How to Read Oil Patterns and Build a Smart Line Play
Written by: Panagiotis Vardakis, EBF Level 3, USBC Bronze, and National CoachingSchool Cat C coach Written by: Panagiotis Vardakis, EBF Level 3, USBC Bronze, and National CoachingSchool Cat C coach Panagiotis Vardakis In modern bowling, pattern sheets are everywhere.
They are posted online,shown before tournaments, and shared in team chats.
Yet, for many bowlers they remain nothing more than a graphic, filled withnumbers and shapes.
They look at it - and then bowl the way they always do.That is where coaching comes in.
This article is not a rulebook.
Get this - there is no one correct line.Instead, this is how I teach bowlers to builda logical starting plan from a pattern sheet.
It is based on years ofobservation, mistakes, learning, and what I consistently see working withyouth, amateurs, and competitive bowlers.The goal is simple - make the pattern sheet useful - not intimidating.
correct Pattern Sheet Is a Guide, Not a Command Before we talk about boards, arrows, and breakpoints, we need to remove onemyth.
The pattern sheet does not tell you where to stand and throw yourbowling ball.
What it actually tells you is: Where oil is heavierWhere oil is lighterHow long the oil pattern isWhere friction will eventually appear Where oil is heavier Where oil is lighter How long the oil pattern is Where friction will eventually appear In other words, it shows possibilities, not instructions.
When I teach bowlers, I always say that the pattern sheet doesn’t give you theright answers where to play.
It gives you the starting question.
Your job isto turn that question into a smart first line.
Step 1: Read It Like a Bowler, Not an Engineer When I first look at a pattern sheet, I focus on only three things: Length – how far the oil extendsShape – is it flat, house-shot, or sport patternRatio – how much more oil is in the middle compared to the outside Length – how far the oil extends Length Shape – is it flat, house-shot, or sport pattern Shape Ratio – how much more oil is in the middle compared to the outside Ratio Forget the rest.
At least at the beginning.
The Simple Guide of Length Short pattern → the ball hooks earlierMedium pattern → more balanced reactionLong pattern → the ball skids longer Short pattern → the ball hooks earlier Medium pattern → more balanced reaction Long pattern → the ball skids longer Burnt exit point area at the end of a pattern Guide of 31 In formula it looks like this: Exit point ≈ Pattern Length – 31 For example: 40 ft pattern → 40 – 31 = 9 board43 ft pattern → 43 – 31 = 12 board37 ft pattern → 37 – 31 = 6 board 40 ft pattern → 40 – 31 = 9 board 43 ft pattern → 43 – 31 = 12 board 37 ft pattern → 37 – 31 = 6 board This does not mean you must play exactly there.
It simply gives your brain asmart first target.
Step 2: Build the Line from the Breakpoint Backward Most bowlers ask - where should I stand? I teach the opposite question:Where should the ball change direction? where should I stand? Where should the ball change direction? One simple guideline I learned from world-class coaches is that the breakpointis usually located around 45 feet down the lane.Horizontally, it is oftenabout three boards inside the last board before the pattern flattens.
Thatgives you a starting reference.
Also, I always clarify something important - the term breakpoint ismisleading.
It is not a single point.
It is an area.
Breakpoint is typically3–5 feet long and 2–3 boards wide.
breakpoint So the process becomes: Choose your breakpoint area (a blue circle in a picture below)Identify your exit point (a red star in a picture below) and extend the line back toward the foul lineThen determine your starting position Choose your breakpoint area (a blue circle in a picture below) a blue circle in a picture below Identify your exit point (a red star in a picture below) and extend the line back toward the foul line a red star in a picture below Then determine your starting position Sometimes, the calculated line may look extreme or unrealistic.
That is why wealways consider a margin of error of a few boards on each side.What About the Arrows?Up to this point, you may notice I haven’t mentioned arrows.
That isintentional.I consider arrows to be a visual reference within your chosen line - easier tofocus on because they are closer to your release.Depending on the athlete’s level, more variables come into play: lane surface,oil loads, transition, combined volumes.But what we covered so far is enoughto build a strong and logical starting plan.
