Why You STRUGGLE On Short Patterns | 5 Reasons

[@arandomcommenter7051]

9:55 “one of the most utilized tools on the PBA tour…. Or at least it was, thanks a lot..” LOOOOL

[@raymah7]

Appreciate the video. My issue with short patterns is always ball speed as I'm a no thumb one hand bowler. The other problem is getting the ball near the gutter too but urethane is usually my go to balls 😂

[@vance836]

For some of us older guys, including me, it is like bringing back the late 80s/early 90s in the days of the Blue Hammer and Blue Nitro dominating the bowling scene. League conditions were in that 32-36 foot area and it was dominated by urethane playing outside the track. However, when it comes to sport conditions, I wish I had heard this info 20 years ago. In the earlier days of reactives, I fell victim to this very thing. As soon as my ball went left; I made a huge jump left to open my angles only to either have the ball hook at 35 feet and go brooklyn or I would amp the ball speed and throw it out the window and the ball would not recover. My first USBCs in Reno 1996 or 1997; my goal was 1800 AE just to say I averaged 200 my first try on a sport shot. Ended up with high 1700s because I fell victim to this very thing in team event. I believe I shot 520 with a 140 last game. If I did not get it right it hooked at 30 feet and as soon as I was sliding at 50 and trying to push it through the early hook; I remember taking 3 off the right. Talk about being humbled when I went into that with a league average near 230. Good stuff Nick! On the way to 30,000 subscribers and beyond!

[@brunsnick]

Thanks Vance! 😎

[@TrandafirRuby]

Been trying to show all these tips to bowlers that struggle on wolf and cheetah. They ask me to tecach them and i tell them get closer to 1st arrow [not 4th], change your hand position, dont slow hook the lane, use solids. Lastly, i tell them to drop their damn house shot pride. Do they listen? Nope.

[@danielq2358]

My favorite balls to use on short patterns is... A pearl. They're purple and black.

[@dartagnanv8der613]

Nick Thank you for the education. Your videos are OUTSTANDING. It’s not just a typical “watch me throw a new ball with my own layout and lane condition” video. I can almost always walk away with an understanding to want to apply and continue the love of bowling. LETS GO Brotha 🤜

[@jodroogmans9374]

Hey Nick, great video again... Can you maybe do a video on hand position, axis rotation and how open/closed fingers help etc? In the example in this video where you say to stay more behind the ball I don't really see much difference in your hand position between both shots so more details will help to better understand. Thanks

[@brunsnick]

Sure! 👍🏻

[@Tagicdemise]

Just started league in town and my first experience with a short pattern. After an abysmal average i started to figure it out. Moving right was one of the things I tried and It definitely helped.

[@AndrewWarrenPatriotsfan]

Thankfully the guy at my pro shop at my bowling alley taught me a lot about short patterns. He always says if you want to win on short patterns, build up your speed. When he drilled up my Black Widow Pink Urethane, he told me your going love it on short and in transition, and he was right. When I won my Purple Hammer at Bowlersmart, he laughed and said it's about tike you got the GOAT ball.

[@CKBowling1]

I have the pink Widow also, have never been able to get thing to shape. It just kinda dies. I might try it again next week since we are on 32' Wolf

[@charlespeakjr2168]

Thanks for the advice, Nick. I will definitely need this after finally returning to active competition from a 14+ year "vacation."

[@robsloma9418]

Absolutely spot on Nick! Great video!

[@studiobsquared299]

Have watched this video over and over. It has been one of the most beneficial videos. Thank you

[@smokesoundmusic]

Hey Nick. Finally I got the right video for my very exact situation during the last time I played. Pretty much I was strugling for the first 4 reasons, now I am heading off to Amazon and buy my new urethane ball. :)

[@300maxman]

Thanks for sharing. I also hit the ball very poorly on the short pitch today. After reading your explanation, maybe I can use the ball or ball design to improve my launch point. At least I won't think about whether someone is messing around.

[@danielshinall769]

Thank You for the video. I had never bowled a short oil pattern and you helped me to increase my second week of league score by over 150 pins

[@beerbatter5376]

I followed your advise from a previous video about the Purple Hammer Urethane being your favorite/best ball. I got one and I LOVE IT. As I've learned to use it more, I moved out, as this video suggests, and rolled a 233 last week with it (normal average 290). During game 3 of 4, I switched to a reactive ball and rolled a 798 (4 game series). I'm thinking of getting a spare Purple Hammer and leave it undrilled just in case something happens to this ball and Hammer is no longer making them. Thanks so much for your great videos.

[@TraumaER]

Saving for my next short pattern tournament.

