800 Club: Come Talk to Me For a Minute

[dnhoffman]

I need advice... I don't know if my problem is mental, swelling, or just stupidity and I'm hoping someone out there has comments.

So last week I opened with 206 on game 1 of my THS league. Game 2 I left a 10-pin and picked it in the first two frames, made an adjustment and struck out the next 10 for a 279. Game 3 I strike in the first then proceed to absolutely crap the bed and shoot 169.

I figure I just didn't have the right mental outlook, no problem.

Last night I came out swinging, had a 300 going into the 10th, the whole alley gets quiet like Tiger Woods is tee'ing off and I blow it and end up with a 276. But this time I say to myself "self, act like you've been here before, long way to go yet"

The second game I battled the whole time... Failed to make adjustments on the pocket and battled spares but I had a clean game going into the tenth can still break 200. Then I really sh$! the bed... Chopped a 6,10 mad end with a 194.

But I say to myself "self, you still got a 700 going, pick it up"

And that's exactly what I didn't do. Proceeded to shoot a 162... Awful. I felt like my thumb was the issue, swelling and/or gripping the entire time, bad mental attitude, everything.

After the game I went and shot another one and rang up 234... My thumb was never too swollen to get out of the ball, I just didn't make adjustments and mentally killed myself.

So: how do you do it? What's your mental game plan? Do do an equipment change in THS leagues when they start to get burnt up? I struggle between changing to a lower large ball or sticking with my current and playing further left where there's less room for error.

So spill it, what are some of your tips for taking it to the next level of consistency, transition, etc?

Curious to hear, and thanks for reading.

[dnhoffman]

Lower *flare* ball... Stupid auto-correct...

[Tampabaybob]

Derek.... Welcome to the world of the "DEAD ZONE". You're already a good shooter, so you already have an inkling as to what's going on. The oil transition on THS shots can be mind boggling at times for all of us. I've had to deal with it myself in my league, last season and also had notes like the one you described. The "only" thing I can suggest to you is what I recommend to others, and that is, to stay ahead of the transition, you have to be keenly aware of what's happening, with not only you'r ball finishing, but those on your team and opponents as well. The sooner you can discern what's happening the sooner YOU can make an adjustment to move away from it. Many bowlers (good & new) don't or can't do this. Here's an example. Say you're the anchor bowler and your "lower average bowlers run from lowers to highest in the line-up. Lead-off start the frame with a split. You're watching and he noticeably missed his target to the left. No big deal (except for him). 2nd man up hit;s his target and leaves a 4 pin. Now your light bulb needs to be coming on. 3rd guy, gets up again throw a great shot and leaves a weak 10 pi after throwing 4 in a row. Light bulbs getting brighter. 4th man gets up, hits his target, ball heads brooklyn and barely catches the head pin. What will you do on your next ball? MOVE immediately. Assuming that all 4 are playing roughly the same line as you, you have to get your ball somewhere other than where they are, be it right or left (probably left) to get your ball into a bit of fresher oil. Eventually all 4 of them will HAVE TO make a similar move or their game is shot. Again, this is a dilemma with the new balls moving oil around and also sucking up the oil. If you're a stroker playing down & in and you've got 2 or 3 crankers swinging the heck outa the ball on the opposing team, you'd better believe by the end of the first game they've already moved a bunch of oil into your area and your shot WILL change. Happens to me all of the time and I carefully watch everyone on my pair, sometimes my immediate move works on the very next shot sometimes it take 2 or 3 moves to find a clean area.
It's something we never used to have to deal with on wooden lanes and with the old technology balls. Those bowlers that can have the foresight to watch and make the quick adjustments will always have the advantage. I've also tried to instill this into the guys I bowl with (teammates) and it's tough getting them to understand what they need to do and to do it quickly. Drives me nuts some nights but they're my teammates so I just try to keep them afloat.
Anyway hope this rant helps a little. It's just something we all have to learn to deal with. If you think back to those games you shot after having such good games, you might be able to remember who you were bowling with and if anyone was throwing oil in your track. Just a little bit of oil at the end of the pattern can make or break a perfectly thrown shot. Good luck and let me know your thoughts on this.

[dnhoffman]

Great stuff Bob, thanks for the feedback man!

[got_a_300]

Yep bob gave you some great advice to follow as for myself
I watch everyone on my team and the opposing team to see
what ball reaction they are getting.

When I see someone on my team or the other team hit their
mark and throw a good shot and if the ball starts to come up
early I make a move and tell my team mates to move before
the next shot is thrown.

You have to stay on top of what is happening out there on the
lanes if you really want to be a good/great bowler and want to
get high games and high series and not just be a casual bowler
that doesn't care about scores but just having a good time.

[dnhoffman]

Thanks Bill. I do care, I'm too type A to have a laxidasical hobby! I appreciate the feedback.

[billf]

It's been 48 hours since my last 800. To be honest, everything has to work exactly in your favor. Attitude, right adjustments and luck. I'm sure some is mental as it sounds like you're thinking about the possibilities instead of just making a quality shot. Throw a bad shot, so what. You never know when you're going to string a bunch together.
Change balls on a THS? Why not? If that's what it takes for you to stay where you're the most comfortable then do so. When you shoot a 7 or 8 who cares how many balls it took to get there? And as Bob pointed out, watch out for the dead zone.

[Tampabaybob]

There are many times when you'll need to change balls after the first game. Of course it depends on many things, such as how many are shooting your line and how many
guy's are swing the ball and moving the oil into your area. But as Bill said don't be afraid to swap out a ball if you determine the one you're thawing isn't working. Many times I've changed after the first game and actually was able to go back to the first game ball because the oil again had changed. What's very important her is to be able to clearly watch your ball and the reaction you're getting at the breakpoint and also on the pin deck. If you're leaving lots of 9 pin leaves the ball is finishing a little too hard and that calls for a line adjustment to get the ball to deflect into the 9 pin. There are so many variables in this sport, it could take years to figure out every conceivable move. Watch the pros. Sometimes they can figure it out and sometimes they can't. It's what makes us keep coming back week after week after week !!