mental game between practice and league play

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deadpin6
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mental game between practice and league play

Post by deadpin6 »

I've gotten back into bowling after 12 yr stretch. Now I find my self battling the mental part of the game. I have an app that I've been using to keep track for practice and have 111 games in and manage to carry a 197 ave. League play I'm trailing that with a 180. League night I'm somewhat pumped up with anticipation of a good night of bowling. But then I struggle to reach the three game series I know im capable of. The issue issue I feel is at my release. During practice its smooth and clean. While practicing I tend to work on things here and there i.e. axis tilt, shooting ten pin spares and so on. League night when I think i got all together my strategy has been turning to tragedy.
Any suggestion to clear my head and rethink my approach. No pun intended
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by JohnP »

One (of many) differences between practice sessions and competition play is transition. With 4 or 5 bowlers on a pair the lanes change rapidly, I'll bet you're not reacting quickly enough to the change. -- JohnP
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by Viper »

Distractions. When practicing it's just you. When bowling league, it's bowling with your team against an opposing team within a league. Lots of stuff going that can/will distract you.

Ex. When I practice, I know exactly what do from frame to frame. In league, I have to keep notes, otherwise, I will not remember how the lane is transitioning for me. I note my results, where I was standing, where I was looking, my speed, and what I have to do next time I step-up on that lane.

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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by spr3wr »

You can't practice for your league unless you have the same oil pattern put down and same number of bowlers bowling. Also when practicing it's easier to get into a rhythm . In league play you roll a frame then wait 3 minutes or so. Practicing you roll a frame maybe wait 20-30 second then roll another frame . With that said, while league bowling time how long it take to bowl between frames then take the same time while practicing.

Here is some good info about lane transition.

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deadpin6
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by deadpin6 »

All good points to take in and apply, during practice I tend not worry so much about my score but more about consitancey. Thanks again.

I notice the post was move and after looking I think I understand why. Sorry about that.
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by JMerrell »

I moved your post in order that you could get mote than one opinion on the subject. If you have an opportunity to get video of yourself I would be more than happy to provide my opinion.
Best of luck.
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by stevespo »

While it's difficult to simulate the exact conditions (oil, transition, distractions, timing, etc) in practice the emphasis is always the same (at least for me). Start balanced, consistent footwork, smooth swing, clean release and always - post every single shot! Isolate and work on specific skills, and don't think about scoring.

I think it's perfectly normal (and expected) to bowl better in practice, even when you're trying new things and not concerned about the score. I also believe in league, you should not be concerned about the score. I bowl anchor, and frankly I don't want to know my score. I don't need to know that I have to double in the 10th to win the game and total.

Is it going to help me focus and "try harder"? I doubt it. I'm going to get up every time and make the best shot I possibly can and that is all I am thinking about.

There are many books and articles on the mental game and I think it's invaluable to study and internalize it. The Dean Hinitz book "Focused on Bowling" and Tim Gallway "Inner Game of Tennis" should be read over and over. Brian Voss and Norm Duke also have good coverage in their books and videos. Develop good practice habits and a disciplined (and well organized) mindset and it will carry over into competition.

That said, league bowling is just harder for all the reasons mentioned. Practice on Sunday afternoon on a destroyed condition, surrounded by kid's birthday parties and cosmic bowling @ 100db when you can't see the lane markers - and see how well you do! :lol:

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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by ballspoint »

That said, league bowling is just harder for all the reasons mentioned. Practice on Sunday afternoon on a destroyed condition, surrounded by kid's birthday parties and cosmic bowling @ 100db when you can't see the lane markers - and see how well you do! :lol:

When i go for a practise on the weekend, alot of familys are there, i dont mind bowling next to them as i use that to focus, even when the lane man walks down to retrieve a ball i keep bowling (not if hes on our lanes)
you gotta learn to shut out whats around you.
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by deadpin6 »

Ive done exactly that ive been placed between 2 families with toddlers running all over the approach lol.

This past Wednesday I went up and paced with the scratch league and was quite nervous. The average for the league is 196. But much to my surpise they made me feel quite welcome. Anyway I put to use the advice from here during opening practice and did pretty well I kept up and finished with a 211 and that included blowing the 10th frame in th third. I appreciate everyones input thanks to all that replied.
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by TonyPR »

Congratulations on your 211!

Scratch leagues are the best, nobody's crying over handicaps, no sand bagging, and everyone has got the motivation to get better. I am currently playing a handicap league but it's a family league and everyone is just having fun, most are low average, some kids and some seniors too. Once I can get my average up to scratch I am going to keep playing that league with my wife and daughter which were my main motivation to join, but I am also going to join a scratch league, preferably a sport league and start from the bottom up. Those are my mid term goals. I have been asked many times to play in other handicap leagues but I have always said no. I just love practicing and getting better.
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deadpin6
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Re: mental game between practice and league play

Post by deadpin6 »

It seems that after reading my post about the 211 that's was in the third game when I blew the 10th the actual series was a 612.
But thanks just the same :D
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