Practising with social bowlers either side of you, do u perform to your ability, or stink?

[looseleftie]

Bowled tonight, thought I might have a few games before my league starts again. Well, bowled pretty ordinary, well really if truth be known sucked big time.. Why is that?? After my third game, both groups either side of my lane left, and would u believe it, bowled a 200 plus game.. Driving home I thought about bowling,life , the universe etc... anyway came to the conclusion that I lacked the focus when not in league, but the main thing is that I felt a little rushed at times. Not wanting someone to come up on the lanes, therefore rushing a bit.. I have also noticed that when bowling on my own, I get tired and hot way too soon, and find that I end up bowling at quite a quick rate..

Question : How do other bowlers handle this??

Firstly, bowling amongst social bowlers on lanes to your left and right.
Seondary, bowling on your own..

Love your thoughts on this.
See ya Looseleftie

[CharlieBrown]

quote: Firstly, bowling amongst social bowlers on lanes to your left and right.

This doesn't really bother me, esp there are nice ladies either side!!!  

quote: Seondary, bowling on your own.

This is much more difficult in my case, as I seem not to be able to focus, and most of the time endding up 'going through motion', wasting my time/money/energy.

I like having a 'practice partner', but I don't like talking much when I'm practicing, so unless my practice partner is a serious bowler, he/she may find it quite boring bowling with me.  Because I'm such a nice guy    I feel bad, and endding up chatting and joking with them, and as a result wasting my time/energy/money.  Catch 22, back to squre one, can't win either way.



Excuse no.3573  I guess that's why I'm still an avg 180 bowler.  
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It is what it is.

The strike in the fourth frame is just as important as the one in the tenth.

Vice President of the I-Hate-Lefties-Club (Founded by Del Ballard Jr.)

Definition of ‘Bowling ball junkie’: Low average, but own loads of balls. That’s me!

[dizzyfugu]

Well, if you go for a traing in the evening hours you should expect busy lanes next to you, and that NOBODY cares for your concentration. Worst thing I ever had were small children running onto my approach - while I was starting my move! Thank god, nobody was hurt.

I am very tolerant towards social bowlers, because they just want to have a good time. But if things are getting too rough, out of hand or loud, I tell them to respect other bowlers and what they are doing, politely. This normally helps, especiall when you wave around with a wrist support
When In need more concentration, I try to go to the lanes early on weekends (lanes are fresh, too!).

Or, on the other hand, I sometimes seek out evening sessions to test my concentration and ability to belnd out distractions. "Worst" thing I ever encountered was moonlight bowling... without moonlight! No light, except for the pit and in the approach background, moderately loud music and friday night party folk all around. Well, I almost made a clear game (only spares, though) without seeing any target arrow.

It is not the circumstances you bowl, but the mindset that makes you perform differently.

About playing single: I tend to speed up when playing alone, too, but it has good sides. I get into the "flow" of routine, and it is easier for me to adapt to mistakes, because the feeling for ball and lane reaction are far better than even when I do training together with my friend(s). But this, on the other side, is more "realistic", because on tournaments you will always have some commotion, delays and movement due to switching lanes.

It is interesting that you lack concentration while not in league play?
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[looseleftie]

Thank you firstly for all replies.
Went bowling today, bowled 6 games, last game was a bit rough, ripped open 3rd finger, pain, blood, no excuses, also really tired as well. Haven't bowled 6 in a row for some time now.

Anyway the point or perhaps question with my post is this...

When I'm bowling well I feel awake,aroused, calm and confident. Its almost effortless, it feels as if I'm in another state of mind, call it what u will, the "zone", or "nexus" if u are a trekkie, whatever. The point being, is that I seem to get short bursts of this when I practice on non league nights, yet when in league, these bursts can last considerably longer.. Do we bowl better when in league because of the competition???  Also the rate of which we bowl when bowling alone, it just seems relentless.. My mistake on frame 3 seems compounded and repeated on frame 4... Frustrating... Yet put a double strike together and all of a sudden I feel right back there.. Mindset, man it messes with u at times..

