Author Topic: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'? (Read 916 times)

DonSVO · « **on:** February 17, 2005, 04:12:52 PM »

tonight i went to a pot bowl/mini-tournament thing. at any rate, i BARELY made the cut and went to the 8-man head to head. i handily beat the guy i was up against, a 248 to his 227 (not including my 36 pins handicap... 284!).

i was so shocked i rolled so well in that game, since the game before it was a PISS POOR 159. i went to the 4-man finals, and my nerves were like razorblades. i tried breathing deeply, and the adrenaline was just rushing. i squeezed bad on my 3rd shot and went thru the nose. the guy i was bowling was just X'ing it out...4th shot, i tugged a d@mn corner pin. i could feel my face turning red, i was so embarrassed. the guy i was rolling against spared, then went off the sheet for 259. i tugged ANOTHER 7-pin, and had no chance in hell.

everything i tried, i couldn't calm down. i was breathing deep, but my heart was going a mile-a-minute no matter what.

pointers? ideas? life lessons?
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funniest thing i have ever read on here:

originally posted by Bjaardker, about if brunswick sells 2nds/blems:

Yeah, they're called Lane #1s....

JUST KIDDING!!!

deester69 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2005, 11:13:12 AM »

I found that for me experience is what helped. I had to get used to being in that position. When I get too nervous, I'll try to take a second, close my eyes, breathe deeply, and visualize my shot. It seems to calm me down.
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"Deserve's got nothin' to do with it" -- William Munny

Left-Factor · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2005, 11:47:55 AM »

Personally, I DON'T handle it. Everytime I get close, my hand turns into a wet dish rag. Mildred comes out of the attic with all of her Don'ts: Don't rush; don't muscle it, don't yank it, don't grip it, etc. Of course, that's EXACTLY what I end up doing.

Once, I was bowling against a Pro and he did try to give me some advice. This was the first time going for my 12th strike. I got up there and actually heard someone whisper behind me, "Look, he's knees are shaking". Sure enough, I yanked it and left two. Don't get me wrong, I was VERY excited about my 298, but still understandably disappointed it wasn't a 300. The Pro came over with some sage advice.

He said: "I did the same thing at my first 12th strike - yanked it and left two. And I STILL get nervous at the 12th. But now, everytime I get there, I expect the butterflies. I know I'm going to loose the control battle and give it just a little extra. So now, I move two boards in each time I go for the 12th and I haven't missed one since; 13 in a row and still counting."

Sounds like good advice to me, but I wouldn't really know. I haven't gotten to the 12th again yet. But I'll sure try it if I ever do.

Hex017 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 19, 2005, 04:59:41 PM »

quote:
"Paying your dues" as you people are saying isn't the answer guys. The answer is a whole lot of practise honing the "physical" game to a point that you have no questions about it. It is the best you can do.

Next step is believing that your game is the best you can do. No second guesses.

Third thing is learning a little "exercise" of "not thinking" and getting out of your own way.

A very wise man(maybe Tom Koures) once said "the ability to concentrate is the ability not to think"

Then, some other dude said "trust is a must".

ALL people want to thing "negative" first and positive second. That is because they have no confidence in themselves. Try very hard to develop a game that you trust, (I can strike) and work on building confidence in yourself, not only bowling but in "life" itself.

You give some very good tips but I have to disagree, nothing can replace experience, NOTHING. Having been there and done that will always make it easier than if it was your first time.
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-If you're not willing to change, you're not willing to improve.

-Life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you want, but you can only spend it once.

-I will forever love this great game, I love the people and the competition, I only wish the best would get the recognition of an ATHLETE that they deserve.

hallofamer · « **Reply #4 on:** February 19, 2005, 05:42:50 PM »

Experience, experience, experience. Been in your shoes a lot, sometimes w/ good results, sometimes w/ bad. I know my tendencies are to get fast feet and hit up on the ball a little, so I try to be more "deliberate" w/ my footwork and not hit the ball at release. Worked both ways Thursday night. Big match, struggling in close game 2. Concentrated on footwork and release only, finished w/ 4 bagger for 213, won game by 4. Last game, w/ game over, needed double in tenth to win pot (need a few extra $ right now for new ball). Threw first one perfect. Second one got a little quick w/ feet, hit up on ball, jumped off break point into the nose, 6 - 10, loser. Have too many balls anyway.
Good to get nervous, means you care. Know your tendencies and make the right adjustment, even if it's just w/ your brain. Good luck.

JohnP · « **Reply #5 on:** February 19, 2005, 06:41:38 PM »

Keep the thought "one shot at a time" in mind. As you pick the ball up from the rack, take a few seconds and visualize the perfect shot you're going to throw. When you get on the approach, let your routine take over and throw the shot you visualized. -- JohnP

Author Topic: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'? (Read 916 times)

DonSVO

the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'?

deester69

Re: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'?

Left-Factor

Re: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'?

Hex017

Re: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'?

hallofamer

Re: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'?

JohnP

Re: the mental game... how do you guys 'square up'?