Consistency issues.

[Fizziii]

Okay, so I'm holding the league's high average in my 9-pin no-tap league. 3 weeks ago I bowled a 243, 243, 246. Since then, my consistency in my games has been suffering. My league average is 237 (they round down).

2 weeks ago I start with a 175 (worst game of the league up to that point), and I was having big issues. I was fine in practice and then choked the first game. I then got a 263, & 278 to get a 716 series (enough to hold my average).

Then last week, I start with a 278, and then drop to a 158 (NO tap!). So to hold my average I need a 275... I pulled off another 278 for a 714 series.

Does anyone have any advice for avoiding huge drops in the middle of the series? (Even though 2 weeks ago was the first game, practice went really well).

Before the last 2 weeks, the difference between my max and min games in a night was roughly in the 35-65 range... and the last 2 weeks were 100+

[steveo#3]

Hard to say...what is your bowling style....and are you converting spares....so many things could factor into it...one thing is for sure...consistency starts and ends with the person throwig the ball

[Fizziii]

I'd say that I probably convert at least ~95% of my spares in that league... except for those games where I tank. I don't think I'm doing that bad with my spares carrying a 237 average. I do have times where I just tank horribly though.

My bowling style is about 13mph, non-high revving, stand on the middle dot (board 20?), aim for the second arrow in (board 10?). My doom is drilled skid/flip, and my Widow is drilled #4 drilling, with the HMB around 100° or so.

[steveo#3]

I would look at my mental game if I'm hitting my marks but not getting results even with adjustments....be careful you don't start psyching yourself out before you shoot..or ...if you take the racing theology...it's just one of those deals.

[Young300]

It is definitely the mental game. When you roll such a game as a 270+ then you get this air about you mentally that puts you in a state of thinking that it is going to continue along that route. With that thought in your head you don't pay attention to where you throw or how your line is changing. You need to keep your mind about you and with that, you should be able to stay at the 240+ average range for no-tap.

[Thepainscoming]

Dont be discouraged. I threw a 539 NO-TAP in the pro am. I threw the first 5 opens in the first game mostly because of nerves and because i was bowling against the IMO best women bowler ever. Carolyn-Dorin Ballard. Then i finished with the last 8 X's for a 190. Last game was pretty good, threw a 244, if u missed inside there was no hold wut ever so thats y i didn't shoot better. My last game was horrible, my ball started burning up way to fast. I threw a 132:eek: :mad: I think in the course of 4 frames i went 8-10, 5-10, pocket 7-10 and then i sped up and tugged it and left the big four. Let alone i didn't bowl too good. I did meet Jeff Carter who is an awesome dude.

[BubbaRay]

These are all very good points and advice. I agree it has to do with the mental game.

Think of this. Ever watch the NBA? It's a close game 15 seconds left, And someone is on the foul line shooting 2.

Do you see the concentration, the focus in these players eyes? Focus is important in this crunch situation: you are live on National TV, your team need you to make the shot and, so, the fans of the opposition will sit quietely while you can shoot the basket - Not! They will shout, stamp and wave brightly coloured objects specially designed to distract you. But thjey are still focused and make thew shots. This applies to bowling also. No matter what game, what score , every time you step on the aproach, you should be focused on how you will execute.

So remember the 3 C's.
Confidence, in your own ability
Control, to manage the pressure
Concentration, to focus on the shot

[hammeredinkansas]

These are all very good points and advice. I agree it has to do with the mental game.

Think of this. Ever watch the NBA? It's a close game 15 seconds left, And someone is on the foul line shooting 2.

Do you see the concentration, the focus in these players eyes? Focus is important in this crunch situation: you are live on National TV, your team need you to make the shot and, so, the fans of the opposition will sit quietely while you can shoot the basket - Not! They will shout, stamp and wave brightly coloured objects specially designed to distract you. But thjey are still focused and make thew shots. This applies to bowling also. No matter what game, what score , every time you step on the aproach, you should be focused on how you will execute.

So remember the 3 C's.
Confidence, in your own ability
Control, to manage the pressure
Concentration, to focus on the shot

Excellent advice! A pre-shot routine will help set this up. It gets the mind in it's comfort zone...kinda like, "Hey, I've been here before". Works in golf...works in bowling. Hey, maybe comfort zone can be the forth 'C'? :)

[Fizziii]

I have a preshot routine. Typically I'll stand waiting on my right foot, and rest my left heal against my right toes.

Last night I was more consistent.
First game I opened with 8 strikes, then a 7 spared, then I left a split in the 10th... 253.
Second game I opened with 8 strikes, then got a split, and got a spare and strike in the 10th. 254.
Third game I got 4 strikes, then a 6 spared, and then struck out... 276.

Based on my calculations this should bring my season average up to a 240.067. Last night it was a 237.74, and that's the best in the league... the next closest is 233.4x.

It was nice to be consistent again... with the exception of bombing the 9th frames. I already have 2-300's this league, 2 more would've been nice.

We managed to win the last game by 7 pins, and series by 6.