Expert: Chip Aki - 3/24/2008

Question
I bowl a 185 avg. in leagues and practice, but am allways very nervous in Tournaments, how can i overcome this nervounsness ? I've tried to be calm and think of practice or leagues, but i end up bowling 20 40 pins under my avg ? i just get nervous and can't figure out how to be calm and bowl normally.

Answer
I am not sure there is anyone that does not get nervous.  The successful bowlers or athletes just learn how to deal with it.  I know when I get nervous, I tend to get fast feet.  Since I know how it affects me, I concentrate on staying slow.  Try to track what happens when you feel nervous so you can start adjusting to it.

There are several books on the market that deal with sports psychology.  You can try one of those or subscribe to Bowling This Month magazine and read the articles there.  Their web site is bowlingthismonth.com.  Some very good things in that magazine.

Good luck,
Chip