What About the Arrows? Step 3: Match the Line to the Ball - Not Your Ego One mistake I see constantly is that when the pattern is long, playersimmediately think they must play inside.
No.
You must play what your ball, speed, and rev rate allows you to play.
I askbowlers to evaluate: Is my ball too clean for this line?Is it reading too early?Is it missing the breakpoint and not recovering? Is my ball too clean for this line? Is it reading too early? Is it missing the breakpoint and not recovering? My guiding principle is simple.
The best line is the one that: Clears the front part of the laneReads the midlane without forcing technique changesMaintains energy through the pins Clears the front part of the lane Reads the midlane without forcing technique changes Maintains energy through the pins It is about finding the best line with the biggest margin of error for thegiven player, not the line that looks impressive on social media.
Step 4: Your First Line Is a Test - Not a Marriage This one is critical.
Your first line is not your final line.
It is a testshot with purpose.
When I teach this, I say: You are not trying to strike; you are trying tolearn something quickly.
You are not trying to strike; you are trying tolearn something quickly.
After two or three shots, evaluate: Reading too early? → Move or choose a cleaner ballSkidding too long? → Move or choose a stronger ballMissing the breakpoint? → Adjust speed or target Reading too early? → Move or choose a cleaner ball Skidding too long? → Move or choose a stronger ball Missing the breakpoint? → Adjust speed or target The pattern sheet gave you a starting idea.
The lane gives you the truth.
Step 5: Keep It Simple For Beginners When I coach young or new players, I simplify everything to three questions: Where should the ball hook?What arrow do I look at?What board do I stand on? Where should the ball hook? What arrow do I look at? What board do I stand on? That’s it.
I do not talk about: Volume per zoneForward versus reverse loadsOil ratios in detail Volume per zone Forward versus reverse loads Oil ratios in detail Instead, I say: Let’s pick one line.
Let’s see what the lane tells us.
Then weadjust.
Confidence grows when the brain is not overloaded.
My Coaching Philosophy on Lines This is the foundation of how I teach it: Lines are tools, not identitiesYou do not “play a line” - you read a laneThe best bowlers do not guess - they observe faster Lines are tools, not identities You do not “play a line” - you read a lane The best bowlers do not guess - they observe faster Suggested starting lines for short, medium, and long patterns Final Thought: The Pattern Sheet Is a Map - But You Still Have to Drive A map does not drive the car.
A GPS does not hit the brakes.
And a patternsheet does not roll the ball.
You do.
Use the sheet to: Get orientedChoose a smart starting areaAvoid wasting frames Get oriented Choose a smart starting area Avoid wasting frames Then let your eyes, ball motion, and experience finish the job.
That is how Iteach lines.
Not as strict rules - but as thinking tools.
About the Author Panagiotis VardakisPanagiotis Vardakis is an experienced bowling coach and educator whoseinvolvement in the sport spans more than two decades. His work combines technical coaching, long-term player development, andequipment knowledge, supported by his experience as a professional coach andpro shop specialist.Throughout his coaching career, he has guided athletes to national andinternational success across European competitions, coaching players fromGreece, the United Kingdom, Malta, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
About the Author Panagiotis Vardakis Panagiotis Vardakis is an experienced bowling coach and educator whoseinvolvement in the sport spans more than two decades.
His work combines technical coaching, long-term player development, andequipment knowledge, supported by his experience as a professional coach andpro shop specialist.
Throughout his coaching career, he has guided athletes to national andinternational success across European competitions, coaching players fromGreece, the United Kingdom, Malta, Slovakia, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
A significant part of his work is dedicated to youth development, where hefocuses on structured training environments that support both athleticprogress and personal growth.
Vardakis is currently involved in youth-oriented projects throughBYC in Slovakia andcontinues to work with athletes, clubs, and organizations through coachingprograms, clinics, and educational initiatives across Europe.
BYC For coaching-related questions or inquiries, Coach Vardakis can becontacted via email at p.vardakis@gmail.com or visit www.byc.sk www.byc.sk.
