Ten-pin bowling duckpin bowling (conceived in 1895), popular in the Northeast United States, as well as Canada's own sport of five-pin bowling, all three of which use smaller diameter, lighter weight bowling balls when compared to tenpin bowling, without the necessity for finger holes in them. The , lane is bordered along its length by semicylindrical channels called "gutters", which are designed to collect errant balls. The overall width of the lane including the channels is . The narrow lane prevents bowling a straight line at the angle required to consistently carry (knock down) all ten pins for a strike. Most skillful
Ten-pin bowling is on top of the ball with two fingers in the 12-o'clock position and the thumb ending in the 6-o'clock position, at which point the fingers and thumb release the ball simultaneously. The forearm also creates spin and pushes the ball onto the lane. Spinning is difficult to master, and can cause injury if not done properly. Using a lighter bowling ball (10 to 12 pounds) with a completely rounded core is recommended, along with a conventional grip. Spinning causes results like a weak 5-pin more frequently. The backup style of bowling is where the bowler will flick their wrist