ON A ROLL WITH JON…

Today, I would like to share with you some information I have found to be very useful. I have successfully applied this method to my trainees. Use it as a guide to improve on your bowling.

Here is a short excerpt from Dr. Chris Mesagno (sports psychologist and USBC coach).

Focusing on Post-Shot routines to maintain composure and make proper adjustments. By Dr. Chris Mesagno

AFTER THE SHOT

~ A psychological post-shot routine is a sequence of thoughts the athlete employs after the shot execution that continues until a decision is made for the next shot attempt and pre-shot routine begins. The post-shot routine is important because you maintain composure during a game, series, or an entire tournament.

Using a consistent, healthy psychological post-shot routine can assist with reducing anxiety, improving quick decision-making and adjustments, and maintaining non-judgmental thinking. To recap, the first step to the psychological post-shot routine included asking the question “Did I execute the shot well physically?” after each delivery. If you answer “No” to this question, then your goal for the next attempt is to execute the next shot well. Read the rest of this entry »

After 9 Legs of intense competition to earn a berth at the SPORTEXCEL-NSC-MILO-MTBC JUNIOR CIRCUIT 2010 GP FINALS, the journey ended for 82 aspiring champions over the weekend. There can only be one champion each in the 6 categories. A total of 88 youths from East and West Malaysia qualified for the sort of ‘tournament of tournaments’ for the youth bowling community.

The annual SPORTEXCEL Junior Circuits have unearthed many raw talents over the years. As a coach who was involved with the country’s Youth Development Program since its inception in the late 1980s until about two years ago, I note with regret the lack of committed state associations this time around. The results show that only a few of them are committed to developing the sport of tenpin bowling in their home states. Every state will have a pool of talent. These youths have to be nurtured and given the best training at the grassroot level before they can be groomed for more competitive tournaments. Read the rest of this entry »

As bowlers and as coaches, we all know about the “Dominant Eye” theory.

It is commonly thought that a right eye dominant person will miss the mark by as much as 2 boards to the left, and vice-versa. However, your dominant eye “inaccuracy” may not be the same over different parts of the lane. That is to say, when you are standing in the middle and aiming for the second arrow, you might miss by 2 boards. Yet, when you stand two dots right-of-center aiming for the second arrow, you might not need to make any adjustment.

In light of what we know or have been made to believe is true, I made an amazing discovery recently. Read the rest of this entry »

Today, as compared with a few years back, it is imperative that bowlers be better equipped with technical know-how. The ‘need-to-know-basis’ is more apparent, especially so with the advent of the ‘monster balls’ in recent bowling technology. Every coach and bowler should have an understanding of ball dynamics; or at the very least, understand what Pin and CG placements do to affect a bowling ball’s character.

To help you to understand what Pin and CG placements can do for you, I have compiled 4 basic layouts to illustrate the different characteristics achievable. Read the rest of this entry »

SUKMA (Sukan Malaysia) XIII held in Melaka has proven to be the best for some states, but disappointing for others.

As far as bowling is concerned, it has proven to be the best for Sarawak. With a total haul of 7 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, they have surpassed their official goal of 4 gold medals. Wilayah Persekutuan gave them a good fight by amassing 4 gold medals, 5 silver medals and 1 bronze medal.

What this year’s results show is a far cry from past SUKMAs when powerhouses like Selangor, Penang and even Sabah, dominated most of the medals on offer. What went wrong? I suppose it’s back to the drawing board for some states to dissect their performance.

Having said that, the youths who dominated this year’s tournament have proven their worth. The majority of them are either in the country’s national backup squad or national youths. Read the rest of this entry »