[@Mark30000Thomas]

I have tried about a dozen urethane balls, a majority being purple hammers, in a multitude of different combinations of layout, surface and release, and for some reason I just can’t make it work or look good to my eye. That being said, what I have found that I think is super close and has been monumentally better for me is the use of Pin in PAP bowling balls, specifically, the Big Time S.E.. I have a much easier time reading that ball and trusting it than I do the 12 or so urethane’s I’ve drilled and I think the reaction is great for conditions where I want to control the backend or shorter patterns. I bowled a New Year’s Day tournament this year and went +187 for 8 games across 8 pairs never switching out of that ball. I think it’s a great alternative to urethane for those who may struggle but want that same reaction, especially during a time where rules are changing regarding the use of urethane bowling balls.

[@raymondlangella5276]

Love the Video! Great information. Nothing more needs to be said!

[@Highway69theoriginal]

Great video Nick! What an eye opener.

[@BlaineDEEJEE1]

I just love ur methodology. Excellent.

[@nordattack]

Great video Nick. You ticked all the boxes. As a 1950/60's style Full Roller with low ball speed (12 mph) and low revs (135 rpms) I love short patterns. I just take my urethane ball, move all the way to the right and roll it easy up 3/4/5 board. It will float up the board and then roll easy across and hit hard. My slow speed does not hurt me at all getting the ball up the twig, I have no issue with that. My ball of choice is the Brunswick U Motion with a 3/4" Full Roller Leverage layout. If you are interested you can see it in action on the 35 ft Boardwalk pattern on my channel, Video #146

[@michaeljavier2678]

Aloha Nick, Happy New Year. I saved this video for future reference. Also shared this video with a good friend who together we are working through his issues. Thank so much for putting words into video, Aloha.

[@brunsnick]

Thank you Michael! 🤙🏼

[@duncanakana7865]

From one braddah to another, this is a great video!

[@lynndecamp7374]

Excellent video!! Good job,!!!😊

[@pato6672]

Thanks Nick, 68 yr. old throwing a purple 15 lb, but still don't have the ball speed to keep it from high hits. Any other ball in a 14 that you would recommend for short oil, house shot? Thanks again, keep em coming!!

[@brunsnick]

May want to try bringing up the surface on the Purple to accommodate the lower ball speed. Another ball you can try for short is the NU Blue Hammer. Might give a little more length. Another option would be a Twist.

[@pato6672]

@@brunsnick Thanks for the reply Nick. Any knowledge about Motiv Thrill Solid?

[@brunsnick]

@@pato6672 none sorry.

[@pato6672]

@@brunsnick I hit it with 3000 grit Tuesday, gonna purchase trizact 8000 and see what happens. It means a lot to me that you respond to your subscribers!!

[@brunsnick]

Sometimes those true urethane balls take more time on the spinner to get the surface changed. Needs more elbow grease!

[@BooyaCS]

I have Urethane (purple) the NU and a short pin ball. Plus I learned (as a no thumber) how to throw reactive dead straight up the outside of the lane.

[@markmatroni631]

Good video!!! Fast balls up the rail!!!!

[@scibbs188407]

This is one of your best videos

[@nightmaresnightly]

awesome video! If only I could get my ball speed with two hands over 16mph with ease

[@Spare_Parts_Bowling]

I hope the tease at the end about a video on urethane and when to move out of is really coming in the future

[@surfboardshack3327]

Great video. Do you have a video on long patterns?

[@brunsnick]

Not yet.

[@11josiahf]

Ipi subbed because for bowling tips content thank you!

[@brunsnick]

Welcome!

[@jonathanbatchelor5032]

Great video Nick

[@HeroPotatoDB]

Thanks for the advice! Been kicking myself in the head since my local center started out our own sport shot league a little over a few months ago and i’ve been trying to play these lines but i have an interesting problem, it feels like no matter what i use i have to make the 5 board my gutter because no matter how much rotation is on the ball going past that and it might as well be in the channel, so what would be your advice when the lanes don’t allow you to play those extreme far right angles?

[@brunsnick]

See if you can practice and video yourself playing on the gutter. You might be able to get a better understanding why your ball isn’t doing the right things. It could be that you’re not quite far outside enough with your feet and launch angle is making it hang outside 5. It could also be the pattern itself not lending itself to that play. May be too long of a pattern.

[@HeroPotatoDB]

@@brunsnick i never thought about that, i know after learning last year i’m left eye dominant but being a right hander my misses always seem right of my target line so i’ll try out tomorrow moving my feet even further right than where i usually stand when i play far right, thanks Nick you the man!

[@robertjenkins2578]

How does urethane perform on a beat up house shot? Useful or forget it?

[@WILLIAMKLINE-by7qj]

Great information! You do a great job on your videos

[@brunsnick]

Appreciate that!

[@ernestojanniere76]

GREAT VIDEO, not just urethane but being versatile with your hand positioning.. PRACTICE???? LOL

[@srujay]

hi what surface did u keep on purple hammer for this pattern in the video?

