Avoid Bowling Adjustments Until You Stop Striking

Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Thursday, July 14, 2016 | Updated On: Thursday, October 31, 2024

Maximizing Your Bowling Hot Streak: When to Avoid Adjustments

If you've been bowling well and are on a hot streak, it's crucial to maintain your approach without making unnecessary changes. Sticking to what works can help extend your success, allowing you to enjoy consistent strikes and pocket hits. As many top players demonstrate, making adjustments while you're in a groove is often unnecessary. Instead, follow these strategies to keep your performance at its peak.

Avoid Making Adjustments Until You Stop Striking

Though it may seem simplistic, avoiding adjustments during a hot streak is a tried-and-true tactic used by experienced bowlers. If you’re stringing strikes, resist the urge to change your technique, positioning, or equipment. Adjustments are often essential, but only when your results indicate a change is necessary. Altering your approach without a clear reason can disrupt your rhythm and, ultimately, your hot streak.

Some elite bowlers may make slight anticipatory adjustments if they foresee changes in lane oil patterns or ball reaction, particularly during long tournaments. However, these adjustments are minor and calculated, only taken to proactively stay ahead of shifting conditions. Unless you're a seasoned pro, it's better to stick with what's working until you see a clear need for change. As the saying goes, "If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it."

Stay Confident and Consistent

Bowling is a mental game as much as a physical one. When you're on a hot streak, your confidence soars, often leading to better accuracy, power, and consistency. Changing your approach can disrupt this mental flow, making you question your instincts. Instead, focus on maintaining confidence and consistency in each throw. Remind yourself that the hard work and technique you've already put in have gotten you to this point.

Reinforce your mental state by focusing on the fundamentals. Good posture, smooth footwork, balanced releases, and steady follow-through should remain your primary concerns. Keep aiming for the pocket without overthinking every throw or wondering if a change might help. The key is to avoid "paralysis by analysis"—a common pitfall for bowlers who make too many adjustments too soon.

Fine-Tune Your "A Game" During Practice

A hot streak on the lanes is an excellent opportunity to work on perfecting your strengths and refining any areas that need attention. When you’re bowling well, the practice lanes are the best place to fine-tune your technique. Focus on consistently hitting the pocket, maintaining a steady arm swing, and practicing a smooth follow-through. Working with a coach during these times can also be beneficial, as they can help you analyze what’s working in your game and provide guidance on areas of improvement.

Between competitive sessions, use practice to reinforce your "A Game" without altering too much. For example, practice your strike shots repeatedly to make your movements as automatic as possible. This can build muscle memory that will serve you well when you return to competitive play. Additionally, ensure that your timing and approach remain smooth and controlled, setting you up for better consistency.

Avoid Adjusting from Poor Shots

A critical part of maintaining a hot streak is knowing when to make changes and when to hold off. If you made an off-target or poor shot, don’t assume it indicates a need for adjustment. Poor shots are often the result of minor mistakes that can easily be corrected by returning to the fundamentals. Instead of rushing to alter your positioning or release, take a deep breath, review what went wrong, and return to your rhythm on the next shot.

However, if you notice a pattern—such as the ball consistently missing the pocket on multiple throws—this may indicate that adjustments are needed. When a solid shot doesn't yield the intended results, it could be time to evaluate potential changes, such as ball speed, hand position, or slight footwork modifications. But until you observe this consistent pattern, continue with your game plan.

Maintain Your Bowling Equipment

Keeping your bowling ball in top condition is essential to ensuring consistency during a hot streak. Oil buildup and surface wear can impact your ball's performance, leading to less control and hook potential over time. To avoid this, maintain your ball surfaces by cleaning them regularly and ensuring they are free from excessive oil. Consider resurfacing your ball periodically to maintain optimal grip and control on the lane.

In addition to regular maintenance, ensure you have a selection of bowling balls suited to different lane conditions. While it's best not to make abrupt changes during a hot streak, having the right equipment on hand can help if the lane conditions start to shift. A ball with a slightly different coverstock or core can make a subtle but effective adjustment without changing your overall technique.

Use a Hot Streak to Build Mental Toughness

A hot streak is a fantastic opportunity to build mental resilience. In competitive bowling, resilience means staying calm and composed, even when things get intense. As you experience success, avoid getting overconfident or complacent. Instead, stay focused on each shot as it comes. This will help you build a steady, reliable rhythm that can be maintained, even when the streak eventually fades.

To strengthen your mental game, practice visualization techniques. Before each throw, visualize the shot and the ball’s path toward the pins. Imagine the follow-through and the ball hitting the pocket. This mental imagery helps sharpen focus and can make your movements feel more automatic and controlled.

Trust Your Training and Practice

One of the most powerful assets during a hot streak is trust—trust in your training, technique, and instincts. You’ve likely put in countless hours refining your game, learning the mechanics, and practicing for different lane conditions. When you’re on a roll, remind yourself of the skills and knowledge you've gained. By staying grounded in your training and trusting your practice, you can avoid second-guessing yourself, which can derail a good run.

Conclusion: Ride Out Your Hot Streak

Enjoy your hot streak and avoid bowling adjustments until you see clear signs that change is needed. Continue to focus on the pocket, maintain your ball surfaces, and keep your mental game sharp. Remember, hot streaks are a reward for your hard work and dedication. Instead of making unnecessary changes, ride out the streak and trust in your preparation. When the time comes for adjustments, your experience and refined technique will guide you, helping you make the most of your time on the lanes.