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We're all looking for repeatability.
You know that consistency in your approach, armswing, and release
will give you the best opportunity to reach your goals. If you start
inconsistently, your execution will be inconsistent. As Fred Borden
says, a good start equals a good finish. Prior to rolling the ball,
you should do the same thing every time. That 'same thing' is different
for everyone. It doesn't matter what it is. You must decide what
activities make you feel comfortable and then do them EVERY TIME.
Having a pre-shot routine that is the same every time sets the tone
for your shot. A pre-shot routine is whatever you do from the time
you completed your post shot routine from the last shot until you
begin your delivery process for the next one. Like computer viruses,
bowling viruses are the little things that sneak into your game
you don't even know you're doing. "When did I start doing that?"
Most times you're not even aware you're doing it. It takes your
coach or someone who intimately knows your game to spot it.
One way to be sure you eliminate as many openings as possible for
these viruses is to have a pre-shot routine. It is the foundation
of repeatability. Your routine is a comfortable, repeatable, quick
method of preparing yourself to execute a shot. Bowlers who do different
things before every shot are much less likely to be consistent.
Having one pre-shot routine for your pocket shots and then just
getting up and chunking at a spare won't work. After all, it isn't
a pre-strike routine; it's a pre-shot routine.
There are many things a pre-shot routine will accomplish for you
mentally. It's comfortable and safe and like a blankie (only easier
to pack). If you don't know all the parts and nuances of the pre-shot
routine, this will help you identify them. This first list is not
optional.
- Check the rack for missing or offset pins.
- Take a deep belly breath.
- Imagine your ball going over the target, following the
path in your mind through the deck.
- Wipe off your ball all the way around the track at least
once.
- Look both ways before stepping up on the approach.
- Check the sole of your sliding foot on the approach
by sliding into your starting position.
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Choose any or all of the following and of course feel free to add
stuff of your own.
- Decide which foot is going on the approach first and
then do that every time.
- Blow in the thumbhole, on your thumb, or in the finger
holes.
- Use your hand conditioner.
- Take your thumb in and out of the hole several times.
- Deliberately release the tension from your bowling arm
and shoulder.
- Make sure the weight distribution on your feet is exactly
where you want it in the stance.
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It doesn't matter what you do, only that you do it every time -
even IN PRACTICE. This routine helps get you ready physically and
emotionally to execute the shot. It is important that you do it
in practice when you are calm and focused, so that in competition
you can reproduce that calm, comfortable feeling. It provides a
tranquil influence before it's 'showtime.' You need that to help
allay the nerves. It can be a confidence builder and allows you
to feel prepared, not rattled or scattered emotionally.
Remember, you shouldn't take more than 3-5 seconds once you're on
the approach. Don't think, do. THINK LONG, THINK WRONG. Once you've
gotten set, something tells you you're ready to go. What is that?
How do you know when you're ready to start? If you have an established
pre-shot routine, you don't have to think about when to go. You
just know it FEELS right - and that's what you are constantly striving
toward. Once you have discovered what your pre-shot routine should
be, it will become part of your rhythm. Any deviation in the rhythm
will upset your ability to repeat good shots. If that happens, step
back and start over. Don't be embarrassed to do so. Do you want
to apologize for a bad shot or for making folks wait for a good
one?
You only have between 12 and 21 shots in a game (hopefully, you'll
only use 12). Think of this in terms of having limited ammunition.
You truly are limited in your ordnance and having a pre-shot routine
can help assure you don't waste any of those precious shots. Before
you deploy any of that valuable ordnance, be sure you are ready
to do so through your consistent pre-shot routine. The target is
locked in and the shot is launched. Repeatability = consistency
= higher scores. |
