win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: First night jitters  (Read 1089 times)

mumzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6914
First night jitters
« on: September 08, 2004, 05:16:44 AM »
Does anyone else get them?
I started a new league at a new center (for me) last night.
I knew two of my three teammates - one I've bowled a few tournaments with, and bowled in the same league with for 3 years.

So....
I start out with 3 opens in a row on the left lane. One pocket 7-10, one 4-7-10, and a whiffed 10 pin. I proceeded to leave 1 more split, miss one more 10 pin, and 2 buckets in the course of the night.
My entering average in the league is a 215 - I managed to scrape together a 567 last night.

GRRRR... I hate missing spares...
Any way - I think I can attribute it to jitters. Anyone else have this kind of experience?

--------------------
If winning isn't important,
why do they keep score?
---
Vince Lombardi
Logged
------------------------
www.Shirts4Bowling.com
We Know What Bowlers Want

Home of the HAMBONE shirt!

 

ksucat

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 394
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #1 on: September 08, 2004, 01:36:46 PM »
This is fairly common to perform under your expectations considering all the new variables you had to deal with.  Your trying to feel out the new teammates, approaches, lane surface, oil pattern, oil type, lighting, noise, carpet, etc, etc, etc.  Your scores should get better once you put all these distractions past you and concentrate on yourself.  

I did the same thing this year.  I was better off than you were even in that I had subbed in the league before and bowled some tournaments with my new teammates.  But that first night was nerve racking.  The good news for me was that I seemed to get more comfortable and had a pretty good 3rd week.  Hopefully your results are similar.

Have fun.
Logged

SHEET

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 538
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #2 on: September 08, 2004, 01:40:40 PM »
mumzie-

I definitely feel you on this one.  Especially in a new center, I tend to tense up.  I can't explain it but it happens and it affects my spare shooting like it did you last night.  Come to think of it, my 1st ball is affected too.
--------------------
WHAT YOU'RE LEARNING I'M TRYING TO FORGET.
Logged

Pinbuster

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4585
  • Former proshop worker
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #3 on: September 08, 2004, 02:26:56 PM »
I have had it work both ways.

I’ve been nervous and shot bad.

And I’ve been nervous but seemed to focus better and shoot good.
Logged

janderson

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2181
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #4 on: September 08, 2004, 02:41:50 PM »
The laneman certainly did - he forgot to oil the heads.  Yuck.
--------------------
Kill the back row (or maybe this should read "make your spares, dummy")
Logged

Strider

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6759
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #5 on: September 08, 2004, 11:08:14 PM »
I did that 2 years ago.  I got teamed up with two attractive young ladies in a trio league, then proceded to whiff about half of my single pins for the night.  After I got to know them a bit, I only missed 45%.  
--------------------
Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive
Logged

MSC2471

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2080
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #6 on: September 08, 2004, 11:41:49 PM »
First night of any league for me is always filled with excitement and a little bit of nerves- it keeps me on my toes mentally and wanting to perform to the best of my ability. I usually end up relaxing mid way through the night and then every week that follows becomes easier.

And I can certainly relate to the hating missing spares part of your post. Too many nights I have time to reflect on what could have been 20-30 pins higher for a series on easy spares that I miss from time to time.

Matt
Logged

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #7 on: September 08, 2004, 11:52:51 PM »
Strider....

That is called, "Stiffening UP!"

It's happened to me in that situation.

At that point it is just best to ask your attractive teammates if they have any ideas on how to relieve the tension!

REgards,

Luckylefty
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana

fishnic

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 450
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #8 on: September 09, 2004, 12:12:18 AM »
thats one problem i don't have i bowl all year around on the same lanes with the same people so i am pretty comfortable, i would do  bad on new lanes to probably, but tournaments is another thing even know they can be at the same house i bowl at alot but i am the choke master 3000 i don't know what my problem is but i need to face my fears and get some more experience in tournaments


good luck in all your guys leagues

Edited on 9/9/2004 0:06 AM
Logged

hotwire13

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 930
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #9 on: September 09, 2004, 12:21:42 AM »
how about this...i just left juniors, and now im bowling in the same league as the JBT tournament director, on his assistants team, in a 5 man handicap league at the house everyone knows i shot 300 at.  i absolutely love the lanes and atmosphere, but have never bowled with 10 on a pair, or for money on a team.  im also going to be bowling either 4th or anchor, and me and the JBT assistant have more 300's combined at the house than the rest of the league does, if im not mistaken.  im nervous already and we dont start till friday.
--------------------
RED STRIPE

ITS BEER
HOORAY BEER!
Logged

Strider

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6759
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #10 on: September 09, 2004, 12:39:51 AM »
Thanks LL.  I would have liked to ask, but I doubt my wife would have approved.  
--------------------
Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive
Logged

sheppy335

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 837
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #11 on: September 09, 2004, 11:28:05 AM »
Well i started in a new league and new house with a team of freinds and i have a 212 average and the first week shot 507 and second week shot 504. finally started to get comforatble teh last game.
--------------------
Oil is served Best with fingers!
Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy
Logged
Oil is served Best with fingers!
Why does the 8 Pin laugh at me!

Sheppy

LuckyLefty

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 17348
Re: First night jitters
« Reply #12 on: September 09, 2004, 11:35:11 AM »
Strider,

That's probably how I got to where I am today!

Those attractive girls make me forget I have a brain.

Maybe at those moments I don't!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS team dynamics are SO important!
Logged
It takes Courage to have Faith, and Faith to have Courage.

James M. McCurley, New Orleans, Louisiana
Pages: [1]
« previous next »