Do not peek at your opponent, especially if it makes you nervous and builds pressure. What helped (and still helps) me is to focus on execution, not results. This will also keep my mind from wandering to opponents.
I worked on this in training, and I call it a kind of "listening to my body". I tried to learn how a good execution (which results in a good result, that's the charm!) "feels" and have a mental checklist on things to watch out for - minor flaws like turning the hand too early/much, bending the upper body, not completing a follow-through etc. Checking all this subconsciously while I make my shot preparation and delivery helps me very much in clutch situations, just to override the anxiety and the risk of pulling the shot or spare attempt.
Besides, I promoto a fixed pre-shot routine that you go thorugh whenever you are in training or tournament. It makes you take your time, and you will have the same "feeling" on each shot, regardless of training or tournament.
After all, all you can do is just deliver a proper shot. It is the best "attack" you have, and with proper execution, good results (and an eventual victory) will follow, since there is no real defence in bowling.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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