It is important to point out that competition is not the time to straighten out, or fix, your game. If you find yourself worrying about all the little things when you are bowling in a league or tournament, you may find yourself scoring worse than if you just threw the ball down the lane without thinking.

During your practice sessions, score doesn't matter so you can take the time to look at all the components of your style of bowling. Your whole purpose at that time is to "micromanage" and "over-analyze" yourself. in order to improve your scores for when they do count. You can throw at the 10 pin for one whole game, change balls each frame, or worry about your terrific pendulum swing, among other things.

Here's a "Choc-list" for your competitive strategy:

1) Your main objective is to find your strikeline. This is not a practice session so you have to be confident that, "from the foul line back, you are doing everything perfectly." You need to feel relaxed and smooth in all aspects of your approach.

2) You just know that you are delivering the ball on the lane as best as you can. Don't blame yourself for every pin that doesn't fall.

3) Put yourself on "autopilot" and don't over-think your game. Quit second guessing yourself. Be free-wheeling and look at the overall picture. Trust your instincts.

4) If the night is particularly rough, don't let the conditions get the better of you. After several moves or changes, try going back to your basics. Why not move back to your original starting point and reset your mind and body?

Sometimes we allow ourselves to get caught up with the literally hundreds of different adjustments that can be tried. Let's face it, bowling is not a simple game. The more you learn about it, the more complex it becomes.

Can you remember the time when you shot your best game or series? It seemed as though everything flowed perfectly for you. You kept hitting the pocket whether you dropped the ball wide or you tugged the ball a little inside. No matter what you did, it seemed as though everything was striking regardless of how you threw the ball down the lane. You were "in the zone" and you didn't even have to think to throw the ball.

Think about that - "You Didn't Have To Think About Every Shot." You know how to bowl and you've practiced hard to get where you're at today. Don't be the thinker, be the doer.

A Hui Hou! (See You Again!)