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Author Topic: hitting a mental wall...  (Read 1357 times)

Chazman819

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hitting a mental wall...
« on: June 29, 2003, 08:22:30 AM »
Boy have I hit a wall...after bowling extremely well the past year and a half, and really starting to feel comfortable with my shot and equipment, I hit a wall. Started last week at at tourny in Watertown, first to games were a 225 then a 278...then get the first to strikes in the 3rd game...solid 10 pin...miss it...strike the next ball, then 6 straight opens...missed everything from 10 pins, 7 pins, 4 pins...you name it, I missed it. Bowled league later that night, shot a 677, without making one spare..practiced during the week...did no better. League tonight, pick up the first spare of the night, then nothing...finish the first game with a 172...then shoot a 254, then the next game shoot a 136, 3 strikes in the game, 7 opens. No matter what spare I have to shoot at, can't get it.

I am sure other people have hit a wall, what did you do to punch through it?
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Beware the Power of the Fragrance...aka my Trauma ER...and my Stealth Bomber...aka my Bonanza 300 Pearl Pulse
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: hitting a mental wall...
« Reply #1 on: June 30, 2003, 02:51:21 AM »
You average 25 pins higher than I do so I am not sure if I should even be trying to offer any suggestions.     Are you taking your spare game for granted - not concentrating enough on the spare shot?  Are you using a plastic ball for your spares?   If you are, then perhaps a break away from bowling during the summer would help.  A slump in any sport is difficult to break out of and there probably is no sure way that works for everyone or even for the same person everytime, otherwise we would not suffer through slumps.

Usually when I get into a spare slump, I have to work my way out of it by practising more on spares.  Sometimes I find it is a flaw in the physical aspect, not keeping the shoulders square to the line for example and sometimes it is in my mental outlook on certain spares, I start to think negative thoughts like how tough the spare is.  Hopefully you will figure this out and get back on track.
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10 In The Pit

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Re: hitting a mental wall...
« Reply #2 on: June 30, 2003, 07:24:54 AM »
One of the better tools for debugging your game is the old video recorder.  Set up a camcorder behind your pit area (preferably off to the side somewhat, and go about a practice game or two.  Then you can watch yourself on film, and the camera will likely be able to show you the mistakes that are causing you to miss your spare shots.

A second option would be to get either a friend who knows your game relatively well, or a local coach to watch you bowl a game or two.  Just like the camcorder, it is much easier for an observer behind the bowler to diagnose the problem than it is for the bowler to diagnose the problem from the foul line.  You can often spot the little things that lead to big problems, but it is tough to spot them when you are wrapped up in the delivery of the ball.

Get yourself a camcorder, a coach, or a good friend, and take to the lanes for a practice session.  I'm sure that somewhere in this, the problems will be able to be detected.
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Chazman819

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Re: hitting a mental wall...
« Reply #3 on: June 30, 2003, 08:05:48 AM »
I was using a plastic ball for spares, which was going great for a while, and then that just kind of ended, couldn't pick anything up with that anymore. Then I started making my right corner pins, (10, 9, 3-10, etc) without a problem, but I was missing the left corner pins. So I did a tweak, then I could pick up the left corner, but not the right corner. Now I can't hit anything.

It's not as if I am rushing, and I don't take my spares for granted at all, I take my time and visualize what I want, but I am just not doing it.

The past two nights at league, i have had my uncle watch me, we have practiced numerous times and know each other's form very well. He has said that he doesn't see anything different in my swing, approach, follow through, etc...at first I thought it was my swing that was off, but my swing has felt the same.

I finally developed a consistant strike ball, but my spare ball went far far away..

Wish I could take a break, but it is a summer league I am in with family and my girlfriend. I will get a bit of a break next week though, I will have to bowl ahead on a tuesday because I am having eye surgery, so I will get a couple weeks to relax...hey eye surgery...maybe that will solve it!!

Thanks guys.

Chaz


--------------------
Beware the Power of the Fragrance...aka my Trauma ER...and my Stealth Bomber...aka my Bonanza 300 Pearl Pulse
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: hitting a mental wall...
« Reply #4 on: June 30, 2003, 02:30:31 PM »
Eye surgery seems to be an extreme way to take a break from bowling.    Good luck and hope you have a fast recovery.

If you are using a plastic ball for spares, it is just a matter of throwing it relatively straight and lining up with the proper arrow or target.  Then, if you hit the arrow (target), the ball should hit the intended key pin(s).  So, if you are hitting your target but missing the key pin, then you are either not throwing the ball straight or you are lined up incorrectly.  Are you consistantly missing the key pin the same way?   Are you using some kind of a spare shooting system, like the 3-6-9?
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