Preparing For Bowling Competition

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 11/7/2012; Updated 6/17/2023

If you average 160 or less and are considering bowling in your first tournament, there are a few simple tips to follow which can ready you for the challenge.

Making certain you focus on the strengths of your good physical game fundamentals will keep you in the frame of mind to compete. Here are keys which apply to all bowlers in competition and especially to those of you in mid and lower average ranges.

1. Focus your eyes on your sighting target throughout the approach and delivery with full commitment.

2. Maintain an athletic posture and good balance during your approach.

3. Maintain consistent pace or tempo with your footsteps. Try to avoid over-accelerating your steps excessively, particularly the final two steps of your approach which are the most critical. Faster steps than your norm will cause hurried and inaccurate releases.

4. Swing your bowling ball freely and smoothly with little arm tension. Try to maintain a consistent swing tempo on the back swing and forward swing of each delivery.
5. Hold your form at the foul line until your ball passes your target. Balance during and after the critical release of the ball is vital to accuracy and good results.

If there are strategy tips to follow, then think about the following:

1. Concentrate on a smooth start to your approach to set a good tempo and then think about a good finish. Between, focus on your sighting target.

2. One good delivery at a time. Reduce the entirety of your competitive session to concentrating on one delivery at a time and what you must do to make one good shot. When you have made a delivery, then update your thinking to your next shot at hand and so on throughout your session on the lanes.


3. Avoid “stargazing” and getting too caught up in other bowlers. Think instead about what is going on with your pair of lanes and how you will adjust to any changes in the lanes as you progress through your competitive session.

Watching others can be a distraction unless you are watching a ball reaction on an upcoming pair of lanes in the tournament if changing lanes is in the format.

4. Control your emotions. Getting too riled in competition can serve no useful purpose. Focus on your work and pace yourself in competition. There really is no secret to success other than making one good shot at a time and avoid getting ahead of yourself.

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