bowl1820
03-12-2014, 11:08 AM
Mo Pinel’s Radical Approach to the 2014 USBC Open Championships
It is tournament time, and we are happy to provide a guide to help bowlers prepare for and play the lanes at this year’s USBC
Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Again this year, the USBC is using two different Sport
Bowling compliant patterns, and each pattern presents a unique challenge.
Our goal is to present recommendations for ball and layout selection, as well as lane play, for this year’s Open Championships.
Please note that we are recommending two different strategies for the two patterns this year based on our analysis of the USBC
oil patterns. Our intent is to help bowlers prepare for the events and to help maximize scoring and enjoyment of the bowling while
you are in Reno.
USBC Open Championship – Team Event
Click for the 2014 Team Event Overhead Graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014TeamEventOverhead.pdf)
Click for the 2014 Team 2D graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014Team2Dgraph-1.pdf)
The chart shows that the Team Event oil pattern is 43 feet long with 24.4 milliliters of total oil. The first thing to notice is that the
reverse pass is only 18 feet long with only 4.7 milliliters of oil, and because of the small amount of oil, this will result in less skid in
the center of the lane and fast transitions, especially in the front portion of the lane. Even though the graph shows 100 units of oil
in the center at 8 feet, it drops off quickly to only 50 units at 15 feet and continues to drop evenly to about 12 units in the middle of
the lane at 41 feet. This translates into a lane condition with limited hold requiring a lane play strategy that preserves the available
oil in the center of the lane for the entire 3 games.
For lane play, we are recommending that you hold off from using surface and from moving too deep too early in the block.
Instead, we are recommending medium to low track flare and slowly moving inside to use the worn track as swing area. In
addition, we are recommending a somewhat smoother breakpoint in order to allow for playing straighter angles to the breakpoint.
In order to stay in play throughout the three games, you should look to use a sequence of balls with reducing amounts of flare and
surface in order to stay in the track area without moving too deep and wearing out the oil in the center of lane prematurely.
Basically, we recommend “balling down” as the lane begins to hook.
For ball choices, there are two recommended sequences of bowling balls from the Radical product line to help attack the
challenging condition for this year’s Team Event. Bowlers with higher ball track and/or more forward roll should start with a
Radical Yeti Unleashed using a favorite layout and take advantage of the ball’s continuous ball motion. The recommended game
plan is to use that ball as long as possible, and once the transition makes it difficult to control the pocket, the bowler will need to
go to a Radical Yeti Untamed and, then, possibly go to a Radical Grease Monkey to finish the block. These balls should have
similar layouts without balance holes and with less surface for more length and more controllable ball motion.
Bowlers with medium to lower ball tracks and/or more side roll should start with a Radical Reax Version 2 Solid with a medium
flare layout using 2000 to 4000 grit surface on the ball to provide a more controllable ball motion. Once the lanes begin to
transition, the move should be to a reduced flare layout in the Reax Version 2 Solid in order to reduce the track flare and total
hook without giving up hitting power. This ball will allow the bowler to maintain a controllable ball motion without having to move
deeper inside, and if necessary, the final option would be a Reax Version 2 Pearl using the same reduced flare
layout with less surface in order to get added length as the lane continues to transition. This approach should allow the bowler to
control the pocket throughout the three games without having to move deeper inside where there is little to no margin for error.
USBC Open Championships – Doubles/ Singles Event
Click for the 2014 DS Events Overhead Graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014DSEventsOverhead.pdf)
Click for 2014 Doubles/Singles 2D graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014DS2Dgraph-1.pdf)
The chart shows that the pattern for Doubles/Singles is 40 feet long with a total volume of 26.062 milliliters. The reverse pass is
20 feet long using 6.262 milliliters of oil, 2 feet longer than the reverse pass used in Team Event with more oil being applied to the
lane.
For lane play, this shorter, heavier oil pattern will allow for a more traditional attack plan in Doubles/Singles. As a reminder,
bowlers will bowl all six games on the same pair of lanes, so proper lane play, that breaks down the pattern correctly, will allow the
track area to open up while protecting the center of the lane, making the pattern more suitable for higher scores in the Singles
Event. In reviewing the graph, there is clearly more oil in the center of the lane from 15 feet to the end of the pattern as compared
to the Team Event pattern, and this difference should allow bowlers to start with more surface and track flare for the Doubles
Event. Bowlers should concentrate on a strategy of breaking down the track area and moving deeper inside as the lanes
transition. If pin carry suffers, bowlers may need to change balls in order to create the proper entry angle to carry.
