Early accuracy work is easier with a generous target rather than a tiny spot. The bowler uses a short, comfortable approach and tries to land a soft ball in a marked area, noticing what stays consistent from one delivery to the next. If the bowler changes their action after every miss, pause and compare where a small group of deliveries landed. Keep the approach comfortable and alter only the target size before considering any technical correction. Allow about 12 minutes for the station, including explanation, turns and rest.
Set up the drill
Mark a generous landing rectangle in an empty bowling lane. Choose a short distance appropriate to the player; it is a practice setup, not a regulation pitch.
Equipment: Soft balls, flat markers, stumps.
How to run it
- Walk through the action without a ball.
- Bowl from a short approach towards the target.
- Record whether the ball lands short, in the zone or long.
- Rest and discuss one cue between small sets.
- Widen the target if repeated misses cause frustration.
Look at your target and finish balanced.
A common mistake—and the fix
Changing several technical details at once makes feedback confusing. Keep one cue for the set.
Move closer and use a larger landing zone.
Reduce the zone a little while keeping the same relaxed approach.
What to measure
Record target hits from a small coach-approved set; compare like-for-like sessions.
Use the first round as the player’s starting point. Keep distance, ball and target size the same when comparing another round. These counts are practice observations, not selection standards or promises of improvement.
Before you start
Follow local junior bowling workloads, including other training and matches. The timer is station time, not continuous bowling.
Use a soft ball for the version described here. Explain the stop signal, check the surface and keep waiting players clear. Adapt or stop if a player feels pain, distress or fatigue. Read the full safety and supervision guide.
Questions about this drill
What does target-zone bowling help players practise?
The bowler practises landing comfortable deliveries in a clearly marked area. A broad zone makes feedback easy to understand without turning the session into a speed contest.
How can I adapt this drill for a less confident player?
Bring the target closer or widen it. Judge a short set of deliveries rather than asking the player to bowl repeatedly without rest.
What should I look for before increasing the challenge?
Count gentle deliveries that land in the zone. Use the same target for a fair comparison between sets.
