Layout tool

Storm Layout Adapter

Adapt a VLS layout to ball speed, rev rate, and axis rotation. Same chart Storm published for the Vector Layout System. Results update as you change the menus.

Use the adapter

Menus match Storm’s chart. The three distances update as you change a menu. USBC does not allow balance holes, so this page does not ask for one.

Bowler

With rev rate, this moves the pin and the pin buffer.
Higher rev rate pulls those two toward the rough layout.
Shown for the tracking check. It does not move the distances.
This is what moves the PSA.

VLS layout

Straight line from the pin to the positive axis point.
Mass bias to the positive axis point. The two have to add to at least 6.75 in.
Cannot be longer than pin-to-PAP.

Converted VLS layout

Pin-to-PAP
4.5
Blended from your pin and the rough pin.
PSA-to-PAP
4.25
Blended from your PSA and the rough PSA.
Pin buffer
1.75
Blended from your pin buffer and the rough buffer.
Rough layout 4 x 4.25 x 1.5. Rev dominant, so pin and pin buffer move 40% of the way there. Slightly high axis rotation, so PSA moves 75% of the way. Axis tilt is matched. Tilt does not change the distances.

Layout math from Storm’s VLS Layout Adapter, 2020. BowlersMart rebuilt the chart for this page. Distances are in inches. Storm’s instructional video.

How to use it

Three groups, one layout

1. Bowler stats

Ball speed and rev rate move the pin and the pin buffer. Axis rotation moves the PSA. Axis tilt does not move the distances. It only flags a tracking note.

2. VLS layout

Enter pin-to-PAP, PSA-to-PAP, and pin buffer. The first two have to add up to at least 6.75 inches, and the pin buffer cannot be longer than the pin.

3. Converted layout

Read the three distances. USBC does not allow balance holes, so this page does not ask for one. A pro shop still has to check tracking and static weight before drilling.

Layout notes

What the adapter is doing

What does this adapter do?

It takes a VLS layout (pin-to-PAP, PSA-to-PAP, and pin buffer) and shifts the three distances toward a rough layout based on ball speed, rev rate, and axis rotation.

Why does axis tilt not change the numbers?

Storm’s sheet looks up a tilt category, and that category is not used in the distance math. Tilt only adds a tracking note when it is 6 degrees or less and the converted pin is long relative to the pin buffer.

What is the 6.75 inch rule?

Pin-to-PAP plus PSA-to-PAP has to be at least 6.75 inches. The pin buffer cannot be longer than pin-to-PAP. If either rule fails, the adapter shows N/A instead of a layout.

Why is there no balance hole?

USBC no longer allows balance holes, so this page does not ask for one. The conversion still uses Storm’s published chart.

Does this check static weight?

No. A layout can still fall outside USBC static weight limits, depending on pin-to-center-of-grip and the ball’s top weight. Have a pro shop check tracking and static weight before drilling.

Where does the math come from?

Storm’s VLS Layout Adapter, published in 2020. BowlersMart rebuilt the chart as this page. We do not host the spreadsheet. Storm’s instructional video is on YouTube. Watch the Storm walkthrough.