What are you thoughts about how a lineup should be arranged?

Years ago, when I bowled in a number of 5 man scratch leagues, we always put a top notch bowler in the lead-off position to get things going. Worst bowler in the middle of the 5, the most likely bowler to strike under pressure in the anchor position. 2 & 4 positions didn't matter much.

In today's situation with 4 men in a handicap league, I still think the first and last bowlers should be as above, with #2 & 3 not making much difference.

Depends upon what the bowlers are happy with.

And, the anchor person is not automatically the highest average bowler.

What's your ideas?
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Never take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Anchor bowler is always my most clutch bowler.  Leadoff is my second most clutch bowler.  Next most clutch bowler goes in the penultimate spot of the lineup.  Anything in-between doesn't really matter.  I want my leadoff person to get some momentum going if possible, and if not, I want my best bowlers at the bottom of the lineup to save us in close situations.  I can't count the number of times just in the past few weeks I have been in a situation where I had to strike or double in the 10th for our team to win, and because I'm typically good in those clutch situations, I did my part to help win a few extra games down the stretch to move us up the standings.  This can also apply to the person next-to-last in the lineup, especially since he can get the anchor bowler confident and pumped if he goes off the sheet at the end of the game.

My leadoff is usually someone who will fill frames no matter what---also makes consistent shots so that we can see when the shot is breaking down. Doesnt matter what shot they play (unless they are left handed). Just gives an idea of what the rest of the team should do.

2 hole is one of 2 things. The weakest bowler, to hide them, or the X Factor (also known as the random number generator). Im not going to have someone who goes 150, 240, 140 anywhere but in the 2 hole. The 250 is a bonus, but the 140/150 arent surprising either....

3rd can be like the 2 hole or maybe a steadier lower average bowler.

4th is a 2nd anchor. Whats the point of an anchor if he doesnt get a chance because his 4 hole opens to lose a game?

5th is the most clutch, also immune to trash talking and other distractions. Doesnt look at the other team carrying garbage and throw his hands up in frustration. Just puts the game away. Also doesnt need to show that much emotion. The rest of the team sets him up, gets the adrenaline going. The anchor uses that to put up the W.
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Only Losers Feel Pressure
www.thetimekillers.com

We put the guy who is most likely to pick up a spare anchor because i've seen more games lost by spares missed than not striking, 2-3 are usually the worst bowlers on the team leadoff  and setup changes on our team based on ball reaction during practice.

Men's highend league
#1 182
#2 180
#3 212
#4 190
#5 213

Use the #3 man as a middle anchor man helps take some pressure off my #4 man to set up the anchor bowler.

Wed mixed
#1 185
#2 160
#3 172
#4 202
#5 210

lead off bowler to get us going, to "protect our women" keep some pressure off them. #4 & 5 man pull the weight when needed, worked so far been league champs 3 straight years, in first now with 1 week to go.
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Steve
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