"Summer Heat And Your Bowling Ball"

For a good number of league bowlers, there simply isn't enough time in the day to go from work back home and then to the bowling center for league. During the summer league session, especially if you live here in Nebraska where temps can reach into the high 90's and beyond, you should start to think about your equipment and the effect heat and weather can have on it.

If at all possible, I would suggest renting a locker at the bowling center you bowl in and leaving your equipment there. For one, it saves you the activity of lugging it in from outside. Also, some bowling balls have a tendency to "sweat," the oil that is inside the ball from prior use comes out onto the surface, and can be very annoying. For those that use tape in their bowling balls, the heat can break down the cohesiveness of the tape, leaving that gunky stuff behind when you remove and replace tape. Many refuse to leave their equipment in hot cars period, for fear of what the heat could do to the bowling ball. I would recommend against leaving your equipment in your car if only for the simple reason to protect it from possible theft.

If your circumstances require you to transport your equipment and leaving it in places of extreme temperatures, I would suggest arranging it so you can be at league at least 20 minutes ahead of schedule. This will give you an opportunity to clean the surface of your ball thoroughly, and to clean out the messiness your tape can leave behind. Your ball will also have a chance to begin to return to normal temperatures.

Helping protect your equipment from the elements will help prolong your equipment's life, and give you less headaches. Have fun this summer, and good bowling.

April Tip

"The 3-6-9 Spare System"

There is a standard method of converting spares known as the 3-6-9 system. When preparing to convert spares, bowlers move a certain number of boards right or left, depending on which pins remain standing. Adjustments begin at the starting place for the strike ball delivery. THE PIN CLOSEST TO THE BOWLER IS THE KEY PIN. It governs decision making. It must be the first pin hit. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Such as when you have 2, 3, or 4 pins standing side by side. One example is when the 4-5 split is standing, the key pin is where the 2 pin would've been standing.

The 3-6-9 system is applied like this if the bowler is right handed. When the key pin is the 2 pin, bowlers move 3 boards to the right of there starting strike position, and roll the ball over the same target as used for the strike ball. When the key pin is the 4 pin, the bowler moves 6 boards to the right of their starting strike position and rolls the ball over the same target as the strike ball. When we are targeting the 7 pin, bowlers move 9 boards to the right of the starting position and roll the ball over the same target as the strike ball.

When remaining pins stand to the right of the head pin, adjustments start, not from the strike position, but from the position where the 10 pin spare is converted. Through experimentation, bowlers will move up to 15 boards left and roll the ball over the third arrow to pick up the 10 pin. When the bowler can consistently pick up the 10 pin, this will be the key starting position for right side spares. Now we can apply the 3-6-9 system. When the 6 pin is the key pin, move 3 boards to the right of the 10 pin position and roll the ball over the third arrow. When the 3 pin is the key pin, move 6 boards to the right of the 10 pin position and roll the ball over the third arrow.

This method will work on most lane conditions barring excessive oil that has carried down from the heads or extremely dry conditions. In extreme oil you may have to adjust the system to a 4-8-12. The same principles apply.

March Tip

"The Mental Checklist"

It's natural to get nervous while bowling especially during league and tournament competition. Unfortunately, being nervous can cause your muscles to tighten, making it difficult to bowl well. Your bowling will be better if both your muscles and mind are relaxed.

Try this trick to get a grip on nerves: As you settle into your stance on the approach, concentrate on a mental checklist of all the components of your approach and delivery. This will help you focus on what you need to do to get the scores rather than on the score itself.

Your checklist can include the following;

* Position your feet on the proper boards for the shot.

** Visualize and then get into the correct stance.

** Choose and focus on a lane target.

** Take a deep breath, exhale and roll the ball through your target.

Implementing any or all of these things can help take your mind off of your score and put your focus on the one thing you can control, making the shot.

February Tip

"The Truth!"

This months tip is going to cover some frequently asked questions, in which I am going to give you the truthful answers.

Is it true that the lanes hook more today than they did in the past because less oil is being applied to the lane now?

NO! There are to main factors that lead to more hook. The first thing is the bowling ball itself. The coverstocks on the new balls are more aggressive. Today's balls also grab the lane much more than ever. The second factor is the lane surface. Today's lane surface is much cleaner than in years past. Years ago bowling centers would 'strip' or clean the lanes a couple of times per week. Now, with the improved lane machines being able to 'strip' and oil at the same time, most centers are doing them on a daily basis. As for the amount of oil being used, center managers are putting more on the lane than ever before to accommodate the new bowling balls, approximately 3x as much from 8-10 years ago.

The new bowling balls have hook already in them?

The answer to this frequent question is very short and to the point. You still have to put your hand in the ball. If the ball is released improperly, it may not hook at all. However, the balls today do hook much more than in the past. But, they do not have the hook built into them.

Are all non-wood approaches tacky?

All approaches, including synthetics are greatly affected by one thing, HUMIDITY. If the humidity in the air is relatively high the approaches will seem much tackier. Likewise, If the humidity is low they can become slick. The humidity factor is more crucial on synthetics, but NO, not all non-wood approaches are tacky (sticky).
Improve your scores by following our 'Tip of the Month'.

December Tip

"Are You Managing Your Spare Game?"

In today's modern game there is so much emphasis on power and striking, that spares have taken a back seat to things. There is no doubt about it, good spare shooting abilities are a must for anyone wishing to succeed in this sport. It's important to practice even the easiest spares on a regular basis to ensure that when the time comes, and the pressure is on, you'll be able to fill those frames. Here are some suggestions on how to achieve that. First of all, the best way to approach any single pin spare is to go directly at them. Learning to throw a straight ball to certain areas of the pin deck will increase your percentages immensely. Some bowlers prefer a "spare ball", which generally a plastic ball, which goes much straighter than the resin balls used for striking. Learning to flatten your wrist and not "hit" the ball at the bottom of the swing is another way to help straighten out the shot. You should also learn to move your feet from your starting position to properly line you up for different spares. Remember, practice is practice.

