How to Focus for Success in Bowling

As you get better at this sport you will need to call up the ability to improve your focus in order have your best performance. I’d like to help you learn how to improve your focus and thus improve your performances.

How does the notion of focus relate to being in “the zone” – the feeling that you are totally focused on only the next shot in front of you? This is the same thing, and when you get that focused you become an incredibly consistent shot maker. If you can become consistent (not perfect) in your shot making you will keep more shots in play. If you keep more shots in play your scores will improve by at least 20-30 pins over 6 games, which can be the difference between missing and making a cut.

So, how do you gain better focus? First, you need to practice this as you would any physical practice. Start a practice by quieting your mind – just sit, relax, close your eyes, and clear your mind for a few minutes. Then, start to loosen up, but keep your mind and your focus totally in the present moment. Feel the ball in your hand, feel your armswing and release and focus your attention on all of the details of what you are doing right now. If you can focus your mind all the way into the details of the moment, you will begin to experience a heightened sense of focus. Continue to maintain your focus on EVERY SHOT.

Focus During Your Practices

Now, begin your normal practice session, continuing to focus completely on what you want to accomplish on each shot. In effect, you want to completely make the outside world go away during the time you are practicing. Bringing all of your attention to each shot is the skill you need to learn if you want to perform at your best.

Next, you want to bring physical practice and mental practice together in other ways. Be fearless when you are practicing. Trying things that will expand your ability is a necessary part of practicing. If you are afraid of how you perform the first time you work on something new you will not learn it as quickly. Making mistakes and overcoming them is part of practicing. Keep your focus as you work on new things. This is a stressful point, and it will help you to maintain your focus during stressful situations.

Focus in Competition

This is only one way in which you can train your mind to focus in challenging situations. You can rehearse stressful situations – replay a situation of adversity from your past and re-play the scenario until you can bring yourself to a more positive outcome. Play out various situations and maintain your focus and your ability to stay in that moment and focus only on the details of the shot in front of you, rather than on any of the “drama” that becomes a part of overcoming new plateaus in your game.

Alternatively, practice using a ball, target line or both that do not match the pattern (even a house shot) on which you are bowling. Test your ability to focus and make quality shots. Can you stay focused in these situations? If not, why not? Measure your progress as you progress through these practice drills. Be honest with yourself, and continue to work through these situations until you begin to improve. Replay some of the techniques from the beginning of this article and continue to work,  evaluate your progress, and improve.

Practice Focus in Segments

You also need to know when to take a break. Allow yourself to take a break during your practice session, disengage, take a breath, then re-focus and resume your practice session. The ability to re-gain your focus is an important part of the process. Learning how to re-gain your focus is as important as getting focused at the beginning of competition.

Practice Focus in Every Practice

Practice these techniques as faithfully as you practice your physical practice, and you will see results.