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Author Topic: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!  (Read 3076 times)

mumzie

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Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« on: September 29, 2004, 11:19:38 AM »
For the last several months, I have been in a slump. I mean a serious, mind numbing, critical, why on earth am I still doing this slump.

I am perfectly capable of making good shots, and have done so - sometimes as much as 3 or 4 times in a row... Then I go brain dead, and make really, really bad shots.

Last night, for example. XX - both great shots. Let up, quit concentrating, pull the next shot 4 boards, split. Pull it back together, XX. Throw another pretty good shot, leave a 10 pin. Miss it by a MILE. What in the world is going on?

Most of the time I can read the lane, and know where to play, what hand positions to use, etc. I'm just making really, really, really BAD shots. Like my brain is NOT connected to my body.

HELP!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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ThongPrincess

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Re: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« Reply #16 on: September 30, 2004, 06:41:43 PM »
LOL Mumzie, maybe that's all you need is the trip to Reno and you'll go home with at least part of the game you left there  I'm also looking forward to the trip!  Just over a week to go!
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Ernie McCracken

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Re: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« Reply #17 on: September 30, 2004, 07:34:31 PM »
The best advice I ever got about bowling slumps was from an old coach and he said that the only way out of one was by going "Back to Basics".  That is by far the best advice I've ever got about this game that I love to hate!
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jaf1224

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Re: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« Reply #18 on: September 30, 2004, 08:12:43 PM »
You wanna talk about slumps.  The past two weeks in my Tuesday night league I have put up some pretty huge numbers... 462 set followed by a 459 last week.  I am missing everything.  Unfortunately, I am one of those hot heads that can't put one bad shot behind them, so that doesn't help much.  

My teammate has put up even less impressive numbers.  He has had 3 consecutive below 500 sets.  

Now we are no professionals but we are both around 190 average bowlers.

At least you know you aren't the only one

Brickguy221

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Re: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« Reply #19 on: September 30, 2004, 11:54:35 PM »
jaf, try 444, 461, and 499.
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SrKegler

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Re: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« Reply #20 on: October 01, 2004, 04:00:58 AM »
Mumzie, it must be a lefty conspiracy.  Somehow they have infected us with a virus over the internet.  You've seen the scores in scratch doubles.  You, MrTeach, TenTen, several others are way down.

Now in my case, I just can't get my head out of that dark place.
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HamPster

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Re: Maybe you guys can help - I'm about ready to quit!
« Reply #21 on: October 01, 2004, 05:59:10 AM »
Being that I have quite extensive experience in slumps and feeling like quitting, I'll give my two cents worth and see what the actual value of it is.  

First, it depends on how much you like to bowl.  People can say "just don't think about it," but no matter what you try, it's gonna bug you until you figure it out.  Believe me when I say I at least understand the bad shot thing.  If you've ever seen someone practicing alone and yelling at themself, I'm sure it's interesting to watch.  Second, it might be something small and insignificant that's affecting you.  Are your feet getting fast?  Are you pushing away at the right time?  Is your arm too far away from your body (that's the one that seemed to happen to me the most)?  Of course I'm not trying to insult your intelligence, I'm sure you've gone through most of these checkpoints already.  

Let me just say that I'm very familiar with how you're feeling.  I flat out gave up on my right hand, and I'm still kinda disappointed about it.  I might suggest finding something to distract yourself in between shots.  I know it sounds backwards, but you've bowled long enough that you have the muscle memory.  Just run up there and throw the ball, and you might stumble over something accidently that you had previously been doing wrong, etc.
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