Take your time and think about your spares. Don't get lazy and take them for granted. Careless mistakes come when a bowler does not take a couple of extra seconds to organize his/her thoughts. Finally, when bowling in league or tournament play, take a couple of shots at the 7 and 10 pins. That will eliminate any surprises going across the center portion of the lane. Being completely prepared is achieved after gathering information. That may be the difference needed when the "lights come on".

Of course it would be nice if we could strike on every ball, but we must wake-up from that dream and be realistic. Knowing what to do on your second ball and avoiding needless, unforced errors, will show as your average rises. To take a saying from the other game I love to play, WE STRIKE FOR SHOW, AND SPARE FOR DOUGH.

November Tip

"Go Practice!"

There is an old saying that goes, "You don't win anything for practice, and you don't win anything if you don't." This is as true in bowling as any other sport, especially if you are a tournament bowler. It can be tedious, boring, and just generally anti-fun, but practice is the key to improving on your game and achieving success.

When you walk into a bowling center with the intention of practicing, it's important to have some kind of game plan before you start. Just throwing bowling balls down the lane one after another will be counterproductive in the long run. You might want to work on just one thing, like your follow through. Don't worry about where the ball is going, just make sure that your follow through is consistent and steady from shot to shot. You might want to work on keeping your head steady or having a good knee bend. Whatever you plan to work on, make sure you have a purpose to going out and practicing.

When Tiger Woods was learning his game, he would go out and practice with his father, and during the round his father would purposely do things right before he took his swing to try to distract him; this made Tiger mentally tough, and we all know where he is today. Now, I'm not suggesting you go get your dad and have him drop bowling balls on the lane before you throw the ball, but one thing I like to do from time to time, when it's possible, is to be put on the lane next to a bunch of kids or a kid's birthday party. This helps me to work on tuning out distractions while I'm on the lane. This is just something I do, you might find something else as equally distracting while you bowl, my advice would be to bowl with that distraction and work on tuning it out. If you can do that, your mental toughness in tournament play when the time comes to deal with a distraction.

Practice is essential, but it is important to have a purpose in practicing. Hopefully these suggestions will help you develop a game plan.

October Tip

"The Nemesis 10-Pin"

Tapped again and again? Are you tired of leaving that persistent ten pin. Well there is a reason that you are leaving them, besides bad luck.

I firmly believe that there is a reason that we leave every pin in the rack. The ten pin (seven pin for left-handers) is the most talked about single pin leave and probably the one that frustrates us the most.

First we must look at what type of ten pin that we leave. Yes, there are a few variations of the ten pin tap.

The first one I will address is the flat or weak ten. The six pin, which is the key to knocking out the ten, lays in the gutter and provides no aid in knocking down the ten. For most people, this leave happens when that ball hits just a bit weak or light in the pocket. It may also happen because the ball may run out of energy or roll out as it hits the pocket, resulting in deflection instead of driving through the pins.

Here are a few adjustments to reduce the amount of flat tens. One would be to move laterally with the feet to change the angle at which the ball enters the pocket. To combat energy loss, a bowler may want to go to a ball with a surface that provides less friction or change rotation by putting your hand more on the side of the ball at release.

The other type of ten pin is the ringing ten. This happens when the six pin wraps around the ten pin. This is often a result of the ball still hooking into the pocket or too much entry angle. To get the ring ten out of the game, a bowler may want to use a ball that has a little less backend or make a lateral move to change the angle.

Bowling is a game of physics, and if you don't change something you will continually leave that pesky ten pin. Keep an eye on the six pin and it will be your guide as to what type of ten pin you leave and what move you may need to make to get it out of the game!

September Tip

"Not Enough Time In The Day"

Sorry, there was no tip in September.  We hope you scored well without our help.

August Tip

"The 4-Step Delivery"

The FOUR-STEP DELIVERY is the SIMPLEST and the easiest to TROUBLESHOOT. The reason is that the ball is pushed out right along with the first step. The ball is neither carried for a step as in the five-step delivery, nor moved before the first step, as in the three-step delivery. During the four-step delivery, there is something for the upper body to do in coordination with each step taken.

SETUP - Take your setup with your feet three to four inches apart and neither foot leading. Point your feet in the direction of your target. Do not lean forward; be generally upright, with your legs straight, your knees not bent, but not locked either. To help you relax your bowling hand and arm, hold the major portion of your ball's weight in your BALANCE HAND -- the hand opposite your bowling hand.

FIRST STEP - Move your ball at the same instant as you pick up your foot on the same side as your bowling arm--i.e. your SWINGSIDE FOOT. Push your ball straight ahead -- never down! Think of it as placing your ball on an imaginary table the same height as the ball was held in the setup. As your ball reaches the limit of your reach with both arms, your SWINGSIDE HEEL should just be making contact with the approach.

SECOND STEP - Let your ball simply FALL from the arms-extended into a PENDULUM SWING. Continue to keep your body upright; do not allow your head to follow your ball down into the swing! To help keep your shoulders level and squared with your swing, let your BALANCE ARM move to a position out, down, and back -- approximately 90 degrees to the plane of the swing -- at the same speed as your downswing. Your SLIDING HEEL should make contact with the approach as your ball is at the lowest point in the backswing.

