Make Good Shots When Bowling Under Pressure

Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Saturday, October 31, 2015 | Updated On: Monday, October 21, 2024

Make good shots when bowling under pressure. Sounds easy enough. After all, you are an accomplished player with a good deal of experience.

When you get nervous and experience anxiety in competition, you can calm yourself with simple breathing exercises and with mental tips to reduce tension.
These mental game tips can certainly be helpful.
It is, however, vital to maintain good form when making critical shots when you are bowling against stiff competition.
Here are a few simple tips to help you retain good form when bowling “under the gun:”

Here are some tips to help you make great shots while bowling under pressure:
1. Focus on your routine: Establish a consistent pre-shot routine to calm your nerves. It could be a specific way you approach the lane or how you hold the ball. Relying on a routine creates familiarity and helps you stay composed under pressure.
2. Breathe and relax: Take deep, slow breaths to reduce anxiety. This helps steady your hands and keeps your muscles relaxed, improving your control over the ball.
3. Visualize success: Picture yourself making a perfect shot. Visualizing a positive outcome can boost your confidence and help you focus on the execution, not the pressure.
4. Focus on your target: Lock in on a specific target on the lane (like a board or arrow) and block out distractions. Staying focused on where you want the ball to go keeps you in the moment and reduces tension.
5. Control your pace: Slow down and avoid rushing your shot. Under pressure, many bowlers tend to speed up, which leads to mistakes. Stick to your usual timing and rhythm to maintain accuracy.
6. Trust your skills: Rely on the muscle memory and skills you’ve built over time. Don’t overthink the shot—trust the technique you’ve practiced, and let it flow naturally.
7. Break it down: Focus on one shot at a time rather than worrying about the entire game. Breaking down the situation into smaller, manageable tasks makes the pressure feel less overwhelming.
8. Stay positive: If you make a bad shot, avoid dwelling on it. A positive mindset can help you bounce back quickly and stay focused for your next shot.
9. Visualize the ball's path: Picture the trajectory of the ball as it travels down the lane. Envision the hook, the point where it transitions, and where it strikes the pins. This mental rehearsal can sharpen your focus on the execution.
10. Adapt to pressure: Remember that pressure is part of the game, and great players learn to thrive under it. Embrace the challenge and use it as motivation to perform at your best.

These strategies can help you remain focused, calm, and confident during high-pressure situations, improving your performance on the lanes. Would you like any more specific tips for certain scenarios?
*Keep your best tempo when walking to the line and as you swing your bowling ball.
*Retain a constant spine angle tilt throughout your approach and delivery.
*Avoid rushing your forward swing so you do not force your release leading to an errant shot.
*Avoid unnecessary head movement up, down, back, forward, or side to side.
*Avoid decelerating your forward swing by trying to be accurate and careful to not make a poor shot.
*Hold your form for a full second after completing your delivery.

Nerves, anxiety, tension, and the stress of performing in competition are challenges you can overcome if you focus on the core essentials of your game and avoid letting your mind wander.
Make one good shot at a time. You cannot hear or read this tip too often if you wish to perform well when it counts the most.