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Author Topic: When do you move up?  (Read 880 times)

Pinbuster

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When do you move up?
« on: November 12, 2007, 01:17:00 AM »
When should someone move up to the next level of competition? When should they decide they don’t belong there?

Many critics of Michelle Wie feel she should have stayed in the Junior ranks and learned to win on a regular basis and then move up the competition ladder.

Once you become competitive with the best in a handicap league should you move to scratch? Or should you win on a consistent basis first?

By win I don’t mean winning some match points in the league. I’m talking about be one of the top 5 bowlers in league. By winning 70+% of your match points.

Do you learn faster by competing against the very best even though you might get your head handed to you for several years?

My classic scratch league has had a lot of teams that dominate in handicap leagues come in, get beat up for a year, and then return to their handicap leagues.

We also have a team in the league for over 5 years of good handicap league bowlers that end up in last place every year. What are they learning?

I give them kudos for trying but when do you decide it is futile? I’m not one much for banging my head against a wall.
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NicholasE

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Re: When do you move up?
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2007, 09:40:19 AM »
I think it just depends, some would not make it if they did not have handicap. In the leagues I've bowled in with handicap our team would get demolished because of the other teams handicap, most of the time we started anywhere between 100-250 pins behind and our luck the team with that high handicap desides to have the best night of their lifes. I've always hated handicap but I dont know if I could make it in scratch, I've won scratch tournaments but league would be different. I only have about a 10 pins of handicap but that does make a difference. I think you know you need to move out of a handicap league when your average is about a 200 and you no longer benefit bowling in a handicap league. You may not win all the time but at least you don't just get killed by teams with high handicaps. BTW I havn't bowled in leauge in about a year and have improved greatly so I think I could be in the 200 avg now if I really tried.
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Edited on 11/12/2007 10:40 AM
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AngloBowler

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Re: When do you move up?
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2007, 01:41:45 PM »
I think as a rule, if you move up a level in terms of competition, you have to give yourself 3-4 seasons before you assess whether you belong at that level.

As for when do you make the move... When you think you're ready. It's hard to judge yourself against unknown competition, unless their bowling on the same pattern as you. If this is the case, then I would suggest looking at all the averages at the level you want to get to, if you're mid-table then you can compete, it might take some time to adjust but you'll never be out of your depth. If the lanes are much harder, then I would still use that as the benchmark, but allow yourself to lose, so you can build up experience.
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Fluff E Bunnie

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Re: When do you move up?
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2007, 01:57:00 PM »
quote:

I think moving up early is a great decision only if the bowler can mentally handle it.  When this type of decision takes place, the bowler has to be willing to take a step or two back to get ahead.


I agree with this comment.  You have to be 100% dedicated to the switch and I think you can only get better after moving up.  In terms of winning...  What's winning?  I think you have to determine your own goals and work to achieve those.  

In my opinion, everyone wins if you play the best.  Even if you lose the match, you win by getting valuable experience and gradually increasing your confidence and skills against these guys.  The wins start coming, you get more and more confidence etc.
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thegame

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Re: When do you move up?
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2007, 03:09:28 PM »
I am bowling regionals now on a more consistent basis, and even though I haven't cashed yet, I'm learning loads everytime out.  When I first started bowling them, I was amazed at how much hand and backend reaction some of those guys get, and thought if I was going to compete, I'd have to be more accurate than them, because my revs are nowhere near theirs.  After crossing pairs with some very good bowlers and watching their release, and where they play the lanes at, I could see how they generated that release, and rotation.  After a few bad experiences out there, and some practice, I am seeing more reaction at the backend, and a little better carry.  I went on a very easy house shot this morning, and struggled, because my ball was really overreacting, and wasn't used to being as deep inside as I had to play there.  It's similar to how much one might learn standing on the sidelines as a backup quarterback, or actually being in the game.  Even though your numbers may not be good at first, it's the best experience you can get if you really want to compete at that level.
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Myrrodin

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Re: When do you move up?
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2007, 04:39:48 PM »
quote:
I agree with this comment.  You have to be 100% dedicated to the switch and I think you can only get better after moving up.  In terms of winning...  What's winning?  I think you have to determine your own goals and work to achieve those.  

In my opinion, everyone wins if you play the best.  Even if you lose the match, you win by getting valuable experience and gradually increasing your confidence and skills against these guys.  The wins start coming, you get more and more confidence etc.


I agree with Fluff E on this one, you really need to decide what you want to do.  If you want to win games and lead the league, then you shouldn't move up yet.  However, if you want to learn, I would recommend moving up.  I have found nothing but good results from surrounding myself with better bowlers.  However, I wouldn't say to take everything that a better bowler tells you as fact.  People have different philosophies on bowling, so you need to learn to separate the opinion from generally good information.  For example, you can learn how to throw straighter from a bowler who is very good at it, but don't listen to the part where he tells who that straight is the only way to go.  It may be a good option, but there are times when hooking the ball is the better choice.  

As to your question of whether you learn faster by competing against the best, I believe you do.  Some people do learn better while winning, but if you have the mentality to handle losing, I say take it to the next level.  It may take a while, but the learning curve is probably faster (at least for me it is).
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