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Author Topic: How do you Practice before Tournaments?  (Read 2976 times)

machine189

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How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« on: May 09, 2017, 08:05:55 AM »
Subject states it all.

What do you guys do you prepare your self? Physically, Mentally, or emotionally?
How do you practice and what do work on?

Usually i'll practice every day the week before an event. During practice after warming up i'll find a strike line with say a benchmark piece dedicate a game to it and then switch to my other equipment that get less reps in say during league. Mentally I'll note how many more/less boards each ball is from each other as over the season I don't get to throw the other equipment as often. This usually pays off b/c seem most tournaments the ball I least like is the ball to use. Last game dedicated to spare shooting.


 

BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #1 on: May 09, 2017, 08:52:46 AM »

A little extra, but not too much.  I want to be sharp on the spares, and feel good that I'm hitting where I'm trying to hit to verify that my mechanics are sound.  Beyond that nothing else.

If I over-prepare I tend to not be as relaxed, because my mind says I should be awesome with all that practice...  I'd rather be relaxed and have no preconceived expectations. In other words, I like to go in with an open mind so I see ball motion and carry as it is, rather than what I think it should be.

We are all wired differently, so what works for one guy may not for the next.





« Last Edit: May 09, 2017, 08:58:56 AM by notclay »

SVstar34

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #2 on: May 09, 2017, 09:19:50 AM »

A little extra, but not too much.  I want to be sharp on the spares, and feel good that I'm hitting where I'm trying to hit to verify that my mechanics are sound.  Beyond that nothing else.

We are all wired differently, so what works for one guy may not for the next.


I agree. Spare shooting #1 and then I like to make sure I feel accurate moving around the lane with different balls. The end pin result does not matter, I'm only focusing on being accurate

avabob

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #3 on: May 09, 2017, 09:33:50 AM »
I work totally on mechanics, primarily footwork and hand position.  I can't make any use of my arsenal unless my game is where I want it. 

LookingForALeftyWall

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #4 on: May 09, 2017, 09:48:48 AM »

spmcgivern

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #5 on: May 09, 2017, 11:41:54 AM »
If it is a longer format tournament (5+ games) I will also make sure I have a plan on eating, drinking, and supplements also.  I know it sounds unnecessary, but imagine getting halfway through a tournament and all that is available is greasy snack bar food.

I will usually pre-test protein bars (or similar) and maybe even bring a powdered drink mix I can sip on occasionally.  Have to make sure that Clif bar doesn't do things to my innards that may jeopardize my performance..... or the performance of those around me.

HankScorpio

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #6 on: May 09, 2017, 11:53:19 AM »
Practice should be practice regardless of whether or not you have a tournament coming up. If you save all of your most focused practices until right before a tournament, you waited too long.

I agree with most, practice focus is on execution. I will also add that I often use my practice sessions to practice things I don't typically have to do in house shots leagues. You don't want to show up to a tournament and realize you've been swinging the house shot so much that you aren't comfortable playing straight anymore. After a little time on fundamentals,  I like to practice axis rotation changes, speed changes, loft changes, lofting the gutter, playing the twig, etc. All of this takes more than one session, obviously.

machine189

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #7 on: May 09, 2017, 01:14:43 PM »
Have to make sure that Clif bar doesn't do things to my innards that may jeopardize my performance..... or the performance of those around me.

lol sounds like good defense. Leave a crop dust cloud at the foul line sounds like a competitive advantage to me  ;D

Brandon Riley

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #8 on: May 09, 2017, 03:46:02 PM »
I try to bowl less the week of a big event as I find that I can get burnt out. 
For practice leading up to it I work on foul line drills and spare shooting.
Brandon Riley
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michelle

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #9 on: May 10, 2017, 11:03:44 AM »
If you are worried about striking during practice, then you are not working on the right thing...spend time with being comfortable using different releases.  Play areas of the lane that you are not used to playing.  Who cares what the pin count may be since you are not trying to practice for the house shot.  You are trying to get used to some other manner of play.

Hit the spares. 

Back when I was bowling regionals, my practice blocks were usually 12-14 games.  The ONLY time I worried about score would be the last couple of games.  That geared the mind and body for the end of a block, which is where big moves either direction often result.  ANYONE can come out of the blocks and be +100 or more for three...the question is who can potentially go +80 to +100 in the LAST three of a 12 game block.  By that time, the body of many has worn down and the mind is not far behind. 