THIRD STEP - Let your ball move up to the top of your backswing by its own force. Get gravity to work for you; do not use the muscles of your upper arm and back to hoist it any higher. If you do hoist your ball, your body will twist, your bowling shoulder will be pulled back, and your ball will become late relative to your footwork. As your ball reaches the top of your backswing, Your SWINGSIDE HEEL should make contact with the approach.

FOURTH STEP - Take your last step very slowly on your SLIDING SOLE, bending your swingside knee. This will give you a long slide and ample time to achieve a superior body position for your release. Keep your upper body upright and your balance arm in the position it attained during your second step. You will enjoy better leverage, less fatigue, and more consistently placed shots.

July Tip

"3 Keys For A Better Mental Game"

All too often I see people focus so much on this bad shot or that bad shot. This is something that we can’t do if we want to be successful at this game of ours. Opens are going to happen whether it is an unmakeable split due to a tap or a difficult spare due to poor execution. We are human and we make mistakes. We have to learn to get over this and to not linger on the past.  This game should be treated one frame at a time. If we have a one of those bad frames, the next frame should be a fresh start with a clear mind. It's obvious that this is a mental block for most players, but I do see too many people put unnecessary amounts of pressure on themselves.

Take this from someone who has been working very hard on the aspect of the game for the past year or two.  I see three things that we must have in order to be a successful player above and beyond physical mechanics;

1. Confidence - I don't mean bragging, I mean having confidence in your ability to throw good shots and be competitive. If you know that you can do it, then there shouldn't be a problem, but problems will arise when you begin questioning this aspect of your game.

2. No Unnecessary Pressure - All too often I see individuals start out with the first 3 or 4 and immediately begin thinking 300. Why add that pressure to yourself? I've learned to not even look at my score all the time and just concentrate at executing good shot after good shot. Of course, that doesn't always happen, but I don't think about the end result. Again, one shot at a time. Thinking 300 or even "I have to strike out to shoot 200” creates another mind
block that can disparage your execution. The only time pressure situations should come into play is when you do know that you have to strike out in order to beat your opponent, but again, that should not be your focus. The focus should
still be simply following your preshot routine, grabbing your ball, and throwing it. Thinking can be dangerous.

3. Trust - We have to learn to trust our instincts. This is one thing that I really try and focus on. I know when I need to make a move or a ball change, but sometimes hesitate on doing so which damages the end result. Many of us talk
ourselves out of doing what our instincts tell us and then get upset with ourselves for not doing so. I say always TRUST your instincts. Don't hesitate in making the change, just do it. Usually it is the correct move. Nobody knows your game like you do and you know what will work for you. If the change was wrong, oh well, you learned something, but usually that is not the case.  I believe that the mental aspect of this game plays an integral role in an individual's success. We not only need to practice our physical mechanics, but we also need to learn to have a good mindset about what we are doing. Of course, this is all strictly my opinion, but just something that I have seen damage people frequently, especially those with already well developed mechanics.

June Tip

"Does a clean ball really matter?"

How often should you clean your ball? There is no precise answer, but a good rule of thumb is to set a cleaning regimen just like you would with your car.

You can tell when your car needs to be washed and waxed, and it's the same thing for your bowling ball. Sometimes it can be a few weeks before it needs cleaning and sometimes just one night of bowling can demand a good scrub. Just like your car, your ball is subject to the dirt and grime that comes with use. Some centers' machines and lanes are cleaner than others and don't necessarily require a strict routine cleaning. On the other hand, if your ball gets filthy on a regular basis, clean away.

Another thing to remember is that the surface of the ball needs to be maintained. If your ball rolls great with 500 grit surface, you will need to maintain that as well. When you start to see the reaction weaken, that is a good indication that the surface needs to be freshened up.

You can purchase cleaners, polishes and sanding materials to keep the surface of your ball at its optimum performance level. If you are not the do-it-yourself kind of bowler, just take your ball into the pro shop and have it assessed by the operator.  He/She will be able to assist you in what type of maintenance and/or materials is needed for your equipment. 

May Tip

"The PBA Experience Lane Patterns - A Closer Look At How To Play Them"

Chameleon / Length 39 feet

Chameleons change color to outsmart their enemies. To excel on this pattern, bowlers must be versatile in many styles of play.

Chameleon measures 39 feet and resembles a "retro" approach to pattern design. Oil is placed in "strips" and requires the player to play in a specific zone on the lane, as compared to a "multiple angles" condition. The scoring pace for this pattern can range from low to high, depending on the condition of the surface.

Cheetah / Length 35 feet

A cheetah may look harmless, but this speedster has a dangerous side. So does this pattern - with a fast scoring pace and play near the gutter, there's no room for error.

Cheetah measures 35 feet in length and is the shortest of the five patterns. Sometimes used on lane surfaces that are well worn, it tries to maximize the area on the lane with less wear, which is usually extremely close to the gutter. Because of this, players tend to migrate toward those spots to take advantage of the more pristine surface areas. The cheetah is exciting for its ability to allow players to make "risk-reward" decisions based on playing near the gutter. The scoring pace is normally medium to high for this pattern.

Scorpion / Length 41 feet

A scorpion is dangerous and unpredictable, like this pattern. If you can't find the right groove on the lanes, you'll be stung!

The Scorpion measures 41 feet, and similar to the Viper, can yield a wide variety of strategies depending on the type and condition of the lane surface. However, Scorpion incorporates a larger volume of oil placed further down lane which often demands a more direct line. The scoring pace is normally medium to low for this pattern.

Shark / Length 44 feet

This pattern forces bowlers to play deep inside the center of the lanes, like sharks that troll the depths of the ocean.

Shark is the longest of the five patterns, measuring 44 feet of oil. Typical to the length and design, professionals will migrate more towards the center of the lane as the ball normally will not hook back to the pocket if it strays too far outside near the gutter. This pattern usually requires extreme inside angles to get to the pocket after five or six games. The scoring pace is normally high for this pattern.

