Trick Layout Examples

Please note: These layouts are of high risk. You should discuss these layouts with a certified proshop operator before drilling.

Trick Layout Examples

How to find the mass bias

As mentioned in the When to use "Trick" Layouts article, the Storm Tropical Storm was the basis of our testing. We start by marking the Mass Bias on a line 6 3/4 from the pin through the C.G.

For these "Trick" Layouts we will use a predetermined PAP of 5" over and 1" up for a right handed bowler. All "Trick" Layouts should be layed out in conjunction with a bowler's Positive Axis Point.

"High Flare: Smooth" Trick Layout

The first layout we will discuss is the "High Flare: Smooth" Trick Layout.

"High Flare Smooth" layout

You will first make a horizontal line 1" from the pin to the VAL, and draw a vertical line from that mark down through the Mass Bias. On that line you will draw a line from the pin onto that line at 3 3/8" and use that mark as your PAP. The weighthole will be located 3" right of the bowler's grip center and 1 1/2" up with a 7/8th bit drilled 2 1/2" deep to remove excess side and finger weight. The Final Layout will look like this.

High Flare Smooth layout rotated to show Pin to PAP strength and orientation of the pin in relation to the fingers.

We found out that with this "High Flare Smooth" layout on this coverstock, we were able to use a high pin placement and still get the maximum flare potential out of the ball. Our tester, has a speed of 16.5-17mph and a revrate of 340rpms. He was able to get 4" of flare and a terrific read of the midlane with a strong and continuous arc that was not penalized by getting the ball into the friction zone early. This ball provided a strong arc in the oil line, as well as with shots thrown into the friction without hooking as soon as it saw the dry boards.

"250 degree strong backend" layout

The next layout we will be looking at is the "250 degree strong backend" layout.

"250 degree strong backend" layout.

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This layout calls for the pin to be no further out than 2" from the C.G. so a weighthole will not be needed. The pin height above the midline is to be 1 1/4" and the Pin to PAP distance is to be 4 1/2". The Mass bias is to be placed at 250 degrees. This layout caused a "herky jerk" skid/snap motion that appeared to be over-under in its first testing. What we found out is that when the shot called for a very direct line outside of the first arrow(as it was tested on the Cheetah Pattern), we were able to draw a strong skid-snap reaction and not have the ball hook early in the friction zone. When the shot forces you to play direct and you need an angular motion at the breakpoint, the 250 degree layout was very effective.

"320 Degree: High Flare:Hook/Set" Layout

The next layout we will be looking at is the "320 Degree: High Flare:Hook/Set" Layout.

"320 Degree: High Flare:Hook/Set" Layout

This layout is based on a PAP of 5" right and 1" up. This layout calls for the Pin to be placed 3" from the PAP and 2" above the midline. The Mass Bias angle from the center of grip will be 320 degrees. A top weight no higher than 2.75oz is needed. The weighthole will be placed 1 1/2" above the bowler's PAP with a 1" bit 2 3" deepand pitched at 1 1/4 reverse on the vertical and 0 lateral. This hole will remove the excess side and fingerweight and will also give you the forward roll on the backend. This layout maximizes the flare potential in heavier volumes of head oil and revs extremely strong in the midlane. This strong/early flare enables the ball to start hooking very early in an abrupt manner and roll forward on the last 3-5 feet from the pins. This is great for playing lanes with an extreme wet-dry from front to back, or side to side that have a large volume of head oil. Due to it's early rolling nature, it covers up mistakes of throwing the ball too fast or missing the "hit" on the ball at the bottom. While it makes a strong and abrupt move early, the forward roll into the pins will assure a strong finish and keep you safe from "diving" into the head pin on lanes with strong backends.

Dp3 22:17, 21 August 2007 (EDT)DJ Marshall -Twelve In a Row Pro Shop. Hyattsville, MD