It was "just" practice (although it's never JUST practice to me) and I didn't feel nervous or tense, but I was anxious to get it over with. The previous 11 shots had all been solid and well thrown.  Even 2 Brooklyn's that were technically off the mark but delivered with the same smooth (for me) delivery as the others at just the right speed and angle. 

 

Had been here before too.  A total of 4 times.   But the previous 4 times I had been nervous and anxious and didn't throw the ball quite as hard cause I was trying to counter my tendency to throw too hard when I'm excited. No... this time I was cool as a cucumber.  Even considered sitting down for awhile or walking around and chatting with people. Anything that would be different from the first 4 times.

 

But I wasn't worried. I would just pick up the ball and throw it soon as I could before I forgot how to duplicate the exact delivery I had executed 11 times in succession.  So I picked up the ball and calmly got ready to throw and then ----there it was again.  The voice in my head!

 

It said to be sire to throw the ball hard enough (unlike the last 4 times) to compensate for the likelihood that I might not throw it hard enough. And then the other voice said that was hogwash, and that I shouldn't change anything and shouldn't be listening to the first voice or even the second one.  And I threw the ball and it was a relatively clean delivery and release, but because I had been thinking was just a hair slower then the previous balls (about 17.5 or so compared to the relatively high 18.3 for this mid fifties guy who still relies more on power than rotation), it started it's movement just about 2 seconds too soon, and ended up on the Brooklyn side. but this wasn't the hard type that would bury all 10 pins or the super light kind that would mix them into submission. This was just plain old stupid [choke!] of a Brooklyn, and the end result was another 298.   Have now thrown 4 of those and a 299 in the last 3 years.

 

And although this was my first time over 290 in 18 months and I should be happy about that in some way. right now I just see it as the 5th time I have messed up the 12th shot.

 

I wish I HAD been nervous, but I wasn't.  And I could have thrown a ball that I felt was a good shot and still gotten a 298 if 2 pins remained standing, but I KNOW (just like on the other 290 games) that the 12th shot was a stinker.  Not a horrible one, but it was not just bad luck. It was a choke.

 

Only it wasn't a choke from nerves. It was a choke of stupidity from thinking too much about the 12th shot. How does one stop themselves from doing that?  Maybe next time I should stop and go to the bar and order a drink or something?

 

Ugh !!!!!!!

 

Edited by Neptune66 on 1/14/2012 at 4:49 PM

 

Edited by Neptune66 on 1/14/2012 at 4:52 PM

QUIT KEEPING SCORE WHILE PRACTICING!!!!!  By just working on all the right things in practice, you shold be in a zone where you are just thinking about the ball you are rolling now, not what's at stake, score wise or money wise.  There are no pressure situations when up on the approach when you are approaching the game shot by shot.  This is the problem. 

 

BTW, two Brooklyn strikes that you threw well?  Really?  No such thing.  

Only it wasn't a choke from nerves. It was a choke  of stupidity from thinking too much about the 12th shot. How does one  stop themselves from doing that?  Maybe next time I should stop and go  to the bar and order a drink or something?

 

    You can do a few things different, unlike other I like that you practice and put pressure on yourself, it can make a difference. Anyway, you can try to distract yourself, as long as you can do it comfortably or even allow yourself to di it. You also need to stay focused on the positive, do not let the thoughts of brooklyns or leaving back row pins creep in. You can also use simple words or phrases to keep you in the moment, but the one I like the most is Do not focus on the mechanics, focus on the outcome.

  

As others have said, make sure you develop a pre-shot routine that includes a couple of deep breaths and focusing your thoughts on one positive thing (whatever is pertinant to your game at that time).

 

The next time you hear those voices in your head that you don't want to hear, better to back off the approach and work that out first.

 

One thing I remember reading many years ago in a book on the mental game, the subconscience mind does not recognize the word 'not'.  So if you are thinking 'Do not pull the ball', it hears only 'Pull the ball', and you will probably do that.  How many times do you think 'Oh, I better not miss this ten pin' and then you do?  Better to think a positive outcome like 'Hit the target' or 'Stay down at the foul line', than 'Don't miss the target' or 'Don't jerk up at the foul line'.

 

 

Thank you MI 2 AZ. 

 

I was typing a reply and just now saw yours.  You described exactly what happened.

 

I was telling myself not to ease up in the shot (like I did the other 4 times) and that in itself is not bad, but just as you pointed out, my subconcious did not hear the "not".

 

So next time ---if I can't stop talking to myself--- I at least need to change the instruction to "be sure to keep the speed up on the ball", or "be sure to throw the ball far enough out  and let it come back".

 

Cause it's mainly been a softer shot (the 12th one) each time).  I was trying to be careful. And I wasn't careful on the first 11. But even there... I can't say to myself "don't be too careful". It would need to be something like "let er rip" or "keep doing what you've been doing".

 

By the way... i don't remember where I saw it, but I do remember reading something very similar to what you posted.  Unfortunately it was a long time ago and I didn't remember it yesterday.

 

 

The mind works in strange ways, I find that the best thing to do is get my mind completely off bowling in stress situations.  While you get set up, let your mind wander to a golf game (or something else you can use to stay distracted).  Then, right before you take your first step move your concentration to rolling the ball over your target.  --  JohnP

All this during a practice session?  You actually notice "spectators" during practice sessions?  You actually think you have "spectators" during your practice sessions.  Too much junk going your head at your practice sessions.   Too much worrying about score during your practice session.  Why even call it practice.  You're just bowling for score during open bowling. 

like earl anthony said. the elventh shot is the one to worry over. once you have it, the 12th one is like no other frame.