BallReviews
General Category => USBC Tournament => Topic started by: bradl on February 21, 2017, 02:58:22 PM
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Here's a question from what I saw the other day.
While we know that BowlTV will not be showing any live streams of the USBC Open, they didn't say anything of any single shot clips being posted; one of which was recently put on the USBC's Facebook page of Brianna Cote taking on the pattern.
Now, while you can't tell if that was in Team or D/S, the fact that you can see an actual shot being thrown says a lot about the tournament in itself.
So here's the question: how much would you take out of one shot being thrown, especially for this tournament? I ask, because this and a few other short clips may be all that you'll see in regards to preparation for taking on the pattern.
BL.
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So here's the question: how much would you take out of one shot being thrown, especially for this tournament? I ask, because this and a few other short clips may be all that you'll see in regards to preparation for taking on the pattern.
Absolutely nothing.
As far as preparation, the Bowlers Journal and open practice session in that environment will prepare me as much as I possibly could be. Even the championship lanes themselves can play different. My ball will tell me what I need to know.
The moral of the story is that every single year you already know it's going to be a flatter pattern and shot making and a solid spare game will be at a premium. That applies whether the pattern is 38ft or 43ft.
So basically, one random clip of a shot (that even if we knew exactly when it was) is essentially going to tell us nothing.
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The moral of the story is that every single year you already know it's going to be a flatter pattern and shot making and a solid spare game will be at a premium. That applies whether the pattern is 38ft or 43ft.
Agreed. A big +1.
Look, they're not going to be putting out anything real short or real long. That would be too much a shock for most bowlers, and they wouldn't be bringing the specialized equipment for the extreme patterns anyway. Don't over think it.
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I've never bowled nationals, is the general mindset to bring solid surfaced mid level pieces with something pearl for the breakdown?
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We use plastic up 15 and lots of surface (500) around 1st arrow. Top 12 last year and top 30 year before that.
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We use plastic up 15 and lots of surface (500) around 1st arrow. Top 12 last year and top 30 year before that.
Build that shim and carve that bump!! Smart move....good teamwork.
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5 bucks says the break point is still pretty much the dark range finder...Like it is every year...
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My friend's crew has been going first weekend the last 2 years and his thoughts on this year vs last year:
- Back ends during Team were not as severe as last year.
- It felt like they went 2 ft longer singles/doubles and anything not direct outside of 12 felt like out of bounds. Lots of wash outs.
...not sure that those 2 tidbits bring much to the table but as expected they were not any easier this year compared to last.
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They did 38/39ft the last 2 years so I would anticipate them doing something in the 41/42ft range this year.....a pure guess.
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We use plastic up 15 and lots of surface (500) around 1st arrow. Top 12 last year and top 30 year before that.
Build that shim and carve that bump!! Smart move....good teamwork.
Northfaces team is a bunch of chefs.
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Where is this video!? I'm craving video lol #addictedtousbcopen
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It's just a matter of time before a complete video shows up on YouTube. Someone will have the guts to use their phone to record the action.
All you really gotta do is cut a hole in a pocket and place your phone in the pocket with the camera looking through the hole. They won't know what you are doing. I mean, is someone really walking around looking at your clothes for a hidden camera?
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Sadly Keg, you are correct. Somebody will do it. Why is it so hard for people to follow the rules when they don't go their way? Even worse, the poor people who will watch the video and have incomplete information will screw themselves up and usually end up not watching what the lane and the ball tell them when they arrive. Don't get me wrong... I hate the fact that most of us come in once a year to bowl on a condition we don't frankly see often enough, and yes, I'd like to be more prepared and carry more equipment... but those are my choices and rules are rules. If we don't like them, we try to get our voices heard and change them... Otherwise, we bowl, we learn, we do better next time.
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We use plastic up 15 and lots of surface (500) around 1st arrow. Top 12 last year and top 30 year before that.
We went with 500 or so up the outside, but we neglected the plastic balls to build hold. Do you normally just go 5 and 5 as far as who is doing what?
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Or we just dont go bowl and have fun with our families anymore cause my kids are going to want to video 'daddy' bowling and once they get kicked out for doing such i will blow my gasket and pack my $hit and tell USBC to go f themselves. Sorry, did i just go off on somebody. One reason i wont go to nationals anymore. My family goes with me all the time cause they love to watch bowling. El Paso was my last nationals and will probably be my last one.
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We use plastic up 15 and lots of surface (500) around 1st arrow. Top 12 last year and top 30 year before that.
We went with 500 or so up the outside, but we neglected the plastic balls to build hold. Do you normally just go 5 and 5 as far as who is doing what?
Shot makers use surface out, I've said it before, I'll say it again, guys THINK they're hitting 5, they either go through 11 to 5 or go up 8-9 never touching 5.
With that said, 6 of us use plastic up 15 and 4 with surface at 5. Last 2 min everyone actually tries to strike. If everyone uses surface to start they get too wet/dry.
