Expert: - 10/23/2008

Question
QUESTION: I need help with the DUAL ANGLE layouts by Mo's.He does a good job explaining his method,until he gets to the part with the vertical and horizontal components of the bowler's axis coordinates to find the center of the bowlers grip,perpendicular to the midline.He does not explain how to get the vertical and horizontal components or where to where he is measuring to find the center of the bowlers grip. This is fownd in his illustrations on page 8 of 9.














































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ANSWER: Joe,
I'd recommend you learn to find a bowler's Positive Axis Point (PAP). I'm not thrilled with this explanation on YouTube but you get the idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6BESGRQdmU and it's got pictures, Google Positive Axis Point for more info.

The axis co-ordinates are found using an existing ball, mapping the track and determining the PAP. Can be done with a spinner, by hand with a Turbo 2n1 Pro Sect, or Mo's Armadillo tool.

Usually, a player will throw a duplicated grip the same way as is reflected on a pre-existing ball. When you know how a bowler throws a ball (you have the co-ordinates of their PAP), determine the Angles of the layout.

If an existing ball is 70 degrees, 4 1/2 inches, and 50 degrees, but the player wants more backend motion, chose a similar or the same ball, then adjust the DUAL ANGLES to strengthen the reaction. Maybe 70 degrees, 4 inches and 35 degrees. Or you may chose to adjust the surface and strengthen both angles. Or chose a stronger ball and use the same angles as the first ball to achieve a stronger backend. The choices should reflect what you know about the condition being bowled on, surface preparation of the balls, bowler's preference for playing the lane, etc.

Thanks for the questions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I know how to get the PAP. MO explains that in a simple way.What I don't understand is how he comes out with the bowlers axis coordinates.The PAP determines the vertical component ,but what about the horizontal component?And what points do I use to determine the distance to the grip center line?I'm trying to determine the bowlers grip center line. Is this not the case?Do we know the bowlers grip line before hand?In his illustration,he shows this procedure with a red marker.      Thanks

Answer
Joe,
Once you determine the point your ball rotates on, the Positive Axis Point (PAP), you need to be able to identify it's relationship to your grip, those are your unique axis co-ordinates.

You've determined the PAP. To UTILIZE the PAP, draw a line from between your fingers down and through the center of your thumb hole (known as the grip line or grip centerline*), find the center of your grip. Draw a line perpendicular to the grip line (called the mid-line). The PAP could be under or over the mid-line.

Draw another perpendicular line, connecting the PAP to the mid-line (called the Vertical Axis Line or VAL). The vertical axis co-ordinate is the distance from the PAP to the midline (show whether up or down to the midline). Measure the distance from the the vertical intersection of the VAL on the midline back to the grip-line, that is your horizontal co-ordinate.

I would express my unique axis co-ordinates as 5 and 5/16 inches over (I'm right handed so the co-ordinates are to the right of my grip center) and 5/16 inch up (as my PAP is above the midline).

*for a visual see  PAGE I-3 of the USBC Equipment and Specifications Section in the rulebook (http://www.bowl.com/rules/rulebook.aspx)

Thanks for the questions. Hope this helps.