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Author Topic: How to calm nerves  (Read 7499 times)

cav

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How to calm nerves
« on: April 05, 2013, 09:49:57 PM »
Some of us have never bowled a 300, but have come close.  Twice in the past few months I hit the first 10 and with much of the house watching, I pulled the ball and blew it in the 10th?  Any advice?   I was very nervous both times......

Cav

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northface28

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #1 on: April 05, 2013, 10:10:27 PM »
Breathe.
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bhsbigcountry

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2013, 10:39:03 PM »
take a deep breath and just focus on the shot the same way you did after the first 10 or 11. Its the same shot. your just trying to knock down 10 pins the same way you have from the start of the game.

This may seem weird I learned it working with Dr. Dean Hinitz (who works with team usa) but it helps me in any situation calm my nerves. I take a full deep breath. hold it in then without exhaling and take another breathe in on top of my last breathe. I know it may seem weird but its a calming technique that does work.

hhhbs1

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #3 on: April 05, 2013, 10:39:49 PM »
Breathing is really big thing. Also I find the more times I get in those situations (bowling 300 or 800) the lower the nerves are.

Metal_rules

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2013, 08:25:15 AM »
What I try to do on every shot weather I am on a string or not is too just focus on repeating my shot. I usually say in my head, just relax and follow through, and let the ball do the work.
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bowlallthetime

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2013, 10:35:47 AM »
Just do what Chris Barnes did a few years ago...don't settle your nerves, be super nervous, yank a shot and win 200k. 

but seriously, don't let negative thoughts creep into your head.  Instead of thinking of how you choked last time, think about the 10 good shots you just threw.  There was a point where I would have the front 9 and start thinking "what if I get the next 2 but throw a 6 count on my final ball...that would be so embarrassing".  Now I just think about making a good shot and rolling the ball.

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2013, 01:05:08 PM »

Breathe, and don't worry about carry. Just hit your target.

Too many people create extra stress, by worrying about the "what if it doesn't carry" shot that hasn't even happened yet.


lifted rillo

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2013, 01:19:31 PM »
Don't think. Just throw your shot, hit your mark, and enjoy the GAME.

My first 300 and 700 came in the same night. I needed a 205. I didn't even look at the scoreboard until after the third game was over. Saw I shot 245 for a 740 on the night. Worry about the current shot, not the one at the end.

Yes, I was juiced from the 300 I shot in the 2nd game, but I was just as excited for my 700 that I finally hit.

Had the chance to do it last Sunday, but I pulled the hell out of the ball in the 10th. I needed one strike, and the thing hung up on my thumb. I got too worried about that shot and shooting my first 700 of the season that I forgot to put powder on my thumb so I DIDN'T hang in the ball. If I would've just kept my same routing, I would've been just fine. Oh well, stuff happens.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2013, 01:23:32 PM by lifted rillo »

glssmn2001

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2013, 02:33:12 PM »
Go to the bar and do a shot

Gizmo823

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2013, 02:50:34 PM »
Honestly, a lot of it is experience too.  You may just have to "blow it" a couple times before you settle down.  Don't give yourself time to think about it, but don't rush it either.  A lot of times people will take extra time to "think" about it, but that messes up your rhythm.  It's easy to say don't be nervous or do this or do that, but if you've been thinking about making shots all game then have nothing but 300 on your mind the last couple shots, then you aren't thinking about your shot.  Here's an idea though, go out and practice.  Fill in the first 11 shots with strikes, and act like every shot you throw is for 300.  Yeah, it won't feel the same, but you should get the concept, or at the very least be used to seeing 10 or 11 in a row up on the monitor. 
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chrisleftwich

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2013, 09:47:20 AM »
Keep the same pre shot routine which should help you settle down before throwing the ball. 
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Impending Doom

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2013, 10:27:34 AM »
Having not ever thrown an honor score in league, here is what I do when I need something at all.

I shut my brain off. Breathe, and go do the job. You're a teacher, yes? You're intelligent, yes?

That gets in the way. You start thinking "3 more" or "Don't pull it" or "I gotta have it" or "I want it" or you start second guessing your ball reaction. Don't linger too long. Do exactly what it is you've been doing the last nine shots.

spmcgivern

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #12 on: April 08, 2013, 12:48:44 PM »
It is difficult to change the result by just experiencing it more often or by one magic thought or action.  To make lasting changes in your game to help perform during stressful situations, you need to develop the right mindset for every shot.  Not just the stressful ones. 

Develop an effective per-shot routine.  Not just what you do when you get to the lane.  But also what you do when you finish a frame.  For instance,

1.  After you finish a frame, take a second to evaluate what happened compared to expectations.  Not in score, but in approach, release and ball reaction.  You can throw the ball great, hit your mark and get a bad result.  Don't let those moments ruin you.  Use the information from that frame to help you decide what to do on that lane next time.

