To say I have been off my game the last 3 weeks might be the understatement of the year. Tired of fighting over/under and playing a huge swing, I decided to throw only plastic tonight. I played a very small swing across ten (7-8 at the break) with my XXXL, and got my game back. 212-218-246 for a 676 set. Only one ball out of the pocket all night. All but two spares were single pins. I know I need to learn to play the booming backends, but I also want to win. Looks like I may be throwing plastic for a while. Before I get accused of being a cranker, let me say that I am far from it. I am a stroker (power stroker on a really good day)...this house just flat out hauls bootie on the backends!

The name of the game is knocking down pins. Should I stay with what works, or should I learn to play the big backends differently?
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Jon (in Ohio)
CHROME WON'T GET YOU HOME!
F.O.S. Proud Saw user...see profile.

Stay with what works. You can always come in learn to play the big backends in practice until youre comfortable in league. I'm in the same boat you're in.I've used an XXXL all year for three leagues and am probably averaging in the mid 2teens net. I practice about 15 games a week trying out different lines to not become one-dimensional. The fresh wet-dry house shot gives me such an inconsistent reaction so plastic is the way to go. If it works on what you've got to play on why change it?
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F.O.S. Member

Long live the Gold Nuggett!!

In some cases, the big booming back end move looks pretty but is simply uneffective. On a fresh lane with clean back end, this can be the weapon of choice, but you need head oil and clean, predictable room to play with. Add some carrdown or a burnt track area, and things change considerably. You might still hook the lane coast to coast, but hit high or low etc. Here, smaller and controllable hook, or a more direct line to the pocket, is the better choice. Will not look as flashy, but as long as you get along without splits or wide open spares AND you can fill the frames, plus a strike here and there, you will stay in the 180+ average area and remain competitive for a longer period than just the big hook for 1 or two games.

This does not mean that the big hook is "bad". But one should always be aware that there are different paths to success, and to decide which will be m,ore effective in the long run, especially in league/tournament.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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