Author Topic: "Big gap" (Read 3165 times)

Ragnar · « **on:** April 18, 2007, 05:33:22 AM »

I was reading one of the many requests for help w/ an arsenal and one reply stated that there was a "big gap" between balls x and y. What constitutes a "big gap?"
Does this mean that ball x hooks 10 boards more than y and that something is needed that only hooks 5 boards more? Or is it 2 boards? 15? Or is it something else? I'm not trying to rag on anyone here, I just don't really know what this term means. Personally I don't have my arsenal set up so much in terms of amount of hook, though that is a consideration, but in terms of type of hook and location of breakpoint: some of my stuff is set up more for a hockey stick reaction, some not; some for early breakpoint, not much backend, some for late sharp breakpoint. Most of my equipment I can (and do at times) use on heavier oil - I just change my plan of attack to fit the ball in my hand. So, can someone explain the concept of "gap" to me? Maybe I'm missing something important here.
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"I do desire that we may be better strangers." Willie the Shake, As You Like it(III,ii)
"I'm capable of being just as sorry as you are, Dimitri."

Steven · « **Reply #16 on:** April 18, 2007, 07:09:40 PM »

quote:
Do I agree that more gear, with more layouts, will do better... Yes. Do I agree that not having as much equipment equals a gap. No.

OK Eddie, we're making some progress. On the surface, your above statement seems to be a little contradictory -- it seems to me that if you can do better with a little more, but don't have it, that's a gap, at least if your goal is to score as high as possible.

You've talked a few times about release versatility, and there is no question that's important. Sometimes there is an assumption that since a bowler has a lot of equipment, he's not release versatile. I don't believe that to be the case with most better bowlers. I'll certainly change any number of things (come up the back, more side rotation, change speed, etc.) regardless of the ball in my hand.

I'm curious that since you're able to get by with fewer pieces, how do you have them set up with respect to RG, differential, drill pattern and surface prep? I'm assuming you have fairly generic layouts, but I'm interested in how you go about it.
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"Sometimes, the best move is the one we don't make"

Eddie M · « **Reply #17 on:** April 18, 2007, 08:09:16 PM »

quote:

OK Eddie, we're making some progress. On the surface, your above statement seems to be a little contradictory -- it seems to me that if you can do better with a little more, but don't have it, that's a gap, at least if your goal is to score as high as possible.

Just because you can do better with something else, doesn't equal a gap. Sure you can put X ball in your hand, that is drilled specifically for a certain shot. I don't know about you, but I don't carry around 15 bowling balls, to cover ever shot imaginable. However, I don't let not having the perfect ball limit what I can do on the lane. It is possible to put a ball into a roll earlier, or get it threw the heads with simple hand position/speed changes.

Last night in my PBA Experience league is a perfect example. I watched all night as people switched balls, moved left and right all over the approach, and eventually most people just threw plastic right at the pocket. Almost no one was able to make the proper physical adjustments required for the shot. Several people complained they didn't have the proper ball for the shot. I was amused. It wasn't the ball they were missing, it was the skill to make adjustments they were missing. As I said before, a gap is only as big as your ability to adjust to the condition.

quote:
You've talked a few times about release versatility, and there is no question that's important. Sometimes there is an assumption that since a bowler has a lot of equipment, he's not release versatile. I don't believe that to be the case with most better bowlers. I'll certainly change any number of things (come up the back, more side rotation, change speed, etc.) regardless of the ball in my hand.

Don't get me wrong, I don't judge a bowler based on the amount of gear he brings to the lanes with him. A good bowler will usually find the right ball in practice, and make good adjusts the rest of the night. His perceived
gaps will be smaller, because he will know how to get more from the gear he has. As opposed to a bad bowler who rolls in with the exact same gear as the good bowler. This bowler may have the same 'arsenal' as the 1st guy, but he sees gaps in the gear.. where the 1st bowler doesn't.
*that paragraph explains my viewpoint nicely I think*

quote:
I'm curious that since you're able to get by with fewer pieces, how do you have them set up with respect to RG, differential, drill pattern and surface prep? I'm assuming you have fairly generic layouts, but I'm interested in how you go about it.

