Bowling How To's & Buyers Guides, Bowling Tips & Coaching Articles, MDM Coaching with Mike Moore, Mental Game Tips
How To Handle Pressure While Bowling League And Tournaments By MDM Bowling Coaching
Staying Calm, Relaxed And Focused Under Pressure While Bowling
The USBC Open Championship is biggest participatory sporting event in the county. But I wouldn’t recommend thinking of it like that if you want to be successful. Often times I see my youth students overwhelmed before they even start to travel to big tournaments like city, states, or Junior Gold. In my opinion, if you do that, you are already at a disadvantage before you even throw a bowling ball. When you go in to a high level tournament, I recommend treating it as if you are just going to the bowling alley to do a practice session or bowling league. Not because it is just a practice session; but because mentally, you do not want to overwhelm yourself.
Calm And Consistent Should Be Your Focus While Bowling
Over 50,000 bowlers from across the country will meet in Vegas for a 2 day competition that spans many months on sport conditions, against multiple bowlers they likely don’t know. Tournaments like Junior Gold are a week long held across centers and on a variety of conditions. The only constants in situations like that are your physical ability and mental capacity to combat those changes. I’m going to assume that if you’ve made it to this point, you’ve been practicing and working on your physical game. Keeping your mental game calm and consistent should be your focus everyday that you go in to compete.
I was reminded of the importance of this when I bowled in the Proprietors Cup last year. It’s a premier event held annually in Ohio, attracting over 300 of the best bowlers in the world to compete for almost $30k on a modified house shot. I had never bowled in this center or tournament before. I went in with an open mind but I struggled. I didn’t meet my expectations. I didn’t bowl well because I wasn’t mentally prepared for the event, not because I had the wrong ball, or played the wrong part of the lane, or any of the other reasons that could exist.
Staying In The Moment While Bowling And Under Pressure
So what happened? Scores were high and it put more pressure on me to strike. I kept thinking about the scoring pace but I was focused on the wrong area. I can’t control that. I have to just adapt to it and try to my hardest to keep up. If the scoring pace is 200 and I’m averaging 170, I’m not going to make it. That weekend, I averaged 210 when the cut was 230. The only way to keep up is by focusing on the things that you can control and do the job you’re supposed to do in order to be successful. If I got to redo the Proprietors Cup, I would pay attention to my surroundings more and think about the things that I’m accountable for like my physical ability to use my legs properly, push the ball away, and my ball motion (skid, hook, roll). I try to think about those areas in any tournament, like a PBA regional or national, but I lost that focus week and it cost me.
Being Mentally Prepared Is As Important As Being Physically Prepared.
The biggest difference that I see between a superstar bowler and an average one is how they respond in pressure situations. They treat them like everyday practice. The best bowlers throw it well throughout the week, not because they are always more physically gifted, but because they understand that the open championship or junior gold are going to be a very challenging tournaments every year. In order to prepare your own mental game, you should make a list of things to review in your pre-shot routine (see my previous pro tip on this). If you need help figuring out additional solutions, I recommend working with a coach. Make sure you go in mentally prepared but not overwhelmed. Relax and bowl well. Good luck! #protipfriday #mdmcoaching #juniorgold2019 #iambowlersmart
SEE MORE FROM MDM COACHING BELOWClick Here To See More MDM Articles
Dual Angle Bowling Ball Drilling Layouts Explained by MDM Coaching
After your PSO has watched you bowl, found your PAP (positive axis point), and you’ve [...]
5 Comments
Jan
Corner Pin Spare Shooting Bowling Tips
Learn How to Make More Corner Pins While Bowling Spare shooting is the glue to [...]
1 Comments
Oct
Interchangeable Thumbs for Improved Bowling Ball Grip – Pro Tip Friday
When you are getting in to bowling more heavily and building an arsenal, one of [...]
2 Comments
Sep
Every Shot is a Chance to Learn – Pro Tip Friday
Bowling Coaching Tips – Learning From Every Shot This past weekend, I went to Tampa [...]
Sep
Bowling Approach Pro Tip Friday: Should You Hinge or Push?
Bowling Approach Coaching Tips In today’s bowling game where power and control go hand in [...]
