BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Metal_rules on November 08, 2016, 07:39:15 AM
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Need some suggestions to get out of a bad slump so far to start the season. I will try to do just the basic things, and have my team mates help me. I have been missing allot of easy spares, this needs to stop. I also need to change my mind set, but its hard to get positive when you are struggling. :(
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We all go thru them....really just need to go back to basics. look at your alignment, are you staying square to your target, pushing the same, same pace of steps. Then quit worrying about the slump and do what you have done hundreds of thousands of times.....your confidence will be back in no time.
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I sacrifice a chicken.
Actually I just try to simplify things. I'll lower the ball in my stance. Make sure I'm finishing properly. When I find I'm in a rut missing easy spares, it almost always has to do with my focus. I allow myself to get distracted by my displeasure for not throwing good strike shots and I don't focus on my spare. The realization that it's my mental game that is mostly to blame, I try to remember my routine. Take my time, deep breath, see your shot, execute, repeat.
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do what the cubs higher ups did, go eat a goat!
I've gone through many slumps. I've taken a break when I bowled multiple leagues. I've gone to practice when I didn't go, and worked on basic stuff without worrying about the monitor. But the hardest part and the longest slump came after my fathers death and exactly a month later, I shot a 300 calling it after 5 in a row - "this one is for my dad."
After that, my slump lasted almost a year. I took a short break and sought a coach....
Long story short, it'll take different things to get you out of the slump. the challenge is finding IT, that would help you get back on track.
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Like the first guy said basics, if you can truly just go back to the basics it will correct whatever it is that you are doing, the simpler it is the better off you are.
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When I am having issues, if I am having a physical issue (timing, swing, etc) practice is how I correct the issue.
If the issue is mental, as in thinking too much, over thinking during a shot instead of just letting go, etc....take a break and sit down for however long you need....a few days or even a week or 2. Your mind will reset from being away from the lanes and you can go back and essentially start over.
So what is the issue right now...are you having a timing or swing issue causing you to miss spares, or do you have that under control but now because you have missed so many, you have a mental block????
Everyone is different though....just because this is what works for me does not mean they will work for you. Good luck!
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Coincidently, i also have been in a almost 2 month slump.... and have simply went back to basics, steps, timing, stance, and more; And I'm starting to play a lot better.
Sometimes we have to take a step back, access things, and just keep it simple, and just relax and have fun, your mind will get back in a comfortable routine, and we'll be back to playing as were capable of. :)
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Wowzers, in addiction addition to my previous post, I also take a break or 2 to clear the head.
As competitive as we are and wanna be great, we have to all realize that it's a game at the end of the day, it's not life/death, Now that I'm doing all of these things, my game is coming back amd I'm having fun again..... isn't that the goal here?
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Sure is. During the summer, I remember Clint Hurdle sitting Cutch during the season for a few games to give him a "mental break" and when Cutch was put back into the lineup, he played very well. Prior to the break, Cutch was slumping and was said to have a mental block and was pressing because he was struggling.
Even the professionals need breaks.
On edit: Some of you may have no clue who I am talking about. Clint Hurdle is the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cutch is Andrew McCutcheon, the all star center fielder for the Pirates.
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Just now getting out of one myself. Got my best fitting ball, relaxed and found my most comfortable setup, and tried to stay slow. Everything finally started to come around. Still find myself getting happy feet from time to time. Just stay with it.
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When I get into a physical slump I can usually trace it back to getting a little too fast with my feet. I have very long arms which equates to a slower than normal swing cycle.
If my feet get a little too fast, I will get to the line too early with my feet. Waiting for
the swing to "catch up" helps with the late timing but if my feet get too fast, I need to
focus on slowing my foot speed down. I always try to synchronize the speed of my feet to that of my swing. John Jowdy taught me the importance of this a long time ago. It remains one of the best pieces of advice I ever received. The great Dick Ritger teaches this at his bowling camps as well.
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Bergman, is that anything like 'walking by the ball'?
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After reading the various posts, I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about the funk I'm in right now. Three weeks ago I shot a 246, 253 then a whopping 156, in that order. Since then my highest game has been a 183. And what really sucks, is two weeks ago, going in, my average was 201 but my high game for the night was a 176. We ended up losing two games by less than 20 pins and lost total by nine!!!! Talk about feeling like you let your team down!!! And last week wasn't much better.
