How can I concentrate during League?

[itstyler]

I have a problem during league to which either I try to hard or I don't concentrate during League. During the week (practice), I bowl outstanding, when I am calm and comfortable. But once I get in League, it is like a different animal. What are some tips or ways you guys keep that calm mind during league? Because surely I cannot do it and it frustrates me when I average 200+ in practice or bowling against my friends but during league I average 185 or below.

Thanks!

[noeymc]

i think your just trying to hard or putting to much pressure on your self try focusing on just one thing about your bowling like keeping your arm straight thats what i do it tends to work up till the point i start getting strikes lol

[75lockwood]

RELAX!!!!!

You are putting way to much pressure on yourself, when you bowl in league, you should be there to have fun first and score well second.

that being said, there may be more at work here than just the mental game, typically bowling ally's oil the lanes before league, that combined with the fact that there are multiple bowlers playing the same side of the lane can cause you to need to adjust a lot more than you would in practice.

To help develop your mental game for a league setting, give yourself a routine, do the exact same thing every time you stand up to take your turn, if your going through a checklist in your head it helps to remove the distractions from your focus.

[Mike White]

I had to take it a step further, I made notes on paper. Each frame had the diagram of pins left on the 1st/2nd ball, and room for notes on where I stood, aimed, finished (foot on approach) and board the ball crossed at the arrows, how well the ball felt coming off my hand. I also made a note if I needed to make an adjustment the next time I hit that lane again.

After having used the paper method for a short time, it trained my brain to go thru the same process without so much paperwork.

[10-in-the-pit]

and don't forget, bowling in a league could be a slower pace than when you practice. you need a good routine to get the ball and get ready for your shot. don't rush your shot.

[AZBowla]

It's probably the oil. That always threw me when bowling leagues. I'm looking forward to trying again now that I have a ball that is designed for medium oil conditions, although right now I'm having a hard enough time finding the pocket during open bowling. Definitely still some adjustments needed for this new ball I've got.

[striker12]

the thing i do to keep me focused on bowling and not to rush i get a drink and just sip out of it and not worry about any shots i jsut did unless it was a strike and i try to remember that line and try it on the other lane and see if i can get same or just as good reaction but when your not bowling get a grip sack and squeeze it when your not bowling that's another thing i do.

[Zothen]

As soon as I set my feet,I take a deep breath in/out as I bring my arm & ball to their position,then I focus on my mark and I bowl. Should all take about 15-20 sec any longer and your thinking. I also try to think of leagues as practice! I know people who use ipod/mp3 players while bowling.

Zothen

[panbanger]

I had a concentration problem the first few weeks of my league too. It's my first league in a couple decades though. As I've gotten to know the people on my team I think maybe I dont feel like I have to "prove" anything to them. I mean the first night of league I was placed on their team cuz they were one person short. I told them I averaged about 170-180 then promptly shot a 130 something in my first game lol

It was back and forth between trying too hard or losing concentration on easy spares. Just takes time for it to go away I think. Gotta completely forget about the last frame, the next frame, stuff like that. Used to always think to myself if I strike out the rest of the game my final score will be 245, etc. Gotta cut that stuff out.

[Keithalw]

One thing you need to do is dont worry bout the previous frame. I know how you are and how you worry bout that. Everyone else has said pretty much everything else I would have said... Calm down take a breath focus on your shot etc etc etc...and tomorrow I am sure we will work on it