Expert: joe foti - 2/26/2004

Question
I have averaged around 200 for quite a few years but I have a real hard time with the mental part of the game. Staying focussed is a real problem. Is there something one can do to greatly improve the mental part of the game.

Answer
Tom,
   You could try a sports psychologist. Short of that...when I bowl my thursday night league, I am working. The pin chaser comes up front to watch the counter so I can bowl. Even so, I'm still answering the phone, starting and closing lanes etc., but once I'm on the approach, I visualize my shot, and go. Focus is really thinking about nothing more than the task at hand. My first coach, a PBA charter member, used to tell me, 'If you let things distract you, they will, no matter what the circumstances, take a deep breath, relax, and just roll the ball.' When I find myself losing focus, I'll keep a song running through my head. For me, talking to my friends between frames is a big help. If I just sit on the settee, and watch every shot, I start thinking too much. I still watch others bowl so I can read any lane changes off their reactions, but in a casual manner. Then when I get down on the approach, my mind is fresh. For me, this has never been a big problem. When my son was younger, he had no focus, I taught him chess, to win at chess you have to learn to concentrate.
Hope some of this helps...Joe