The Viper is a 37-foot pattern in the PBA Animal series. It is on the shorter side, so the ball gets into a roll early and the outside boards come into play. There is a little more length than the Cheetah or Wolf, which calms the reaction down a touch.
At 37 feet you can play angle to the friction, but the sport ratio keeps it honest. Control your speed and keep your misses small.
| Length | 37 feet |
|---|---|
| Pattern type | PBA Animal (Sport) |
| Difficulty | Hard |
| Best played | Controlled, moderate angle |
| Official sheet | PBA (link below) |
A medium sport pattern fits a straight game. Play direct with steady speed, keep the ball in front of you, and stay accurate. You give up less area than a hook player and avoid the big mistakes.
Play a controlled angle and find the breakpoint. There is some room, but it is a sport pattern, so make small moves and keep your motion smooth.
Keep it controlled. Get your breakpoint to the friction, watch your speed, and move in gradually as the pattern transitions. Avoid forcing a big swing.
A medium sport pattern plays demanding but fair. Expect a defined breakpoint and a tighter pocket than a house shot. A controlled, repeatable shot scores.
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 Viper pattern is 37 feet long.
It is a PBA sport pattern, so it plays tougher than a house shot. At 37 feet it rewards accuracy and a controlled ball motion.
Play a controlled, moderate angle, find the breakpoint, and make small moves as it transitions.
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