MOTIV OFFICIAL GUIDE

Motiv Drilling Layouts

Motiv’s official drilling instructions for symmetric and asymmetric balls. Four layouts per core type, each published in both Traditional Method (Pin / PAP / MB) and Angle Method (Dual Angle) so any pro shop can drill from the spec they prefer.

By the BowlersMart Pro Shop Team. Sourced from Motiv’s official drilling guide PDFs. Last reviewed for the 2026 season.
IN THIS GUIDE
  • How to read Motiv layouts
  • Traditional vs Angle method
  • 4 symmetric layouts
  • 4 asymmetric layouts
  • Official PDF downloads
OFFICIAL PDF

Asymmetric Drilling Guide

Download PDF ↓

OFFICIAL PDF

Symmetric Drilling Guide

Download PDF ↓

How Motiv Publishes Their Layouts

Motiv is one of the few brands that publishes every asymmetric layout in two formats. The Traditional Method describes the layout with three distances. The Angle Method describes the same layout in Dual Angle form. Both produce the same drill, so your pro shop can use whichever they prefer.

METHOD 1

Traditional Method

Describes the layout using three measured distances on the ball surface.

Pin to PAP: the core’s rev-up distance
PAP to MB: mass bias placement
Buffer: distance from pin to VAL line
METHOD 2

Angle Method (Dual Angle)

Mo Pinel’s industry-standard format. Three numbers describe the layout.

Drilling Angle: how long the ball stays in skid
Pin to PAP: the core’s rev-up distance
VAL Angle: the shape of the backend break
Your actual PAP will differ from these charts. The illustrations use a reference PAP. Your pro shop measures your real PAP from a tracked ball and applies the layout geometry to your unique numbers.
SYMMETRIC CORE

4 Symmetric Drilling Layouts

Motiv’s symmetric layouts cover the full reaction spectrum from early roll to maximum length. Pin distance is the primary lever.

LAYOUT 1 • EARLY ROLL
Early Roll Layout
Ball Motion: Early hook and roll
Pin to PAP: 1½” to 2″
Flare Potential: Low
Best when you need the ball to read the lane early on heavy oil.
LAYOUT 2 • MAXIMUM HOOK
Leverage Layout
Ball Motion: Maximum hook
Pin to PAP: 3⅜”
Flare Potential: High
The classic leverage drill. Strongest overall reaction in the symmetric set.
LAYOUT 3 • LENGTH + BACKEND
Length & Backend Layout
Ball Motion: Length with less hook
Pin to PAP: 4½”
Flare Potential: Medium
For transitioning lanes when you need to get the ball downlane before it reads.
LAYOUT 4 • LENGTH
Length Layout
Ball Motion: Length and less hook
Pin to PAP: 5″ to 5½”
Flare Potential: Low
Maximum length for broken-down conditions and spare-ball candidates.
ASYMMETRIC CORE

4 Asymmetric Drilling Layouts

Motiv’s asymmetric layouts are published in both Traditional Method (Pin / PAP / MB / Buffer) and Angle Method (Drilling Angle / Pin / VAL Angle). Use whichever your pro shop prefers.

LAYOUT 1 • STRONG
Strong Asymmetric
TRADITIONAL
Pin→PAP: 4″
PAP→MB: 4″
Buffer: 2.5″
ANGLE
Drill: 40°
Pin→PAP: 4″
VAL: 40°
LAYOUT 2 • MID-LANE
Mid-Lane Hook & Backend
TRADITIONAL
Pin→PAP: 5″
PAP→MB: 5″
Buffer: 4.5″
ANGLE
Drill: 60°
Pin→PAP: 5″
VAL: 70°
LAYOUT 3 • LENGTH + BACKEND
Length & Backend Asymmetric
TRADITIONAL
Pin→PAP: 5″
PAP→MB: 4″
Buffer: 3″
ANGLE
Drill: 45°
Pin→PAP: 5″
VAL: 45°
LAYOUT 4 • LENGTH
Length Asymmetric
TRADITIONAL
Pin→PAP: 5″
PAP→MB: 5.5″
Buffer: 2.5″
ANGLE
Drill: 70°
Pin→PAP: 5″
VAL: 30°

Motiv Drilling FAQ

Common questions about applying these layouts to your Motiv ball.

Motiv understands that pro shops are split between the older Traditional Method (Pin to PAP / PAP to MB / Buffer) and the newer Angle Method (Drilling Angle / Pin to PAP / VAL Angle). Rather than force one or the other, Motiv publishes both for every asymmetric layout. The two specifications describe the exact same drill, just measured differently. Your shop drills the layout using whichever set of numbers they prefer.

For most house shots, start with the Leverage Layout (Pin to PAP 3⅜”, high flare). It produces maximum hook and is the most versatile symmetric drilling. If your lanes play tighter or you have a higher rev rate, the Length & Backend Layout (4½”) gives you more skid through the front.

Buffer is the perpendicular distance from the pin to your VAL (Vertical Axis Line). It controls the shape of the backend reaction. A shorter buffer creates a sharper, more angular backend. A longer buffer creates a smoother, more arcing motion. In Storm’s terminology this is called Pin Buffer. The concept is identical across brands.

Asymmetric Motiv balls carry a small mass bias (MB) marker in addition to the main pin. Symmetric balls have only the pin. Motiv’s box specs also state symmetric or asymmetric. If you see two markers on the ball, use the asymmetric layouts above. If you see one, use the symmetric layouts.

The geometry transfers, but the specific numbers do not. Each brand designs their cores with unique RG, differential, and intermediate differential values. A layout that strikes perfectly on a Motiv Jackal will not produce the same reaction on a Storm Phaze or a Brunswick Quantum. Use brand-specific guides whenever possible.

That is expected. The illustrations use a reference PAP for clarity. Your real PAP is measured by a certified pro shop from a tracked release. The driller takes the layout’s geometric relationships (the angles or distances) and applies them to your measured PAP coordinates. The drill on your ball will look slightly different from the chart but produce the same reaction.

More From the Drilling Hub

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Brunswick’s official symmetric and asymmetric drilling instructions plus full-roller variants.

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Storm Drilling Layouts

Storm’s symmetric, asymmetric, and the full 2LS Two-Handed Layout System.

View Storm guide →

NEXT STEP

Have a Motiv layout in mind? Take it to a pro shop.

These charts give a certified driller the starting geometry. Your measured PAP, span, pitches, and rev rate decide the final numbers. Find a BowlersMart pro shop near you to book a fitting.