Dizzy, u questioned re my lack of concentration in league. It is a problem, its like if nothing is on the line, then I'll take the foot off sub-consciously. Also, perhaps my temprament has a bearing on this. I am relatively emotional on the lanes, I get myself pumped at times, slapping my thigh or even clenching my fist, nothing aggresive or ugly, but that is how I behave, with always humility and good sportsmanship on and off the lanes. When I'm pumped up, I bowl more consistantly... I think I need to adjust my up and downs during practise, as my downs are too down, they create more problems..

Two things I WILL do in 2005, is 1) join another league
                                 2) get some coaching

I would love to read more posters thoughts on this, perhaps this topic may have been posted on the misc forum, but seing as how I'm around 165-175 av, and most posters here are well above thaT i thought it would be better suited in the beginners.

This could just as easily bring up another topic of what is a beginner bowler, what is an intermediate, and finally what is an above average bowler?

Help me find some focus. My sanity needs it.
See ya Looseleftie

[dizzyfugu]

Hmmm, guess you need adrenaline to "work", eh? This shouldn't pose a problem, but stay relaxed. For me it took some time to fight tournament anxiety (I am quite new to bowling...), but I got myself mentally so far that I can relax and "pretend" that each shot I make is the same as in training. Brought me a nice 229:203 duel win in a recent local "player of the month" tourny - a clean game! Before that I had some serious concentration problems in tournament situations.

I guess it is much about mindset and perspective in the first place, and physical adeptness. I tend to speed up playing when I am on my own, too, and I can feel, even when I am still concentrated and "in the zone", that a lack of physical fitness will hamper my game beyond control. That's something I will also have to work on.
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[mycroft009]

I tend to bowl either very well by myself or very poorly.  However I start out is how i'm set.  When bowling in a league or tournament you get a little more time to think about your shot.  When your bowling by yourself you feel silly sometimes just sitting there doing nothing.  Also when your bowling league you can watch other people and get ideas.  Like seeing what line the guy who has the first 9 is throwing. Or you can ask other bowlers what your doing wrong. Its just very differnt.  I try when I practice to not have the score on either.  Prepay for like 3 games and never put your name in.  The machin shuts off when your done.  When practicing yourworking on form not on score.  If you throw 245 in practice with 7 brooklins you really havn't acomplished much.  In league you can shrug it off as luck but in practie you would of been better off leaving something so as to get spare practice.

[munk]

A friend and I coach kids and we will bowl each other after the league is finished. When we bowl each other it is like a Texas death match. We always request a pair in the middle of all the social bowlers. They'll walk up on you and drop their ball behind you and all that good stuff. Since we have done this our mental game has improved greatly. If those people are going make jerks of themselves, use it to improve your game.

[dizzyfugu]

Yup, it can be great to have na audience while playing/practicing, and it should be enjoyed. Strike it, like it!
Makes a big commotion around here among kiddies or social bowlers when you burn up something 200+ on the lane next to them. Da respek!
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[dizzyfugu]

Yup, it can be great to have na audience while playing/practicing, and it should be enjoyed. Strike it, like it!
Makes a big commotion around here among kiddies or social bowlers when you burn up something 200+ on the lane next to them. Da respek!
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[dizzyfugu]

Yup, it can be great to have na audience while playing/practicing, and it should be enjoyed. Strike it, like it!
Makes a big commotion around here among kiddies or social bowlers when you burn up something 200+ on the lane next to them. Da respek!
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[dizzyfugu]

Uh, sorry. Technical problems...
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe

[bts69]

Well here is my 2 cents on the matter,

First I don't mind bowling next to social bowlers.  As stated above many times, it actually improves my mental concentration.  Once I am on the approach, I virtually block everything else out.  A person could keel over next me with a heart attack and I won't notice. Most people are quite curious at the number of balls I bring to a practice session.  And yes, as stated above, you do get quite an audience once in awhile when you have a bunch of kids or teenagers next you when you bowl a 200+ game.  I even had a child asked me if I was a Pro Bowler because I bowled a 200+ game.  I smiled politely and said no, I still have very long way to go.  I also get a kick out of the studd high school wrestler or football players who are trying to show off in front of their girlfriends.  I laugh quitely to myself when they heave the ball down the alley at like 20mph and wonder why they get a split when they hit the head pin.  Then they stare at you in amazement as I quietly hit strike after strike with my lower rev style.  Seriously, I don't mind bowling next to social bowlers. Besides increasing my mental game, you never know when you might convince someone to join a league or help a younster when their parents don't have a clue.