For ball selection, there are two recommended sequences in Doubles/Singles. Bowlers with higher ball track and/or more forward
roll should start with a Radical Yeti Unleashed using layouts with slightly more track flare and surface than was used to start the
Team Event. Stay with that ball following the lane transition until the pin carry starts to suffer as a result of the deeper inside
angles. Then, bowlers should look to make the switch to the ball that was used to start Team Event in order to control the pocket
and change the entry angle and follow the symmetrical Team Event sequence from there on to finish the Doubles/Singles events.
Bowlers with medium to lower ball tracks and/or more side roll should start with a Reax Version 2 Solid with a medium to high flare
layout and a medium surface. As the lane transitions, the bowler should look to make the switch to the ball that was used to start
Team Event and possibly go to a Reax Version 2 Pearl using the same medium flare layout with less surface, or follow the
asymmetrical Team Event ball sequence, if desired.
Please note that these recommended strategies for lane play and bowling ball use are dependent on the bowler’s release and
comfort zone for lane play. The bowler’s rev rate, ball speed, axis rotation, and axis tilt will determine the amount of surface to be
used for the starting ball choice and for the subsequent ball choices.
As with any year at the USBC Open Championships, the real keys to success include executing good shots, making spares, and
adjusting to the transitions in the oil pattern throughout the tournament in order to control the pocket and maximize pin carry. We
wish you “Good Luck, Good Bowling, and Safe Travels.”
For all the latest Radical Bowling Technologies product information, please stop by the Brunswick booth at the National Bowling
Stadium. The staff will be happy to assist you.
Thanks,
Mo Pinel and Phil Cardinale, Two Radical Guys
FYI For Lefties:
I'd use the same strategy on the left. You should be able to use a little more surface on the left because there will be fewer lefties on the pair.
It is tournament time, and we are happy to provide a guide to help bowlers prepare for and play the lanes at this year’s USBC
Open Championships at the National Bowling Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Again this year, the USBC is using two different Sport
Bowling compliant patterns, and each pattern presents a unique challenge.
Our goal is to present recommendations for ball and layout selection, as well as lane play, for this year’s Open Championships.
Please note that we are recommending two different strategies for the two patterns this year based on our analysis of the USBC
oil patterns. Our intent is to help bowlers prepare for the events and to help maximize scoring and enjoyment of the bowling while
you are in Reno.
USBC Open Championship – Team Event
Click for the 2014 Team Event Overhead Graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014TeamEventOverhead.pdf)
Click for the 2014 Team 2D graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014Team2Dgraph-1.pdf)
The chart shows that the Team Event oil pattern is 43 feet long with 24.4 milliliters of total oil. The first thing to notice is that the
reverse pass is only 18 feet long with only 4.7 milliliters of oil, and because of the small amount of oil, this will result in less skid in
the center of the lane and fast transitions, especially in the front portion of the lane. Even though the graph shows 100 units of oil
in the center at 8 feet, it drops off quickly to only 50 units at 15 feet and continues to drop evenly to about 12 units in the middle of
the lane at 41 feet. This translates into a lane condition with limited hold requiring a lane play strategy that preserves the available
oil in the center of the lane for the entire 3 games.
For lane play, we are recommending that you hold off from using surface and from moving too deep too early in the block.
Instead, we are recommending medium to low track flare and slowly moving inside to use the worn track as swing area. In
addition, we are recommending a somewhat smoother breakpoint in order to allow for playing straighter angles to the breakpoint.
In order to stay in play throughout the three games, you should look to use a sequence of balls with reducing amounts of flare and
surface in order to stay in the track area without moving too deep and wearing out the oil in the center of lane prematurely.
Basically, we recommend “balling down” as the lane begins to hook.
