how much practice is apprpriate? How much is too much?

[Storm Byte in the desert]

I am so glad that my wife is a bowling enthusiast, as well. Besides the Sunday Mens's league and the Thursday Mixed league, I practice with her most nights or weekend days about 10 games per session. We both keep improving and the 10 game frames help us build endurance for tournament play.

What does everyone else do?

Thnx,
Lfmc

[J Anderson]

I am so glad that my wife is a bowling enthusiast, as well. Besides the Sunday Mens's league and the Thursday Mixed league, I practice with her most nights or weekend days about 10 games per session. We both keep improving and the 10 game frames help us build endurance for tournament play.

What does everyone else do?

Thnx,
Lfmc

I can only speak for myself, but I don't practice enough to break out from my current plateau. This season I'm bowling one sport league (4 games/week) and two regular leagues ( games/week each). I sometimes throw 4 games of practice after coaching youth league Saturday morning. If money and time were unlimited I would shoot for two games of practice for every one game of competition.

I would not recommend 10 games of practice every day of the week. As most of the gym rats here will tell you, you're body needs rest to build itself up. While they may be hitting the gym every day of the week, they're almost never doing the same routine two days in a row.

There are also different schools of thought on how long to practice. Some believe in practicing until they are mentally and physically exhausted. Others say you should stop as soon as you start making mistakes so you don't get into bad habits caused by being mentally or physically tired. I tend to side with the early quitters. There are plenty of other ways to build stamina than throwing game after game.

[YODA]

I dont practice that much, with work and my other new hobby (lifting weights), but I still try to get in there at least another night on top of the two league nights.

[Aslan]

If all I did was bowl…no other job…I'd bowl 20 games of practice per day. A 10-game morning and a 10-game afternoon session.

But…not only is that impracticable…it can really take a toll on the body. I tried that practice schedule the 2 days before sweeps in Laughlin. 10 games in the evening, 10 games the next morning, 10 games that evening…and I have to say I was wishing there was a hot tub/jacuzzi in the hotel.

I generally practice 12 games on Mondays and 3 games on Sundays after morning league play. The 12 games I usually tire mentally and/or physically by the 10th/11th game. I also get a lesson every few weeks and will sometimes practice 1-3 games before the lesson.

For me the ideal # is 10 games per session. I usually lose mental focus after 10-11 games in a row.

[Bradski9]

If bowling weren't so expensive, I would practice a whole lot more, I am going to start working part time at my local alley. 3 free games every time I work!

[bowl1820]

What does everyone else do?

Well here being a league bowler, we have a players pass which gives you unlimited open bowling (for $20 a month). So you can practice till you pass out.

But when I practice it's about 9-12 games. I try to pace it like league, waiting between shots some.

JA's statement that you should stop as soon as you start making mistakes, so you don't get into bad habits caused by being mentally or physically tired. I think is pretty accurate, once practice has become unproductive you should stop.

[foreverincamo]

I practice between 7 to 14 games a week. Just don't make practice all about the score. Take practice times and only practice spares, or practice your timing, or hand position, etc. Spend a game only trying to hit a certain arrow as many times in a game.

[MICHAEL]

In all honesty ICEGOD does not practice at all! I just bowl two league a week, and have been doing some really great scores that I have posted the last few weeks! Even posted pictures of that 741, 695, 646, 280 two weeks ago, almost 3rd 300! They just seem to be coming more and more often now. I don't think practice helps that much if your practicing WRONG! No amount of practice can overcome bad technique, or lack of aptitude!

Practice can be a GOOD thing for sure, but it doesn't always translate into success at all!

What is aptitude,,, The Gift,,, certain inherited physiological and psychological genes!
I firmly believe and have seen it with my own to eyes, people that have bowled for over 20 years, and still relatively young bowing at that
170-180 average, and after talking to some of them they do practice weekly. NOTHING WORONG with that average at all, but most want that 200 plus, due to the fact the Mike White keeps saying how easy it is now, compared to the old days! Makes many feel GUILTY not having a 200 plus average.

What is bad technique? Anything that does not get you the HIGH SCORES. If you have a crap delivery, but your average is 230! BE HAPPY!

I am not sure there is any absolute correct way to get you to that 220 level, I have seen in my short time bowling MANY different ways those bowlers deliver the ball, the one thing they have in common is their high averages!

But week after week if your not improving and getting the big numbers, you need to step back and Punt, so to speak!!

Seek help!

If coaching and practice doesn't help......... just remember, ICEGOD SITLL LOVES YOU!!!

[Aslan]

Me or Bowl1820 REALLY need to get posting…this IceGod is even worse than ICEman!!

[MICHAEL]

Me or Bowl1820 REALLY need to get posting…this IceGod is even worse than ICEman!!

Worse??? LOL,,, worse then what?? Who is Iceman??

Every opinion is just that, not a rule of law, or fact! Many different views on just about anything a mere mortal can imagine, working out, health care, food, drink,,, you name it!

I have my opinions, about practice, and it works for me. I am just a simple Bowling God! And on the list of who's who, in the heavens, bowing gods are ranked pretty low, just above Horse Shoe Throwing, and tiddlywinks gods!

I will not ridicule your proven method of bowing high scores, please don't attack ICEGOD!