I think the problem started because we shot a video(We are waiting to find out if it is ok to talk about the ball we were shooting) first.  During the video shoot I felt incredible.  We were all striking at will, and I felt like I couldn’t miss, if I threw it well that is.

Then during practice, I still felt great.  I was bowling very well, so well that I didn’t complete practice and went up and ordered dinner.  Very unusual for me to not complete practice.

My problem was my bowling ball speed.  It was all over the map, one minute I kept the speed up, which is what I want to do.  The next shot I would slow the ball down 1-2 mph and end up going through the head pin, leaving splits.

My teammates were all monsters last night.  Everyone shot over 600, even one bowler that averages about 185 like me.  He shot 606 and I was full 125 pins behind him at an abysmal 481.  That may be my lowest set in years, and I blame it on being a little tired from the video shoot.  Because I sure can’t blame it on myself…

Lesson learned: Don’t push too hard before league.  We were done with the video shoot and I was still throwing the bowling ball… bad idea.  I definitely need to incorporate speed control into my bowling practice.

Since I didn’t have a chance to drill my [bowlingball value="6303"/], I ended up practicing with my [bowlingball value="5996"/] and [bowlingball value="6102"/]. I really like the [bowlingball value="5996"/] as my primary bowling ball right now. It has the best fit of any of my equipment. I even used this ball to make my thumb mold for future thumb slugs.

The best thing I learned in this practice session was positive self talk. I have written about my old ways of anger and frustration, and how I have grown out of it. Today I started telling myself things like “Let the ball do it’s job” and “Trust the ball.”

I found that if I worried to much about the ball, I would end up trying to “steer” the ball. I would cross my body, push the ball to far right. All I need to do is slow down, hit my mark, and the everything else will happen on its own.

Also getting rid of the negative self talk helps me to make my spares. I know that making spares is almost more important than striking. If you can make all of your spares you are guaranteed of a score of almost 200, and when you do start striking you are in a position to really score well.

References:

Don’t allow your temper to get in the way of winning
Thought Stopping Methods