3 Comments
Sep
Drilling Performance Bowling Balls – Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching
Pro Tip Friday with Mike Moore I’ve been working in pro shops for over 15 [...]
2 Comments
Aug
Setting Up to Stay Balanced In Your Approach – Pro Tip Friday MDM Coaching
Pro Tip Friday with Mike Moore Balance is required from start to finish to bowl [...]
1 Comments
Aug
Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching: Pin Strings
String Pins https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/2668008320186729/ This past weekend I was fortunate enough to bowl in a very [...]
Jul
2020 Rule Changes on Weight Holes – MDM Coaching with Mike Moore
Pro Tip Friday with Mike Moore Effective on August 1st, 2020, the USBC will be [...]
4 Comments
Jul
Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching: Bowling Doubles
Bowling a Doubles Event This past weekend, I got a chance to bowl a doubles [...]
Jul
Pro Tip Friday with MDM Coaching: Stay in the Moment
When Bowling – Stay in the Moment This past weekend, I bowled my first tournament [...]
1 Comments
Jul
BowlersMart Orlando, MDM Coaching & Silver Level Coach Mike Moore – RealLife Bowlers Podcast 6
Real Life Bowling Podcast Episode 6 With Anthony Caso and Chris Polizzi Welcome To The [...]
Apr
Pin Down Bowling Ball Drilling Layouts & When to Use by MDM Coaching
Last week, we started talking about the difference between pin up and pin down bowling [...]
12 Comments
Apr
When To Use Pin Up Layouts On A Bowling Ball By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pin Up Pin Placement Bowling Ball Layouts In a previous pro tip, we talked [...]
3 Comments
Mar
Best Bowling Accessory Recommendations by MDM Bowling Coaching
What are the Best Bowling Accessories You Must Have in Your Bag? Bowling Accessories When [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Improving Your Bowling Backswing with MDM Bowling Coaching
How Can You Create a Free Bowling Arm Swing? https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/2270019396613145/ An ideal swing is an [...]
Mar
Using Your Legs To Improve Your Bowling Game With MDM Bowling Coaching
Increase Your Bowling Score By Using Your Legs https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/247087789552293/ Consistent Bowling Starts With The Legs [...]
Mar
Dual Angle Bowling Ball Layouts Explained With MDM Bowling Coaching
MDM Coaching Explains Dual Angle Layouts For Bowling Balls After your pro shop operator (PSO) [...]
6 Comments
Mar
Conventional Grip VS Finger Tip Grip Bowling Ball Drilling By MDM Bowling Coaching
Which Fit To Chose When Drilling A Bowling Ball – Fingertip vs Conventional Fit What [...]
5 Comments
Mar
Bowling Adjustments Including Bowling Balls And Lane Play By MDM Bowling Coaching
Making Bowling Ball And Lane Play Adjustments https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/745386255840544/ Today’s bowling is all about adjustments and [...]
Mar
How To Handle Pressure While Bowling League And Tournaments By MDM Bowling Coaching
Staying Calm, Relaxed And Focused Under Pressure While Bowling The USBC Open Championship is biggest [...]
Mar
Choosing The Right Bowling Balls To Build An Arsenal By MDM Bowling Coaching
Creating A Bowling Bag With A Variety Of Bowling Balls For Different Conditions When you [...]
Mar
Preparing For League Bowling Season By MDM Bowling Coaching
Bowling Checklist For League Season Preparation https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/213648835998411/ Fall league bowling starts back up at the [...]
Mar
Proper Posture And Spine Tilt Helps Get Leverage While Bowling By MDM Bowling Coaching
What Is Recommended For Bowling When It Comes To Spine Tilt https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/196573784372583/ If you want [...]
Mar
Preparing Mentally For The USBC Junior Gold Bowling Tournament By MDM Bowling Coaching
How To Be Mentally Prepared For Large Bowling Events Junior Gold is biggest youth tournament [...]
Mar
Creating Momentum On Your Bowling Approach With Your Pushaway By MDM Bowling Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/180765409286754/ Your Pushaway In Bowling Helps Create Momentum The beginning of the bowling swing is [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Hard Work & Bowling Lessons Paying Off For Makoto By MDM Bowling Coaching
Bowling Lessons From Mike Moore For Makoto Makoto and his coworkers started bowling during their [...]