Viper / Length 37 feet

A viper strikes with multiple angles of attack. This pattern will challenge players to attack the pins from multiple angles in order to score well.

Viper measures 37 feet in oil distance, and more than any of the other patterns, can yield a wide variety of strategies for attack depending on the type and condition of the lane surface (i.e., wood, synthetic, etc.). The scoring pace is normally medium to high for this pattern.

Your Mental Game ???

How attune are you to your mental game? How attune are you to yourself? Yes, we as bowlers periodically need self examination. We need to know if the faculties we operate by are functional or need altering, because we as athletes are affected by numerous factors, conscious and unconscious, internal and external, under the pressure of competition, we always break at our weakest links. This occurs at every level, mechanically, mentally, emotionally and physically. In addition, these factors also affect and determine your mental toughness.

Look at the list of factors below and rate yourself accordingly with the scale provided: 1 (Extremely Negative); 2 (Mildly Negative); 3 Neutral; 4 (Mildly Positive); and 5 (Extremely Positive). Look at and examine the list honestly.

Upon examination and your ratings, any factors designated a 2 or below should be viewed by you as an area of concern that can have a direct or indirect affect on your performance. This is true psychologically and physiologically. Faulty patterns of thinking and acting under stress, unhealthy emotional habits, poor physical endurance or strength, and similar weakest links lead to breakdown. Yes, breakdown, when you least expect it and when you want the most Ideal Performance.

Your pattern of weakness eventually disrupts the flow between your mind and body and your talent and skill. Confidence, fun, positive energy and focus suddenly become fear, doubt, disappointment, and discouragement. Thus without the flow and chemistry underlying it, you lose the battle fast and performance goes the other direction - downhill.

Adversity*Losing

Aggressiveness*Mental Discipline

Aloneness*Negativism/Positivism

Anger*Outcome

Approach*Perspective

Attitude*Poise

Body Language*Preparation

Breathing*Pressure

Competitor*Quitting

Concentration*Relentlessness

Confidence*Response

Consistency*Self-Coaching

Courage*Self-Esteem

Dedication*Task at Hand

Excuses*Urgency

Fear of Failure*Visualization

Habit*Will

Intelligence*X-Factor

Once you identify your weakest link(s) you should immediately attack it or them. Begin by mapping out new and practical strategies for overcoming your weakness. Focus the weakness on a daily basis, spend about 10-15 seconds each morning and evening viewing the positive aspect of your weakness so you can begin to earn the dividends of mental toughness.

Getting lined up and staying lined up are two different tasks. Getting lined up refers to finding the initial combination of starting position, target, release and ball selection to maximize your scoring potential. Staying lined up refers to adjustments you can make as lane conditions change during a session.

Getting lined up can be a challenging process. Each session, no matter how routine, must be approached with an open mind and a curiosity about the lane condition. Do not limit yourself by determining where you are going to stand and aim then use equipment to "fine tune." Sometimes the best option is to play a different part of the lane then you normally use.

Begin your practice by rolling your favorite ball on your favorite part of the lane. Watch the ball reaction carefully to see where it begins to curve and how much. Using this "benchmark" will help you determine what changes, if any, are needed. Also watch where other people are playing with success. Is it an inside or outside line? Especially watch people using a similar style to your own.

If the lanes are oily, plan to use a straighter line to the pocket. Trying to force the ball to curve more will lead to accuracy problems. If the lanes are hooking, you may need to use a softer release or less aggressive equipment. Sometimes moving to a different part of the lane will help you find the amount of oil that will be a better match to the ball selection and release you prefer. Generally the outside of the lane will be drier and the inside will have more oil.

The tournament entry fees have been sent, tickets and reservations have been made and you are ready for the competition to begin. Well, not quite yet.

These ideas can help your game even before you roll your first ball at the tournament.

Before you go:

Choose your arsenal. Select the bowling balls you*d like to bring. Talk to others who have already bowled in the tournament or are familiar with the lane conditions to help you determine which ones will be right for you.

Check your equipment. Look for chips and cracks on the surface of each ball. Replace worn finger inserts as necessary.

Prepare your accessory bag. Make sure you bring a rosin bag, clean towel and plenty of tape.

Find a certified coach. A certified coach can help you find a way to knock down a few more pins each game.

When you get there:

Pay attention to what is happening around you. If other bowlers are starting to miss right or left, the lane condition may be changing slightly. Be alert and make adjustments.

Relax and have fun. You'll have a harder time making your shots if you are nervous, worried or concerned. To decrease tension, take a deep breath and exhale before each shot.

Get back to basics. Tournaments are exciting and in such an atmosphere, bowlers have a tendency to get overanxious and forget about fundamentals. Focus on the basics to ensure your best performance.

Found the pocket but not carrying?

This month I would like to re-print a tip from a few years back that I think can help many of our customers improve there scores.

On many of the 'league' conditions that bowlers encounter in either league play or most tournaments, pin 'carry' can be the mystery that must be solved. Hitting the pocket sometimes is not the problem, but knocking down that pesky 'back row' of pins (7,8,9,10) can sometimes drive a bowler to drink.

It has been determined that pin carry is based on the speed of the ball and the entry angle of the ball into the pocket. How that speed and entry angle are achieved comes from a variety of options. using different speeds off the hand can create better pin carry. To accelerate your swing, you may want to hold the ball slightly higher in your stance, thus causing a longer swing and increased speed.

Using a different hand positions and release can change the entry angle into the pocket. To change your hand position and release, take your normal bowling stance, then slightly rotate your hand either to the right or left BEFORE making your delivery, then keep your hand in the new position throughout your entire delivery and release.