Knowing the relationship between equipment is certainly wise, but what it may be on house conditions is not always what you will see in a tournament.  I used to keep a notebook where I made my notes on relationships between equipment AND if those relationships changed as I moved through the house. 

storybook123

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #10 on: May 10, 2017, 11:21:04 AM »
I practice hitting my target, and not caring about what I score. I also like to dedicated a game to playing golf, picking off the 10 & 7 pin, gutter on first ball is a strike, 2nd ball is a spare. I want to get the lowest score possible.

ignitebowling

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #11 on: May 10, 2017, 11:30:15 AM »
Practice in general doesn't change much for a tournament.

First game is on 10pins, 7pins, other common spares I may shoot at on either side.

Game two moving far right and working on squaring up and playing out side.

Game three moving in 5 boards and playing that area.

Game four moving in another 5 boards and repeating this across the lane.

I try multiple balls through out getting a feel for ball reaction and adjustments that maybe required as the lanes break down and I need to move or make a ball change. Makes it easier not to guess on the move/ball change you make.

Then as many have said I will use my last game to bowl for score/good release timing etc. (making good shots)

Many times I will also spend a game or two using plastic only for score.

The time spent working on spares using only plastic has been huge. Muscle memory has come a long way and now if in league or tournaments the confidence and the ability to repeat consistently on spares using plastic has made it much easier. This has greatly improved my spare percentages.
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bradl

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #12 on: May 10, 2017, 12:21:09 PM »
While everyone here is spot on with their tips for practicing before tournaments...

Have to make sure that Clif bar doesn't do things to my innards that may jeopardize my performance..... or the performance of those around me.

lol sounds like good defense. Leave a crop dust cloud at the foul line sounds like a competitive advantage to me  ;D

This is savage. and you owe me a new keyboard.  :P

BL.

spmcgivern

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #13 on: May 10, 2017, 12:23:14 PM »
If you are worried about striking during practice, then you are not working on the right thing...spend time with being comfortable using different releases.  Play areas of the lane that you are not used to playing.  Who cares what the pin count may be since you are not trying to practice for the house shot.  You are trying to get used to some other manner of play.

Hit the spares. 

Back when I was bowling regionals, my practice blocks were usually 12-14 games.  The ONLY time I worried about score would be the last couple of games.  That geared the mind and body for the end of a block, which is where big moves either direction often result.  ANYONE can come out of the blocks and be +100 or more for three...the question is who can potentially go +80 to +100 in the LAST three of a 12 game block.  By that time, the body of many has worn down and the mind is not far behind. 

Knowing the relationship between equipment is certainly wise, but what it may be on house conditions is not always what you will see in a tournament.  I used to keep a notebook where I made my notes on relationships between equipment AND if those relationships changed as I moved through the house. 

I totally agree.  As much as people say practice on whatever you see in open play because you never know what you will see, you just won't see it.  What happens on tournament conditions cannot be recreated during THS league or during whatever is left over from some birthday party or rock 'n bowl.  You have to practice on the type of shots you will encounter.

Not sure if you intended your statement that way, but that is the way I took it.

Also, it can be very difficult to maintain consistent focus during long blocks.  Staying mentally sharp and physically sharp is important (this means bowling shape, not marathon shape).  If I am working on endurance, I will try to mimic the time between shots to that of the tournament format.  (HIIT timers are great for this)  Bowling 8 games in 90 minutes isn't the same as 8 games in 4+ hours.

rocky61201

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Re: How do you Practice before Tournaments?
« Reply #14 on: May 10, 2017, 12:35:56 PM »
When practicing I always tried to get a pair of lanes to bowl on because I thought it was the best way to simulate league/tournament play.  Especially if you had two lanes that were a little bit different.

Then I realized when I was practicing just by myself I rarely had to make a move or adjustment because with just me bowling on two lanes I couldn't get the lanes broken down.

Now when I practice I always use just one lane, that way I have a better chance of breaking the lane down and forcing me to make adjustments.  Just like league play with 6 to 8 bowlers on a pair of lanes and 2 or 3 are bowling the same line as you.

I also try to show up right after a scratch league is getting done and bowl on their lanes.  That way I know I'm getting a broken down burned up lane so I can practice on tough conditions.
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