HANDICAP
PROCEDURES
Handicapping is a means of placing
bowlers and teams with varying degrees of skill on as equitable a basis
as possible for their competition against each other. WIBC/ABC recommends
that higher handicap percentages be used for more equalized matches.
Example, with handicap based on 80%
of 200: (All fractions are dropped when figuring handicap.)
TEAM A |
|
|
|
TEAM B |
|
|
|
Average Handicap |
|
|
Average Handicap |
Jill |
|
160 + 32 = 192 |
|
Steve |
|
124 + 60 = 184 |
Barbara |
|
155 + 36 = 191 |
|
Pam |
|
122 + 62 = 184 |
Paul |
|
140 + 48= 188 |
|
Carlos |
|
132 + 54 = 186 |
Juanita |
|
146 + 43 = 189 |
|
Jennifer |
|
141 + 47 = 188 |
Adam |
|
167 + 26 = 193 |
|
Mike |
|
160 + 32 = 192 |
|
|
768 + 185 = 953 |
|
|
|
679 + 255 = 934 |
With a 80% handicap, Team A has a
19-pin advantage over Team B. By basing handicap on 80% of 200, it would
be difficult for Team B to win the game. If the members of Team A were
to bowl their average, it would be necessary for the members of Team B
to exceed their own team average by at least 19 pins in order to win the
game.
Example, with handicap based on 100%
of 200:
TEAM A |
|
|
|
TEAM B |
|
|
|
Average Handicap |
|
|
Average Handicap |
Jill |
|
160 + 40 = 200 |
|
Steve |
|
124 + 76 = 200 |
Barbara |
|
155 + 45 = 200 |
|
Pam |
|
122 + 78 = 200 |
Paul |
|
140 + 60 = 200 |
|
Carlos |
|
132 + 68 = 200 |
Juanita |
|
146 + 54 = 200 |
|
Jennifer |
|
141 + 59 = 200 |
Adam |
|
167 + 33 = 200 |
|
Mike |
|
160 + 40 = 200 |
|
|
768 + 232 = 1000 |
|
|
|
679 + 321 = 1000 |
If the handicap is based on
100% of 200, the chances of Team B winning the game would be more realistic.
The game becomes a most pins over average contest.
Since WIBC/ABC/YABA rules state that
games with handicap included are to be eligible for league prizes, unless
the league rules otherwise, problems can arise when handicap is based on
the difference of the averages of the two competing teams. WIBC/ABC/YABA
recommends handicap leagues use the individual or the team method of handicapping,
so that both teams in a match have the benefit of handicap. See Rules
101k and 609 for the rules which govern handicap leagues.
Individual
Method of Handicapping
Set a scratch figure higher than
the entering average of any bowler in the league and decide on the percentage
to be used for computing handicap. The individual handicaps of the bowlers
are added together for the team handicap. In the following example, 100%
of 200 is used.
|
Actual Average |
Handicap 100% of 200 |
Kathy |
130 |
70 |
Linda |
140 |
60 |
Ashley |
125 |
75 |
Keith |
135 |
65 |
Ed |
170 |
30 |
|
|
300 (handicap for the team) |
(200 minus average of 100% equals bowler's
handicap.
Team
Method of Handicapping
Set a scratch figure higher than
the entering average of any team in the league and decide on the percentage
to be used in computing the handicap. The actual averages of the bowlers
are added together in determining the team average. In the following example,
90% of 800 is used.
Team C |
|
Team D |
|
Kathy |
130 |
Justin |
137 |
Linda |
140 |
Theresa |
130 |
Ashley |
125 |
Sara |
131 |
Keith |
135 |
Todd |
120 |
Ed |
170 |
Frank |
167 |
Total
|
700 |
Total
|
685 |
Handicap
|
100 |
Handicap
|
115 |
Handicap for Team C: 800 scratch
- 700 team average is 100 X 100% = 100 pins handicap for each game.
Handicap for Team D: 800 scratch
- 685 team average is 115 X 100% = 115.
Entering
Averages
The league decides by rule the number
of games required to establish an average. When bowlers have had previous
league experience, the league may use these averages as entering averages
for computing handicap on the first night of competition, or until they
have established an average based on the league rule.
For new bowlers who have no previous
league experience or average, the league may:
1. Handicap them from a set
figure, for example 100, until they have established an average based on
league rule, or
2. Use a "retroactive" handicap,
computed after the bowler's first three games, to be applied to that series
and the next series in which the bowler competes. |