Perform In Bowling Competition Like You Do In Practice

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 12/3/2013; Updated: 1/25/2023

Are you are a bowler receiving lessons or spending considerable time on the practice lanes and seem to be unable to bring those great shots to your league competition.
This is a common problem and the main reason for this is your preparation while on the practice lanes.
Most people deliver the ball at the same angle just to hit the pocket on the practice lanes and do not move around the lane anticipating a different lane condition during competition.
Although this can be a useful technique in developing a repetitive swing, you likely will never bowl at the same pace on the same oil pattern during competition.
To help your game better transition from the practice lanes to your league lanes, experiment with these practice routines:
1. Make shots and then make angle adjustments to test the limits of your pocket range. Bowl on a pair of lanes so you can make adjustments on both lanes simulating league play.
2. If you are working on delivering your ball along your intended target path, change paths frequently by repositioning yourself across the approach and use various parts of the lane.
It will surprise you how many of your fellow bowlers actually have trouble aiming in different directions, so work on that yourself on the practice pair.

3. Use your pre-shot routine for every shot. Take your time and meticulously set up on the approach with the identical gripping pressure on your bowling ball and with the same amount of knee flex and shoulder positioning for each delivery.
By making a host over and over again using the same set-up routine and by doing the same in competition, you will find your ability to make effective shots in league play will improve.
4. Shoot every spare or split and try to maximize your pin fall each shot you make. Mix it up! Don’t just press the reset button for a full rack of pins and only delivery strike shots. Move around and practice spares.
Set aside some time in each of your practice sessions to try these exercises. You will find that your transition to the league lanes will be rewarding because your practice sessions are purposeful.