Author Topic: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it??? (Read 2363 times)

mumzie · « **on:** January 12, 2005, 03:20:04 PM »

For me, the past couple of weeks, it's the 10 pin.
I started missing them in one house.
Then I started missing them in the other house.
I can pick 'em up no problem in tournaments, and when I bowl other places.
The last 2 nights, I've left 11 of 'em, and missed 8. Grrr. Other than those opens, (and one split total), I've been clean.
The 10 pin USED to be my easiest spare, simply because i left so many. Now, I can't pick 'em up to save my life.
I KNOW the problem's all in my head.
How do you folks deal with it when something like this happens to you?
--------------------
-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.

MSC2471 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2005, 12:04:56 AM »

I would spend a game or two (or three if necessary) working on my spares, looking at what I'm targetting and see if the misses are due to being too fast with the feet, ball speed, missing my target, dropping the shoulder, or any other possible combination. I agree that when you miss a lot of the same spare, espcially one that you can get 9 out of 10 times, it's usually a mental block of some sort.

There have been some weeks in my Tuesday house where I've missed the same easy spare 3 times out of 4 in a given night. That following week I took out the plastic ball, spent two games shooting the 7 pin, then 10 pin, 4-7, then 6-10, 2-4-7, then 3-6-10 and went back and forth...

I'm sure you'll be back to your normal 10 pin making capacity in no time mumzie, let us know what you do to get out of the slump as all would be interested in what methods worked best.

Matt

charlest · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2005, 03:25:28 AM »

quote:
I KNOW the problem's all in my head.
How do you folks deal with it when something like this happens to you?
--------------------
-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.

Mumzie,

For shame, for shame. OK, you need to see it in print, as well as see the picture that you knew your brain has already drawn for you? Fine, here it is.

Re-read your signature line! Once you believe you can't do it, then you can't.
Once you believe you can do it, you can.

You schedule a practice session. Before you go, you sit yourself and have a talk between you and yourself. You tell yourself you will make every 7 pin and every 10 pin in this practice session. You bring ONLY your spare ball (or your spare release). Then you go.

You play the 7 pin spare, 10 pin spare game in every frame. First you shoot the 7 pin, then you shoot the 10 pin. You don't count either one as made unless you knock down only that pin. Keep score. You're shooting the 7 pin to alternate body rhythms and angles.

Before you start, you force your body to listen to your brain. Say whatever you have to say in positive words. Do not say, "Don't do xxxxx."

Go over your mechanics in your head before throwing that first ball. Force yourself to throw it as well as you know how to execute, each ball. Post every shot; stay low and stay at the foul line, like your bowling life depends on it. IT DOES.

Then throw 4, or 6 games of this, at least, until you're sick of it and you know again that your body will obey your brain's commands, positive commands.

This routine should help.

azguy · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2005, 04:20:18 AM »

It does sound like YOU have already missed the shot, before it happens. For me...I try NOT to think about a single pin spare. Just throw the ball. I can over think a single pin (5 usually) the death. A few years ago I couldn't get a 5 pin to save my life. My wife said...Stop thinking and throw the **** ball. Well, as we ALL know, wives are right, (as she keeps telling me) so I did, and in a few frames, no more problems. I can't say it will work for you, but that's what I do, don't think, (single pins only) just throw the ball.

Hope that helps.
My 2 cents are up.

--------------------
AZ Guy aka: R & L Bowlers Pro
rlbowlerspro@cox.net
www.rlbowlerspro.com

Jeffrevs · « **Reply #4 on:** January 13, 2005, 05:32:13 AM »

I like what charlest said.....

I went thru this last season for some reason....I practiced the 7-10 game a few times..then realized that it was in the "scoring" situation where I was doing the stupid things....practice wasn't an issue.....

To resolve it.....I realized I was concentrating on the spare way too much....pick up your ball....find your mark.....one breath,...and GO ! Just relax and throw the ball........now I'm back on track and have been for quite some time....

OH SURE...every once in a while I'll miss to the left or send one in the ditch...but not very often! I've also improved since I've moved further left and gave myself more room ...

good luck
--------------------
JEFF
I think I'm finally starting to catch on.....
Proud FCC!

jimensminger · « **Reply #5 on:** January 13, 2005, 06:39:02 AM »

Mum,...here's what I think you would tell me if I had the same problem,..get an open play lane and shoot the ten pin for about 2-3 games straight, each frame gives you 2 shots,...then bowl a couple of regular games and just dare that rascal to stand,...I went through that "fog" at the 7 pin for a while. It's a pain but ya can work it out...jim
--------------------
www.dynothane.com

mumzie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2005, 10:25:07 PM »

Thanks everyone for the input.
Turns out it was partly in my head, but more involved with mechanics...