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Sadly Keg, you are correct. Somebody will do it. Why is it so hard for people to follow the rules when they don't go their way? Even worse, the poor people who will watch the video and have incomplete information will screw themselves up and usually end up not watching what the lane and the ball tell them when they arrive. Don't get me wrong... I hate the fact that most of us come in once a year to bowl on a condition we don't frankly see often enough, and yes, I'd like to be more prepared and carry more equipment... but those are my choices and rules are rules. If we don't like them, we try to get our voices heard and change them... Otherwise, we bowl, we learn, we do better next time.
Though I understand rule following and the such, but this new rule is ridiculous. It is similar to forcing everyone to use urethane and pancake blocks. Why are we trying to eliminate technology in all things bowling? What is the purpose of trying to be so secretive in an event that lasts 5 MONTHS? I just don't get it.
The pros can watch XtraFrame in advance of their squad. Golfers can watch the early rounds before they tee off. I can't think of any other event in all of sport that has as many people competing and yet the organizer will not allow anyone to watch outside of the venue.
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Sadly Keg, you are correct. Somebody will do it. Why is it so hard for people to follow the rules when they don't go their way? Even worse, the poor people who will watch the video and have incomplete information will screw themselves up and usually end up not watching what the lane and the ball tell them when they arrive. Don't get me wrong... I hate the fact that most of us come in once a year to bowl on a condition we don't frankly see often enough, and yes, I'd like to be more prepared and carry more equipment... but those are my choices and rules are rules. If we don't like them, we try to get our voices heard and change them... Otherwise, we bowl, we learn, we do better next time.
Though I understand rule following and the such, but this new rule is ridiculous. It is similar to forcing everyone to use urethane and pancake blocks. Why are we trying to eliminate technology in all things bowling? What is the purpose of trying to be so secretive in an event that lasts 5 MONTHS? I just don't get it.
The pros can watch XtraFrame in advance of their squad. Golfers can watch the early rounds before they tee off. I can't think of any other event in all of sport that has as many people competing and yet the organizer will not allow anyone to watch outside of the venue.
You're kidding. The amount of people soaking their tampons because the "special patterns" suited the better players was mind boggling. These people cried and cried and cried and cried some more not realizing "hiding" the pattern hurts them instead. I'd bet these same people thought Obamacare and the ACA were different things.
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To echo that statement, it's generally the BOWLERS who do the most complaining about how USBC let technology "ruin the sport." Now, they're limiting tech in one capacity to keep people from getting an advantage, and people are complaining about that. We can't have it both ways. Either we want to embrace technology or we don't. Now, to be clear, I liked the live streaming and pattern announcements. To me, having the pattern out doesn't give anyone a true advantage unless they get to practice on the championship lanes. Aside from that, with all the variables that impact how patterns play from one center to the next, all anyone ever had was a general idea as to how the patterns would play, and, to be honest, they always play somewhat similarly. You want to break down the outside, try to create some hold inside, and make quality shots. That's what it takes to do well there, not practicing on the pattern or having a magic ball. Still, this was USBC trying to respond to bowler complaints, and all they get is more in return.
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To echo that statement, it's generally the BOWLERS who do the most complaining about how USBC let technology "ruin the sport." Now, they're limiting tech in one capacity to keep people from getting an advantage, and people are complaining about that. We can't have it both ways. Either we want to embrace technology or we don't. Now, to be clear, I liked the live streaming and pattern announcements. To me, having the pattern out doesn't give anyone a true advantage unless they get to practice on the championship lanes. Aside from that, with all the variables that impact how patterns play from one center to the next, all anyone ever had was a general idea as to how the patterns would play, and, to be honest, they always play somewhat similarly. You want to break down the outside, try to create some hold inside, and make quality shots. That's what it takes to do well there, not practicing on the pattern or having a magic ball. Still, this was USBC trying to respond to bowler complaints, and all they get is more in return.
I completely agree with your statement about the championship lanes. I bowled on the Team Pattern about 5 times at a local house before going to Reno. Then I bowled two practice sessions in Reno. Those 7 sessions all felt similar for the most part. The championship lanes were 7 boards different when I started! A true punch in the gut to get familiar with my gear and get ready for anything.
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That's what far too many people fail to understand. Differences in lane machine, oil used, lane surface, age/topography of said surface, etc. make it impossible for anyone to perfectly replicate the pattern. You can get close and get a general idea of what to expect, but I think most bowlers get that just from looking at pattern graphs. I've been to Nationals 6-7 times now, and the lanes have played VERY similarly each and every time. Yes, there have been differences year to year, but the basics are the same. The patterns will always be in the medium ranges for length and volume in order to promote players being able to attack from multiple angles. Like with any Sport compliant condition, you want smooth, controllable balls with some surface early on to blend things out. Skid/flip balls built for house shots generally don't do you much good. Teams will look to create hook out and create hold in. I mean, even though they're not releasing the patterns this year, my group will use the same basic plan of attack we always use. As such, I think this move is more window dressing than a move that will actually impact the outcome. The only thing it does for me is bum me out because I always enjoy watching the live streams.
