Background
A ball rolled end-over-end straight down the lane will
probably have a track between the two finger holes and
over the thumb: this ball would make a noise going down
the lane - as it rolls over the holes - we would call it
a "thumper". But once you develop a certain
level of skill your release can impart rotational energy
on the ball to create hook or spin. Just by looking at
the oil track we can tell what kind of bowler you are,
what your hand does at the moment of release, how your
ball will react on different lane conditions and, by
implication, where you will find it difficult to score on
certain conditions.
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Semi-Roller
 This is the most-usual track for hook
bowlers today, with the track being just to the side of
the fingers and thumb. Because the ball is not rolling
over the middle of the ball it is "tilted" a
little as it rolls and impacts with the pins. This tilt
creates extra mix as it sends the pins in a more
horizontal direction, into each other. This style is used
by strokers and can be used with moderate to high revs
for more hook potential.
Flare
 Modern balls (since the mid-1990's) have
introduced the concept of "dynamic imbalance"
which means the ball moves off it's initial track and
migrates to a new track with each roll of the ball. This
means that more of the dry surface of the ball touches
the lane for increased hook potential. Extra hook means
it can be difficult to achieve consistent reaction so
there is a balance between control and power: you can
often hear crankers complain the lane is "dry" while
the low track bowler may say there is too much oil!
Watch a video
of track flare in action
Cranker
 A bowler
capable of generating high revs by getting the thumb out
and keeping the fingers in the ball can generated an
inverted track. This is not seen that often.
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Spinner
 Many bowlers, trying to achieve more hook
will mistakingly overturn the wrist: this has the effect
of creating more axis-tilt - the ball spins more than
rolls and the track is reduced in size. A smaller track
means there is less of the ball surface in contact with
the lane, which means less friction and accordingly less
hook. This style will find it very hard to score on heavy
oil conditions and need to use dull surface aggressive
balls. Carried to the extreme, though, it develops into
what we call a "helicopter" ball and is capable
of averaging 200+ on any lane condition.
Backup Ball
 A right handed hook bowler will hook the
ball from the right to left, into the pins. A backup
bowler has a "reverse" hook, laying the ball
down with reduced revs in the middle of the lane letting
it fade right into the pocket. More ladies than men use
the backup style and if delivered with slow speed it can
hook significantly.
Full-Roller
 This style was successful in the past, but
is generally not seen as often with modern lanes and
equipment. It is characterised by the track going between
the fingers and thumb. If you measure the length of this
track you will find it is equal to, or very close to, the
circumference of the ball (27 inches). Generally a
full-roller style will have only moderate
revs and medium hook.
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