Changes to your bowling ball, such as the coverstock, or in some cases, adding a weight hole is an option. Remember, altering a ball in play is against USBC rules once the competition has begun. Changing the friction of the coverstock (usually with sandpaper or a scotch-brite pad), will alter the speed of the ball as well as change the entry angle into the pocket.

When all of this logic still does not produce the results required, more options must be explored. One example would be to reduce the importance of the coverstock by going with a more aggressive layout when drilling the ball. This may change the entry angle into the pocket to help produce better 'pin carry'. A second example would do the opposite, use a stronger coverstock with a 'weaker' layout to allow a different entry angle as well.

It becomes increasingly important as your progress in the game to understand and know your equipment. With practice of different hand positions, speed control, and using differently drilled equipment, you will produce desired results.

Learning the basics of bowling is never a difficult task. If one is eager to learn the basics of bowling, he can start by focusing on the selection of a ball the fits properly.

The first step in choosing the right bowling ball is determining if the ball feels right to the one who will use it. Many players opt to use the same ball whenever they bowl after they find they like. When they feel comfortable using a particular ball it affects their bowling performance.

The weight of the ball must be considered as it has a great impact on the bowlers balance. The ball should not be too heavy for the bowler*s size. If the bowler does not have balance, the performance may be less than desired. This is why it is important to choose a ball that is right for the weight of the bowler.

The fit of the ball should be the primary concern in the selection of a ball. The ball should follow the configuration of the bowler*s hands. The holes* sizes and the distances between them should be in accordance with the normal grip of the bowler and may vary depending on which grip he/she may use.

Inserting a good portion of the finger in the holes will allow a better grip of the ball and is why it is important that the finger fit comfortably in the holes. However, the holes should not be too big for the fingers. An improper fit causes a tendency for the grip to be loose or the fingers to slide when swinging the ball.

The bowling ball is an important consideration when learning the bowling basics. The ball should perfectly fit the fingers to have a better grip of the ball. Having a better grip allows a better release and enhances the performance.

When a person knows how to choose a ball that is right for him/her, then it is easier for him/her to perform the moves and strategies needed. Bowling will never be difficult as long as he/she knows the basics of bowling, and chooses the right ball.

By Tom Blasco

Achievement Keys--------Consistency and Excellence---------Sport and Life.

1. Models of Excellence: Use positive role models. Quality Achievers-living blueprints, inspiration, I like you - sharing; association; positive sensory observation; what we think about, see, hear, draw strength from past successes for confidence and fuels your fire for desire, dedication and determination.

2. Positive Sensory Observations: What you see or hear is what you get.

3. Sensory Goal Vision: Emotion provoking - trophies, hearing, names, TV, best of all players.

4. Commitment to Excellence. Mastery of skills. Commitment to the shot you are making. Being in the NOW.

5. Mastery of Fundaments: Adapt to change and conditions builds confidence; advantage over competition. Don't think about how to do a performance - only do performances.

6. Develop and Use Successful Performance Strategies: Adapt to conditions; select the proper equipment; look for one break; review strategy - get the intelligent and strategic edge.

7. Use of Mental Rehearsal: Before, during and after competition. Map out. See, hear and feel yourself in competition; minimize distractions to NO distractions. Sense motion; target and feel motion to reach goals. Defuse all negatives.

8. Positive Use of Adrenaline. Nervousness is Anxiety. Relaxed to Perform Well; used to training athletes; Positive Adrenaline high; body mimics anxiety. Brain sharpens senses; quickens body response and lubricates joints for smooth flowing motion. Not knowing causes fear of failure. Learn to relax and use adrenaline. Listlessness and flat, get ready for peak performance.

9. The AWE Factor: Never look up to or at competition. The legend, the star, the champion - he is you, no different.

10. The Burning Desire to Win: Practice, play or competition, perform better each time out. Winning is a by-product. Winning reinforces winning, more improvement.

11. Translate Failure to Success and Mistakes to Opportunities: No thing such as failure, why performed poorly and channel to correcting failure. Don't repeat.

12. Love of Your Sport. Competition is a game; not life; maintain the desire to learn, improve, excel, win and have fun.

There are a number of things to know when it comes to preparing your bowling equipment. Perhaps one of the most important, yet often overlooked bowling equipment preparation steps, is to never store or transport your bowling ball in the trunk of your car. In the summer months car trunks become ovens, in the winter months they become freezers. These temperature extremes dramatically affect the performance of your ball, especially during the first several frames you bowl. Ideally you want your ball to be at the room temperature of the bowling center your bowling at. A ball that has been exposed to hot temperatures will hook earlier and more dramatically while a ball that has been exposed to cold temperatures will tend to skid down the lane. Also, putting your fingers and thumb into an excessively hot or cold ball can make them swell or shrink considerably making you loose the vital "feel" of the ball and regaining that proper feel could take as long as 1 or 2 games.

There are, however, temperature fluctuations that you can not control. For example, the room temperature of the bowling center your at may rise and lower as large numbers of people arrive and leave. So what to do to compensate for these uncontrollable temperature fluctuations? Well, you could tell all of the people that are at the bowling center they need to leave and then lock the doors, or you could use bowling tape. Perhaps using bowling tape would be the more socially acceptable solution.

Because feel is vital to executing a smooth and consistent release, every possible step should be taken to bring consistency to the finger and thumb hole specs of the ball. As play unfolds, your fingers or thumbs are likely to swell or shrink as your body heats and cools, making it necessary for you to add or remove tape from the finger and thumb holes on your bowling ball. This is why it is highly recommended that you take the time prior to bowling to add or remove tape from each bowling ball that you plan on using until each ball feels identical. Doing so should help with your consistency.

