Modern bowling has changed the way we attack every pattern presented to us. Who doesn't like seeing their ball cover 20 boards? Just like we always say, Bend it like Beckham! The problem we run into at times, how do we know if hooking the lane is the right or wrong thing to do? How often do you try different lines with different bowling balls just to see if it works? These will be some of the things we will hit on in this article.

With the technology we are given in today's game of bowling, we are able to make the ball do some things older bowlers wish they could do back in the day. Granted we are given a ton more oil in order to get our ball down lane before seeing that backend reaction. Obviously the more revs and speed on the ball can create greater carry angles. The problem that we can run into at times, early hook and no room for error playing inside with all those revs. This usually happens more on shorter patterns than medium/long patterns.

Now I am going to put you in a little scenario. Lets say we are heading to a tournament but we are not going to be given any information about the pattern. What could you do to better prepare yourself to bowl 6 games of qualifying without knowing anything? Everyone has their "A" game which is just a spot on the lane they enjoy to play. A lot of bowlers enjoy shooting at the second arrow and letting the ball react from there. Kids now a days will be closer to 3rd or 4th arrow and swinging the entire lane due to rev rate. Would that be something you would do? Personally I would not attempt my so called "A" game. My first strike shot would be up the outside(5 boardish) just to see when the ball will pick up and how much hook we have from that spot. I would use a Mid-Performance ball like a Storm Hy-Road for example. My next strike shot will be further inside, closer to 3rd or 4th arrow with a High-Performance ball to see how much reaction I can get playing inside to out. Well after a couple shots you notice the ball just flying on the backend. From here you can note; Short pattern, or Low Volume, or possibly both. Just because you are seeing your ball hook does not always tell you to keep moving left. Playing further outside with either a weaker ball or by taking some hand out of the ball will work. Trust me, I love to hook the ball too! This is what separates the great from good players, Versatility! Just let the pattern/lane allow the ball to hook for you.

Don't get me wrong, the inside works a lot of times for Right Handed players. We just tend to run in to small issues when we start inside and have no where else to go beside lofting the left gutter. Which again could work at times. Lets take the USBC Open Championships into play now. On team pattern, we have been shown that these teams taking over the top spot playing inside. The funny thing is, we did not see them playing outside when it was freshly oiled. All these teams that are scoring are playing as a team. I know weird concept. In practice and even into the first game, they will play just right of where they should be to create what we call a backboard on the pattern. They are burning up the oil just to the right of where they want to play to create more room for error when they move inside. Each ball you throw, especially the high-performance balls like the Brunswick Mastermind for example, will erase the oil slowly on each shot you throw. This way, on tougher patterns, you can make the pattern resemble your house shot pattern during your league nights back home.

Watch your ball reaction and allow your self to get in a part of the lane that gives you the most room for error. If you enjoy playing inside and rev'n the hect out of the ball, maybe start further right on a fresh pattern until it shows signs of breaking down. Then bump inside, wheel and deal. If you have hook because that is what the pattern/lane is giving you, then play straight and allow the ball to hook for you. Remember to enjoy the game of bowling and as always Practice Practice Practice!

Steve Lemke Bowling.com SFA NCAA Coach