It starts already at home, preparing my tournament bag. Being prepared through ball choice and fall-back stuff (e. g. spare shoe laces) eases the mind. "If you want to hit hard, know your weapons".
On the lanes I like to watch the previous shift a bit, to get an idea what the lanes are like. If an oil graph is available, even better, so I can make up a strategy for the warm-up shots. "If you want to make damage, know your enemy".
Before playing starts, I make sure to warm up and stretch my muscles well. It also helps me to relax and "get into the groove".
When the lights finally go on, the following goes...
- Stay positive! Whatever I do, I "attack" with a positive outlook. Even if it does not work out, I still remind myself that I trioed my best at that moment. If I made a mistake, I try to recognize it as such, if I blew it, well, then better next time.
But I do not waste any thought (anymore) to blaming the lanes or being envious to other players who get along better than me.
- I stick to my pre-shot routine
- I focus on execution, not results. "Just do it" is a sentence that frequently flashes through my mind.
- I try to stay aggressive. I found myself being uber-careful from time to time, which causes errors. And a certain expressive confidence intimidates the competition, esp. when the lanes start changing and the guessing starts, and the first players around me start to "self-destruct".
- I keep watching the ball's reaction, trying to stay ahead of lane transition.
Better leave makeabel spares witha simple game than tyring to wheel it, for dubious results - esp. in the long run!
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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