Bowling balls, bags & shoes have likely been packed in your closet, basement, attic or even in the trunk of your car for the past several months. Now is the perfect time to reclaim these items and get yourself ready to improve those scores.

A little time spent on your game this month can be a wise investment that will pay off during the league and tournament season. This is the perfect time to try new skills, use new equipment and explore new ways to knock down more pins.

Are you looking for a way to pick up more spares? Do you want to develop more consistency in your approach? Do you want to try a new release?

The key to making any positive change in your game is to stick with it. Sometimes when we try something new, we expect instant gratification. Understand that new skills take time to develop and may even be frustrating at times. With practice and determination, your game will improve. Improving your average by ten pins could be as simple as becoming a better spare shooter. It*s not always about the strikes.

Utilizing a certified coach will certainly help you identify problem areas in your game and help you achieve faster results. Sun Valley Lanes is currently in the process of certifying all of it*s employee*s in coaching the game at different levels. Meaning that no matter what skill level you are, beginner, intermediate or advanced someone on staff will be able to help you.

Until next month I wish all of you the best during this upcoming season.

It's natural to get nervous while bowling especially during league and tournament competition. Unfortunately, being nervous can cause your muscles to tighten, making it difficult to bowl well. Your bowling will be better if both your muscles and mind are relaxed.

Try this trick to get a grip on nerves: As you settle into your stance on the approach, concentrate on a mental checklist of all the components of your approach and delivery. This will help you focus on what you need to do to get the scores rather than on the score itself.

Your checklist can include the following:

** Position your feet on the proper boards for the shot.

** Visualize and then get into the correct stance.

** Choose and focus on a lane target.

** Take a deep breath, exhale and roll the ball through your target.

Implementing any or all of these things can help take your mind off of your score and put your focus on the one thing you can control, making the shot.

We all are looking to add a few more pins to our averages. A common question is; will a new ball improve my average? For most bowlers it seems that a new ball always seems to help improve your game.

For a new bowler who does not have a ball, getting your own bowling ball that is fit properly will add many pins to your score. For a bowler who owns their own bowling ball but it was not fit for them or for the bowler who had their ball drilled years ago, upgrading to a ball that fits will improve their scores. Also, the newer balls with their advanced cover stocks and high tech cores will definitely help them knock down more pins.

If you are the type of bowler that averages 180 - 200 then you most likely understand the importance of owning good fitting properly drilled equipment. What the bowler may not realize is the importance of good practice habits. Bowlers who average just below that 200 barrier may not be able to break that barrier because they have tried to find that magic ball that will knock down more pins when what they really need is some fine tuning in their game or a little more experience in adjusting to varying lane conditions quickly enough. Note: (Many bowlers can add a quick 5 - 10 pins to their average by purchasing a plastic spare ball and learning how to shoot spares properly).

After reaching the 210 + level bowlers usually understand ball surfaces, ball imbalance, and how to use them on various lane conditions. These are the bowlers who seems to own every ball made. At this level choosing the right ball can make a difference between carrying those few extra corner pins a game.

There is also the bowler, regardless of average, who just has to have a new ball every time a new one comes out. Having the feel of that new ball or the excitement of trying something different is a big mental boost to many. At times I drill a new ball just to get me out of slump - its seems to work most of the time. New bowling balls are clean and get a better reaction than a bowling ball that is not very well maintained. We all know that we don't clean our bowling balls the way we should.

Another reason why an addition to your line-up of balls can help your average is the varying lane conditions that bowlers can face. With today's varying lane conditions it can be to your advantage to have an assortment of ball surfaces and pin layouts in your bag. Ex: If you go to bowl in league or a tournament and the conditions are very dry and the only ball you have in your bag is a Particle ball, you will probably find that it reacts too early and you may have trouble scoring with this type of ball on this condition. If you had a couple of different bowling balls you may have been able to score.

If bowling is your sport and bowling is what you enjoy, then indulge yourself and try the latest thing on the market. Just make sure your pro shop is keeping your best interest in mind. The pro shop operator that doesn't want to drill you a new ball simply because they don't think you are ready or could not handle it may just have a little bit of an ego problem, thinking that they are that much better than you. There is nothing wrong with having the best equipment in your bag. Just don't think that by buying the best it will make up for a lack of practice and knowledge. ENJOY AND HAVE FUN!

With the advent of Sport Leagues and Sport Conditions, bowlers that want a greater challenge are able to get just that, as long as there is a sport center near them. Even if there isn't, many tournaments are adopting sport conditions for certain higher end competitions. Much has been written and talked about in the short time the sport program has been available to the mass public, so here are some things to remember about the sport condition.

For one, understand that there is no one "Sport Condition". The sport program is a different set of criteria that must be adhered to for a particular pattern to be deemed "sport compliant". To oversimplify, a sport condition is a pattern that has a 2:1 ratio of oil or less. Meaning the oil in the middle of the lane cannot be more than double the oil applied to the outer edges of the lane. So you could have many different types of oil patterns that could be classified as sport compliant. For this reason, it would be impossible for me to say, "Here is how you play the sport condition".

I will say that to be effective on a sport condition, you need to be able to repeat the same shot over and over during the course of your league night. Since there is a much smaller margin of error for mistakes, you need to be able to minimize those mistakes. When you go into practice, try to hit the same target as many times as you can. Don't worry about where the ball goes on the lane, just worry about being able to hit your target. Unless you have the opportunity to practice on a sport condition, it really won't matter where the ball goes anyway, so just work on throwing it the same way over and over.

