When Karen Bate, the WDM news editor, asked me to write a story about the Dorset Flop, I was dumbfounded because I thought, naively, I might be turning my attention to something more heavyweight in the political arena.
I know The West Dorset Magazine won Hyperlocal Newspaper of the Year and so obviously they know a thing or two about what makes a good read, so I embraced the challenge and ball, and turned my attention to the traditional pub game of skittles to cut my teeth in the world of journalism.
While at first, I thought The Dorset Flop sounded like a rare fish or funky dance move, it is in fact a skittles technique – a two-handed, full-body throw that ends with the player in a press-up position after, quite literally, flopping to the ground – and it’s a Dorset tradition!
Traditionally, skittles relies upon a single-handed delivery – right or left depending on preference – a tried and tested method used for generations worldwide. That was until someone came up with the Dorset Flop. Thought to have originated in the 1970s or 80s, it likely developed as a practical solution to skittle balls having no finger holes, unlike bowling balls.
As opposed to many sport techniques, the Dorset Flop wasn’t invented in an official or formal way – it grew organically out of local play, as players experimented with ways to control the ball more effectively on narrow and well-worn wooden lanes.
Over time, what began as a quirky one-off throw became a recognised (and crowd-pleasing) part of local skittles games – even being featured on national television such as BBC’s The One Show. Some believe it may have first appeared in Bridport, a town known for its strong skittles tradition and narrow pub alleys, although no one can say for sure.
These days, the Flop is still often used in Dorset, although some unpracticed players may regard it as more of a gimmick than a serious tactic. It’s often used for a laugh, especially after a pint or two and according to one online blogger: ‘It is only to be undertaken when you have been drinking all day as otherwise, if carried out sober you will possibly find yourself in DCH A&E with a broken nose’.

I was delighted to find more ‘Flop’ terminology has come into use since its creation: it is now known to younger generations as the ‘double-hander’ and the term ‘flopper’ is used to describe a strike.
I spoke to Dorchester league skittles player Chris O’Donovan, former member of teams Top Pins and Hotshots, and member of team Goldies’ Wurzels, who has been playing skittles since he was 14 years old.
Chris said: “I started off playing single-handed and saw so many people playing double-handed. They told me that it’s called the Dorset Flop. I said one night: ‘I’m going to give it a go!’
“The first couple of times I found it really hard to get used to, but the more I did it, the more I got used to doing the Dorset Flop the way it should be done. The Dorset Flop I feel gives me more accuracy when throwing and I also find you seem to throw the ball faster as you’re using both hands.”
The Dorset Flop is not all fun and games, as unskilled or amateur floppers face risks that arise from the fast-paced contact with the alley floor.
Chris revealed: “The Flop also comes with some negatives as it can easily cause injuries; I have split my chin open before by hitting the alley as I landed. Also, if the alley has any boards lifted, you can catch your body on them.”
When I first started researching the Dorset Flop, online sources suggested it was only done by those with little technique and seen as a drunken party trick. However, after talking to experienced skittles players like Chris, I have come to realise there is more to it than that: the Dorset Flop is not only useful and tactical in proper games of skittles, but represents one of Dorset’s biggest traditions that has passed through generations and continues to be relevant today.
The next time I find myself in a Dorset pub skittle alley, I will have to try very hard to stop myself from attempting ‘The Flop’.

Growing up watching skittles in Briantspuddle village hall I witnessed many a Dorset Flop being executed, writes WDM editor MIRANDA ROBERTSON.
But it’s only at the grand old age of 52 I realise it has a name, and that the technique was peculiar (in so many ways) to Dorset.
I asked the good people who live in my phone for tales of the flop and they did not disappoint (apart from everyone’s photos being blurred because of the sheer velocity of their flops). A surprising number of ladies confessed to being ardent Floppettes, despite the very obvious danger to their assets and, in one case, having a baby on board!
Here are a selection of your stories of triumph and pain….
Wendy Collinson: “No pic, but someone I know used to do this… unfortunately one day he chose to do it whilst wearing very short cut-off jeans, whilst going commando. Oh how we laughed; well we did, he just turned a funny shade of red…”

Anthony Swain: “Playing for the steamers. Remember putting an opponent’s dislocated finger back in to place at the Frampton Arms 10 years or so ago.”
Valerie Otton: “Had a bruised thumb every week back in the 70s, 80s and 90s.”
Lee Roberts: “Used to play double handed all the time. Remember towards the end of one game (and a few beers) it was taking a fair bit of concentration to crouch down on the back board, as I went in to lean forward I shot the ball back into the team sat right behind…. I can’t be the only one?”
Sean Baker: “I always played double-handed, and 45+ yrs on still managing to. Nearly all players in the teams I’ve played for did/do the same. Dislocated my little finger many yrs ago, on my first throw. Put it back in place and carried on, didn’t hurt too much until the alcohol wore off. Although I’ve bever been able to straighten it since…”
Karen Major: “Always did this back in the day and taught to play double handed by my lovely uncle Brian Welch. Memories last a lifetime.”
Gill Burgoyne: “I have a lady in my team that still does this she’s been top lady in our league for several years.”

Ian Fleming: “The funniest injury I witnessed was not the player throwing but the guy handing the balls to the thrower. As the balls arrived back via the return shute the third one jumped out and landed on the guy’s toe. He was wearing Jesus sandals and hopping about in pain as everyone else collapsed laughing (the Star, 80s).”
Brian Parsons: “Done my knee ligaments in doing this at Wyke Workies by landing badly and taken to hospital by ambulance after game on crutches for six weeks 20 years ago.”
Gavin Borthwick: “Remember one legendary night one of the opposition had a couple too many and managed somehow to land on his chin and Brian Copp (the late Dorset Echo sports reporter and a keen skittler) placed his hands on him trying to give a bit of spiritual healing…”
Sue Wormald: “I used to throw like this. They’d need a hoist to get me up now.”
Keith Skillings: “Sue, I would probably need two hoists.”
Deanna Sargeant: “Used to stick up on Portland for the team my mum and dad were in, my mum threw like this . It was terrifying the way that ball flew at me.”
Holly Gibbs: “Bridport Ladies Circle had a match against Tangent ladies.I did attempt the flop. The alley was certainly unforgiving to the chest!”
Emma Burt: “I’m pretty sure May Yeates from Swyre was still doing this into her 70s.”

Lorraine Mc: “Threw like this through both pregnancies… Only way I could play – no aim single handed, that was 30yrs ago…..
“When you know what you’re doing you don’t actually land on your stomach but lower yourself down to alley.”