Next in our series on creating the proper ball motion on various patterns is the medium-length lane oil pattern. Today we take a look at the best ways to adjust your game to accommodate a medium pattern, whether freshly laid out or in transition.
Creating ball motion on a medium pattern
To help you figure out how to attack a medium lane oil pattern, Team USA Head Coach Rod Ross and Team USA Assistant Coach Kim Terrell-Kearney assess the play of three different bowlers. They have them throw several times, first on a lane that has been freshly oiled, and then on a separate lane that is in transition after being played on for a while.
Our coaches find that often bowlers are more comfortable when the lane oil pattern has been worn in because the action the ball takes during the hook and roll stages is less sporadic. A good way for you to counter that tendency on a fresh lane oil pattern is to use more of the lane’s space and let the ball do the work, rather than searching for the right angle and hoping it finds the pocket.
Adjusting according to your game
You’ll notice that our three example bowlers have distinct differences in their strokes, plus a wide range of rev rates and tilt, which are two important factors for deciding how to achieve proper ball motion on a medium-length lane oil pattern. Certain players, depending on their rev rate and tilt, may determine a ball change does the trick, while others will feel more confident in simply moving laterally on the lane. Ultimately, it takes practice and close assessment to decide how you personally should react on both fresh lanes and those that show signs of wearing.
