The value of a shot
Lewis Twine Jr.
No matter in what sport you choose to participate, giving it your best each time is all that you can expect of yourself. This is no truer than in bowling as to how a bowler approaches each and every shot during league play and also in practice. Each and every shot in bowling is a learning experience, has and always will have a value, and ultimately means something in the overall context of an individual's outcome.
I have witnessed individuals intentionally miss spares, make less-than-honest efforts on particular shots, and even give up by pushing the reset button instead of completing the frame. Subsequently, their teams lost these games by less than 10 pins, and many of these bowlers would look back and wonder what might have been if the effort had just been there.
I will never comprehend the rationale behind these bowlers' performances. It simply does not make sense to give up due to a situation not going your way. This ultimately hurts not only them but also their teammates. If any person believes that the sport of bowling is easy to master or that positive results will just fall in your favour without trying, they may want to seriously ponder whether they have what it takes to be successful in the long run.
Let's face it: You pay for bowling, why cheat yourself out of a shot? It can mean the difference in winning a game, a league, or a tournament. Most of all, there is the self-satisfaction of never quitting.
I was guilty of quitting years ago and learned the hard way-or should I say the monetary way. I still miss spares, but it is not because I stepped on the approach with no intention of knocking the pin(s) down.
I teach that no matter the situation, your next shot always will be the most important and greatest challenge you face in the sport. Why? This is due to two important factors: (1) You cannot change what has happened in the past; and (2) You do not know what will take place in the future.
"Your next shot always will be the most important and greatest challenge you face in the sport."
You try to plan for the future, but you can only live in the present. By giving it your all in bowling each and every time, competitors eventually will grow to respect you and realize they had better not give up. This will benefit you in the long run.
The following are some suggestions on ways to implement the "one shot at a time" philosophy. Please keep in mind that these are not absolutes, so try not to place a great deal of pressure on yourself when doing these routines-and the key word here is "routines."
When it is your turn, focus only on the upcoming shot and try to make it a good one. By doing this over and over, it will become a routine part of your game.
Block out things around you and take care of yourself because if you don't, who will? In tournaments and even at times in league play, you are on your own.
Think of each shot as a step towards a result (series for the night, a total score in a tournament, etc.), but try not to think about the result itself. For example, when you drive to a specific destination, you do not think about the destination but rather where you are on the road every second while moving towards your destination. The route you take determines a lot.
By relaxing between shots or games, you allow yourself time to think about what is happening. The bowling part takes place on the lane; thinking occurs off the lane. Try stepping on the lane knowing what you intend to do, get yourself set, and then execute the shot.
To summarize: The best players on the tour and in this association know the value of each shot.
Until next time, take bowling one shot at a time, make the best shot you can each time, and keep thinking.
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General Tips
Getting Back in Shape
For many bowlers starting the 2002-2003 fall season, this will be the first time in about 3 months they have picked up a bowling ball. While these bowlers may have remained active in the summer doing other sports activities, bowling taxes muscles that usually are not called upon in other sports, so it is important to make sure you are prepared.
Before your league night, take 5 minutes or so to stretch. Flex the knees with some deep knee bends, holding it there for a 10 count, this will help loosen the leg muscles up, and help prevent muscle pulls. It is also a good idea to stretch the arm and shoulders. Take your bowling arm and bring it across your body,lifting your other arm to hold it there for a 10 count or so. Windmills are also good, simply moving your arms around in a big circle to help loosen those muscles up too. although this tip is intended for bowlers coming back after a long layoff, these stretching exercises are good for all bowlers before they start their league night.
Also, when throwing your first couple balls in practice, don't go all out 100%. Take the time to throw a couple easy shots to get your body used to the muscle emory required for bowling. This will also help avoid straining muscles that have not been used in a while.
Being prepared for league means more than just having your shoes on your feet and your ball on the rack. Getting the body ready is as important as getting the equipment ready.
George Freeman
Quoted Tip:
Try it You may like it
Hey guys what's up I hav'nt posted one here for a while but my partner in my bowling league told me to use faster footsteps to the foul line in that it would probally make it easier for me to get the ball down the lane and give my ball more power. Well before doing this i averaged a sorry 150 and on my last night of league play while trying this new technique for the first time I bowled a 198,191, and a 188 I also won sweepers and I did'nt even know i was bowling for money lol. I won like 240 dollars!! Anyways I will do this same technique when my new league with the same group of guys from my other league starts oct 4th cant wait. In this league my goal is to at least avg a 180 or 190 because my game has greatly improved after doing this. So good luck to everyone in their bowling carrer.
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