LANE CONDITION

Length: Multiple

Volume: Mutliple

Pattern Type (THS, Sport Pattern etc): Both House and Sport


COMMENTS

Likes: I have been able to work with this ball to be able to see some beautiful movement out of it. On a fresh shot, I am able to start a little further left than I normally would, and still able to get a strong reaction out of the ball, and able to kick out the 10 pin with no issues. When the oil carries down, I can move left, and feel comfortable that the ball will still be kicking out that same 10 pin without any issues.

Dislikes: None.

Laid out my Thug Life 45x3.5x45 (leverage) with a P2.  I chose this layout as I didn't want to go pin up and overlap with my Vandal and Einstein which have been excellent pieces in my bag when I get my feet left on med/longer patterns.  The shorter pin layout is based off the layout of my original Thug and is designed to give me a quicker rolling, less flippy option on med/shorter patterns.

The Thug Life gives me enough length to not force me way left, yet gives me a very heavy midlane roll that keeps me away from the sharp angles that can potentially get me into trouble.  The pattern that the Thug Life has shone brightest on was 37' Broadway in our challenge league.  The pattern plays a little on the dry side, but I can find the pocket all night with questionable carry using urethane up 5 or play a baby swing with either my Hooligan Taunt/Solid Rack Attack crossing around 8-9 to 4-5 for a little more risk reward.

The Thug Life gives me the option to step in a few more boards than my other reactives, yet not be concerned if I pitch the ball out into the dry early.  The weak reactives often wiggle and can be speed sensitive once the oil pushes down, yet the stronger cover of my Thug Life gives me a more consistent footprint on the lanes from shot to shot. 
With shorter patterns typically being sloped more steeply from front to back, I highly recommend trying a shorter pin layout on a ball such as the Thug Life to give you the option of a swing shot on shorter patterns.