Coach had me move further left on the approach - I'd been using 36 board with my left foot - he had me move to 38.
I'd been targeting 15 at the arrows - he had me move target to 17-18 at the arrows.
And - we've been messing around with thumb pitches. I got a new spare ball drilled yesterday, but there was something about the front of the thumb hole that was making me grab the ball at the bottom. Hence, coming around it a little - just enough to hook past the 10.
Fixed those few things, and it's already waaaaaaayyyyyy better than before.
Now it's just practice.
--------------------
-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.

charlest · « **Reply #7 on:** January 14, 2005, 06:33:50 AM »

So, Mumzie, it was in your head that it was in your head?

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #8 on:** January 14, 2005, 06:45:06 AM »

Stay calm. Whatever gets lost will come back. Probably it is not the 10 pin in itself, but the anxiety about it. Do not spend too much thought about it, especially when at the lane. Try to exhale before your shot deeply, from your belly. This will make you relaxed. Picture in your mind how the ball ran in former attempts when you succeeded. Execute as if it was a spare like anyone else, maybe a single 8 pin.

You will succeed. You know you can do it. You did in the past, and now it is not different at all.

I'd also recommend to spend some time on practice. Make some test games, with your 1st shot with your spare ball at the 10. Whatever is left can be swept away with your normal strike ball.
--------------------

DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

mumzie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 14, 2005, 11:54:21 AM »

quote:
So, Mumzie, it was in your head that it was in your head?

Yeah. I think so.
Huh???

--------------------
-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.

pin-chaser · « **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2005, 12:24:35 PM »

Mumzie,

I might suggest something abit more different from the others.

The issue I hear you say that seems to be more important is that you have set yourself an expectation ( I will carry) that you are not meeting (I will make spares) and thereby letting yourself down. This pattern of expectation promotes self defeatism.

At some level for everyone bowling becomes between the ears. Setting ourselves up for failure prohibits growth and not allowing ourselves the right to fail applies undo stress and destroys confidence.

The point I want to make is that I really want to sleep every night. But despite my desires and as natural as sleeping is, i dont always get a good one. Bowling is not any different in that you cant will yourself to make spares and you cant force yourself to score. All you can do is remember that despite your actions on the lanes and despite the results of the day.. it is like any other day... over and done with and there is nothing that you can do. You made the best you can and you have to let it go. And just like tomorow I might sleep better than last night or I might not. But I did all I can.

--------------------

Bowling Tips and Articles at: www.bowlingknowledge.com
IRC: Internet Relay Chat on Dalnet #striketalk. 24x7x365

Overhand · « **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2005, 12:28:38 PM »

i hyperventilate till i see fuzzy animals bowling with me then everything seems ok...

--------------------
It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that my thoughts acquire speed. The hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by Caffeine alone that I set my mind in motion.

star · « **Reply #12 on:** January 15, 2005, 04:27:52 AM »

Mumzie, dont know if anyone else has mentioned this.
I know your coach has changed where you stand and aim and that is what I would have suggested.
Not because its the right place to stand, just because you need to think of something different to what you were thinking about. If you understand what Im saying.
I think when we have problems we almost always stick with what used to work and try to force it to work, when what we should be doing is to try something new and give our minds a new thought to work on.
My wife went through a spell like you of missing 10 pin after 10 pin with a plastic.
I just said try something different. She picked up her strike ball and picked up 6 in a row.
It almost always works with me, maybe when youre stuck again try shooting through centre arrow or second arrow or even 5th arrow. Try it in practice, I was amazed how it worked for me.
--------------------
Happy go lucky bowler from the UK

.
Did someone say tough luck

Want to learn to read lanes then visit:-
www.thebowlingprofessor44.com/

LuvThatWhiteDot · « **Reply #13 on:** January 15, 2005, 07:52:29 AM »

quote:
And - we've been messing around with thumb pitches. I got a new spare ball drilled yesterday...

Did you pick an ugly one that'll be easy to find on the rack??

--------------------
White Dot

Nationally ranked "Rock, Paper, Scissors" player

mumzie · « **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2005, 01:02:27 AM »

Yes - it's ugly. Not quite as ugly as I wanted, but it'll do. It stands out in a crowd.
http://bbb.brunswickbowling.com/consumer/products/prod_detail.cfm?prod_id=66
It's the red, white and blue one - and we put red and blue grips, with a white slug.

AND - just so you all are updated - I can now pick up a 10 pin again.
I went 6 for 6 tonight - in the house where I haven't been over 50% for 2 months!!!
Yippee!!!

And I took all the advice from all of you. Thanks!!!!

--------------------
-- Whether you believe you can, or you believe you can't - you are right.

Author Topic: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it??? (Read 2363 times)

mumzie

When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

MSC2471

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

charlest

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

azguy

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

Jeffrevs

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

jimensminger

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

mumzie

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

charlest

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

dizzyfugu

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

mumzie

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

pin-chaser

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

Overhand

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

star

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

LuvThatWhiteDot

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???

mumzie

Re: When it starts messing with your head - how do YOU fix it???