Mar
Hard Work & Bowling Lessons Paying Off For Leanne By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Bowling Lessons From Mike Moore For Leanne Mike began working with Leanne when [...]
Mar
Hard Work & Bowling Lessons Paying Off For Robbie By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Lessons And Hard Work Pays Off Watch Robbie’s before and after videos to [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Proper Bowling Form At The Foul Line In The Finishing Position By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Your Bowling Finish Position And How To Improve It Foul Line Bowling Drills [...]
Mar
How To Fix Your Bowling Timing And Release By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] How To Fix Late Bowling Timing Timing is the most important factor in [...]
Mar
Fingertip Grip Spans On Bowling Balls By MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] How To Know If Your Span On Your Bowling Ball Is Correct In [...]
2 Comments
Mar
Surface Prep On A Bowling Ball By MDM Bowling Coaching
Why Is The Surface Of A Bowling Ball So Important? https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166725604024068/ [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Why is [...]
Mar
Need More Balance At The Foul Line? Utilize The Balance Arm By MDM Bowling Coaching
Why The Balance Arm In Bowling Is So Important https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166724017357560/ [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] A few weeks [...]
Mar
When Sliding While Bowling Keeping Your Knee Continuing Forward By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Knee Continuation Pro Tip Friday: Knee ContinuationImagine hitting a brick wall [...]
Mar
The Proper Way To Follow Through In Bowling By MDM Bowling Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166721974024431/ How To Follow Through Correctly When Bowling To Increase Scores [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Today’s bowling [...]
Mar
Why Your Bowling Ball Pitches Are Important By MDM Bowling Coaching
What Exactly Are Bowling Ball Pitches? [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Pitch is the angle that the finger [...]
3 Comments
Mar
When You Bowl Are You Really Playing Second Arrow? MDM Bowling Coaching
[addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] Second Arrow Doesn’t Always Mean 2nd Arrow When I’m coaching people who already [...]
1 Comments
Mar
How To Stop Leaving 10 Pins Or 7 Pins By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Why am I leaving 10 pins? Pro Tip Friday: Why am I [...]
5 Comments
Mar
Why Every Bowler Needs A Pre Shot Routine By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Every Bowler needs a Pre-Shot Routine Pro Tip Friday: Every Bowler needs [...]
Mar
Do You Walk Straight In Your Approach? By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Walking Straight? Pro Tip Friday: Walking Straight? Bowlers have always thought [...]
1 Comments
Mar
Keeping Your Hips Moving Forward In Your Bowling Slide By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Hips moving forward while you slide Pro Tip Friday: Hips moving forward [...]
Mar
Having Good Rhythm In Your Bowling Approach By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Rhythm (Featuring Ashly Galante) Pro Tip Friday: The Rhythm is Gonna Get [...]
Mar
Symmetrical VS Asymmetrical Core Bowling Balls By MDM Coaching
A Break Down On The Differences Between Symmetrical And Asymmetrical Cores [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] The bowling [...]
Mar
Setting Up In Your Approach By MDM Bowling Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/MDMcoaching/videos/166713350691960/ How To Have A Solid Set Up In Your Bowling Approach [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] [...]
Mar
How To Deal With Distractions While Bowling By MDM Bowling Coaching
Pro Tip Friday: Distractions…Oh Look, Squirrel!Distractions are going to happen all the time. As a [...]
Mar
2020 USBC Rule Changes On Bowling Ball Weight Holes By MDM Bowling Coaching
How Do The Bowling Ball Weight Hole Rules Change Ball Motion In the beginning of [...]
21 Comments
Mar
The Trail Leg In The Bowling Slide By MDM Bowling Coaching
The Trail (Non-Sliding) Leg Serves An Important Role in Balance. [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] As we’ve discussed [...]
Mar
Hook Your Bowling Ball More With Less Effort By MDM Bowling Coaching
How Do The Pro’s Hook The Ball So Effortlessly [addthis tool=”addthis_inline_share_toolbox”] If you look [...]
Nov
Balls
Shoes
Bags
Accessories
Apparel
Deals
