PBA Cheetah Pattern | VenergyBowling.com | Official Verve! Bowling Website

Cheetah

Length: 35 feet

A cheetah may look harmless, but this speedster has a dangerous side. So does this pattern - with a fast scoring pace and play near the gutter, there's no room for error.

Description: Cheetah measures 35 feet in length and is the shortest of the five patterns. Sometimes used on lane surfaces that are well worn, it tries to maximize the area on the lane with less wear, which is usually extemely close to the gutter. Because of this, players tend to migrate toward those spots to take advantage of the more pristine surface areas. The cheetah is exciting for its ability to allow players to make "risk-reward" decisions based on playing near the gutter. The scoring pace is normally medium to high for this pattern.

Scoring: All PBA players agree that this is the highest scoring of the Denny's PBA Tour patterns. You better have your striking shoes on in the first frame.

Ball Types: Of the five patterns, Cheetah allows for the most diversity in the ball type by different style players. Power players had mixed feelings with most choosing medium to agressive balls. Most tweeners use medium equipment; some choose weak. Straighter players prefer using weak equipment which allow them to set the ball down in or close to the driest portion of the lane.

2005-06 averages:
Amateurs: 194.3
Non-exempt Pros: 205.1
Exempt Pros: 221.2

How the Pros play the Cheetah:

Straight players (less than 250 revolution rate):
Where to play: All players agree that you play as close to the channel as the pattern will allow. Adjusting to carry down: As the oil carries down, move your feet further outside and keep your eyes focused on the edge of the channel. Adjusting to lane break down: Players either change to a weaker ball and stay in the same area or stay with the same ball and move slightly deeper on the lane.

Straight players (less than 250 revolution rate):

Where to play: All players agree that you play as close to the channel as the pattern will allow.

Adjusting to carry down: As the oil carries down, move your feet further outside and keep your eyes focused on the edge of the channel.

Adjusting to lane break down: Players either change to a weaker ball and stay in the same area or stay with the same ball and move slightly deeper on the lane.

Tweener players (250-350 rev rate):
Where to play: Every player highlighted that you must get the ball to the outside portion of the lane (boards 1-4) at your break point. Starting lay down areas varied from near the channel to as deep as the second arrow. Adjusting to carry down: The majority of tweener style players change to a more aggressive ball and/or move further outside on the lane. Adjusting to lane break down: The players agree that using the same ball and moving deeper on the lane or changing to a weaker ball and staying in the same area on the lane are the best solutions to conquering break down on the Cheetah pattern.

Tweener players (250-350 rev rate):

Where to play: Every player highlighted that you must get the ball to the outside portion of the lane (boards 1-4) at your break point. Starting lay down areas varied from near the channel to as deep as the second arrow.

Adjusting to carry down: The majority of tweener style players change to a more aggressive ball and/or move further outside on the lane.

Adjusting to lane break down: The players agree that using the same ball and moving deeper on the lane or changing to a weaker ball and staying in the same area on the lane are the best solutions to conquering break down on the
Cheetah pattern.

Power players (350 rev rate or more):
Where to play: All players agree that the best place to play this pattern is near the channel (boards 1-3). Whether you’re playing straight up the boards or swinging through the middle of the lane, it’s crucial that your ball’s break point is near the channel. It is also important to match up with the right ball to create the highest carry percentage. Adjusting to carry down: All the power players either do not change balls or switch to a more aggressive ball. When they continue with the same ball, they move their feet toward the outside of the lane. If they change to a more aggressive ball, they keep their feet in the same place or move slightly deeper. Adjusting to lane break down: A large majority of power players change to a weaker ball and play the same part of the lane, then move deeper as the condition continues to break down.

Power players (350 rev rate or more):

Where to play: All players agree that the best place to play this pattern is near the channel (boards 1-3). Whether you’re playing straight up the boards or swinging through the middle of the lane, it’s crucial that your ball’s break point is near the channel. It is also important to match up with the right ball to create the highest carry percentage.

Adjusting to carry down: All the power players either do not change balls or switch to a more aggressive ball. When they continue with the same ball, they move their feet toward the outside of the lane. If they change to a more aggressive ball, they keep their feet in the same place or move slightly deeper.

Adjusting to lane break down: A large majority of power players change to a weaker ball and play the same part of the lane, then move deeper as the condition continues to break down.