Once you’ve signed up for your first bowling tournament, it’s natural to feel a little nervous at the prospect of competition.
The stakes are higher than you’re used to, you may have had to cough up extra money for an entry fee, and overall you want to avoid making a fool of yourself!
This article will outline a few things you can do to get ready for the competition of a bowling tournament.
Relax and Stay Focused and Positive
It’s common to have some nerves when you are competing in any activity, bowling included.
And a few butterflies in your stomach before the tournament can actually be beneficial in allowing you to perform well, but overall you want to keep yourself in a relaxed state once it’s time to bowl.
Be sure to breathe deeply, relax your muscles and visualize yourself executing your shot exactly the way you want to.
Try to keep your thoughts positive, but don’t try to completely suppress all negative thoughts, because then your brain will focus on them even more.
If you do think something negative, like throwing a gutterball on your first frame, acknowledge the feeling and tell yourself something like “I see that, but I’ve prepared well and am ready to hit my target and the pocket.” Then visualize yourself succeeding.
Stay Hydrated and Stretch Yourself Out
Since it’s bowling and not a marathon race, you might not think too much about your physical conditioning. But this is still a crucial part of the equation.
Be sure to drink lots of water leading up to the tournament and take some time to stretch and loosen yourself up before competition.
Bowling might not be as physically exerting as most team sports, but you are still using a lot of muscles.
Taking time to stretch out will greatly help with both the physical as well as mental side of your game as it can help you relax.
Slow Down Your Swing and Play Your Game
One of the biggest symptoms of being fired up for a bowling tournament is throwing the bowling ball too hard.
Work hard to stick to your normal pre-shot routine and deliver a smooth, easy stroke.
Also, don’t get intimidated if bowlers around you are throwing big sweeping hooks into the pocket while you usually have a minor hook, for example.
It’s about you, not them, and you need to stick to your own game in order to have success.
Keeping these tips in mind will help keep you relaxed, excited to bowl and ready to score high. Do you have any additional tips for preparing for a bowling tournament?
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