Understanding Lane Play: Targeting, Moves, and Adjustments

Understanding lane conditions is crucial for consistent bowling success. Effective bowling lane play strategies help you adapt to oil patterns, transitions, and changing conditions during a game. By learning how to read the lanes and make precise adjustments, you can improve accuracy and scoring potential. In this guide, we’ll explore essential strategies to help you navigate lane play like a pro.

1. Parallel Moves: Keeping the Same Launch Angle

A parallel move involves shifting both your feet and your eyes the same number of boards in the same direction. So you would move both your feet and your eyes 1, 2, or 3 boards. This adjustment keeps your launch angle constant, but alters your breakpoint to compensate for different oil pattern distances (using the rule of 31) and even lane change conditions.

For example, if you’re hitting Brooklyn and missing inside (your ball breaks at 12 instead of 10), you would parallel 2 boards to the right. This keeps the same launch angle while adjusting your line to hit the desired breakpoint.

2. Abstract Moves: Changing the Breakpoint and Launch Angle

Abstract moves are often the easiest to execute because all you need to do is shift your feet 1 or 2 boards in the desired direction without adjusting your target. This small adjustment changes your launch angle and breakpoint simultaneously, making it an effective strategy for minor corrections. Incorporating this into your bowling lane play strategies ensures you stay adaptable and can fine-tune your game with minimal effort.

For instance, if you bowl over the 10 board at the arrows and miss the pocket to the right, hitting the 3 pin flush or coming in light and leaving something like a 2-4-10 split, an abstract move 2 boards right with your feet would help bring your ball back to the pocket.

3. Diagonal Moves: Adjusting Launch Angle but Keeping the Breakpoint

A diagonal move adjusts your feet and eyes by different numbers of boards, typically in a 2:1 ratio. This keeps your breakpoint the same but alters your launch angle, giving you more control over how the ball reacts on the lane.

Diagonal moves are particularly effective when the breakpoint is working well, but you need a slight tweak in your hook. For example, if you want your ball to still break outside at 10 but need to change the hook, a diagonal move can make that adjustment without drastically altering your line.

Practical Examples of Bowling Lane Play Strategy Adjustments

Example 1:

Bowler A is standing on 25, targeting 16, and hitting Brooklyn with a ball that breaks at 13. What should the bowler do?

Options:

• A parallel move 2 boards right
• A diagonal move 4:2 right
• A diagonal move 4:2 left
• An abstract move 3 boards left

Correct Move:

• Parallel 2 boards right
  • Why? This keeps the launch angle the same but adjusts the breakpoint closer to where it needs to be. Since the ball is breaking too soon and missing left, paralleling to the right will help hit the correct spot down lane without changing the angle the bowler is comfortable with.

Incorrect Moves:

• Diagonal 4:2 right
  Why? This would shift the launch angle and not the breakpoint, which is too large of an adjustment when the primary issue is simply getting to the right breakpoint.
• Diagonal 4:2 left
  Why? Again, this keeps the same breakpoint at 13, and although it might not hook as much, because it’s going through more oil, the angle the ball is coming into the pocket might be too light.
• Abstract 3 left
  Why? Although this might get the ball out closer to the 10 board breakpoint, it increases the launch angle too much and since the bowler is already playing left, it leaves very little room for adjustment from there (they can’t move left much more).

Example 2

Bowler B was striking when his ball was breaking between 10 and 8. Now he is leaving flat 10s, with the 6 pin going to the back of the rack and the 3 pin going too wide, missing the 10. What adjustment should he make?

Options:

• Diagonal 2:1 Left
• Abstract 2 left
• Parallel 2 left

• Correct Move: Diagonal 2:1 left
  Why? This move will decrease the hook slightly, keeping the same breakpoint but reducing the angle to create more entry into the pocket. It helps fix the flat 10 issue by allowing the 6 pin to take out the 10 pin.
• Incorrect Moves:
  • Abstract 2 left
    Why? This would change both the launch angle and the breakpoint more drastically, which may create even more angle and worsen the flat 10 issue.
  • Parallel 2 left
    Why? This would keep the launch angle the same but shift the whole shot left, which could cause the ball to miss the breakpoint and go Brooklyn.

Example 3

Bowler C gets his ball out to 10, but it isn’t coming back, resulting in super light hits on the pocket. What adjustment should he make?

Options:

• Parallel 2 left
• Diagonal 2:1 left
• Diagonal 2:1 right
• Abstract 2 right

• Correct Move: Diagonal 2:1 left or Parallel 2 left (depending on ball reaction)
  Why? If the ball isn’t coming back strongly, a diagonal 2:1 left will help the ball hook earlier and come back to the pocket with more force. However, if bowler C is throwing a ball that breaks later, like the Hustle, a parallel move 2 left may help break the ball at 11 or 12 instead of trying to force it back from 10. With a stronger ball like the Halo, a diagonal move would be more suitable to maintain the breakpoint but give more hook.
• Incorrect Moves:
  • Diagonal 2:1 right
    Why? Moving right will decrease hook, which is the opposite of what’s needed in this situation, where the ball is coming in too light.
  • Abstract 2 right
    Why? This would weaken the angle and send the ball even farther to the right, making it less likely to recover to the pocket.

Understanding Lane Conditions with Kegel’s Oil Patterns

To further enhance your understanding of lane play, check out the Kegel Oil Patterns Library, which offers a comprehensive collection of oil patterns used in competitive and house shot bowling. By studying these patterns, you can adapt your shot strategies to different lane conditions, giving you a competitive edge.

Conclusion

Mastering bowling lane play strategies is essential for improving your performance and adapting to ever-changing lane conditions. By learning how to read oil patterns, adjust to transitions, and make informed decisions during play, you can gain an edge over your competition. Keep practicing these techniques to build confidence and consistency in your game. For personalized guidance, contact me for a virtual or in-person lesson to refine your approach and elevate your lane play skills.