Also, when you bowl in a sport league or a tournament with the sport conditions on the lane, go in with the understanding that you probably aren't going to average 260. You're going to make mistakes, and some of those mistakes are going to be costly. Many times the difference between the winner and the runner up is how the player responds to a mistake. If you throw a bad shot and you get stung, recognize it for what it is, a bad shot, and move on. The sooner you can do that, the sooner you can get back on track to throwing good shots, because your brain won't be preoccupied with the bad shot you threw 5 frames ago. The player that makes the fewest mistakes in a situation like that more than likely will be the more successful.

Finally, keep the ball in play. Spares are a premium on a sport condition. When you go into practice, make sure to practice making spares. Even on full racks, practice going for corner pins, or throwing the ball straight at spares when you need to. Remember that score doesn't count in practice. Also, play within your own abilities. If you aren't practiced at playing 5th arrow on your normal league, chances are you aren't going to be able to do it on a sport pattern either. There is a time to work on something like that, and in the middle of competition is not the place to do it. That's what practice is for.

The sport condition is still fairly new, so learning all you can about it will give you a chance to understand it. Knowledge is power, especially in the sport of bowling.

Learned experiences come from many different elements of life. Learned skills (physically or mentally) can come from a lesson, your league or tournament activities. They could be from the new associations you create and it could be from just a friendly gesture that makes you feel comfortable with and within yourself. Whatever they may be, learned experiences or skills are there to add encouragement and reinforce your overall efforts and methods of play. *

We all know the key to success in sports, as in many facets of life, is CONSISTENCY and this is what the word can mean:

* "Consistency is the truest measure of performance. Almost everyone can have a great day, or even a good year, but true success is the ability to perform day in and day out, year after year, under all kinds of conditions. Inconsistency will win some of the time; consistency will win most of the time."

* Knowing this, means that you must be more aware of ones-self, physically, mentally and emotionally to maintain this consistency. Consistency requires the same concentration, determination, and repetition on every shot and every attempt. To be at your best all the time, you must:

o Take nothing for granted. If you aren't "up" every day, something or someone, will knock you down.

o Take pride in what you do and how you do it. The things you do well are the things you enjoy doing.

o Take setbacks in stride. Don't brood over reverses; learn from them.

o Take calculated chances. To win something, even if it's the battle with yourself, you must risk something.

o Take work home (visualize and use imagery) to help your performances. To get ahead, plan ahead. Think out the shot before you make it.

o Take the extra game. Condition yourself for the long run, the grind out. The tested can always take it.

o Don't take "no" for an answer. You can do what you believe you can do.

Remember, celebrate, just make sure it's after the victory.

Bowing has been popular with millions of people for thousands of years!

Bowling balls and pins were found in the tomb of an Egyptian king who died in 5,200 B.C. The ancient Polynesians bowled on lanes that were 60 feet long, the same as today.

Bowling was part of a religious ceremony in fourth century Germany. Those who could knock down the pins were said to be of good character. Those who missed had to do penance. Even Martin Luther was a bowler. British kings Edward II and Richard II banned bowling because they said people were wasting too much time playing the sport. But Sir Francis Drake played a game of bowls before he went to war against the Spanish Armada.

Bowling has been popular in America since Colonial days. The British imported lawn bowling but German settlers introduced ninepins, the ancient game that evolved into today's modern tenpin sport.

Because of confusion over playing standards, the top bowlers of the 19th century decided that the sport needed a standard set of rules. They started the American Bowling Congress in 1895. The Women's International Bowling Congress was started in 1916.

In 2005, the American Bowling Congress and the Women's International Bowling Congress merged to form the United States Bowling Congress.

Stretching is really important due to the fact that it can prevent injury. Most people don't realize how many muscle pulls, back pains and arm strains you can occur without proper stretching before you start your bowling game. Just a few minutes of your time before you start can go along way at preventing pain today or tomorrow.

You first want to stretch your thigh, groin and hamstrings to get your legs loosened up. For the thigh, simply pull your leg up behind your back and hold for 10-15 seconds. To stretch the groin, you will want to put leg up on chair and slightly turn your body to stretch it out for the same 10-15 seconds. For the hamstrings, all you do is try and touch your toes and hold if you can't touch your toes just go as far as you can and hold for same amount of time as other two stretches.

Your wrist, forearm and shoulder are the next key body parts to stretch for bowling. For the wrist and forearm just lay your palm down on a table and put pressure down on the palm enough to bend wrist and feel pressure in the forearm. Now the shoulder all you have to do is swing and rotate shoulder around in a circular motion to loosen and stretch it out.

The back is the last group of muscles that should be stretched out before beginning your league. Find a chair or something you can lean back and twist around doing so with both the right side and left side. You also can grab onto something with both hands and pull back from chair to stretch the back muscles also.

We all know that there are many different techniques to throwing a bowling ball. For many intermediate and advanced bowlers, that means learning new things constantly. Since bowling is an ever changing sport, you need to stay on top of all the changes that occur in the game.

Practice is the best way to master any new technique. By doing the same things over and over again in practice, you can carry them over in competition when you get a good handle on them. However, it is important to know when to try to incorporate something new into your game, and when to leave it alone.

When you are just starting out learning something new, you naturally are not going to be very proficient at it at first. Therefore, trying something you just started learning in a league or tournament may not be the best idea. Your muscles have not adjusted to the new motions yet, and thus they will not be able to perform as well in a game type situation. A good rule of thumb is to leave trying new things in practice, and when you feel confident in being able to do it reasonably consistently, then you can turn it loose in competition.

Getting the motions down during practice will help you be able to get it right when you need it in competition.

As much as many of us would like to, we just don't have the time or money to practice 20+ games a week. So how can we stay sharp and help fix problems without actually picking up a ball? Mental imaging, this is where that great imagination you developed as a kid comes in handy.

