THE MENTAL ASPECT
There is a mental aspect in every sports and it plays a critical role in deciding who manages to achieve their potential and who wanders around the sports without “putting it all together”. Because of MENTAL ASPECT is so IMPORTANT (65% in overall aspects), I need to include it here as FREE information for ALL SERIOUS BOWLERS ONLY. Although it may seems only 4% word count out of 96% word count on physical aspect topics, but it consists of very solid knowledge that makes the gap between bowlers and pro bowlers. So be sure that you have full attention and full digestion of the context below in a serious manner before you continue reading.
In bowling, similar to other sports, if the closer of one’s physical prowess approaches maximum efficiency, then the more important the mental state becomes in determining one’s overall successes. Understood that, the physical skills of bowling (Physical Aspect) gather the initial attention. But you are not going to become a pro bowler until you spend even more time absorbing the all-important Mental Aspect of bowling.
Bowling is a “220 AVERAGE FOR MEN” and “190 AVERAGE FOR WOMEN”. I hope this statement doesn’t put me on the “women’s banned list”, because I am a great admirer of the accomplishments of women. In fact, I share the feeling that most women are born intelligent, while men spend most of their lives trying to catch up! Be that as it may across all conditions men still score higher than women.
Granted, some of the difference is attributable to length of practice time. But though, a woman’s muscle does not respond to training as the way a man’s does and this is due to chemical factors. Also, because of specific hormones, men’s fibers are on the average about 30 percent larger than women. Furthermore, female athletes have it tougher especially when training, because their bodies normally contain about 8 percent more fats than muscle. I will concede; the more the lanes hook, the more competitive women become.
But, on the other hand, the greater amount of oil on the lane, the more men “draw away”. This is because of the men’s strength factor that affords them the opportunity to move through the ball more effectively, so as to produce the stronger roll.
The word “solid” used here is to indicate one’s ability to closer the gaps of the scoring average on almost any lane condition. As many bowlers have discovered, one’s average can vary as much as 30 pins from bowling center to bowling center. Most often, this is due to the bowler’s limited talent, and not because of poor bowling conditions. Therefore, maintaining an average on a variety of bowling center’s conditions is the true test of your bowling ability.
THE MENTAL ASPECT MAKES UP ABOUT 65 PERCENT OF WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BECOME A PRO BOWLER.
Keep it in your mind firmly. However, this 65 percent would not apply to a bowler with less ability. For example, a bowler averaging 150 would probably demonstrate a game that is 75 percent physical and only 25 percent mental. Undeniable that, as one’s ability in bowling increases so does the ratio of his or her mental game.
The Mental Aspect itself is divided into three subdivisions. They are: Knowledge, Concentration and Attitude. All of the Mental Aspect is based on one of these three categories.
More and more athletes are coming to realize of how important it is to reshape and sharpen their mental considerations, so as to attain athletic prowess. Listen to the many pro bowlers, who after winning competition often credit their success to an improvement in their mental game. Advised to click on the links below before continue reading, in order to learn more about these important topics in transforming you to be a performance bowler :
- “I had figured out on how to properly play the right and left lane” = KNOWLEDGE
- “I was constantly aware of my ball’s rolling reaction on the lane” = CONCENTRATION
- “I have only one goal in my mind and that is to win the game” = ATTITUDE
BASIC FORMULA OF THE MENTAL ASPECT
Our understanding of the Mental Aspect will progressively broaden as we continue to uncover and analyze the various perspective of bowling.
There are basic formula must be considered and learned if one desires to understand bowling in a satisfying manner. In truth, these comprehensions are paramount to an understanding of any sport. So read the below context carefully :
- FOR ANY DESIRED RESULT, TIIERE ARE TWO EXTREMES, A HIGH AND A LOW, IN BETWEEN WHICH THERE IS AN OPTIMUM MAXIMUM RESULTS. A golfer can swing too hard or too easy. A basketball player can shoot the ball too high or too low. A bowler can lift too much or too little. Balanced of these extremes will produce you the best maximum results.
