BallReviews

General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: lilpossum1 on February 02, 2014, 03:07:21 PM

Title: overcoming the mental game
Post by: lilpossum1 on February 02, 2014, 03:07:21 PM
The mental game is something I have a huge problem with. If I throw the first three strikes of a game, the thought crosses my mind "what if this game is the one," and I proceed to throw a bad shot. This is not always the case, but it happens a lot. So my question is this: how can I overcome the internal struggle of bowling? How can I condition my mind to just throw one shot at a time? I do not get nervous in close games. More often than not I will finish very strong in the tenth, whether the game is close or not. If I can condition my mind for one shot at a time, that will only improve though.
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on February 02, 2014, 06:18:21 PM
Buy our book Head Games-the Mental Approach to Bowling (and Sports) it covers issues such as this as well as other issues athletes contend with during competition
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: lilpossum1 on February 03, 2014, 12:23:47 AM
I may just buy it. thank you
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: itsallaboutme on February 03, 2014, 07:22:33 AM
Go bowl someplace very, very easy.  Seriously.  You have to learn to strike.  By that I mean you have to be comfortable stringing strikes.  The only way to get comfortable is to do it. 

Most people would never tell you to go bowl someplace easier, but I think it has it's place in the learning process.
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: Gizmo823 on February 03, 2014, 08:13:04 AM
Yes, buy it.  You can get it on store.vook.com, or at Amazon if you have a Kindle, as a Nook book from Barnes and Noble, or you can order a copy from their website, which is for some reason insanely hard to find, lol.  I found it once on the computer at the shop and bookmarked it there, but google and bing aren't helping me here at all.  Could you post a link Rico?

Buy our book Head Games-the Mental Approach to Bowling (and Sports) it covers issues such as this as well as other issues athletes contend with during competition
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: BobOhio on February 03, 2014, 08:22:46 AM
I tried to buy a hard copy and cannot find it anywhere, only downloads, which I do not like to use. Anybody know of a on line store that sells them or book store?
Goggle is of no help or bing.
Thanks
Bob
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: Gizmo823 on February 03, 2014, 09:30:18 AM
Yeah they sell copies on their website, but it's ridiculously hard to find.  PM Rico, he should be able to link you to the website. 

I tried to buy a hard copy and cannot find it anywhere, only downloads, which I do not like to use. Anybody know of a on line store that sells them or book store?
Goggle is of no help or bing.
Thanks
Bob
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on February 03, 2014, 10:02:24 AM
Sorry about the difficulty...go to www.HYBowlingConcepts.com...buy now button at the top

Thanks
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: Gizmo823 on February 03, 2014, 10:10:55 AM
See and that's what's crazy about it, that's where I thought it was, but I typed that in and my browser automatically took me to a search engine . . don't get it. 

Sorry about the difficulty...go to www.HYBowlingConcepts.com...buy now button at the top

Thanks
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on February 03, 2014, 10:17:52 AM
Weird I just, as a test, put in www.hybowlingconcepts.com and www.HYBowlingConcepts.com & they both went to our sight...
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: MrNickRo on February 03, 2014, 10:20:00 AM
Make sure you hit enter and not click 'search'.  A fairly common mistake because Windows and Internet Explorer make the biggest button a 'search' rather than a 'go'.

Enter should do the trick.

I feel like i'm actually working at work.  :P
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: Gizmo823 on February 03, 2014, 10:42:07 AM
Yeah, I hit enter.  Now that I followed the link it works, but I'm at work and we've got some pretty heavy duty filters, so it does weird stuff every once and a while. 
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on February 03, 2014, 01:31:58 PM
We are working on the issues with locating...not quite optimum not being able to be found when being looked for (:
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: swingset on February 03, 2014, 05:24:11 PM
If you were not counting games, or dividing them up by frames, do you think you'd still mentally brain-fart and throw bad shots because you're trying to amass a perfect game?

Probably not.

That's one of the keys to shooting well, is learning not to invest in the game but the shot. Have fun, stop worrying about your totals, and make every shot.
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: lilpossum1 on February 27, 2014, 03:21:40 PM
Usually when I am on a nice string, whenever I start my approach, no matter how much I am concentrating on my mark, something stupid crosses my mind like "I hope I make this shot," or most recently "Why does it feel like I have a wet spot on my face?" Does this book cover a way to condition my mind to not do stuff like that?
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on February 27, 2014, 03:28:22 PM
It deals with the issues one deals with in competition, differing scenarios and ways to work or train our minds in strengthening them...every athlete at some time or smother deals with doubt & conflict...why is your face wet (: that's kinda different
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: islenmetfan4life on February 27, 2014, 03:42:50 PM
Look into focused for bowling by Dr. Dean Hinitz. I've read it twice and it helped me turn my mental game and overall approach to life around. From what I hear he's one of the best. If you ever have the chance to do a clinic with him it's probably worth every penny.
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: lilpossum1 on February 27, 2014, 03:50:47 PM
Thank you for the input! I think my face was wet from the terror of having 2 in a row :P But really, I think I will buy the book.
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on February 27, 2014, 03:55:34 PM
Our book is written & compiled by bowlers dealing with sports related issues arising in competition...neither of us have degrees in psychology but we've studied it for over 25 yrs each and understand the mind from an athletic viewpoint...but I can say I've never heard the 'wet face' dilemma before! Go to our website HYBowlingConcepts.com and order up! Thanks
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: lilpossum1 on February 27, 2014, 04:06:02 PM
Just bought the book for my kindle. I hope it helps me tonight!
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: smorgasson on March 07, 2014, 09:01:47 PM
I too have issues with the mental game. I was told by several PBA Tour bowlers that I am on my way to bowling professionally, but the only thing stopping me is myself. I beat myself up like none other after bad shots, if I start stringing strikes together I do the same thing and think "Is this the game?"
Last Monday night I shot really bad and it took every bit of self control to keep myself from punting the ball return for a 54 yard field goal...I'll check out both those books though :)
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: Mongo on March 07, 2014, 09:19:36 PM
I've been told for years that if I could have turned off my brain, I would have been much more successful.

Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: Gizmo823 on March 08, 2014, 09:45:32 AM
Lol, my nickname for quite a while was "2 drink minimum" because that's what I needed to shut the mental hamPsters down and just be normal.  Now I'm just fine, but it took a lot of work getting there . .

I can't recommend Rico and Gary's book Head Games enough, I'm going to go back and read my copy again today and see what stands out at me this time.  It's also great to read every once and a while just for reinforcement of the concepts.  Even as many issues as I'm having with my physical game right now, the perspective change has helped keep me calmer and more focused and that has helped me improve my scores. 

I've been told for years that if I could have turned off my brain, I would have been much more successful.
Title: Re: overcoming the mental game
Post by: JustRico on March 08, 2014, 11:00:36 AM
Thanks Giz...a lot of what you posted/said is pretty much our intention...mental training is not a one & done situation...it takes constant nurturing as much as the physical game

As with one's physical game & changes that will develop over time & age, the mental will evolve as one ages and encounters different situations in bowling & in life...it's a lifelong process