Having problems with the ten pin? Imagine yourself shooting the ten pin and making the spare. Now do it again, and again, and again. If you take a little time here and there, before you go to sleep, in the car on the way to work, or even while at lunch or dinner, you will actually be helping to train your muscle memory to execute shots better. Ever notice that you bowl a little better after watching the Pros on TV? This is part of the same theory. If you watch something positive repeatedly enough times, it actually becomes part of you.

A pleasant side effect: making all those ten pins in your mind helps the confidence a great deal, especially with so many people having more negative thoughts than positive ones.

Bowling Tip #1 - Bowling Etiquette

This isn't a bowling tip, but for beginners it is a good place to start for them to avoid embarrassment. Nothing looks more foolish than a person walking out on the lane and seeing their legs fly out from under them. Sure it's funny but it can be dangerous. Yes, there is oil on those lanes! So remember that it is a good idea to get an employee to go past the foul line and onto the lanes if there is a need.

You should use the appropriate lane courtesy. This means having nobody on the approach shooting on either lane to the side of yours before you step up to throw. If you are bowling league or a tournament it may be different so ask whoever is running the event about the lane courtesy before you start.

Bowling Tip #2 - Learn to Relax

The ability to relax is probably the single most important factor for success in bowling and other sports, and without it you will not achieve your potential. Take this bowling tip to heart, because all the great ones have mastered the ability to relax in the heat of competition. They have a relaxed energetic demeanor. Relaxation increases your level of balance and ability to concentrate, so learn this bowling tip and breathe deep.

Bowling Tip #3 - Play Your Own Game

We can all learn from each other and everyone is quick to give advice, but hearing dozens of bowling tips from all of your friends can be confusing. Everyone is unique and their bowling style should be unique too. Early timing and late timing, inside out swings and outside in swings, every bowler has to develop in their own way, style is always a matter of comfort. Granted, some styles are more effective than others but understand this bowling tip and you can avoid the imitation trap.

There is a standard method of converting spares known as the 3-6-9 system. When preparing to convert spares, bowlers move a certain number of boards right or left, depending on which pins remain standing. Adjustments begin at the starting place for the strike ball delivery. THE PIN CLOSEST TO THE BOWLER IS THE KEY PIN. It governs decision making. It must be the first pin hit. There are exceptions to this rule, of course. Such as when you have 2, 3, or 4 pins standing side by side. One example is when the 4-5 split is standing, the key pin is where the 2 pin would've been standing.

The 3-6-9 system is applied like this if the bowler is right handed. When the key pin is the 2 pin, bowlers move 3 boards to the right of there starting strike position, and roll the ball over the same target as used for the strike ball. When the key pin is the 4 pin, the bowler moves 6 boards to the right of their starting strike position and rolls the ball over the same target as the strike ball. When we are targeting the 7 pin, bowlers move 9 boards to the right of the starting position and roll the ball over the same target as the strike ball.

When remaining pins stand to the right of the head pin, adjustments start, not from the strike position, but from the position where the 10 pin spare is converted. Through experimentation, bowlers will move up to 15 boards left and roll the ball over the third arrow to pick up the 10 pin. When the bowler can consistently pick up the 10 pin, this will be the key starting position for right side spares. Now we can apply the 3-6-9 system. When the 6 pin is the key pin, move 3 boards to the right of the 10 pin position and roll the ball over the third arrow. When the 3 pin is the key pin, move 6 boards to the right of the 10 pin position and roll the ball over the third arrow.

This method will work on most lane conditions barring excessive oil that has carried down from the heads or extremely dry conditions. In extreme oil you may have to adjust the system to a 4-8-12. The same principles apply.

If you have any questions or comments about the 3-6-9 spare shooting system, please feel free to stop by and I will be more than happy to assist you.

The summertime is a great time of the year to work on your game and hone your skills. If your thinking about making changes in your game now is the perfect time to do so. Working on your release, timing and accuracy are all things that can be done during these hot summer days. While working on these improvements to your game, try to perfect each, one at a time. This will allow you to stay totally focused on just one task. Repetition is a major factor in the sport of bowling. The same release and timing will improve accuracy, along with giving you more confidence to make good shots each and every time.

If you are working on making better shots I recommend bowling on our USBC Sport Bowling Condition. It is available every day of the week here at Sun Valley Lanes. A Sport Condition is much more difficult than our normal house pattern. There are restrictions in the ratio of lane oil that can be applied, thus creating a much more demanding condition. Making spares is a much bigger factor when bowling on a Sport Condition as your strike percentage will go down and you will have to shoot many more spares.

Until next time good luck and enjoy your summer months.

For a good number of league bowlers, there simply isn't enough time in the day to go from work back home and then to the bowling center for league. During the summer league session, especially if you live here in Nebraska where temps can reach into the high 90's and beyond, you should start to think about your equipment and the effect heat and weather can have on it.

If at all possible, I would suggest renting a locker at the bowling center you bowl in and leaving your equipment there. For one, it saves you the activity of lugging it in from outside. Also, some bowling balls have a tendency to "sweat," the oil that is inside the ball from prior use comes out onto the surface, and can be very annoying. For those that use tape in their bowling balls, the heat can break down the cohesiveness of the tape, leaving that 'gunky' stuff behind when you remove and replace tape. Many refuse to leave their equipment in hot cars period, for fear of what the heat could do to the bowling ball. I would recommend against leaving your equipment in your car if only for the simple reason to protect it from possible theft.

If your circumstances require you to transport your equipment and leaving it in places of extreme temperatures, I would suggest arranging it so you can be at league at least 20 minutes ahead of schedule. This will give you an opportunity to clean the surface of your ball thoroughly, and to clean out the messiness your tape can leave behind. Your ball will also have a chance to begin to return to normal temperatures.