Bowling well takes practice, luck, and knowledge about how to get out of sticky situations. When bowling a split, for example, you’ll need to know exactly how to angle the ball to hit all the pins and get a spare. Here are four common splits and ways to knock down all the pins to improve your score.

4 Bowling Splits to Beat

1. The Side-by-side

When two consecutive pins are still standing after the first throw, this is called a side-by-side split. To knock down these pins, line up your feet with the arrows on the floor pointing directly at the pins and throw the ball straight. If you’re a hook bowler, step a few arrows to the side and use the angle to throw the ball, so it comes back around to knock the pins over.

2. The Big Four

People who bowl straight-on may experience this split. It occurs when pins in tenth, seventh, sixth, and fourth position do not fall down. To address this play, aim between the two middle pins. If done properly, they should take out the others as they fall.

3. The Bucket 

Bowling a bucket means leaving the second, fourth, fifth, and eighth pins upright. People often bowl across the lane to make this split. You could try using a heavier ball while aiming at the first three pins to make the target seem larger.

4. The 7-10 Split

This split is deemed the most difficult by many bowling leagues and organizations. Also known as the bedpost, a 7-10 split occurs when one pin is left standing on the far left, and another is standing on the far right. To knock both down, stand eight boards from the center and add a spin to the ball, so that it hits one pin on the gutter side. This pin will fly into the other one, earning the spare.

If you’re looking to join a bowling league to work on your split shots, head to South Lanes Pizza in La Crosse County, WI. Part restaurant part bowling alley, this one-stop shop for food and fun boasts an extensive pizza menu with something for everyone in your group. Choose from vegetarian, meat-eater, and gluten-free pizza varieties, along with nearly 20 toppings to customize your pie. Call (608) 788-0830 or visit their website to get more information on daily bowling deals and pizza specials.