I mentioned in another thread how it seems like everything I'm throwing now is over-reacting. And it seems like no matter what adjustment(s) I make, the balls just come back as strong, to where I'm leaving a bunch of splits or missing easy spares because the ball is breaking too much.
So here's what I'm gonna try. As soon as I got home this past week I emptied the bag and put in three older balls I haven't thrown in a while. Don't know if it's gonna work, but it's worth a try. And at this point, I'm willing to try anything. I know a 2-3 week slump isn't the end of the world or even as bad as what a lot of you have or are experiencing, but it's just F@!%ing aggravating!! Especially when you know you can do a lot better......
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After reading the various posts, I guess I shouldn't feel too bad about the funk I'm in right now. Three weeks ago I shot a 246, 253 then a whopping 156, in that order. Since then my highest game has been a 183. And what really sucks, is two weeks ago, going in, my average was 201 but my high game for the night was a 176. We ended up losing two games by less than 20 pins and lost total by nine!!!! Talk about feeling like you let your team down!!! And last week wasn't much better.
I mentioned in another thread how it seems like everything I'm throwing now is over-reacting. And it seems like no matter what adjustment(s) I make, the balls just come back as strong, to where I'm leaving a bunch of splits or missing easy spares because the ball is breaking too much.
So here's what I'm gonna try. As soon as I got home this past week I emptied the bag and put in three older balls I haven't thrown in a while. Don't know if it's gonna work, but it's worth a try. And at this point, I'm willing to try anything. I know a 2-3 week slump isn't the end of the world or even as bad as what a lot of you have or are experiencing, but it's just F@!%ing aggravating!! Especially when you know you can do a lot better......
Last week, I rolled a 224, 245, 168. Missed spares in the last 2 frames and we lost by 2 pins. The over under is from too much hand (grabbing) and ball speed. Too slow and you go high. Too much and washout. Keep speed consistent and relax your hand. It will come back..
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I thought buying a new ball was the answer. That is what I tell myself anyways.
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I sacrifice a chicken.
It usually helps me when I sacrifice a goat's entrails on my keyboard ....
If that doesn't work, my next step is to sacrifice the balls and the horn of a rhinoceros on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial .........
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Wowzers, in addiction addition to my previous post, I also take a break or 2 to clear the head.
That can work when we're doing too much, thinking in the middle of our approach, or just having too many everyday, real-life concerns. Our mind get confused, not knowing what to focus on.
As competitive as we are and wanna be great, we have to all realize that it's a game at the end of the day, it's not life/death,
Of course, it's not a matter of life and death. It's much more important than that.
(no smiley face)
Now that I'm doing all of these things, my game is coming back amd I'm having fun again..... isn't that the goal here?
I love when one person tells 1 2nd person who are having major problems something like that. (Actually it drives me bat-shit crazy!)
Of course the first person is doing everything right that he can, probably hitting the pocket 9 times of 10 and shooting 230s and 250s like water. Meanwhile the 2nd person is struggling, lucky to hit the lane with the ball, no less hitting the pocket, missing 2 pin and 6 pin and 5 pin spares; so much he's ready to tear his hair put. A 180 is a joy to him at this point. And the first person is suggesting he's not having enough fun. Of course he's not having fun; he lost all focus and/or parts of his physical and/or mental game. He ain't gonna have fun until he starts executing well and scoring. He needs help from somewhere.
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Last week, I rolled a 224, 245, 168. Missed spares in the last 2 frames and we lost by 2 pins. The over under is from too much hand (grabbing) and ball speed. Too slow and you go high. Too much and washout. Keep speed consistent and relax your hand. It will come back..
Sorry, dude, but that is so far from a slump it isn't even funny.
When 168 is your high game for the last 3 weeks, then tell us about slumps.
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Last week, I rolled a 224, 245, 168. Missed spares in the last 2 frames and we lost by 2 pins. The over under is from too much hand (grabbing) and ball speed. Too slow and you go high. Too much and washout. Keep speed consistent and relax your hand. It will come back..
Sorry, dude, but that is so far from a slump it isn't even funny.
When 168 is your high game for the last 3 weeks, then tell us about slumps.
224 was my high game for almost 2 months. My yearbook was 219 and my current averages are 188 and 190. I think that qualifies as a slump. I have also gotten out of it by practicing almost 40 games in the previous week, working with my 6 different balls, drilling up 2 different balls and dropping a pound in weight. Bowling 2 good games, then slipping backward the last game confirmed where my slump came from.
