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Author Topic: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?  (Read 875 times)

DanH78

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How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« on: January 26, 2009, 03:56:43 AM »
Two weeks in a row I've thrown one horrible shot during the game to cost me pot money.  Two weeks ago I yanked the ball, so it just sat in the oil and I left a 10 pin.  I think it was 5/6 frame, so while I was going along I wasn't far enough in to be thinking about a big game.  Last week, 9th frame I just dump it, end up with an 8 count.  The 10 pin cost me a 260 something and the 8 count cost me a 250 something.  

I don't feel like I'm focusing on my score, i.e. "I've gotta strike out to shoot 250", I try to just think about throwing one good ball, then moving on to throwing the next good ball.  

If I throw a good ball and just catch a bad break, it doesn't bother me, but throwing a bad shot (and getting the deserved result) does.  So how do you stay focused and avoid those one or two bad shots a game?
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another300

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2009, 01:16:03 PM »
I'm not too sure but I can definitely talk myself into leaving a 10 pin or single pin. Just yesterday I was in-route to a 300. 9th frame I see a guy next to me leave a 10 pin.  I get up there and the thought of leaving a single pin is already on my mind.  I tell myself, don't leave a ten pin. Well i didn't leave the ten but I did leave a nine pin.
Before that I didn't think about any of that.  I have tried stepping back off the approach and re-setting myself.  Didn't seem to help.

Do you notice however, after that "bad shot" your next shot or next three in the tenth are flush in the pocket.
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OddBalls

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2009, 01:29:35 PM »
Believe it or not, the best thing to do is NOT to think and just let your muscle memory take over. Easy to say, but hard to do.

Try to focus on your target rather than on the shot itself. I find that if I think to much, I end up f'ing the shot up.


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leftyinsnellville

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2009, 01:50:43 PM »
I subscribe to the "not thinking" school of thought.  I've found the best way to prevent myself from thinking is to kill as many brain cells as possible with alcohol.  I'm mostly thinking about not falling down or throwing up, thus using up my limited brain capacity so I won't be able to think up some way to screw up the shot.
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six pack

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2009, 02:25:48 PM »
on my last 300 game the only thing I thought about was my steps and calming down my heart rate, LOL.

last night I was on a five bagger with a nice line when I thought "I hope I don't leave a ten pin" for a split second.on the next roll everything felt good and looked great and sure enough,left a ringer only to carry a few more after.

I'll also talk to myself under my breath more about fundamentals and not marks,lines, score unless I'm lost.everyone has there mental adjustments,just try not to think about the bad.
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DanH78

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2009, 04:24:19 PM »
I went through the Ritger camp a few years back, and what they stressed, especially to the more advanced bowlers, was "One shot at a time".  So that's what I try to do.  I don't get up there and go "Ok, get set, then do this with your arm, then that with the feet, etc" I just think "One good ball".  So maybe i need to switch to the "No Thinking" school of thought.

Speaking of Oddballs suggestion, a few years ago I was bowling like garbage, 140ish the first game, my driller came out of the pro shop, saw the end of the 140 and the in the 2nd or 3rd frame of the second game said "You're all over the damn place, just hit your target stupid".  I think I rebounded with a pair of 220somethings.
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#10

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2009, 07:23:13 PM »
As you pick up your ball and wipe it down, give yourself 5 GOOD SECONDS to relax and focus on 1 or 2 things. Then just get the ball moving. Your athletic ability will take over from there.

Try not to worry about whether or not you'll carry, just try to hit your target and take your chances. Realize that we all have to deal with the "not-so-good" shots every game. We aren't throwbots. My advice is to enjoy the moment so you are more likely to relax and "let it happen", instead of trying to "make it happen". Good luck.


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SVstar34

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2009, 07:47:05 PM »
For me, I can block out everything. If i start to think about missing, i will regroup before i throw my shot. I try to see the shot in my mind before i get to the approach and as im on the approach.
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MSC2471

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Re: How do you avoid that ONE mental mistake?
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2009, 03:30:53 AM »
I agree with absolutebowling when it comes to developing a strong pre-shot routine. The more that everything can be repetitive, the easier it is to retain focus on the task at hand rather than letting the mind wander into negatives. Try to keep your mental thoughts in neutral or positive thoughts, never think of anything in a don't or negative stance as the mind will turn that around and you'll be more likely to throw that horrible shot you don't desire.

I tend to do all of my thinking before I step up on the approach. When I get up there I want the mind to go on auto-pilot and just concentrate on executing my gameplan.

You may want to consider working on some deep breathing, meditation or relaxation techniques daily so that you can get in the habit of quieting the mind. Good luck and hopefully some of these tips on the board will be helpful.

Matt
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