[@brunsnick]

Likely just box with a few games on it.

[@kenraedejr4229]

Would short pin layouts also be something that could be helpful on short patterns?

[@butchcoolidge3261]

I wonder if I can use my Radical Spy with 500 cover on a short pattern? It’s very condition specific, but I’ve had some success using it far right on fried conditions.

[@brunsnick]

Maybe? It could work, the challenge is getting plastic to slow down and get through the pins. Ball speed is critical.

[@garyfleming8963]

So a quick question, Nick. Would this be a situation where you could possibly use a pin down drilling with a symmetric core? In your pin down drilling video, you indicated this drilling is very condition specific, the differential would be lowered and narrows flare rings. If I understand correctly, a pin down symmetric might not overreact but would be controllable and smooth. Not that I am opposed to urethane, except I currently don't have urethane in my arsenal. Thanks in advance. Really enjoy your videos.

[@brunsnick]

Maybe possibly to start yes if they are really wet/dry but you’ll look to transition out of it quick.

[@garyfleming8963]

Thank you

[@oluwa77]

What surface were you using on the purple hammer? @brunsnick

[@brunsnick]

Probably box with a little lane play on it.

[@machinethesun9243]

Great video, I like short patterns, it's the medium sport shot ones, that mess me up.

[@brunsnick]

So many variables there with volumes and attack angles, gets harder to make a game plan sometimes.

[@tj_devin88]

What would be wrong with using a plastic ball like the old Brunswick Axis with a little surface on a short pattern? Couldn't find much info on the subject.

[@brunsnick]

Plastic just doesn’t create enough friction for most bowlers. With a lot of surface it could work, but you’ll need to have the high rev rate to get it to hit.

[@dukebluecook]

I just bowled in a regional a few weeks ago and I started off with a urethane in the first game and shot 221 when I moved lanes for the second game I feel like the breakdown had already happened and I could not get the ball back to the pocket if I made a slight adjustment, it would go through the nose. I changed to reactive and struggling until the later games what should I do to change that? What is the move so that I know I canstay with urethane longer?

[@brunsnick]

@@dukebluecook was everyone getting out of urethane? It’s best to pay attention to the field, primarily those at the top to get information about their success.

[@dukebluecook]

@@brunsnick I was on the lane with Nick Pate and he was throwing reactive the whole time I should’ve waited longer to change and I regret that now. I’m on the way to Asheville to bowl in another regional on the Don Carter 39 foot pattern I’m gonna stay with urethane as long as I can. from watching a Videos that seems to be the move

[@scibbs188407]

Hey nick i tend to throw the ball faster, how do I lower the ball speed?

[@brunsnick]

Slow your feet down and the ball will slow down too.

[@chrishoffman9321]

Good advice. How come you didn't throw the Hammer NU Blue?

[@brunsnick]

No reason other than I needed 3 examples for bowling ball types for this video.

[@b.r.fowler785]

I recently got the NU Blue. Should I still look into a Purple Hammer? I intend to only use it on short patterns in tournaments.

[@brunsnick]

They are a little different. It’s always good to have a true urethane ball in your bag.

[@b.r.fowler785]

@@brunsnickThis just in: the legendary Purple Hammer Urethane is now in my arsenal. I dub him Prince. Get the reference? 😂

[@mikealexander7414]

You made a comment about Asym's being smoother off the spot. Is that a general rule - asyms are smoother downlane?

[@brunsnick]

You can get them to roll more forward and control the lane early on. They use energy quicker.

[@jayatwood5752]

What does “get further up on the gutter” mean ?

[@jimeckerson4297]

What kind of surface are you recommending??

[@brunsnick]

There’s really no one grit fits all scenario. Needs adjustment for ball speed and volume until the ball does the right thing.

[@michaeljamrozy4299]

One of my problems on short is eye-dominancy. If I think I'm hitting 8, I'm really hitting like 10.5. If I'm trying to get the ball to the 2 board, it's a struggle

[@brunsnick]

It’s good to at least know that you’re 2.5 off. Now get bold and look in the gutter to hit 2 board. 😁

[@joejherrington4687]

Would a pin down ball be good for a shorter pattern?

[@brunsnick]

Maybe possibly to start if they are really wet dry.

[@jeffs7773]

Should you buy a solid or or Pearl purple hammer

[@brunsnick]

The urethane version is the Purple Pearl.

[@jeffs7773]

@@brunsnick yea I figured that out. Dumb question

[@brunsnick]

No worries, glad to help. 👍🏻

[@mireally]

For those that want to avoid Urethane specifically, what about using a Hammer NU instead? Is it a viable option in lieu of having Urethane in your bag?

[@brunsnick]

Yes absolutely, but why avoid urethane?