As far a practice speed, I do both.  Fast paced for those tournaments where thre are only 3 or 4 to a pair and slow paced sessions.  I usually try to bowl any where from 5-7 games in a practice session.  Not only does this increase my endurance, but at times, I see the lane to start to break down, therefore I practice with various lines.

Finally, about midnight bowling, cosmic bowling, rock in bowl, or whatever your house calls it.  I like it sometimes.  I actually won a $100 pot game bowling with the lights out with a 240.  Sort of reminds me of the "Caddyshack" scene where the kid practices his golf swing with a blindfold.  I find I am really concentrating on my mechanics without having to worry about my mark or score.  Sometimes, I can practice looking down at the pins and area bowling instead of my mark at the arrows.  Therefore it keeps my head up and I followthrough much better.  Again, I have bowled some very good scores when the lights go off.  Sort of like "The Force" in Star Wars.  Again this is just my perception and opinion.  Hope this helps!

Cheers!  
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Brian
Altoona, PA

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"I believe in the strike. The spare. The Turkey. Playing the gutter. I believe that the 7-10 split is a message from God. I believe hard work is a better investmant than luck. And that 300 is a reward rather than an achievement. I believe that bowling should be an Olympic sport. AND I believe if your're going to bowl, BOWL TO WIN." -Ebonite ad. (sorry Track folks, love this quote)

Edited on 1/25/2005 11:26 PM

[Rev_O]

Luckily for me, I can practice whenever I wish, since I have a key to the bowling center. I will usually go there to practice when nobody is around, just so that I can really concentrate on what I'm there to work on!!
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Rev-O


Track International Amateur Staff Member
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[looseleftie]

Went bowling a couple of times over the last few days. Both occasions were during open play. Kids either side of me, pumping music, u know the scene!
Bowled OK for where I am at in relation to my average and progression as a bowler. The thing I noticed was I slowed right down, let others bowl in front of me all the time. This helped greatly, did not feel rushed or allowed my mind to wander. There were a few times when my concentration went as a result of kids stepping up when I was on the approach, I do see to take some time preparing myself for each shot. Not overly long but still. Maybe thats my fault?

Dizzy and bts69, you guys are right, u do get a bit of an audience from time to time. Its pretty funny really, I have had a comment about a year ago, when this teenage boy and his buddies were just getting onto the lane opposite mine, and I overheard him say that "Great, they put us next to a professional"..LMAO, if he only knew.

But on the good side of the coin, there have been one or two occasions when someone asked for help with something, whether it be getting the scoring going, or keeping the ball on the lanes more consistancy (nothing like describing PAP, extension, positive Versus negative side weight), just really basic, basic questions.... Its a nice feeling, helping someone!!

Take care
Looseleftie

[dizzyfugu]

Yeah, it's nice to make an impression in the house (and especially "if they would REALLY know..."!), and to help others. But only when they ask for it. I know my game well and basics by the book, so that I can give advice concerning holding the ball, approach and some timing. But nothing more.
Funniest thing I encountered was a lane technician (!) asking why the balls would make a curve, and what the difference between house balls and "other" equipment might be? Hmmm, made me wonder a little bit?

And, as you mentioned, you can halfways adapt to lane traffic left and right to you. In the worst case you have screaming kids on both sides of you, but telling them something about lane courtesy is, by my experience, not a problem.

My personal problem is with this, that I need quite a long time for my approach, concetrating on my target, taking deep breaths for relaxation and the starting my rather slow approach. During the time I need, even when I have free lanes, one or two neighboring social bowlres have made their move and dance at the foul line. But I learned to blend this out over time.
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DizzyFugu --- Reporting from Germany

"All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream..." - Edgar Allen Poe