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Author Topic: Mental Game...Natural or Checklist  (Read 613 times)

Noy

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Mental Game...Natural or Checklist
« on: August 31, 2006, 03:37:23 AM »
When I first came out with my video a couple months back, I got a lot of criticism that I took very constructivly.  Basically I organized all of it into a checklist that, before yesterday, ran through my head everytime I picked my ball up from the return.  After taping myself again, I thought "man, it looks like I've slowed down to the point that I'm babying the ball down the lane."

After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that the checklist I created in my mind was probably slowing me down.  Im always thinking about where I should stand, or how my hand position should be, how straight my arm is through my swing, do I have enough grip on the ball, etc.  All of this I've been trying to make right through my approach and release.

So I get out to the lanes yesterday and after adjusting to the newly resurfaced lanes, I decide that I'm just going to go out there an throw it.  Other than positioning myself and looking at my mark, everything I just let fly.  It turns out that I have been overthinking as I shot my first 600 series since last month (195, 218, 202).  Not great scores, but good enough for me as I've only been bowling since March.  Yet, everything just seemed so much more natural rather than pre-thought.

Do you guys find yourselves thinking too much when you bowl?  How long did it take you to develop a prodominantly natural game?
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Ragnar

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Re: Mental Game...Natural or Checklist
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2006, 11:41:11 AM »
I'll tell you what an old roomie told me.  Tuna had bowled on tour for a few years, but his major success was in the bar.  However he did give me a couple of useful pieces of advice.  First and foremost, if you get up on the approach and don't know what you want to do you've made a mistake.  Secondly, you should never have more than one or, possibly, two things on your mind when you set up.  More than that is just confusing.
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"I do desire that we may be better strangers."  Willie the Shake, As You Like it(III,ii)
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BradM

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Re: Mental Game...Natural or Checklist
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2006, 12:05:39 PM »
I usually overthink my first game.  Then about halfway through the second, I've had enough beer, that I don't really care as much as I did before and end up throwing my best from that point on.  All of my highest games have been after a few beers.
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Ragnar

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Re: Mental Game...Natural or Checklist
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2006, 02:08:06 PM »
quote:


    When we have to think about body movements, they become tentative rather than free flowing.  
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Bones


And that, at least in part, explains (I think) my sliding problems of late.
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"I do desire that we may be better strangers."  Willie the Shake, As You Like it(III,ii)
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: Mental Game...Natural or Checklist
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2006, 03:36:34 PM »
Agreed, the more I think, the more problems I have.  Now I have corrected most of the problems I had before but I have now developed a small problem with my steps because I am thinking too much about getting my pushaway started earlier.

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ksucat

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Re: Mental Game...Natural or Checklist
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2006, 04:01:20 PM »
Since you are new, you will have several things to work on.  However, only try to work on 1 or 2 things in a practice session.  When you get those down, then move on to something else.  You may find that by only working on your pushaway, you will automatically fix something else that was a mere symptom.  During competition, 1 or 2 thoughts like "stay aggressive" are the only things that should go through your mind.
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