[@jvmiller1995]

I personally have a blu tank from motiv. I Love it. It is not urethane nor resin but it plays more like a urethane. micro cell polymer or MCP. Very controllable ball. Also people do not hate on you as bad for using it because it does not spread the oil out as fast as urethane.

[@mireally]

@@brunsnick - You mentioned in the video that on a short pattern that using Urethane was not the best strategy. So I was wondering if something like the Hammer NU would be a good option for those that otherwise wanted to use Urethane, when you indicated that using Urethane on the short pattern wasn't a good idea.

[@brunsnick]

When did I ever say that?

[@52weekproject]

I’ve seen you help people with grip/hand pain issues and had good results. I am 40, I love this game and I’m not even close to wanting to give it up. I have knee pain, really only when bowling. I feel like with the right direction and help I could change up my form and make it better. Can you please help me?

[@brunsnick]

I think maybe you need to see a knee specialist before you bowl more.

[@52weekproject]

@@brunsnick so someone with a wrist issue gets help learning a new grip but someone with a knee issue can’t get help learning a new approach to put less strain? Thanks for the info.

[@brunsnick]

If you have pain in your knee, you need to see a specialist. Grip changes can alleviate grip pressure, there’s not much you can do to alleviate weight/strain off your knee when you bowl. See a doctor before you damage it further or seek a local coach that can actually watch you bowl.

[@52weekproject]

@@brunsnick Gotcha. Thanks for the help.

[@Claus-u9t]

Will a Solid asymmetric ball work,too ?

[@brunsnick]

Envy Tour is a solid asymmetrical ball. 👍🏻

[@joshuawoodring1697]

Curious of thoughts on "I only need one ball" views. My father grandfather and great grandfather all very good bowlers (220-240 avg), had 1 ball had 1 mark and would move feet as needed

[@brunsnick]

The game and oil patterns have changed since then.

[@IanNachtigall]

Info would’ve been super helpful 2 weeks ago when I bowled Wolf and struggled mightily. Turns out I did everything you weren’t supposed to do..,.lol

[@brunsnick]

Oops! 😬

[@thealleytv]

Can’t wait to use these tips the next time I play on cheetah

[@marcf478]

"Start too far left" You must have been watching me or something!

[@CKBowling1]

Go figure this pops back up after we started summer league last night on 32' Wolf. Just kill me now.

[@jeffs7773]

Such a great video. I think I’m gonna get a purple hammer now. My wife thanks you 😂

[@brunsnick]

Tell her I said it was okay. 👍🏻😂

[@MrStanis00]

Low axis tilt is not an issue?

[@brunsnick]

No, lower axis til matches up better from straighter angles.

[@tracewilson7216]

All this talk of urethane...especially about the purple Hammer. What sort of rules are there about equipment? If I dragged my old Ebonite Turbo Sapphire out, would that be against the rules? Do balls have a lifespan for competition?

[@joshtherrien4076]

Some short patterns outside of 5 is OB… really flat patterns it’s gonna require u to hook the lane and start deep

[@brunsnick]

Wolf is short and very flat. Nobody is moving in on this.

[@joshtherrien4076]

@@brunsnick those are facts Nick!!

[@dannybutler2708]

Im speed dominant. Pso told urethane not for me

[@brunsnick]

Depends on your rev rate and how comfortable you are playing close to the gutter.

[@dannybutler2708]

@@brunsnick I got low reve

[@jvmiller1995]

​@@dannybutler2708 take a step out of your approach and slow the ball speed down. Bowling is not about breaking speed records. Especially with a low rev rate. Bowling is all about matching your ball revs and speed to the lane conditions. No one needs to throw over 15 mph to strike consistently.

[@The300Show]

I always get a kick out of players that stand left on short patterns and stay confused for a full 5 games as to why they can’t score. Gotta get outside the comfort zone.

[@brunsnick]

Good experience though, hopefully they learn something about make changes next time.

[@The300Show]

@@brunsnick agreed. Everyone has to learn somehow. It’s only an issue when they don’t learn and continue to try and improve their game through knowledge and experience.

[@michaelfinley9988]

There is a misconception amongst many lower average bowlers that urethane is good when lanes are dry and burned up, when ideally urethane is better on short patterns, not dry lanes.

[@skylaryazzie9075]

​@@brunsnick is the purple the tush push of bowling ?

[@brunsnick]

@@skylaryazzie9075 🤣🤣🤣

[@batl_born702]

Don’t listen to him. Stay stubborn. Be anti-urethane. It makes it easier for me to win. 😂

[@brunsnick]

🤣

[@tymarmaras]

Would love to see why you suck at Long patterns. Thank you

[@slapshtick873]

Tip #6 You just suck at bowling! All joking aside I naturally stay right and love playing the gutter. Just like my personality.