How Can I Make A Good Shot When Bowling Under Pressure?

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 6/5/2015; Updated: 5/21/2022

If you ask how can I make a good shot when bowling under pressure, then you need a simple mental anchor to remind yourself what to do?

Your mental strategy, your anchor, can be as easy as reciting to yourself the reminder to “see, it feel it, and trust it!”

One shot at a time means not getting ahead of yourself and thinking about anything other than the next shot at hand.

When thinking about your next shot, the first step is to make the decision exactly how you will align yourself to hit the pocket.

Visualize your bowling ball following the intended delivery path and contacting the pocket solidly. This is the “see it” portion of your mental anchor.

Next, think about a smooth, well balanced approach coupled with you releasing the bowling ball down your intended path to the pocket.

This is the “feel it” portion of your anchor.

Once you step onto the approach and have done your mental homework of seeing the shot, feeling the shot, then it is time to bowl.

Once you begin your approach, focus only on hitting your sighting target and believe in your ability to make a good shot. This is the “trust” portion of the anchor.

There are, of course, many physical things that have to work properly together so you can make the shot needed to hit the pocket under pressure.

Keeping your balance is one and it starts by retaining good posture as you walk to the line and release your ball.

Another is to not hurry your routine and walk at your normal pace as you would when relaxed and when you make a good shot.

Avoid hurrying yourself because you feel tense or nervous.



Wait for your swing and your release; don’t force your shot.

Hold your form. Post up at the foul line for as long as it takes for your ball to pass over your sighting target on the lane.

All of these key physical game tips must work in unison with your mental strategy.

See it, feel it, and trust it. A simple term for reminding yourself how you can successfully make a good shot when bowling under pressure.