- THE SOURCE OF GOOD TIMING IS GOOD COORDINATION, WHICH RELIES HEAVILY ON GOOD PRACTICES. Granted, there are outstanding players who never concern themselves with planned exercise and conditioning. Activities that promote your overall strength, endurance and flexibility will improve your sports performance. Exercising each muscle group with training sets of a minimum of 8 to 10 repetitions three times a week is strongly recommended for a serious sports person. Stretching will prolonging together with relaxing the muscles and the joints ligaments. Increases the fitness level, in terms of stamina, strength, reflexes and greater range of motion, all of which will produce better results. Also, one cannot expect to perform well without an acceptable amount of rest and nourishment. Keep in mind that alcohol consumption will alter one’s physiological state negatively. Development of muscle coordination consists of eliminating unnecessary muscular action. Muscles that are not necessary for the required movement also contract and interfere with optimum performance. Training eliminates these unnecessary muscle actions and “sharpens” even more the timing of essential muscles. Practice is training. Practice is a process of developing expertise in a skill through the constant repetition of a set series of movements. Practice improves muscular coordination through better neuromuscular control, which, in turn gives you better timing. Practice makes perfect!
- DON’T OVER-PRACTICE! It is advisable for any person as soon as he or she becomes dissatisfied and irritable with practice to get away from it for a while. Always try to keep yourself mentally eager when performing. Don’t allow yourself to get stale! If you do you will lack concentration and coordination, and, even more, you could be inviting some negative habits.
- FUNDAMENTALS ARE NECESSARY! It is a fact that everything starts from fundamental. Without a base, there won’t be a building and not even to say for a city. Keep in mind that “Necessity is the mother of invention”. You can’t understand my words if you don’t have the fundamentals of this language. So admit the existence and necessity of fundamentals.
- COMPENSATION means to consciously or unconsciously make a change while in motion, in order to nullify an earlier mistake in one’s form. An accidentally negative action in a performance can be compensate with another action, providing it is in opposition to the first action in equal degree. Immediate subconscious correction is proper while performing if it will nullify the mistake make. Attempt should be made to reduce its need as much as possible.
STRATEGY MENTALITY
“Never roll a ball in competition, or even in practice, without first having given that shot a little thought.” In other words, no execution should ever be made without some strategy (mental contemplation). How many times have you caught yourself rolling ball after ball in practice without giving one thought to the practice process?
Using every method available, one must strive to learn all one can about the characteristics of the lanes on which he or she is bowling. Clever bowlers who have employed this bit of strategy turned many defeats into victories.
Although there is no defense in the sport of bowling, it is very good strategy for the bowler to be aware of where one stands in the closing frames of competition. If your strike percentage has been low and at the end of the game you need to strike one or two for victory, then by all means you must perform an action of switching to a “clutch shot.” Most often, this means moving a little more to the outside of the lane and delivering the “high solid hit” into the pocket with full concentration and best delivery to the lane.
Remembering how each ball felt coming off the hand and how it reacted on the lanes and on the pins, is the type of information that is also required in order to choose the right strategy. Was there a slick spot on the lane? Was the ball just delivered with too much speed? Did you “drift” in your approach? In order to apply strategy in shots to come, a bowler must first analyze and understand previous executions.
Psychology plays a very important role in developing good strategy. A far better stratagem never let your opponent sense your fear or frustration, no matter how the opponent are trying. Many matches have been won by playing out this psychological pretext.
Along the same line, another psychological play is to never express awareness with respect to an opponent’s performance, especially if he or she is bowling well. Show that you are impressed provides your opponent with mental encouragement. Once on the competition, display sportsmanship and congratulatory behavior.
