Author Topic: My first slight donation (Read 5531 times)

HamPster · « **on:** May 02, 2003, 07:28:23 AM »

First adult event tonight was a sad affair. I used 7 pieces of tape, and took out 4 through 3 games. My thumb was against me! I couldn't slide well either, and adding that to a shot that was a tougher shot that I couldn't even fluff it on as well as being a handicap event, everything went wrong. It was three game qualifying, top 16 go to stepladder. I, and another good bowler in the city, both with 3 measly pins of handicap a game (90% of 220) were among the 7 that didn't make it. We'd have easily made it scratch, but it wasn't scratch, so saying that doesn't really make a difference. The good news was that I got 2nd in a bracket (they were scratch) and only ended up losing 30 bucks on the night (20 to enter, 20 to get in four brackets, 10 for my 2nd place). The shot was medium oil, 45 foot pattern, SCREAMING backends. It was flat oil, 2-2, no wall and no recovery outside 6. The best shots were down and in or really deep. I realized that after it was too late. The shot is AWESOME, very rewarding if you make good shots. I've done really well before on that shot, just everything went wrong tonight. Gotta wait 2 weeks for the next one. Disappointing start to my great adult career, but all you doubters have to at least give me credit for being honest about my horrible beginning!
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Kung Fu Hamster X, Jujitsu Guinea Pig, or Legend of Drunken Ferret? New names still being pondered . . .

michelle · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2003, 12:36:08 PM »

quote:
My mental game is always fine, the only shot I can focus on is the one I'm about to make, I just fume and scream at myself in between shots.

You can't do that. You have to let it go, else it sticks with you. If you let yourself "fume and scream" between shots, then you are not focusing on the one you are about to get up and make. The bad shot is gone...nothing you can do will bring it back. All you can do is figure out what went wrong and then move on...anything else is (as others noted) wasted energy.

HamPster · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2003, 10:56:24 PM »

I can see what you mean, but for the most part, I think being hard on myself has done me good. I really would like to see what it's like to throw a bad shot and not be upset with it. This rabid perfectionism of mine doesn't allow me to tolerate mistakes. I make a bad shot, and yeah I get hacked off, but when I get up to the line next time, I usually say something to myself like, "Alright idiot, once is enough for this game, make the shot." BUT, sometimes, as some have rightly pointed out to me, I was trying too hard to make perfect shots instead of good ones. That's the key thing I need to keep in mind. That's my greatest flaw, overthinking. Irritation for me stems for a lot of things in my shot. I'll over focus on one thing, and drop another one. I'll keep my wrist cupped one shot, but hurry to the line. Next shot I'll let my wrist fall, and in trying to pull it up at the line, I'll stick because I'm concentrating too hard on my approach.

However, if I don't pressure myself, if I relax, I ALWAYS throw a soft ball with too low speed, too low revs, and ultimately a very weak shot. I need to start a routine where I have little "reminders" to help me keep everything in mind in my shot. I wear small rubber bands on my fingers, one is to remind me not to try to impress people, and the other is to keep my mouth shut. As for relaxing, I can't even go outside and shoot a basketball around without eventually being upset because I'm missing shots here and there. I've developed a pretty nasty temper because of certain negativities during my horrible teenage years, and can't seem to keep it from affecting unrelated things. Lol, I'm not looking for a personal counselor, but if anybody can hypnotize me into keeping calm after a bad shot, I'll be your biggest fan.

Lefty, I use the anger between shots as fuel. Usually the shot after I make a bad one is my best of the game. I just have to keep myself from falling into the trap of trying to make perfect shots. Trying to do that screws me up worse than relaxing. Staying smooth and focusing are the best two things I can tell myself. I'm all about improving my game, and I welcome and thank you all for the input you give me, negative and positive. I get defensive sometimes, but I don't believe I've ever received bad advice from any of you. I know it sounds like I disregard a lot of it as well, but lol, it eventually sinks in. It's like I'm trying to find the "perfect" thing in every word, if it doesn't describe my flaws perfectly, and fill the hole perfectly, I'm going to keep looking. I know I have the drive and the intensity to be a great bowler, I just need to quit being an idiot, pay more attention, and keep from getting over excited. I freakin LOVE the sport, and people can't understand it. They'll bowl a tournament one weekend, and then say they want to relax for a few days afterwards. Not me, I'm at the alley the next day working on everything I did wrong in the tournament, no matter how I finished. Unless I'm on crutches or in a cast, I'm going to practice. Lol, done for another longwinded post.
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Kung Fu Hamster X, Jujitsu Guinea Pig, or Legend of Drunken Ferret? New names still being pondered . . .

Game In a BoxLC · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2003, 08:59:20 AM »

hamster until your able to cool down and realize bad shots and mistakes will happen and no amount of being angry or upset or disgusted will change it, is when you will turn the corner. You cannot concentrate on 3,000 things plus sit there and say ok make a good shot dummy, you overwhelm your mind. You have some natural ability, use it, if you can't cup the ball then get lighter equipment or work out, there is no reason to have trouble with it. If you have to concentrate on too many things to throw a good shot then your game is too complex, change it and go back to basics, your form should be short, simple, and to the point. I used to have a huge armswing, open way up, big knee bend and just tear the cover off the ball, until i realized how hard it is to repeat shots doing that, and after losing money i realized i had to change so i backed off on my revs some and speed, i still have a high backswing but its straight.

And as for anger fueling yourself, im a college pitcher, and in a sport like that which requires aggression and just raw strength, anger can work. But with bowling, NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO. Because what you set yourself up for is either more anger if you make a bad shot then a good shot and get a bad leave, and your match is just carrying everything. This is why you dont see pro's looking at what the other guy shot. If you watch PBA listen about Chris Barnes and how he changed because he did what you did, used anger to fuel a desire to win. The best approach is calm, consistant, and confident but not cocky. I hate bowling guys in matches who no matter what they do just show little or no emotion, you can't touch em, they will throw an 80 or 280 and it makes no difference on their appearance. I would rather a guy try to run out shots and make me look bad, because what happens is it gets adrenaline going more and more which means their going to throw the ball harder and harder and harder and more likely to leave stupid stuff or make a bad shot. Your physical game sounds fine, except perhaps a change to lighter equipment or a wrist band or something if you cant consistantly cup the ball, but your mental game needs a crapload of work if you plan on competing every time out in amateur tournaments.
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am i still considered a lefty, i never get to play the left side of the lane

Author Topic: My first slight donation (Read 5531 times)

HamPster

My first slight donation

michelle

Re: My first slight donation

HamPster

Re: My first slight donation

Game In a BoxLC

Re: My first slight donation