national patterns so that they are ready for any of the condi- tions that are selected for any of their international competi- tions used by the World Tenpin Bowling Association in major contests such as the World Championships, Pan American Games and QubicaAMF World Cup. In all, there are 12 patterns, four each in the short, medium
and long catagories, and each are named for an Olympic city. (See the accompanying sidebars for a closer look at each pattern and advice from such experts as Team USA stars Shannon O’Keefe, Cassidy Schaub, Tennelle Milligan and Team USA assistant coach Bryan O’Keefe on how to play them.) The variety of patterns
definitely keeps the best bowlers
around the world on their toes, but they are also an extraordi- nary test of any bowler’s skills. That’s why USBC launched its Team USA Experience sport bowling leagues this season. “Taking on these types of
conditions can really help a bowler learn more about their game,” said Ross. “Our teams have put in a lot of work to learn the nuances of the patterns and
that has helped us achieve the success we have had at the inter- national level.” The patterns are the same
for both the men and women at international matches. Team USA member and PBA superstar Chris Barnes was a member of the U.S. team that took home the gold medal in the team competition at the 2010 WTBA World Men’s Championships in
ATLANTA 38 FEET
SHANNON O’KEEFE ON … EQUIPMENT TO USE: “Start with a solid reactive ball, fingers pinned under and a 500 Abralon surface. Once that begins to break down, go to a similar layout on a ball with a hybrid coverstock, around 1000 Abralon.” HOW TO PLAY IT: “My feet are generally around 15 and my eyes are around 8. I will try to go up the lane with slower ball speed, and try not to miss much right. Once the heads start to break down, I can chase the oil line left and then eventually change balls.”
SEOUL
39 FEET BRYAN O’KEEFE ON … EQUIPMENT TO USE: “I sug- gest smooth rolling, medium equipment. Lower rev rates can get away with more ball, and higher rev rates can get away with weaker balls, but the majority of players will use their ‘benchmark’ or ‘every- thing’ ball.” HOW TO PLAY IT: “This length pattern can be really tricky because you can get away with several different angles. Most play- ers will usually want to keep their ball between boards 7-10 at the breakpoint. How you go about getting the ball to this point is really dependent on the type of player. Straighter players will use a more direct approach through the front part of the lane, and the players more accustom to hooking the ball will be able to move a little deeper, but still use 7-10 board as their breakpoint. Scores will be low on this pattern, so try to avoid those big splits and, as always, make your spares.”
30 22 USBOWLER WINTER 2010-11 FALL 2010
ATHENS 40 FEET
SHANNON O’KEEFE ON … EQUIPMENT TO USE: “I gener- ally use a heavy rolling, solid cov- erstock ball. The layout I will use is pin under my fingers with an extra hole, and the surface at 500 Abralon. Once that starts to hook too early, I will go to something with the same layout, but with less surface.”
HOW TO PLAY IT: “My feet, to start, are around 14-15 and my eyes around 8-9, trying not get it right too far. I will start with my normal hand position and softer ball speed. Once they start to break down, I start to make paral- lel moves left.”
MONTREAL 41 FEET
SHANNON O’KEEFE ON … EQUIPMENT TO USE: “To start, I will use strong, even-rolling bowling balls, with pins below my fingers and a surface around 500 Abralon. I can use a stronger coverstock on this pattern then the other medium patterns since it is 41 feet long.” HOW TO PLAY IT: “On the fresh, my feet are 14 and my eyes 8 and I’m trying to use a softer ball speed and go up the lane more then on the other medium patterns. Also, I can’t miss right of 5-6. Once they break down, my feet can get into 20 and my eyes around 12-13, still softer ball speed, and I’ll also stay with the same ball instead of going to something weaker. This is because of the longer distance of oil versus the other medium patterns.”
TEAM USA EXPERIENCE MEDIUM PATTERN
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