Plateauing is a real phenomenon. From my experiences, I believe that there is basically two independant sides to bowling, physical and mental. Each side has many independant charateristics and a few of them are shared. But I have found that plateauing happens when one side is of less skill then the other. For example, a bowler might be able to physically repeat a specific skill but not realize it is time to use it. Therefor the physical aspect is good but the mental aspect is not up to par and holding the bowler back. This might seem an over simplistic statement but so much of bowling is "between the ears" and not always are the answers difficult.

Let me give you an example from my history. From age 18-21 I averaged about 210-215. I could "hit it" with the best of them and would pound away at the pocket 9 solid hits per game but could only manage to average that (1978-1981). I plateaued... and I was dissappointed. Then I ran across a guy who showed me something incredible... that I could did not have to "hit it" as much and using finese I could do better. Suddenly I could hit the pocket nearly every frame but my strike precentage went up and suddenly I was averaging 220's. So what was my plateau... was it physical or was it mental? It was mental because I was only interested in doing it "my" way and it was holding me back. As soon as I undestood there was a whole other side to bowling I improved.. because I had a whole lot to learn and in a couple years I was averaging high 220 and low 230's until the late 80's when I quit for 10 years. So improving my mental side opened up a whole avenue of new physical skills to master and implement.

What causes a person to plateau is the inability of a person to allow himself to improve by restricting his ability to "see" potential in all aspects in his game. This person who taught me this was a competitor that beat me in public match infront of all my friends and bowling buddies in a day when bowling matches was everything and in a time when I thought I was untouchable. And this person today still does not know how much he taught me. You can learn and open your mind from everyone one around if you look. Learning never stops, its is unlimited.




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I have executed at my current level for about the last 15 years. My average has moved up and down over those years within a 10 pin range but my execution remained pretty constant.

This year so far my average is 10 pins higher than I have ever booked before but it is more about easier conditions and matching up perfectly at a new house than it is about bowling better.

While I believe virtually everyone has more potential but there becomes a limit for what you can, do, and are willing to put into the game.

There are certain physical limitations individuals have that limit how far they can go. Flexibility, hand eye co-ordination, body structure, injuries, and other factors can limit how far you can go with your physical game.

But at the higher level mental constraints are the bigger players.

Financial, family time constraints, access to coaching, etc can limit arsenal and practice time that make it tough to get over the next hurdle.  

I'm at 195 - 200 and have been for 2 years now.  Before that I was around 205-210, and I haven't a clue where the extra double went.  I know more now, I feel that I'm throwing the ball better now, but scores are down.  Of course since we got someone who actually knows about lane dressing it's a bit tougher shot, so maybe that has something to do with it.  I've always wondered what might happen if I actually ever practiced, or, for that matter, bowled more than 3 games a week.
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"A little sincerity is a dangerous thing, and a great deal of it is absolutely fatal." Oscar Wilde
Ragnar sure likes to throw his purdy Uranium Buzzsaw.

I have been at the same average level about 15 years, from short oil days to present. Have been a "scratch" bowler about 25 yrs. I'm a low track tweener in every respect, ball speed, revs, etc. Very solid, uncomplicated game. I think at least 90% of my bowling is mental. When my concentration is really "on", I can compete with, and beat anyone, regardless of how I feel physically. Have a number of tournament titles, big scores (locally, regionally, at Nationals and Team Challenges), won some real $ over the years. This happens about 30% of the time. About 60% of the time my concentration is average, I bowl around my average (220) give or take 20 pins, still one of the better bowlers but nothing special. About 10% I stink. Work pressures, wife's a crab, tired and can't get any adrenaline going, bills to pay, etc. The brain is an amazing thing.

Thanks for the input guys.  And Pin-Chaser, I think you've hit on at least one of my problems.  So far this year I've been trying to break myself of "hitting up" on the ball (learned in the urethane days) and am trying to adapt to the idea of letting today's equipment do the work for me.  However, this is only a small part of what needs done.  My mental game is no good.  I mean, I can concentrate and block out noise/motion around me so that does not distract me from my shot.  My problem lies in getting frustrated with myself when I feel my performance is sub-par.  Once I get upset, it's hard to get back on track - although I am getting better than I used to be.  Anybody know of any good mental coaches for this game?

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9~

Keep your balls on the lane and your mind in the gutter!