I personally prefer med and medium/low RGs and Differentials, with solid resin cover stocks that are very adjustable. These types of balls are very easy to get into an early roll or get up the lane with good backend. I also tend to use label or stacked drills. I never drill anything up to one extreme or the other. I would rather drill a ball to best reflect what it was designed to do. Once you start using exotic patterns on most balls, that ball becomes 1 dimensional.

I mean honestly, why do people buy a Black widow, and put an archy layout on it, or a Zone and want it to be all skid snap.... and then wonder why the ball doesn't work as well as they thought it would. Most people completely over-think laying out a ball. If you want skid snap, but a Storm or Roto xxinsert ball herexx, and lay it out with a good basic drill. That will get you alot further than forcing a ball into something it really doesn't want to do.

I hear people say "Why don't you get 2 balls, and drill one this way, and the other that way?". And to that I ask, why spend $400 on 2 of the same ball, when I could pay alot less for one, and cover the same shots as the 2 you bought will? Why don't people buy 4 toothbrushes, 1 for each upper and lower, front and back teeth? 1 will do the job equally as well, if you know how the bend your wrist to get behind those pesky molars.

Edited on 4/18/2007 8:08 PM

lane1lover · « **Reply #18 on:** April 19, 2007, 03:06:23 AM »

I have a 'big gap' between my Lane1 SCB and my plastic spare ball. how can i fix it.

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #19 on:** April 19, 2007, 03:30:28 AM »

quote:

You've talked a few times about release versatility, and there is no question that's important. Sometimes there is an assumption that since a bowler has a lot of equipment, he's not release versatile. I don't believe that to be the case with most better bowlers. I'll certainly change any number of things (come up the back, more side rotation, change speed, etc.) regardless of the ball in my hand.

From my personal point of view, this is pretty much the same for me. But sometimes, there is simply a limit you cannot break with your current skill. I just had this case yesterday evening at my house league. Oil was thin, back end screaming, and I was not able to build up a decent game because the balls would burn up visibly or move very early and much. Desert wars.
Using my weakest ball in the bag (Pure Hammer) I tried several lines from 7th board to 3rd arrow, speed changes and also axis tilt adjustments, but I simply was not able to carry consistently or was so far away from my stable routine that I was not able to repeat the shot. Stronger balls (as a last resort, on a much deeper line) did not work either. This was yesterday's spontaneaous gap in my arsenal... I expected more oil, and missed my Slate Blue Gargoyle direly...

End of the story: you do not need dozens of ball, just the right ones for your game and the situation you face. This includes factors like coverstock material ("responsibility to dry"), core strength, surface prep and drilling setup. But it is a tricky thing to sort things and reduce this potential to only a few balls when you have to cover anything from desert to soup. I guess, for a normal bowler, 4 balls should suffice, and in a house league with a steady and predictable environment, 2 balls (plus spare each) should do the trick for anyone.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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sheppy335 · « **Reply #20 on:** April 19, 2007, 07:00:19 AM »

quote:
Rags, it's another built in excuse for a someone not bowling well.

"I've have been able to hit that shot, but I have a gap in my arsenal"
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I am an Elitist.

OMG your right! this can be scary thought. I know is pisses me off when people tell me they would have bowled better if they has this ball or that ball. I look at them and say did you adjust and make that ball work. They look at me like i am smoking crack.

I had a bad night one night and some one came up to me and said you needed such and such ball, because your reaction was erratic. I said no i didnt execute the shot correctly, it was my fault they ball i had would work if i found the correct line and threw it right. They told me i was complicating things and huffed off!
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Oil is served Best with fingers!

Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy

Author Topic: "Big gap" (Read 3165 times)

Ragnar

"Big gap"

Steven

Re: "Big gap"

Eddie M

Re: "Big gap"

lane1lover

Re: "Big gap"

dizzyfugu

Re: "Big gap"

sheppy335

Re: "Big gap"