Slumps...

[JaMau24]

How do you guys break out of a slump?

I've been in a slump for 2 weeks or maybe a little more, and it's killing me. Last month, out of 42 league games, I averaged 232 (and that includes me doing poorly the last week). The months before last, I was averaging close to or at 230 as well. This month, out of 18 league games, I'm averaging 211. Part of the reason is the new ball. I'm not comfortable with it yet, and shouldn't be using it in league, but it's a new ball I just spent a lot of money on, so I keep forcing myself to use it. Mostly though, it's my fault! I keep having an open frame or two in each of my games it seems. Sometimes, when it's not even my fault! Like tonight, throw a nice pocket shot, and leave a 8-10 split with my 16 pound ball. It feels like Murphy's law is in full effect during this slump.

I understand we all go through peaks and valleys, but do you do anything special to help break you out of a slump? Or do you just ride it out until you finally break out of it?

[noeymc]

when i am in a slump i go bowl 6 games and just focus on basics

[The German Shepherd]

When I get in a slump, and know that my equipment is not to blame, then I examine my tempo. I have found that if I work on that, then the other fundamentals tend to take care of themselves (things like working the inside of the ball, straight arm at release point, etc,). SO, think TEMPO....

Jay

[billf]

I slumped recently. I really went back to basics including going back to a 4 step approach, stay inside the ball, adjust slide, re-measure my drift, PAP, tilt and rotation. I checked it all and it all came back good. I gave up and put away the newer ball. No sense adding games to them when I can't hit the pocket. Used the Misfit and urethane only. Then the Reckless. Know what I found out? My ball was burning up but not as drastic as I have seen before. Too much ball was my slump. As you know I also spent a ton on Revenge's, Terror and won the Nexxus. I can't use them for long if at all during league. The Terror lasts the longest but not when I have 9 others on my line. Luckily I bowl a lot of tournaments so my balls will still get some use.

[75lockwood]

Well, I'm gonna go buy a nice new marauders! Lol

[Zothen]

I meditate and I go back to basics! I practice hitting my mark,foot work & armswing,then I practice picking up spares!

Put the new ball away for a week or 2 and try it again. Forcing it only makes you miss more.

Zothen

[MICHAEL]

Jason your one Heck of a bowler!! I think a large part of it was the new ball, that JUST has NOT been working out so far!! I think you had a great idea to change, and work with different surfaces! If that doesn’t work, then You said James would plug it, and try a different lay out! Its not YOU!!
Also, in ALL sports even the BEST, have slumps, exception being maybe ICEMAN!!! LOL……..
You are in a slump, but one thing I know for sure is YOU HAVE MORE talent in the tip of your fingers , then I do in my whole body!! Hang in there, I have been where you’re at!!! Then something great happens like last week for me, where I had that posted 725, and then the league 672!
A BIG PART OF WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR AVERAGE WAS PLAIN and SIMPLE, A “NIGHTMARE”!!!
Hang in there Dude!!!

[BoomGoesTheDynomite]

You just gotta keep grinding it out. You'll get back on top. It also sounds like your new ball love might be hurting you a little. I know bowling balls are expensive but there's nothing wrong with not throwing a ball if it doesn't match up to the lane.

[MisterSinister]

I usualy can break my slumos one of two ways. One, buy a new ball. Two, stop listening to everyone telling me what I'm doing wrong :D

[JaMau24]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll break out of it. Gonna use my Vivid on Thursday. I like the Nightmare, and like the reaction I have with it, it's just going to take some getting used to. I'll just use it in practice. I pulled it out at the end of practice on Friday and shot 244, 268. The 268, I had the front 8 strikes, a 10 pin in the 9th, and a 10 pin on the 11th ball. So it could have been a 300.

I really don't even know if the ball is to blame at all. It could just be all me. I was slumping a week before I got my new ball as well.

[MisterSinister]

I remember the PBA commercials for ESPN, one of them started with Tommy Jones. He said " if you think your throwing the ball bad, just try throwing it bad with a different ball."

[75lockwood]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll break out of it. Gonna use my Vivid on Thursday. I like the Nightmare, and like the reaction I have with it, it's just going to take some getting used to. I'll just use it in practice. I pulled it out at the end of practice on Friday and shot 244, 268. The 268, I had the front 8 strikes, a 10 pin in the 9th, and a 10 pin on the 11th ball. So it could have been a 300.

I really don't even know if the ball is to blame at all. It could just be all me. I was slumping a week before I got my new ball as well.

I blame Michael, rather his hair! it is the root of all of your problems, shave that head and you will be back to normal!

[Tampabaybob]

Years ago I had cut out an article on slumps. It's been many years since I've had it, but I can tell you the just of it. Basically it said "Stop thinking about it. Go back to what you do normally and it will go away by itself. When you labor over each little imperfection in your game, the problems will intensify. And we all know where that leads.

