You are as strong or as weak as you think you are. I also just have a mere 180 average, but I also enter tournaments, nonetheless, much like tenpin477.
I know that I cannot win the tournament, realistically, but I can bowl under pressure. It took me a long way (2 years, at least) to overcome the typical shyness and nervousness you feel when you play with 220+ average players.
But I learned that this should not intimidate you. You only learn to play in this environment if you expose yourself to it. And then, when you are on the approach, it is just the same shot you do all over again in training. There is no difference between the shot you make in tournament or in training. It is just the pressure you put yourself under, and the doubt that this time it could go all wrong.
So I do not let this kind of thoughts creep up, I'd rather focus on the ball reaction and my overall delivery performance, keep an eye on my opponents ball reaction (not so much on the scores, just how they play and whether they run into trouble) and try to have a good time. Even if I score low I am still content if I know where my mistake had been or what hampered my game.
Just do not expect too much beforehand. Rather try to play well, and be happy afterwards if things went right
It is a perspective thing, and most bowling troubles are created in our minds by ourselves, or by ignorance.
And, finally, to put it short: "Think weak - be weak".
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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Edited on 5/20/2008 9:24 AM
