Mental pre-shot routine

[Motiv Girl]

One

Ever choke on an important shot that you really need to make? You are not alone, everyone does!

But you can do it far less if you take the time to learn and use a Mental Pre-Shot Routine that compliments your physical routine.

Then make a point to use your mental pre-shot routine in your practice and it will empower you to treat every shot the same in competition, whether it is the first shot of friendly practice, or the last shot to win the U.S. Open!

Two

Make the 1st Step of Your Mental Pre-Shot Routine a "Full Commitment" to Your Shot.

Do a quick mental check of your last competitive game and make a fast estimate of how many shots you threw with a little doubt or uncertainty swirling in your head while you were trying to throw the shot.

If you had ANY, you can improve your scoring by simply making sure you are fully COMMITTED to each shot.If you lose that commitment l, don't be embarrassed to back off the shot and re-commit.

"You play better committed to the wrong shot than not committed to the right shot".


Three

Between Shots, "Be Yourself!"

Would any of your bowling partners say your personality changes when you are not playing well, or that you are more fun to play with when you are playing well? Your goal should be to be the same regardless of your score.

Not sure what "being yourself" is?

To answer that you might need only to reflect on some of your best series to decide what is being yourself between shots. Between shots were you...

* quiet and peacefully reflective or observant of nature and activity around you
* occasionally engaging in small talk with your playing partners
* entertaining your group with jokes and stories
* humming or peacefully lost in your own pleasant thoughts

Then be determined to reflect that personality between shots regardless of how you are playing.

Easy? No. But if you can do it you will be pleasantly rewarded for your efforts with better scores!


Four

JUDGE THE PROCESS, not the outcome.

Do you fear certain shots or react strongly to bad ones?

Your game will get easier--and better--when you choose to judge your mental routine, or the "process" that you used to create the shot or rather than judge your play by the outcome of that shot.

Why is this so powerful?

Many reasons. One of which is that you are now using your focus and energy more productively on things that can improve rather than take away from your play!

Five

SET A MENTAL GOAL for every competition.

Is score always in the forefront of your thoughts when you play?

Do you ever find yourself losing interest or even giving up when you feel you are not scoring well?

You will be amazed at how much better you score when you replace a "score" goal with a "mental" goal.

What exactly is a mental goal?

Before you start, for example, make up your mind that your goal for the day is to have a good mental routine for at least 75 percent of your shots.

Then during the competition, keep your own "score" by rating your routine after every shot, being determined to make this score more important than your scores. If you can stay with your mental goal you will be amazed at how much easier the game can get.

[The Mayor]

Really good article! Thanks Motiv Girl! Everyone can benefit from taking the advise stated here. Being consistent in every part of your game is so imperative. Try it out and you'll see the difference!

[StormGirl]

this is a great write up. most people, including me sometimes tend to forget even the simple things like these. this will be a great reminder for all.

[mojojojo]

hmmm this is interesting, ill try it out on tonights practice and see how it works out for the game on the day after tomorrow! I am a completely different person when im doing bad so i hope this helps me.

[HunterRunsIt]

Good Article it really helps. I tend to be a tad bit irrated when im leaving ten pins on crushing pocket shots. Ill keep a postive attidude and see if I bowl more consistently and hit my mark.

[T-road2011]

Thank you very much for this article, I will try to follow your advice and should have a
mental goal for me to attain higher scores.