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The 3-6-9 spare system is the most commonly taught system, but the 2-4-6 system may be the most accurate system for picking up spares. In the 2-4-6 system the feet are not moved opposed to the 3-6-9 system. In this system the feet remain in the same place, and players must visually adjust the target. The spare system can give bowlers many advantages. Sometimes players aren't able to move their feet because the ball return may be in the way, or the player might be playing on an end-lane, which is near a wall. In these instances, moving the feet can create problems in the 3-6-9 spare system. However, using the 2-4-6 method is the best way to avoid problems, and to accurately pick up spares in all conditions.
The 2-4-6 spare system is also known as the Swedish Spare System, and is usually recommended for advanced bowlers. When using this system for picking up spares, the bowler must be able to bowl on the arrows, and able to bowl on the boards between the arrows. The starting position will remain the same, but the target will change depending on the spare that must be made. Two starting positions are used on the approach in the 2-4-6 spare system. The two starting positions in this system are the strike starting position and the 10-pin starting position. There are also two aiming targets in the 2-4-6 system; the strike aim and the 10-pin aim, used for all the spare combinations.
If a player has a strike-line (the yellow line) of 17-10, then that player can deliver the ball two more boards inside in order to knock over the next pin(2-pin for right-handed players, and 3-pin for left-handed players). A four-board shift in the target will knock over the 4-pin(6-pin for left-handed bowlers), and a six-board adjustment will knock over the 7-pin(10-pin for left-handed bowlers). The 2-4-6 spare system also works for left-handed bowlers. The left-handed players who start from the far left side of the approach are able to use the 2-4-6 system effectively. If the player is trying to pick of the 3-pin spare, then the target should be moved two boards to the right. When players are trying to knock down the six-pin, the target should be moved four boards to the right. For left-handed bowlers are trying to pick up the 10-pin spare, the target arrow should be moved six boards to the right.
All players that use the 2-4-6 system should not move their feet, if they want to pick up their spares effectively. The targets should always be moved, but the feet should remain in the same starting place each time. Players should visually target the two, four, or six boards off of the key line in order to pick up spares. Like the 3-6-9 system, players must adjust off the corner-pin line to pick up their spares on the other side of the lane. Also, like the 3-6-9 system players can adjust the movements to fit their own personal bowling style, and create the most accurate way of picking up spare.
The use of the 2-4-6 system is applicable on all lane conditions, so players don't have to worry about any problems that might arise when trying to pick up spares. Using the system can help players become more confident in there "spare-getting" abilities. The system is not as widely used as the 3-6-9 spare system, but it is one of the most popular basic spare systems. The 2-4-6 system is not simple, so it is most commonly used by professionals.
