TIPS

A BETTER WAY TO PRACTICE.

If there is one question that I get more than any other it is "What can I do
to get better?" The answer is nearly always the same P R A C T I C E!!!

So let me be a little more clear. Practice does not mean bowl more
leagues, or hang out with your friends a throw a few games. Practice is a
whole other thing. Practice involves finding out what your problems are.
Educating yourself as to the ways to correct those problems, and then
attempting possible solutions till you find the one (or more) that work for
you. Once you determine what works, then you should repeat the new way
until you are comfortable doing it. Remember change is by nature
uncomfortable. You should expect that doing things the right way would
feel better, but the fact is, you have become comfortable doing something
wrong, you have most likely done it for a while, and will therefore feel
uncomfortable making the change. Your scores may actually drop briefly
when you make a change in your game, but take a long term view, and you
will be fine.

Now, lets say you are doing everything right. Well we know that isn't true,
or you would be shooting 300 every time. But to get to that 300, or at
least your best game you do need to practice. Here are a few tips to help
you make the most of your practice.

1.Whether you are making a change in your physical game or just
trying to get better at targeting, do not pay attention to score. Score does
not matter at all in practice.

2.To make the most of your practice dollar: Throw your first ball at
the ten pin, then the second at the strike pocket. The next throw at the
seven pin, and then again at the strike pocket. Repeat this, and you will get
more balls for your money, and get more comfortable with those corner
pins.

3.If you aren't already, START USING THE ARROWS. If you don't
know the ways to utilize the arrows properly cough up $3 and get the
Bowlers Guide book. As you practice, bowl a game at the arrow you are
comfortable with. On the second game move a whole arrow left, and
adjust your game till you make it work. If you haven't made it work in one
game bowl another at that arrow. Then move back to "your" arrow. Bowl
a game, and then move to the right arrow, and repeat the process. In future
practice sessions try boards between the arrows. Do this until you have
the whole lane to choose from, and not just "your" arrow.

If these tips don't get your game where you want it to be you may want to
educate yourself with the many books and videos available, or consider
better bowler lessons.

Good luck and good skill.

Dan Simril, Certified Silver Level Coach