Special Olympics Bowling is bowling, where all competitors have physical or mental disabilities.

Special Olympics bowling is one of the fastest growing Special Olympics sports. It is a form of competitive bowling meant for athletes with physical or mental disabilities. In addition to offering traditional singles and doubles events, Special Olympics offers events for athletes with low ability levels to train and compete in basic bowling skills. The development of these key skills is necessary prior to advancing to match play. As in all Special Olympics sports, athletes are grouped in competition divisions according to ability level, age and gender.

The goal of bowling is to, in ten frames, attempt to score higher than opposing players by knocking down more pins.

Although there are some modifications made for athletes with physical disabilities, most athletes compete under the same rules and circumstances as athletes on a professional tour.

Bowling became an Special Olympics sport in 1975, but did not reach World Games level until 1987 when 33 athletes competed at the World Summer Games in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland hosted 269 Special Olympics bowlers from 40 Programs. As of the 2005 Special Olympics Athlete Participation Report, 200,572 Special Olympics athletes compete in bowling.

Bowling Ball
Pins

Special Olympics bowlers work tirelessly to perfect their game. These athletes spend much of their time at the bowling alley practicing and improving their technique. Consistency in technique is an important factor in becoming a successful competitive bowler.

Approach - the area at least 15' long, on which the player walks to the foul line

Back Swing - the path of the arm behind the body during the next to last step in the delivery

Count - the number of pins knocked down on the first ball

Foul - touching or going beyond the foul line

Frame - one-tenth of a game; each square on score sheet is one frame

Gutter - there are two gutters on each side of the lane; once a ball falls into the gutter before hitting pins, the bowler shall receive a zero

Gutter ball - delivery which rolls off the lane into the gutter

Hook - a ball that breaks sharply toward the pocket

Leave - pins remaining after the first delivery

Pocket - area between 1-2 pins for a lefty and 1-3 pins for a right-hander

Spare - knocking down all remaining pins in the second ball or delivery

Strike - knocking down all ten pins with the first ball or delivery

Target Arrows - sighting targets embedded in the lane to help the player align start position

Track - path to the pins created by many balls rolled in the same general area

http://www.specialolympics.org/Special+Olympics+Public+Website/English/Coach/Sports_Offered/Bowling.htm
http://www.glacierlanes.com/pro-shop/bowling-terminology.htm