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Author Topic: how to get out of a slump  (Read 2362 times)

montymont

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how to get out of a slump
« on: January 17, 2010, 11:14:33 AM »
what is it a bowler has to do to get out of a slump? beginning of my league season i had a bunch of 200 games including a 285 game which is the highest game in my league right now. since then i have had at least 2 200 games. my average in the beginning of the league was over 200 and now it has drop in the 170's range. i have changed balls and just got a ball drilled last month i brought off of craiglist. that ball is a fuze eliminator and it has not even gotten my a 200 game in my league yet. i have two other balls, combat zone and a track emb. what can i do?
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dark_rising76

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2010, 07:40:44 PM »
I can understand how you feel, I've been in a major slump for the last 3 1/2 months and I'm slowly starting to make a comeback. One thing to analyse is what you're struggling in. Once you make a list of that then make several steps that you can make to improve on them.

What I did was look at my physical game first like my approach, arm swing, follow through release, consistency. Then I try to see if mentally or emotionally I'm trying too hard or not enough. And if I feel like that I am doing everything right but I'm not getting any good games, then I would look at the equipment. Is the ball hooking too much or skidding past my breakpoint? Adding some surface or polish to get the right reaction you need will help alot. Even going out out one night and practice can help get your confidence back.
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ralphiejantz

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2010, 10:03:30 PM »
what do you normally average ?
what was your average last year ?

best thing to do when your in a slump is go out and practice
not for score but break down certain parts of your game,
bring a friend that knows what he's looking at and talking about and have him film you,
then watch the film and take notes on what looks out of place
dont over do it though
just work on whats not flowing right for you
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lenstanles703

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2010, 08:10:04 AM »
Practice spares!
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JOE FALCO

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2010, 08:18:13 AM »
Return to basics!
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dizzyfugu

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2010, 08:35:33 AM »
quote:
Return to basics!


Second that - the simpler you keep your game in a difficult situation, the easier the error factors might be identified and sorted out.

Besides, if you can, try to take a break, maybe 2 or 3 weeks. That's hard esp. during an ongoing league, but I found that taking such a step back from everything (like pushing a reset button) helps a lot getting back to these basics which might got buried under a game flaw and/or mental pressure.

Another point: accept that you can NOT always play good. If you start putting yourself under this kind of pressure, chances are good that you become very stiff and over-motivated, with quite negative effects on your game and results, leading to more trouble etc. Just AVOID such a trap through an attitude shift. Do not expect yourself to play 200+, rather, expect yourself to play "good" from an executional point of view.
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trash heap

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2010, 09:16:46 AM »
quote:
i have changed balls and just got a ball drilled last month i brought off of craiglist. that ball is a fuze eliminator and it has not even gotten my a 200 game in my league yet. i have two other balls, combat zone and a track emb.


This is your main problem. Never look to a ball as a first solution to your issues in bowling. The next problem is your concern for the "200" score. I am going out on limb (I could be wrong but I see many do this) that you look at the "200" score as a bench mark you should be at. If you get off to bad starts in games...you start counting how many strikes its going to take to get over 200 (Again this is an assumption but I have seen it with a lot of bowlers). If doesn't look good, frustration sets in and your bowling gets worse.

You have to go back to basics. I understand that a new or different ball can make a difference but it also can screw you up. Also don't worry about score, if you are throwing well, the scores will come.

Here are some things I have done in the past to help me out when I was in a slump:

1. Pay Attention. You have to know what is happenning after you release the ball. Not just the result in score (whether you Strike or Not). You can throw the ball bad and strike, also you can throw the ball good and leave a single pin (Stone 8 or 9). You have to pay attention to your throw.

a. Are standing in the same starting position on the approach?

b. Are you holding the ball the same way?

c. Did you end on the approach where should (Are your drifting?)

d. Did it feel good at release? (Where you balanced, did you pull it, etc...)

e. Did you hit your mark or target on the lane?

f. How is the speed of the ball?

In my experience of bowling. I never want to make an adjustment based on a poor throw (You can get lost real quick by doing this). You have to know when a good throw was made. Now how do you do that?



2. Practice Smarter: This is the key! Just like others stated. When practicing its not just another time out to bowl for score. You need to work on getting things down. Whether its timing, hitting your mark, release, ... try only to work on one or two things at a time.

I know this is a standard example but anyway. Picking up the 10 pin (I am right handed) was somthing I was terrible at. It got to a point that I would get nervous any time I left one. After a while it became such an issue I just decided to focus on that pin when practicing (2 or 3 games of shooting at ten pins....I am sure I got some funny looks with my score sheet).

My first agenda was trying to find where I needed to stand to pick it up. (I was using a plastic ball and throwing straight). After awhile I found my spot on the approach and target on the lane (I was writing things down on a piece of paper). Once I did this...the ten pins started to fall. When I left one I stood in my spot and it became automatic. There was confidence back in my game. My scores and average increased.




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Nicanor

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Re: how to get out of a slump
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2010, 09:20:09 AM »
Getting back to basics and practice are great suggestions.

But when I get in a slump I practice by the hour and not the game where possible.  For most of the hour I just throw strikes.  strikes after strikes after strikes.  No, i'm not getting strikes, just throwing my strike ball and resetting the pinis that are left.  Others might not agree with this practice and i can understand that.

But to get out of a slump you have to get your timing back and your muscle memory.  If you throw a strike ball then pick the spare up and so on and so on, you don't get the muscle memory you want.  Yes, if you're timing is off and your not throwing a good shot or using good form, you could get bad muscle memory.  but shooting your spares won't help that.

Bring more then one ball and find a strike line that is easy for you to hit with a particular ball.  Once you find that strike line with a ball, throw shot after shot through that strike line just trying to get the ball to the pocket strong.  again, reset spares if you are on an hourly rate, if you're paying by the game, just throw another strike ball, don't worry about the other pins left on the lane.

Depending on your strike line and how long you throw the ball of course you're going to have to make the adjustments to stay in the pocket.  make the adjustments.

If the lanes aren't flying, I use my strike ball for left side spares and plastic for right hand spares.  bowlers do use their strike ball for all spares and others use their spare ball for all spares.  Not saying what is right or wrong, just how i make spares.  i make all left hand spares with my strike ball on my strike line.  So continuing to throw strikes will help my spare game.

Work on push away, back swing, knee bend and release keeping in mind timing is the key. With someone with your skill level, you'll find where you struggle in your game if you repeat the approcah and release of the ball rather easily.




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