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Five minutes of video of bowlers on the pattern is plenty. See where the out of bounds is on the gutter and what kind of hold is in the middle and prepare from there.
No matter the lengths etc it doesn't vary much year to year on where they force bowlers to try and play with minimal area. As mentioned break point is the 10 board tracer down lane.
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While preparation is vital in all sports, it only gets you so far. The ability to anticipate and adjust quickly is what separates great bowlers from the pack. I keep an open mind, try different paths to the pocket, and trust my gut. Engraining expectations in your head on how the shot will play can really work against you.
I'd like to see a light activated dye used in the oil. The lanes get oiled with the lights off then before practice the lights go on and the dye activates revealing the pattern. That would make things interesting.
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I keep an open mind, try different paths to the pocket, and trust my gut. Engraining expectations in your head on how the shot will play can really work against you.
This is what I like to use when people ask questions about a pattern. The graph may say it'll play a certain way or you may practice on similar patterns, but there is no guarantee when it's time to bowl the event.
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Entries to nationals have been dropping for several years. I expect an up tick this year because of the new stadium in Vegas, but look for a major drop next year, partly due to new policies. I am only going this year because a bunch of long time friends wanted on their team
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
A lot of guys have a fundamental issue shooting 580. It wasnt until I learned if me shooting 580-600 leads to 3 of my teammates slamming 730s+, im ok with that. Playing straight isnt my forte, I just try to be patient so I can get in and bang on it.
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
A lot of guys have a fundamental issue shooting 580. It wasnt until I learned if me shooting 580-600 leads to 3 of my teammates slamming 730s+, im ok with that. Playing straight isnt my forte, I just try to be patient so I can get in and bang on it.
As long as you don't push the all button in brackets, that's fine. #backtherighthorse
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
A lot of guys have a fundamental issue shooting 580. It wasnt until I learned if me shooting 580-600 leads to 3 of my teammates slamming 730s+, im ok with that. Playing straight isnt my forte, I just try to be patient so I can get in and bang on it.
As long as you don't push the all button in brackets, that's fine. #backtherighthorse
Max the brackets and split 5 ways.
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
A lot of guys have a fundamental issue shooting 580. It wasnt until I learned if me shooting 580-600 leads to 3 of my teammates slamming 730s+, im ok with that. Playing straight isnt my forte, I just try to be patient so I can get in and bang on it.
As long as you don't push the all button in brackets, that's fine. #backtherighthorse
Max the brackets and split 5 ways.
Now that's real teamwork.
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
A lot of guys have a fundamental issue shooting 580. It wasnt until I learned if me shooting 580-600 leads to 3 of my teammates slamming 730s+, im ok with that. Playing straight isnt my forte, I just try to be patient so I can get in and bang on it.
As long as you don't push the all button in brackets, that's fine. #backtherighthorse
Max the brackets and split 5 ways.
Now that's real teamwork.
I can't think of another way to do it.
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Nationals is pretty much the same from year to year. It's not a house shot, so the house shot heroes get flustered, start flinging charcoal down 12, shimwreck themselves, fry, and cry about how better bowlers are ruining what is a fun tournament.
It's not a super tough pattern anytime. It's just lane management and working as a team. Teamwork when it comes to bowling is more than just figuring out which bowler goes when.
A lot of guys have a fundamental issue shooting 580. It wasnt until I learned if me shooting 580-600 leads to 3 of my teammates slamming 730s+, im ok with that. Playing straight isnt my forte, I just try to be patient so I can get in and bang on it.
As long as you don't push the all button in brackets, that's fine. #backtherighthorse
Max the brackets and split 5 ways.
Now that's real teamwork.
I can't think of another way to do it.
You don't bowl with a bunch of douchebags then!!
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I have only seen the shot longer than 40 feet once, and never shorter than 38 in the last 10 years. The volume will be between 25 and 28 ml, and there will be about 5 loads 2 to 2. If that doesn't tell you all you all you need to know you probably aren't going to benefit much from seeing more detail.
Biggest problem for most guys at nationals is their style requires them to be able to open up the lane outside. A few practice sessions prior to the tournament isn't going to help.
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Not trying to argue here, as I understand your point, but it's been over 40 feet more than once. Been going for 16 years or so. A quick google search and it was longer than that in 2011 and 2014. And that was with the few patterns I've found.
I'm actually surprised they've kept it a secret as well as they have. I figure that a little more info will leak out as the tournament progresses. Still, almost every year it seems like 8-10 at the tracer is about the right place for people to score, except for the few people who will swear that there is a shot outside of 5.
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42 feet in 2014 team event was the longest I found. Probably a few others over 40 but nothing real long. Also that 2014 pattern scored lights out. That is why I say you wont see anything much over 40 again.