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Author Topic: Interesting numbers...  (Read 729 times)

Hamburglar

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Interesting numbers...
« on: March 28, 2005, 11:56:59 AM »
My current average is 182.  Over the last nine weeks...

Game #1 Ave.:  169
Game #2 Ave.:  206
Game #3 Ave.:  184

Why do I bowl so poorly in the first game and so good in the second game?  I've tried different equipment with differing coverstocks and drill patterns in all three games, so it can't be that my equipment is matching up better in the later games than the first game...or could it?  If it was, wouldn't my average for the third game be higher (like the second game average)?  I don't think its that I "find my line" in the second game because normally in practice prior to the start of league I have no problem striking and converting spares.  Maybe its all mental in the first game...the pressure of actually "counting" my score and then I calm down by the second game.  I'm not sure what it is but it is DRIVING ME NUTS!!!  Any clues as to what's happening...hints or suggestions on how to overcome this???
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That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, that which doesn't make you stronger is a waste of time!
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a_ak57

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Re: Interesting numbers...
« Reply #1 on: March 28, 2005, 07:58:39 PM »
What I am guessing is the following.   The first game, you have no line and are trying to find one.  The second game, you find that line and shoot accordingly.  The third game, the lanes transition and you become lost again.  Sounds like you need to line up more quickly, and learn how to adjust correctly when the transition occurs.
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Brunswick...........'nuff said.
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Hamburglar

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Re: Interesting numbers...
« Reply #2 on: March 28, 2005, 08:21:51 PM »
quote:
What I am guessing is the following.   The first game, you have no line and are trying to find one.  The second game, you find that line and shoot accordingly.  The third game, the lanes transition and you become lost again.  Sounds like you need to line up more quickly, and learn how to adjust correctly when the transition occurs.
--------------------
- Andy


Brunswick...........'nuff said.


I don't think this is the problem because like I said, in warm-ups, I have a line.  Once the first game begins, its like flipping a switch, what I had in warm-ups is gone...no line, no carry.  Would the line change that quickly from warm-ups to the first game?  And once the second games starts, its like flipping the switch again...line is there, carry is there.  Others don't seem to be having this problem, most of them don't start losing their line until about midway through the second game...that is usually when I'm locked in.  By the third game, most everyone, including myself, have made some sort of adjustment.
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That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, that which doesn't make you stronger is a waste of time!
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a_ak57

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Re: Interesting numbers...
« Reply #3 on: March 28, 2005, 08:26:36 PM »
If you sure it isn't oil pattern matching up differently, sounds like for some reason, in the first game, your head gets "turned off" and you lose focus.  Then you regain focus in the second, peak out, and lose that focus in the third.  Sometimes I'll do that, I'll be on autopilot, realize it, concentrate, and then eventually return to autopilot.

Also, this is important:  I may have missed it, but do you know exactly what is causing the difference in scores?  Are you missing easy spares in the first/third, or are you striking more in the second?  Thing is, if spares are the main thing, sounds like the focus thing i talked about, if it is strikes, it could be focus but reaction would have to do with that as well.
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- Andy


Brunswick...........'nuff said.

Edited on 3/28/2005 9:21 PM
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Hex017

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Re: Interesting numbers...
« Reply #4 on: March 28, 2005, 08:29:59 PM »
quote:
quote:
What I am guessing is the following.   The first game, you have no line and are trying to find one.  The second game, you find that line and shoot accordingly.  The third game, the lanes transition and you become lost again.  Sounds like you need to line up more quickly, and learn how to adjust correctly when the transition occurs.
--------------------
- Andy


Brunswick...........'nuff said.


I don't think this is the problem because like I said, in warm-ups, I have a line.  Once the first game begins, its like flipping a switch, what I had in warm-ups is gone...no line, no carry.  Would the line change that quickly from warm-ups to the first game?  And once the second games starts, its like flipping the switch again...line is there, carry is there.  Others don't seem to be having this problem, most of them don't start losing their line until about midway through the second game...that is usually when I'm locked in.  By the third game, most everyone, including myself, have made some sort of adjustment.
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That which doesn't kill you will only make you stronger, that which doesn't make you stronger is a waste of time!



I have two guesses of what could be happening.

1.) as soon as the score board turns on you get tight wanting to perform right out of the gates using what you had in practice. You probably tense up and don't do as well. By the time the 2nd game rolls in your finally loose and ready to score and bowl, not try to execute to perfection. Just roll the ball at your mark, don't try to hit the exact perfect spot with the perfect angle, you are human you can't do it every time, just stay as consistent as possible.

2.) This has actually happened to me. If you have a line and are striking like crazy in practice, STOP!!! The other day in league I was throwing my power diesel straight up 2nd arrow and by the time the lights were on I had burnt that spot and couldn't get the read I had 5 or 6 balls ago. If you are striking then either try to find another line, heck you might like it better or take a plastic ball and push some oil over your spot so you get good hold, just don't give yourself carrydown you can't handle

The third one andy already stated, but if its not that then it might be one of these two. I can't watch you bowl so it might actually be your equipment but I can't tell you that. Just see what some others have to say.
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-If you're not willing to change, you're not willing to improve.

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MSC2471

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Re: Interesting numbers...
« Reply #5 on: March 28, 2005, 09:37:45 PM »
Another theory that comes into play would be that during warm ups, you may be throwing the ball at a faster pace in terms of trying to get as many shots in as possible before league play starts. Then the normal pace of team bowling comes into play, you tighten up and then it takes another game to get loose from there.

I have friends who would warm up and strike at will in practice, and then when the league started put more mental pressure on themselves to perform, start squeezing on shots they would normally have a free swing on, and then all of a sudden come out of the gates 20-30 pins below average.

VT- the issue sounds more mental to me than physical ability. Relax that first game, take things one frame at a time and focus on filling frames, the rest will take care of itself.

Matt
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