So to echo a previous post, relax, stop thinking so much and go back to basics. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I had bought a ball a couple of seasons ago, and had threatened to feed it to the turtles in the pond out side of the lanes. Went back to practicing with it after a couple of months and it's been one of my favorites ever since.

Bob

[JaMau24]

Years ago I had cut out an article on slumps. It's been many years since I've had it, but I can tell you the just of it. Basically it said "Stop thinking about it. Go back to what you do normally and it will go away by itself. When you labor over each little imperfection in your game, the problems will intensify. And we all know where that leads.

So to echo a previous post, relax, stop thinking so much and go back to basics. Good luck. Oh and by the way, I had bought a ball a couple of seasons ago, and had threatened to feed it to the turtles in the pond out side of the lanes. Went back to practicing with it after a couple of months and it's been one of my favorites ever since.

Bob

Thanks, Bob. Great advice.

[Tampabaybob]

Your welcome. You have a great ability if you can average that high, as the Nike commercial says "JUST DO IT".

Bob

[billf]

Jason, there are times when I can't hit my mark and I will switch balls and hit it. Was it the ball? Of course not but there are times where for whatever reason it just doesn't work like we want. You were struggling before the ball and after. Go back to the Vivid and the basics. Use what you're comfy with for now. At least then you know what to expect and won't be trying to out guess the ball or second guess every roll. You're an excellent bowler and will snap out of it. Why? Because the cream always rises to the top. Don't think of it as a waste of money but rather an investment for when the time is right. Right now just isn't the time for you and a Nightmare.

[JaMau24]

Jason, there are times when I can't hit my mark and I will switch balls and hit it. Was it the ball? Of course not but there are times where for whatever reason it just doesn't work like we want. You were struggling before the ball and after. Go back to the Vivid and the basics. Use what you're comfy with for now. At least then you know what to expect and won't be trying to out guess the ball or second guess every roll. You're an excellent bowler and will snap out of it. Why? Because the cream always rises to the top. Don't think of it as a waste of money but rather an investment for when the time is right. Right now just isn't the time for you and a Nightmare.

Thanks, Bill. Definitely going to be using the Vivid on Thursday (Might sub tomorrow night as well). Looking forward to shooting a great series. Also, looking forward to clearing my head and just bowling!

[Tampabaybob]

JaMau24.......Right after I posted that last comment last night, I went to look up something for another bowler here on line and lo and behold there's an article in this coming month's
Bowling this Month's magazine that deals with "SLUMPS". It's the December issue and not out yet. Subscribers have access to the online version before it's printed, so we get a chance to look it over ahead of time. If you go to their web site, you can get a free copy. As I tell everyone in this community, if you're into this game this magazine is the bowlers bible. You will never be disappointed in the articles and information. Check it out.

Bob

[JaMau24]

JaMau24.......Right after I posted that last comment last night, I went to look up something for another bowler here on line and lo and behold there's an article in this coming month's
Bowling this Month's magazine that deals with "SLUMPS". It's the December issue and not out yet. Subscribers have access to the online version before it's printed, so we get a chance to look it over ahead of time. If you go to their web site, you can get a free copy. As I tell everyone in this community, if you're into this game this magazine is the bowlers bible. You will never be disappointed in the articles and information. Check it out.

Bob

Sounds awesome. Will do. Nice find, thanks.

[UBowling]

Man, slumps are hard. I had a huge one last year, started in the Summer of 2011 and I am barely climbing out of it this season.

What you gotta do is buckle down and practice. Make good practice plans where you work on a different part of your game each session. Make spares a huge part of your practice, they are immensely important. Another thing to do is jump keep bowling, and fight through it. Get some coaching and see if there is something you can change to boost your scores.

[JaMau24]

Well after the 673 on Thursday (Which was a good place to start to get out of this slump), good practice session on Friday, and my 741 tonight, I think I'm FINALLY out of my slump. Ready to start bowling 700's regularly again. Thanks for all the advice you guys have given me.

[MisterSinister]

Congrats, now I have to read all the advice myself to break ou of my slump.

[xthe_charismatic_enigmax]

I had a slump for two days this week, Monday and Tuesday. I've been seeing that I'm a consistent 650+ bowler as of late, except on Tuesday nights, apparently. I threw a 622 and a 567 in the early part of the week and bounced back with a 712 on Thursday. Part of it, I think was the fact, I was adjusting correctly in the early part of the week, but I used what I learned from Monday and Tuesday, used a completely different ball, and started a board left from where I usually do, and just went from there. I also had a 8-in-a-row my second game Thursday evening, and came in heavy in the 9th and left a four pin. Also, when the fall/winter leagues started we were still in the midst of a tournament, so they laid the tourney shot for league for awhile, and since it ended this week, so, this week was the first time I was actually shooting on a house shot at the house I bowled at.

Slumps are hard to break out of, you really do just have to grind it out sometimes, re-focus and use what happened on the lanes to your advantage next time and break out! Le Freak, C'est Chic!