For ball choices, there are two recommended sequences of bowling balls from the Radical product line to help attack the
challenging condition for this year’s Team Event. Bowlers with higher ball track and/or more forward roll should start with a
Radical Yeti Unleashed using a favorite layout and take advantage of the ball’s continuous ball motion. The recommended game
plan is to use that ball as long as possible, and once the transition makes it difficult to control the pocket, the bowler will need to
go to a Radical Yeti Untamed and, then, possibly go to a Radical Grease Monkey to finish the block. These balls should have
similar layouts without balance holes and with less surface for more length and more controllable ball motion.
Bowlers with medium to lower ball tracks and/or more side roll should start with a Radical Reax Version 2 Solid with a medium
flare layout using 2000 to 4000 grit surface on the ball to provide a more controllable ball motion. Once the lanes begin to
transition, the move should be to a reduced flare layout in the Reax Version 2 Solid in order to reduce the track flare and total
hook without giving up hitting power. This ball will allow the bowler to maintain a controllable ball motion without having to move
deeper inside, and if necessary, the final option would be a Reax Version 2 Pearl using the same reduced flare
layout with less surface in order to get added length as the lane continues to transition. This approach should allow the bowler to
control the pocket throughout the three games without having to move deeper inside where there is little to no margin for error.
USBC Open Championships – Doubles/ Singles Event
Click for the 2014 DS Events Overhead Graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014DSEventsOverhead.pdf)
Click for 2014 Doubles/Singles 2D graph pdf (http://usbcongress.http.internapcdn.net/usbcongress/bowl/tournaments/pdfs/usbcopenchamp/2014/2014DS2Dgraph-1.pdf)
The chart shows that the pattern for Doubles/Singles is 40 feet long with a total volume of 26.062 milliliters. The reverse pass is
20 feet long using 6.262 milliliters of oil, 2 feet longer than the reverse pass used in Team Event with more oil being applied to the
lane.
For lane play, this shorter, heavier oil pattern will allow for a more traditional attack plan in Doubles/Singles. As a reminder,
bowlers will bowl all six games on the same pair of lanes, so proper lane play, that breaks down the pattern correctly, will allow the
track area to open up while protecting the center of the lane, making the pattern more suitable for higher scores in the Singles
Event. In reviewing the graph, there is clearly more oil in the center of the lane from 15 feet to the end of the pattern as compared
to the Team Event pattern, and this difference should allow bowlers to start with more surface and track flare for the Doubles
Event. Bowlers should concentrate on a strategy of breaking down the track area and moving deeper inside as the lanes
transition. If pin carry suffers, bowlers may need to change balls in order to create the proper entry angle to carry.
For ball selection, there are two recommended sequences in Doubles/Singles. Bowlers with higher ball track and/or more forward
roll should start with a Radical Yeti Unleashed using layouts with slightly more track flare and surface than was used to start the
Team Event. Stay with that ball following the lane transition until the pin carry starts to suffer as a result of the deeper inside
angles. Then, bowlers should look to make the switch to the ball that was used to start Team Event in order to control the pocket
and change the entry angle and follow the symmetrical Team Event sequence from there on to finish the Doubles/Singles events.
Bowlers with medium to lower ball tracks and/or more side roll should start with a Reax Version 2 Solid with a medium to high flare
layout and a medium surface. As the lane transitions, the bowler should look to make the switch to the ball that was used to start
Team Event and possibly go to a Reax Version 2 Pearl using the same medium flare layout with less surface, or follow the
asymmetrical Team Event ball sequence, if desired.
Please note that these recommended strategies for lane play and bowling ball use are dependent on the bowler’s release and
comfort zone for lane play. The bowler’s rev rate, ball speed, axis rotation, and axis tilt will determine the amount of surface to be
used for the starting ball choice and for the subsequent ball choices.
As with any year at the USBC Open Championships, the real keys to success include executing good shots, making spares, and
adjusting to the transitions in the oil pattern throughout the tournament in order to control the pocket and maximize pin carry. We
wish you “Good Luck, Good Bowling, and Safe Travels.”
For all the latest Radical Bowling Technologies product information, please stop by the Brunswick booth at the National Bowling
Stadium. The staff will be happy to assist you.
Thanks,
Mo Pinel and Phil Cardinale, Two Radical Guys
FYI For Lefties:
I'd use the same strategy on the left. You should be able to use a little more surface on the left because there will be fewer lefties on the pair.