Dual Angle Layouts – Totals and Ratios

Putting it all together

Now that we know about totals and ratios, how do we put them to use? Knowing what we know about totals and ratios, we know that totals basically determine total hook, while the ratios basically determine how the boards are covered. Simple, right? No? How about a couple of examples.

Example 1 – Same total, different ratios

If we put a layout of 60° / 4″ / 40° on ball (100° total, 1.5:1 ratio) and a layout 50° / 4″ / 50° on the same ball (100° total, 1:1 ratio), we already know that both balls will cover about the same number of boards. The major difference between them will the shape of the overall shot on the lane. The first layout will push a little further and read the break point a little harder, while the second layout will roll a little sooner and come off the break point a little smoother, giving us a more arcing motion compared to the first layout.

Example 2 – Different totals, same ratio

Again starting with a layout of 60° / 4″ / 40° on ball (100° total, 1.5:1 ratio) and a layout of 45° / 4″ / 30° on the same ball (75° total, 1.5:1 ratio), we can expect a similar shot shape, but since the second layout has a much lower total, we know the second ball will cover a few more boards over all.