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BubbaRay
10-30-2007, 06:06 PM
Many of us are gearing up for local, state & national tournaments. Here is a little Checklist that will help prepare you for that tournament.......


Before you go:

1. Choose your arsenal. Select the bowling balls you are going to take. Talk to other bowlers who have already bowled in the tournament or are familiar with the lane conditions. Sometimes this may help you determine which balls will work best for you. Be aware of the tournament rules. Some tournaments limit the number of balls you may have in the building at one time.

2. Check your equipment. Look for chips and cracks on the surface of each ball. Replace worn finger grips and/or slugs. Do any of your balls need to be resurfaced?

3. Prepare your accessory bag. Make sure you bring a rosin bag, clean towel, plenty of tape, hand conditioner, skin patch, super glue and a wire brush. An extra pair of shoes is not a bad idea either.


Once you are there:

1. Arrive early to watch the squad bowling ahead of you.

2. Pay attention to what is happening on the lanes. Are most bowlers using shiny or dull equipment. Are the majority of people playing an inside or outside shot? If other bowlers are starting to miss right or left, the lane condition may be changing slightly. Be alert and be prepared to make adjustments in where you normally stand or in the ball you are using.

3. Don’t get caught up in the negative comments of others. Remember it is a tournament, these people do NOT want you to finish ahead of them. A positive mental attitude is as important as making good shots.

4. Relax and have fun. It will much more difficult to make a good shot if you are nervous, worried or concerned. To decrease tension, take a deep breath and exhale before each shot.

5. Get back to basics. Tournaments are exciting and in such an atmosphere, bowlers have a tendency to get overanxious and forget about fundamentals. Focus on the basics to ensure your best performance.

Good luck to all who are going to be bowling in tournaments this season

Street Racer
10-31-2007, 06:20 AM
Dont know if i should post this or not... if not i'm sure budda will get rid of it...

but thanks for that man...:)..... really helps

Rowdy
10-31-2007, 10:59 AM
Don't forget to eat. Eat a good sized breakfast and snack the rest of the time with something that you like and that will keep your energy up. Power bars are okay,but most taste like pressed cardboard. I like to put some trail mix in a zip lock bag and stick it in my bowling bag. If you're rolling in the late afternoon or evening shift,eat a good lunch. Stay away from greasy foods that will just lay there and make you sleepy. Salad,fresh fruit that sort of thing will do the trick. The better you eat,the better you bowl!

Young300
10-31-2007, 02:53 PM
Don't forget to drink either! Water that is. Pop, energy drinks, Gatorade and alcohol will no suffice when you are trying to bowl at your best. Get something that will keep you hydrated and something that will refresh you when you need it.

Rowdy
11-01-2007, 11:16 AM
Gatorade is fantastic at keeping you going. Where did you get the idea that it was bad for you? It was invented at The University of Florida for the Gator football team,to keep them hydrated and replace the elctrolytes lost when you sweat. Since I'm a die hard Gator,I only drink either the orange or the blue stuff.

Young300
11-01-2007, 06:12 PM
Electrolytes are salts. And we all know that salt makes us need more stuff to drink, so you continue to drink the Gatorade and then you get somewhat "bogged" down or "water logged". When you drink water, you are able to pace yourself and drink when it is needed. You should always have water with you, whether it is from the bar or a water bottle.

SplitMaster
01-05-2008, 01:37 PM
I drink about 4 Monster energy drinks a day lol...all day....everyday...woot woot..I even ordered a Monster bowling towel to wipe my face....my Hammer towel is for my balls

Sparehater
01-05-2008, 02:46 PM
Im bowling in a tournament next sunday, im gonna check this out again on saturday to make sure i don't forget anything.

BubbaRay
01-05-2008, 04:52 PM
Im bowling in a tournament next sunday, im gonna check this out again on saturday to make sure i don't forget anything.


Good luck in your tournament sparehater. Keep a good fram of mind, and follow the checklist and you will do just fine.

Sparehater
01-05-2008, 09:40 PM
Good luck in your tournament sparehater. Keep a good fram of mind, and follow the checklist and you will do just fine. Yea, its a JBT tournament if anyone knows about them. Hoping to make it to the finals this time, i was in 8th last time.

Rowdy
01-06-2008, 07:10 PM
Bubba just realized that one thing is missing from the checklist...CASH!!!!:D Don't forget to take your entry fee if it's a pay on the day tournament. Plus there's usually a deal to be had on that ball you've had your eye on. Don't count on the ATM working at the lanes.:( Plus you don't want to pay that ATM fee!

BubbaRay
01-07-2008, 05:22 AM
I hear ya Rowdy, but Cash isn't on the list because not all tournaments are Pay on the Day. But it's always nice to have cash in the pocket for those unexpected deals and side pots.

Mike_N_Nashville
01-07-2008, 09:21 AM
Bubba just realized that one thing is missing from the checklist...CASH!!!!:D Don't forget to take your entry fee if it's a pay on the day tournament. Plus there's usually a deal to be had on that ball you've had your eye on. Don't count on the ATM working at the lanes.:( Plus you don't want to pay that ATM fee!

ARGH! That happened to me a couple of months ago; Just happened to be in Huntsville, AL (wasn't there to bowl, but always travel with equipment) and there was a tournament going on.

Went in to enter and there ATM was broken so it turned into a mad trek to find a nearby ATM to get the entry fee for my wife and I. Very frustrating.

Mike

Mike_N_Nashville
01-09-2008, 11:05 AM
Also might want to make sure you have some form of aspirin in case of a headache, etc. and some fingernail clippers.

Mike

Da Hamma
04-25-2008, 02:09 AM
My son Jake and I entered our first ever city tournament this past February at the Pali Lanes. We didn't know what to expect, we both never set foot in those lanes before and seeing the faces there really intimidated my son. Had some of the best bowlers in the state. I entered only the team competition which we were a late entry, my self being 50ish & two others over 60 and the other two below 25. We placed 31st out of 64 teams, no cash in but not bad, huh!! I shot I believe a 601 series, being the 2nd game my best with a 227. I used the BWP all 3 games.
On the other hand, Jake was asked to bowl with the tournament directors team who all were above 55, he only 20. He bowled team, singles and doubles so we had to go back the second day. He did well in the singles, missed cashing in by about 31 pins. He shot a 254 211 & 228 for a 693 series. Didn't fair well in the doubles, I can't remember his series
Yes, I trully believe you have to be prepared for any lane condition and having the right arsenal is a must