-Game Pressure

Last night at the 9-pin tournament I felt a great deal of pressure to perform my best and during warm up it showed. My body was stiff. I almost felt like I couldn't throw the ball or felt like someone just learning how to bowl for the first time.

Anybody ever feel pressure in that sort of way? Pressure that affects you physically?

The pressure really got to me after warm up when my ticket number was called and I had to bowl a strike on lane 11. If I got a strike I would win back my $16 entry fee. With most everyone in the whole house watching, except lanes 1-6, I choked big time. I only managed a 6 count and missed my mark by 4 or 5 boards.

I have never felt that sort of game like pressure since I did sports in high school.

I did manage to shake it off. My first game started with a split in frames 1 & 2. I managed to focus and strike out the rest of the game on route to a 256 game.

-Distractions

The other night i brought along some friends who don't bowl at all, not even once in a while. They would yell stuff right as I was about to release my ball to mess me up. It only got to me once.  My friend who bowls with me regularly (the one i can't convince to buy his own ball, if you read that post), was even trying to distract me too.  I asked him why did he do that. His answer was that I am too good. OK

I really didn't mind that cause it only makes me focus and try harder. The distraction I really hate is when some novice idiot next to you doesn't know about lane courtesy. You up there focused and ready to bowl and they step up and start bowling right next to you. That throws me off big time.

Does that mess anyone up here?  

I want to say something to the people on lanes next to me, but don't know how to do it without being real mean and offensive. What should I say next time that happens?