OK When I watch bowling on TV it seems like bowlers are always talking to themselves. Like a mantra or a funny superstitious thing they do when they set up. Just wondering what everyone says to themselves or what superstitions you have. Maybe something someone else does could help others. Just a thought.

Anyway, I always blow into the thumb hole before each shot, don't even know why I do it. I guess it's just habit. I also say lets go Carl(that would be my name)
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C-Mac

ask someone before they bowl if they inhale or exhale when they are at the release point.


it'll mess up their preshot routine something fierce usually

i dont talk to myself unless i throw a bad shot. i do think long arm and open up my hips to feed the ball out, but i dont say it.
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I finally figured out how to score well on a wall. Heres what you do. Get lined up in practice and then just miss on purpose. Yes miss whatever line you found in practice, if playing 15, hit 14, or 13, or 16. Whatever you do, don't hit 15.

I talk to myself and play songs like "money fer nothin" or I just say come on you idio don't mess up.
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well if you leave a 5 pin it's a strike in germany

I dont necesarily talk to myself, but I definitely talk to the pins and the lanes, as if they are somebody, and "punk" them, after throwing a great shot. That always happens when I am intense and need a strike.

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From the 909, this was B-Car.

I usually have a word or two with myself before I even pick up my ball.
Then I go over what I want the ball to do, like go over my mark etc. Its very fast so no waiting to prolong the time I hold the ball.
HOWEVER and this is what is really killing my game at the moment.
Im standing over a spare doesnt matter what it is it can be a 10 pin or 5 pin or even 7 pin and something like "youre goin to miss this arnt you " just pops in my head. Now no matter what I do, I almost always miss it.
I can put the ball down, I can just go for it, but I still miss it.
I can be bowling great shooting 120 in the 5th and it still happens.
It can also happen on a strike only not so often.
Man my game is fantastic at the moment. My coach has got bowling so well. Solid at the line coming through the ball great etc but this is totally ruining all of that good work.
They say its a 90% mental game, well I can definatly agree with that.
This game drives you NUTS.
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Happy go lucky bowler from the UK.
   Did someone say tough luck

I coach my self while I bowl and sometimes talk to myself softly.  I also play the song "majic stick" in my head.  I dont know why but it is working this year.

Greatness

Only when I'm awake.
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"I don't mind if you don't like my manners. I don't like them myself. They're pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings."