The Shark is one of the longest patterns the PBA puts down, at 48 feet. It is part of the PBA Animal series, and it earns the name. A long pattern like this carries oil far down the lane, so your ball will not start to hook until late. That makes the Shark a test of accuracy and speed control more than power.
Because the oil runs so far, the outside boards stay tight and there is little room to miss right. Most bowlers play this one straighter and more direct than they want to. If you try to swing the ball wide early, the pattern will hold it out and you will leave the pocket.
| Length | 48 feet |
|---|---|
| Pattern type | PBA Animal (Sport) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Best played | Straight, up the boards |
| Official sheet | PBA (link below) |
A long pattern rewards your game. Play up the boards around the second arrow or slightly inside, keep the ball in front of you, and make small moves. Your end-over-end roll holds the pocket where big hooks struggle. Use a ball that reads the midlane cleanly without burning up too early.
Start around the third or fourth arrow and keep your speed up so the ball clears the front of the lane. You want a ball that saves its motion for the back end. Be patient. As the pattern breaks down, chase the oil inward in small steps rather than making one big move.
This is the hardest pattern type for a big hook, so control comes first. Get the ball down the lane with more speed and a smoother or weaker surface so it does not roll out. Play more direct than your instinct, and only open up the angle once transition wears a path to the pocket.
A 48-foot sport pattern plays hard. Expect a tight pocket, very little margin on the outside, and a ball that wants to go long. Spare shooting matters here. The bowlers who score keep their misses small and stay in the part of the lane the pattern gives them.
Bowling Addicts links to the official source so you always get the real sheet. The file opens on the PBA site in a new tab.
Official pattern courtesy of the PBA.
The Shark pattern is 48 feet long, making it one of the longest patterns in the PBA Animal series.
Yes. A long pattern combined with a sport-level oil ratio gives a tight pocket and little room to miss, so most bowlers play it straight and focus on accuracy.
Play it straighter and more direct than a house shot. Keep the ball in front of you, control your speed, and move inward slowly as the pattern breaks down.
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