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Author Topic: Crybaby or Competitor?  (Read 4053 times)

Rodimus

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Crybaby or Competitor?
« on: April 28, 2003, 05:34:47 PM »
My bowling teacher has paired us off into teams and has us bowling an in-class "mini-league."

One of the teams that we bowl against has a guy that is notorious for 1) getting up onto the approach while I'm set and about to push away and 2) sliding well over the foul line (we're talking three to five inches or so here). Apparently none of the foul line buzzers are on or working, and I told my teammates that we should call him on it but they blew it off.

My question is this: should I bring this to the attention of my teacher? I don't want to be a "tattle tale," but I'm an EXTREMELY competitive person by nature and even though we barely outbowled them I find it unfair that they're ahead of other teams in the standings when half of this guy's shots shouldn't count.

 

Rodimus

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Re: Crybaby or Competitor?
« Reply #1 on: April 29, 2003, 09:28:47 AM »
Thanks, 'Bones.  I think I'll try that next class.  The bigger problem is that even when the lights were on/working, this guy - in fact most people - ignored it and just counted their scores.  They have that "It's just a game, who cares?" attitude whereas I get caught up in level playing fields and winning.

Kevin

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Re: Crybaby or Competitor?
« Reply #2 on: April 29, 2003, 02:49:48 PM »
Being a Bowling Class, You should focus more on improving and not so much on winning.

Trust me, know one cares who the 2003 spring bowling class champions are, nor will they ever.
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Winning and Losing are both very temporary things. Having done one or the other, we move on. Gloating over Victory or Sulking in Defeat is a good way to Stand Still.

ambi1

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Re: Crybaby or Competitor?
« Reply #3 on: April 29, 2003, 11:19:30 PM »
Rodimus - as I replied to in your other post, I would be more concerned with him tracking oil on the approach and causing accidents.  Perhaps that would be a more valid and less controversial reason to approach your teacher..?
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What do you mean "its illegal to use my bowling ball for duckpins"?  Heck, there goes the 900 series

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Jerry Weller

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Re: Crybaby or Competitor?
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2003, 04:52:58 AM »
1) Rodimus, you may have heard people talking here about the mental game? Well it's time to start developing one along with everything else. Good bowlers don't pay that much attention to what the opponent is doing. They focus on what THEY are doing.

If the other guy stepping on the approach bothers you, let him bowl first then bowl while he's watching the ball or while he's waiting for it to come back whichever works out the best. Don't tell him why you are letting him go first, just smile and say "after you" and wait no matter what he says.

2)   While your opponent is technically cheating in stepping over the foul line, in reality he's still throwing the ball 60 feet. The 5 inches he's shortening things really IS NOT going to give him any appreciable advantage EXCEPT for the distraction and anger that it creates in you.

The same with his silly little game while you are on the approach. He knows he's psyching you out and that's why he does it, but take comfort because it also says something about him: he doesn't have the confidence that he's good enough to beat you without resorting to cheating and head games. That should make you feel confident in your abilities if you will get your conscious mind out of the way and just let them come out.

Quiet confidence is a very intimidating to your opponent by the way. If he does something good, be polite and congratulatory, but never act concerned or worried about it, but rather with the inner confidence that it's merely a matter of time till you put the game out of reach.
 
3) Unless the guy actually is getting oil all over the approach, (and given he hasn't fallen yet there probably isn't much lane oil out there) stop worrying about whether he fouls and instead close your eyes and start trying to visualize yourself throwing a great shot on your next shot.

It's a much more positive use of your mental energy and you will at least be able to enjoy your bowling more if you aren't stewing over his antics. You may even find you throw the ball better when you rehearse the delivery in your mind before you throw it. Try to see yourself flowing smoothly to the line, feel the free swing of the ball. See the ball roll right over your mark and into the pocket and watch all 10 pins fly into the pit.

Another advantage of visualization is you won't be stewing over the "lucky" shots that your opponent gets away with.