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Of course it isn't charlest, but when we scream, kick ball returns, throw things, etc, etc on every single ball, to the masses thats takimg things a little too far.
No matter how talented, and competitive we are, again it's still a game where you 2 shots to get 10 pins. When people act like that, it has run some bowlers away [my pin intended] and I even wonder occasionally is it even worth all of this????
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What was really killing me during my slump, I had a stroke, pneumonia, and remodeled my house so I could move from Virginia to Florida. Didn't bowl for 3 months. When I started bowling league here, I could hit the pocket 9 to 11 times, with 3 strikes, not together, 3 ten pins, 5 four pins for a 170-190 game. When I went fishing for carry, I ended up with splits and washouts for a 150-160. Breaking 500 was a feat and 550 was almost impossible.
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Last week, I rolled a 224, 245, 168. Missed spares in the last 2 frames and we lost by 2 pins. The over under is from too much hand (grabbing) and ball speed. Too slow and you go high. Too much and washout. Keep speed consistent and relax your hand. It will come back..
Sorry, dude, but that is so far from a slump it isn't even funny.
When 168 is your high game for the last 3 weeks, then tell us about slumps.
224 was my high game for almost 2 months. My yearbook was 219 and my current averages are 188 and 190. I think that qualifies as a slump. I have also gotten out of it by practicing almost 40 games in the previous week, working with my 6 different balls, drilling up 2 different balls and dropping a pound in weight. Bowling 2 good games, then slipping backward the last game confirmed where my slump came from.
AH, but you didn't mention those numbers. Yes, of course, that qualifies big time.
(Almost as bad as mine. :))
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What was really killing me during my slump, I had a stroke, pneumonia, and remodeled my house so I could move from Virginia to Florida. Didn't bowl for 3 months. When I started bowling league here, I could hit the pocket 9 to 11 times, with 3 strikes, not together, 3 ten pins, 5 four pins for a 170-190 game. When I went fishing for carry, I ended up with splits and washouts for a 150-160. Breaking 500 was a feat and 550 was almost impossible.
And, there, you have the reasons for it, plain and valid.
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Of course it isn't charlest, but when we scream, kick ball returns, throw things, etc, etc on every single ball, to the masses thats takimg things a little too far.
Agreed.
No matter how talented, and competitive we are, again it's still a game where you 2 shots to get 10 pins. When people act like that, it has run some bowlers away [my pin intended] and I even wonder occasionally is it even worth all of this????
Not on every shot. The past couple of years I've had a severe injury that kept me out for 2 months at a time, and at my age, coming back isn't nearly as easy as it used to be. Sometimes it takes me another 2 months to get back to form and execution. I'm in the midst on one right now - ripped my hamstring, sticking at the foul line this summer. NOw, I'm afraid I'll do the same thing on EVERY shot I make. It's not physical anymore; it's a mental recuperation.
I only get mad at myself for not being able to execute when I think I should. Temper tantrums never help, but the stress built up from frustration can be staggering and overwhelming. I missed a simple 7 pin in the 10th frame of my 2nd game last week and I had my shoes on and ready to walk out the door, I was hurting my team so much and I could only be mad at myself. My blind score would have been better than what I was doing. However they and the other team convinced me to stay. To say I was frustrated was so much less than I felt right then.
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Take a few weeks off, seriously.
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Just now getting out of one myself. Got my best fitting ball, relaxed and found my most comfortable setup, and tried to stay slow. Everything finally started to come around. Still find myself getting happy feet from time to time. Just stay with it.
I read all of the comments. I believe my main issue is not letting the ball roll and being too fast. Also not being relaxed and overthinking. Thanks for all of the comments. I will bowl out of this,and after 3 straight series in the mid to upper 5's , I really tried to relax and just roll the ball. 671 today. There is hope!
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Take a few weeks off, seriously.
If that's the way to get out of a slump, then me only having bowled once this year will make me a superstar! ;)
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Charlest, well said, I agree completely on your last post on what I was saying to you, it's 93% mental with me as well.
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How often do you practice? What are you working on during practice?
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At least most of us relate to this challengin game, and it's easy to discuss, and assist in finding ways to climb out of a slump. Good luck to you all!!!!
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I'm a 220 bowler stuck in a 150 body, so my whole life has been a slump.