Here is another great reading material I believe would be of interest to many of you.

Depending on to whom you talk with, whether a coach, player, sports agent, or parent, you will hear that the mental component of sports performance ranges from having as little as 10% significance to as great as 90% of the performance curve.

Measuring success is a difficult task because achieving exactness in performance is quite challenging. However, if even the smallest percentage of one’s performance can be attributed to mental preparation one would think an athlete might consider implementing a mental game strategy to achieve that extra edge.

There are a number of techniques an athlete has at his disposal to strengthen the mental aspect of his performance. This article will introduce two of the more popular methodologies for improving one’s mental game. The best technique is the one that helps the athlete achieve the performance levels he aspires to. Should you require any further information or wish to learn more about how to implement any one of these strategies, please email john@protexsports.com.

=== Imagery ===

Imagery in sport is essentially the re-creation of an experience that resembles the actual physical experience without actually performing the physical execution of the skill. The re-creation and sensory feeling of skill execution can be accomplished through verbal rehearsal (repeating out loud the individual task elements associated with execution of a skill), or by creating vivid sensory specific images of each element or step associated with execution of the skill.
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Bowling pins are the targets that are to be aimed at, hit, and knocked down in the game of tenpin bowling. It would be of interest to a potential bowler to know a little bit about them, whether the person is playing ten-pin bowling or five-pin bowling.

The commonly used bowling pins are 4.75 inches in width and stand 15 inches in height. Their standard weight is 3lb. 6oz. but there are also pins that are now allowed (beginning in 1998) that weigh 3lb. and 10oz.

Bowling pins are made by gluing blocks of hard maple wood together. Makers of bowling pins use these blocks to create the pin shape by using a lathe. The formed shape will then be coated with hard layers of plastic material and are painted white to produce a finished product that is shiny and pleasing to the eye.

The ABC (American Bowling Congress) is an institution that specifies how the pins are to be made - according to their set standards. They are also the one responsible for checking the bowling alleys and the bowling lanes for compliance. Some venues may not have strict regulations or enforcement of pin shapes and sizes or the pin setting machine. These irregularities (if any) would affect every delivery of the ball as well as the scoring. Read the rest of this entry »

Bowling balls are available with a wide range of options. Such options as coverstock, weight block, top weight, and pin location to name a few. With so many variables, how do you choose the right one for you? Many factors should be considered when making a decision on your next bowling ball purchase.

Let’s briefly breakdown what each of the above mentioned terms mean in reference to bowling balls.

-Coverstock is essentially the outer surface of the bowling ball that creates the shell. Typically, the coverstock can either be dull or shiny on a bowling ball.

-A weight block is the core of the bowling ball. Depending on the shape and density of the weight block, it can influence the reaction of the bowling ball.

-Top weight is the core variation within the bowling ball. If the core is higher in the ball, it produces a higher top weight. If the core is lower, then the bowling ball will have a lower top weight.

-Pin location simply designates the location of the top of the weight block in a bowling ball. Read the rest of this entry »

Here’s another interesting article so relevant to today’s young athletes.

Athletes, parents and sports psychology professionals often have different ideas about burnout in sports. Research indicates that burnout gets in the way of a young athlete’s joy in sport participation, participation longevity, and ultimately performance success.

A beginning baseball player or bowler has a limited idea whether he is competent or not at the skills associated with hitting a baseball or bowling. Typically, the beginner is to a large degree participating in the sport because he senses he can play with some level of skill, it is fun, and provides an opportunity to socialize and be with friends. Over time the athlete either succeeds or fails to master the concepts of executing a specific skill. Stress and frustration can develop as a result of many factors.

Burnout “is a condition of psychological, emotional, and sometimes physical withdrawal from sport participation as a direct result from chronic stress”, Rotella, (1991). Each year many young athletes turn their heads from sport participation because of their frustrating “experiences” in sport. Sport psychology research points out that it is the sum total of experiences over time, the judgment of one’s performance, the pressure to perform, the stress of performing, the boredom, lack of joy, and the goals that others place on the athlete that ultimately lead the athlete to burnout and early retirement from sport. Read the rest of this entry »

Courtesy of SHAMSHUL FITRI /STAR SPORTS

PETALING JAYA: Malaysian bowlers stormed to a 1-2-3 finish in the San Marino Open bowling championships which ended on Sunday.

Alex Liew won the crown after beating compatriot Adrian Ang in the final.

It was also a good indication for the women’s team who will be heading for the women’s world championships in Hong Kong in September, as Esther Cheah reached the semi-finals, only to lose to Adrian in the mixed men and women event.

She ended up joint third together with the other losing semi-finalist Robert Andersson of Sweden.

Alex, together with Sharon Koh, Sin Li Jane, Zandra Aziela and Zulmazran Zulkifli, were forced to work hard having only qualified for the 36-player first elimination round.

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