This is winning through intimidation. Even more, this strategy results in developing within you a more determined willingness and desire to meet and overcome any challenges. No matter how well your opponent knew you, you need to make him or her feel like a stranger when he or she bowling with you. This is the highest peak of psychology in any sports.
TO BE A WINNER ONE MUST LEARN TO THINK AND ACT LIKE A WINNER! Even in defeat, a positive attitude with modesty should be appear to your opponent, thus giving you some advantage when you meet again.
However, a word of caution, though it is good strategy to strive to possess a stronger mental game than your opponent’s, this should be done quite ethically. Psyching infers a deliberate attempt to directly tamper with someone’s mental state, which is unsportsmanlike. Winning less than honorably, including the use of purposeful and planned psyching is a victory not worth winning and a contest not worth playing.
In summary, strategy contributes strongly to your mental game as well as to many other aspects of your ability. It is evident in all situations, and it takes many forms. So remember to use strategy to improve your odds for success.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS OF THE MENTAL ASPECT
How do you identify between facts from fiction in what we read? Well, it’s not easy. But some carefully weighed information and observations may help. Mind you, however, what follows is just a stored “input” from a coach’s “mental programming” over a period of many years, which, it is hoped, does not contain too many “viruses”.
“It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” Aside from other relevant interpretations, this statement underscores an athlete’s priority. As a judicious act, motivation should be implemented within reasonable perimeters. Otherwise, you will be striving for goals that are not attainable.
There is no question to ask about the brain often functions better after exercise. Most definitely, there is a connection between the brain and the body. Similar to your muscles, the brain is favorably stimulated by extensive “workouts.” Proof of this is increasingly demonstrated, as a growing number of the older generation continue to exhibit via the benefits of regular exercise.
Also, we must understand that, the mind plays the “leading role” in preventing an athlete from being victimized by the “fear of failure.” The brain’s instinctive “stand-or-retreat” response enables the body to gear for action by stimulating the body to a state of readiness. However, if a series of unresolved contemplations are coursing through the brain to the muscles, you may find yourself attempting to execute an effective delivery, while, at the same time, your brain is transmitting such messages as, “Play it safe!” or “Don’t force the ball!”
The best bowlers have the type of “mind set” that brings them to the ultimate state of readiness without a fear response. For example, studies have verified that a successful bowler’s heart rate, though significantly higher than normal before executing a skill. This indicates that though the bowler was highly “geared” during the performance, the shot was made exclusive of “the troublemaker” anxiety.
Scientists have long recognized that the human brain consists of two hemispheres, left and right. The left side of the brain is more involved with vocabulary and problem solving skills, while the right side is primarily involved with the workings and responsibilities of the subconscious. This implies that during one’s height of performance it is best to allow the right brain to control the body, so that an uninterrupted physiological process engaging and disengaging of the muscles will occur.
Furthermore, scientists have concluded that being able to control your brain wave patterns is a critical for a deep state of concentration. The successful bowler experiences a relatively explosive of alpha waves, which, in turn, brings on relaxation and a tranquil state of concentration. For example, a bowler could orchestrate a sequential set of mental keys. That sequential set is, “locate the proper position with the feet, insert the fingers and thumb, and align the body to the target and place the ball on the proper position before starting delivery”. By applying these mental keys, the bowler will ready himself with relaxation and concentration.
This works because the logical part of the brain senses its role complete as the approach begins, thus it freely gives way to the subconscious to take the role. At the same time, the danger of negative thoughts such as fear, anxiety and second-guessing, is automatically bypassed.
Mental imagery is another method used to better accommodate a forthcoming bowling shot. Researchers believe that mental imagery requires the mind to enact a neurological procedure that is quite similar to that experienced when actually performing. The idea here is to form up mental imagery or mental practice best shots, before putting it into actual action.
Finally, advanced mental factors are best accommodated only after given levels of physical skills are attained. Once you understand how the Mental Aspect is measured, you will not only be inspiringly surprised, but also will be highly awarded!
