should be told what lane they are on, where the ball return is located in relation to the bowlers benches and guide rail, and the size and location of any obstacles on or near the approach and bowling area Each bowler should also be shown how to find their own bowling ball without getting fingers caught between balls. The students should be shown how to keep their hands and fingers on the tops and outsides of the ball closest to their body. Show them methods of turning the ball so identification can be made by each Individual. Methods shown will vary, depending on the type of equipment being used, but basically the tops and far and near sides of the ball should be used Advise each student to read the identification number on the ball if possible (HOUSE NUMBER OR LAST THREE DIGITS OF SERIAL NUMBER). If numbers are not legible, some other identification means should be used, such as nicks, or gouges. Initially different textures of tape can be pressed into service. The students should be taught to always check the grip on the ball before picking up from return to make sure it is the ball they have selected. Students should be taught to pick the ball from the return by the fingerholes as the other hand will be needed to find their lane, rail and position on the rail.
After this portion of the orientation, the student should be encouraged to always obtain their ball by themselves, find their lane and their position on the guide rail with a minimum amount of assistance.
During the technique portion of the instruction, the instructor should allow each student to execute the separate movements four or five times before having the next student up on the lane. This will not only speed the learning process, but be a time saver for the entire period, as time is not wasted looking for a ball or finding the position on the approach.
CALLING HITS AND PINS
To assist the blind bowler? it is necessary for a sighted Person to call where the ball hit, how many pins are knocked down and what pins are left standing. This call procedure should be uniform, since variations tend to confuse the bowler causing them to miss easy shots or cause confusion over the remaining pins This is especially true for beginners. Calls should be clear and distinct and always in the same order. The best system found to date consists of
Tell where the ball hit on the pins. EXAMPLE: 1-3 pocket
Tell them the number of pins knocked down. EXAMPLE: pins 4-7-8, the three on the left were knocked down.
The numbers of the pins left standing. EXAMPLE: 2-4-5-0, left
NOTE: WHEN LESS THAN FIVE PINS ARE KNOCKED DOWN ON THE FIRST BALL, IT IS BETTER TO CALL THE NUMBERS OF THE PINS THAT ARE DOWN.
for a difficult pin grouping you might point out on the bowler's back where each pin is standing.
WHEN THIS PROCEDURE IS FOLLOWED, BE SURE TO DESIGNATE THAT THESE ARE THE PINS DOWN AND ALL THE REST ARE STANDING.
A typical call might be: Hit the pocket, eight down, 5-8 standing.
By following this procedure, the sighted persons are able to greatly assist the blind bowlers to score better and to adjust for spares. The blind bowler should be taught to insist that the sighted persons who are helping become familiar with calling procedures and practices and attempt to standardize the procedure.
All Information on this website came from ABBA website Click Here
Blind Bowlers Guide From
Table of Contents - Chapter - Previous / Next