Frustrated

[Husker HammerHead]

Struggling trying to figure out why when I am practicing I put up better scores (tonight...192 177 246 for a 616) than in league play(Monday night..137 190 189 = 516)..fresh lanes It feels like my release and all is the same..I go through the same routine as I normally would..play the same line or lines but for some reasons scores are not close...I consider myself a stroker..play around 12 out to 4 speed 17-19 mph use a 4 step approach...Am I worrying about this too much or just putting to much pressure on myself on league nights..maybe video analisys could help??

[idlehourlegend]

I think you hit the nail on the head there. I would say you are putting to much pressure on yourself on league nights and you know there is no pressure on you when you are practicing. So just go out there and relax and the scores will go up.

[blistershurt]

I was like you all last year man. What I started to do is not care about league so much, if you throw good you throw good. Try having a carefree attitude, be competetive with the person you're against (I had tons of fun last saturday because of this), and focus on your mark when you are up to bowl, otherwise try to socialize with your team a little, see if they need help with something or play cards

[PASSIONATEBOWLER]

I was like you all last year man. What I started to do is not care about league so much, if you throw good you throw good. Try having a carefree attitude, be competetive with the person you're against (I had tons of fun last saturday because of this), and focus on your mark when you are up to bowl, otherwise try to socialize with your team a little, see if they need help with something or play cards

"DITTO", I had the same problem last year as well. For me, it was mainly all mental. Even though I was doing well in practice, when the lights came on I was probably too intense and eager about the whole thing. It would take me at least three or four frames to really loosen up.

In addition, I realized I was paying too much attention to other, uncontrollable, environmental factors that I wasn't encountering during practice (i.e., bowlers rushing on the approach, other bowler's comments and antics, etc.).

Try focusing more on your pre-shot routine (for me, it involved more deep breathing exercises, and really developing more confidence in trusting my shots).

Good luck!

[can-ham]

Maybe you should quit keeping score when you practice. Just go out and practice, practice new lines and shooting spares. Don't worry about the numbers until league, and even then just take it one shot at a time.

[bowlkidsdogs]

I agree with can-ham. I do so much better when I don't watch the scores. Of course, I bowl where we still keep score on paper! :o

[BubbaRay]

Practice is just what it states. Don't worry about score they mean nothing in practice. You practice to keep timing / release / approach / and mental game all in sync. During league, concentrat and focus on what you practiced and the scores will follow. The mental part of this game is very very important and anything that takes the slightest bit of concentration away disrupts your game

[LeftHook]

Same here...practice always has higher scores. I would say it's a combination of a lot of things. I usually practice with my wife and we have fun. During league (which is all dudes) I can lose the fun aspect of the game because I'm trying to win and tense up. I learned to look down at my feet, take a few breaths, look up and start moving immediately. If I wait and stare at my target too long, then I usually pitch it out to the right and come in lite.

Here's a big difference between practicing and playing league that most people forget: You practice on 1 lane, but in league you play on 2. In practice you know the line and throw on the same spot and can get strike after strike, in league each lane is different. It's not uncommon for the pros to use a different ball on each lane because the oil is slightly different (just the way things work). That is why the ten minute practice before a league is so important. Use everything you have in your bag down as many lines as you have time to throw to see what each lane is doing. Sometimes I use my BWS on one lane and my BWP on another. Also, if throwing 15 - 5 works on the right lane , then it probably won't work on the left lane. Bowling is a game of adjustments. The person that can adjust quickly and stay ahead of the changing oil pattern is the person that will succeed.

[BubbaRay]

I have used one ball on one lane and another on the other lane many many times and still do when needed to this day. I know exactly what you are talking abot. The two lanes can be totaly different on certain nights and tournaments. But knowing when to utilize this is another subjet

[SplitMaster]

To me...practice is just that...practice...its not trying to score big...save that for when it counts....practice different lines....practice things that need to be worked on....last night I practiced laying my ball down better and getting rid of some loft I was having problems with....sometime for practice...on my first shot...I throw for the 10 pin....second shot...I try to pick up the spare on whatever is left...personally I never try and shoot big numbers for practice..I use the time to my advantage to work on things to help my league play

[can-ham]

Another good idea for practice is find out when the Ally is dead and try to get to know the counter staff. If you practice when the ally isn't busy, you should ask if they can set you up with a pair of lanes.

http://images.usatoday.com/travel/_photos/2004/01/22-simpson-inside.jpg

[BradM]

Another good idea for practice is find out when the Ally is dead and try to get to know the counter staff. If you practice when the ally isn't busy, you should ask if they can set you up with a pair of lanes.

http://images.usatoday.com/travel/_photos/2004/01/22-simpson-inside.jpg


Hmm... I'd like to play on that pair.

[Rowdy]

First off,I WANNA ROLL ON HER TEAM!!!!!
What was the other thing............oh yeah,you roll big numbers in practice. Are you using two lanes? I always get a pair to shoot practice on. Are you waiting between shots or just rerolling down the same track? Leagues are way different than practice. Reread Lefthook's post,those who can adjust to carrydown the fastest will have the bestest scores. Cute,huh? When you practice,you're providing all the carrydown there's gonna be on the lane. You adjust gradually to it. League carrydown happens a LOT faster,you always have to be looking for it. Watch guys who roll the same kind of ball you do. See what line they're using. Another thing is that you roll big numbers in practice and can't wait to shred the lanes that nite. Hey we're only human. I do it,Bubba Ray has probably done it,you did it. Forget those scores once you're done practicing. They're history. Roll your best when you're up and let the pins fall where they may. BTW-You sure they didn't switch the oil pattern between practice time and when you came back for Leagues? It has been known to happen.

[Husker HammerHead]

Another good idea for practice is find out when the Ally is dead and try to get to know the counter staff. If you practice when the ally isn't busy, you should ask if they can set you up with a pair of lanes.

http://images.usatoday.com/travel/_photos/2004/01/22-simpson-inside.jpg

I work there part time in the evenings so I always practice on a pair...Thanks for all the input..I'm just gonna try and block everything out of my mind relax and throw the ball the way I know I can.....I have league tonight so we shall see what happens..Thanks again...

[LeftHook]

Good luck!!! If you want to take it to the next level you need to get out of your own way.

That's something I learned the hard way.

[Husker HammerHead]

well I tripped myself tonight 169 148 159 = 476...on a 190 average....just gotta figure out how to quit puttin pressure on myself

[Rowdy]

I think it's gotta have something to do with the full moon,NO ONE is shootin' worth a damn this week! Crazy splits,4-9.Who the hell leaves a 4-9? We have! Seen it so much the last two days,we're just laughing at it now. Saw the strangest thing ever tonite:2 pins in the ditch at the end of the pindeck,both laying down with one facing us and the other facing the pit and they are holding up the 7 pin which slid half off the pindeck and half on the pins in the ditch!!40 years and I've NEVER seen THAT! I figure we're all just getting the crap outta our systems and we'll be fine the rest of the way.

[Husker HammerHead]

full moon..I'll buy that..forgot to mention I left back to back 7 10's on what everone watching thought were good shots..LOL

[LeftHook]

So it's not just me?!?!?!? Thank God! I was up last the other night and we needed 11 pins to win the third game and sweep for the evening, so I needed a strike or a spare with any count on the fill ball...not a problem! Or so I thought. I grabbed the BWP, gave it a kiss and sent it on it's way. I hit my mark, it snapped into the pocket hard (In that split second I thought, "Damn, that looked beautiful...PBA here I come!") then I left a 4 - 9 split...you can probably guess that I didn't make the split and we lost by 1 pin. I wanted to die!