2.  Relax and unwind.  Take a moment to distract yourself from bowling.  Talk with teammates about new equipment, other sports, the attractiveness of (or lack of) the bartender.  If you think bowling 100% of the time, mental strain will creep in and lack of focus will result.

3.  Before your next turn, take a moment to re-enforce your decision on the next shot.  This is your chance to convince yourself the shot you have chosen for the next shot is the best shot.  Don't let negativity get in your head.  Based on your personal experiences and what is happening that night, your next shot IS THE BEST SHOT FOR YOU.

4.  Develop pre-shot routine.  This is important so you can have a consistent physical approach to the game.  Whatever it is, do it every time.  This is the most personal thing and can even include idiotic stuff, but it is yours.  Keep it the same for spare shots also.

5.  Execute the physical aspect of your chosen shot to the best of your abilities.  Once the ball has left your hand, you have no control over it.  If you strike, great, react to the great shot.  If you have a bad result, that's fine, react to that and move on.  Learn from the shot and start over at number 1.

I know this was long winded, but once you remove the results from the game and focus on the process, you will become more consistent and more even-keeled.  Concentrate on the parts of the game you have control over and don't worry about the parts you don't. 

bradl

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #13 on: April 08, 2013, 01:32:43 PM »
It is difficult to change the result by just experiencing it more often or by one magic thought or action.  To make lasting changes in your game to help perform during stressful situations, you need to develop the right mindset for every shot.  Not just the stressful ones. 

Develop an effective per-shot routine.  Not just what you do when you get to the lane.  But also what you do when you finish a frame.  For instance,

1.  After you finish a frame, take a second to evaluate what happened compared to expectations.  Not in score, but in approach, release and ball reaction.  You can throw the ball great, hit your mark and get a bad result.  Don't let those moments ruin you.  Use the information from that frame to help you decide what to do on that lane next time.

2.  Relax and unwind.  Take a moment to distract yourself from bowling.  Talk with teammates about new equipment, other sports, the attractiveness of (or lack of) the bartender.  If you think bowling 100% of the time, mental strain will creep in and lack of focus will result.

3.  Before your next turn, take a moment to re-enforce your decision on the next shot.  This is your chance to convince yourself the shot you have chosen for the next shot is the best shot.  Don't let negativity get in your head.  Based on your personal experiences and what is happening that night, your next shot IS THE BEST SHOT FOR YOU.


4.  Develop pre-shot routine.  This is important so you can have a consistent physical approach to the game.  Whatever it is, do it every time.  This is the most personal thing and can even include idiotic stuff, but it is yours.  Keep it the same for spare shots also.

5.  Execute the physical aspect of your chosen shot to the best of your abilities.  Once the ball has left your hand, you have no control over it.  If you strike, great, react to the great shot.  If you have a bad result, that's fine, react to that and move on.  Learn from the shot and start over at number 1.

I know this was long winded, but once you remove the results from the game and focus on the process, you will become more consistent and more even-keeled.  Concentrate on the parts of the game you have control over and don't worry about the parts you don't.

Bold for emphasis, and I could not stress the underlined enough.

Keep in mind this. While everyone else may be so excited and amped up to see the 12th shot, you are in no obligation to hurry yourself up to please them. Take as much time as you need, especially when you need to invoke calm. You aren't bound by a shot clock, like the PBA is.

My first 300 came when I didn't realize I had the first 9 in a row. But what I did know was that a tornado was coming.. literally. Sunny day outside, people were outside playing sand volleyball, but inside, they had the TV on a football game, but kept getting preempted by the weatherman talking about a Tornado Watch being issued. I took my mind off bowling by watching that and seeing where it was. That went on for a minute before I threw my 10th. Then I went back to looking at the the weather.

Wash/rinse/repeat for the 11th, then finally, the 12th. Each time I got back to the approach, it was as if I didn't even know what the situation was. Went through the my pre-shot routine (as mentioned above), and threw the 12th as pure as I did the first.

In Omaha during the 90s, the PBA tour wasn't as prominent (only a regional tournament during the summer), but the Women's tour was always there. In my time watching them, I noticed so many CD and tape players with headphones, books, etc.. anything to take them out of the stress of the next shot so they could perform as if it were the first shot in league or one with the least amount of pressure.

If you could get into that mindset, and you'll be the most relaxed you could be, and perform the best that you could. And finally, commit yourself to that shot. Throw it like you mean it. You didn't have any problems with the 3rd or 4th shot; if you're relax and convicted in the move and shot you're about to make, it should feel no different than that 3rd or 4th shot. Throw it like one of those, and you've done your best. That is all you could ever ask for, let alone what anyone else could ask of you.

BL.

trash heap

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Re: How to calm nerves
« Reply #14 on: April 08, 2013, 02:20:55 PM »
Simple! Adjust your 11th and 12th shots. If you know you are going to pull the ball then line those shots up to your "I'm nervous, I know I am going to pull this shot" line.  :)

Don't do that. Good advice from many above.
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