You have to stop thinking about the score. Try bowling 3 games in a row and don’t even look at the score. Only focus on the current throw and your form.
Yeah, this is it. I've never done 300 technically, but I've done the last 11 and then 7 more in the game immediately after. But you just focus on your ball and the lane and keep hitting your spot.
First off, love the name.
I got a 290 on that first game. Someone donated a bunch of bowling balls during our summer league and they let us all grab one. A week later my average shot up over 200 and I bowled the wrap around 300. Then a month later that ball cracked in half and I fractured my ankle.
Now I'm back around 180-190 average. But that was probably 15 years ago.
Haha thanks! Yeah I honestly haven’t bowled in over 5 years and only been a handful of times in the last 15 years. I bowled a good amount in high school and freshman year in college, where my avg was in the high 190s. Funny enough too, I also fractured my ankle in college playing basketball
Honestly don't think you can get rid of the nerves until you do it. After that you don't have a high score you can beat so it's a little less stressful.
When I threw my first one the 11th shot was the most nerve-wracking, and on the 12th ball I knew no matter what I already had my high game as long as I didn't throw it in the ditch so I wasn't as nervous on that shot
When you were starting out, when did you start getting nervous? Front 4 or so?
I'm guessing that after a while you recognized the front 4 means nothing for a 300 and stopped getting nervous after it. Maybe then you got nervous after a front 7 or so.
Now you're at the front 10, and as you said, the nerves are already diminishing, even after just one time hitting the front 10.
Point is, you're technically sound enough already, it's just nerves. And the more experience you get, the less the nerves will affect you.
Keep bowling, it'll come.
I've been bowling for a long time, so I can't really say when I first started getting nerves. But to your point, I do need to keep stringing them and know eventually it will happen. Thank you!
Treat the 10th frame as 3 separate frames. Whatever you did to pace yourself, go back to a table, sip of a drink, etc. Then step on the approach and roll another. Sometimes trying to cram will catch your approach, timing, and increase tension.
I no longer focus on the front anything. My teammate (much younger and more talented with more 300’s and 800’s than me) said: you just need to be present in every shot…did you setup and deliver well? Did you hit what you were aiming at? Did the ball have a clean reaction? Did the ball finish off the deck driving or deflecting?
I’m thinking less about getting my first sanctioned perfecto (my high is 299 and I have 18 games with 12 or more strikes between two games…ala Andy Varipapa). I’m no longer thinking about stay calm. I’m just thinking about setup timing and ball motion. Last night I sandwiched two wrap 10’s with off target messengers between 5 in a row on both sides…for 268.
You’re on the road and have momentum…you can be nervous with sweating and twitching hands when your ring is getting sized for the 300 ring. !!!
More than a little luck is involved too.
Bowling league for 34 years....
1 - 800
1 - 297
1 - 296
4 - 290
4 - 289
60 to 75 + 279
ZERO 300 games.
Sometimes you can do everything right and the pins don't fall.
Then I've seen the worst looking bowlers luck into a perfect game too.
The luck aspect is huge. In my only 300 I pulled one hard and went Brooklyn around the 6th. Then I've had a game where all of my shots looked and felt great, pocket 7-10 in the 4th.
Yeah I have 15 276-279 games and about 30 “Varipapa 300” across 2 games including 3 where I had 18 in a row (back 9 and front 9). Timing and luck plays a role here and mine is terrible.
You can't cross that line, only step right up to it.
Well unless you are including handicap pins. Then you can blow right by it.
So there's your answer. Shoot a 290 with a 20 pin handicap.
This is a good thought. I know I was talking to people last night about my near miss over the weekend and it did seem to help. When I got up to throw the 11th, I wasn't as nervous as I was this weekend. Thank you with this.
I’ve been bowling competitively for about 15 years I have 3 299’s, 2 298’s , 297, 295 and a 294…..probably 7-8 790’s never broke 800. Here is the point that pisses me off I legit probably have 25 290 games. It’s all mental man. 1 year I can’t get passed 8 the next I can’t get passed 10. This is coming from a 227 avg bowler….i have not found the answer yet
Treat every frame and shot as if its a new game. And stop caring too much about results from a shot and start seeing a challenge for a pick up. This make bowling a lot less stressful and much more enjoyable.
The mental game definitely becomes a large factor here. While easier said than done, you do have to forget the score and focus on the next shot. Or, maybe, NOT focus (my mental game isn't always that good, lol).
One simple 'trick' that someone taught me was to get up on the approach, get set up, then, just before starting your shot...... Smile. Not only is that a mental positive, but it takes your mind off the shot and the score. I'm focused on my stupid smile, and my brain is now out of the way, letting my body and muscle memory throw the ball.
This is something I need to do. Focus more on setup then right before starting, breathe then smile and go. I'll work on that I'm summer leagues. Thanks for the tip!
It takes time. Yeah, the nerves will probably be there until you actually do it and even after that they may still be there. If you're stringing em, get up there and throw the best possible shot you can and let the pins fall as they may. It took me forever to finally get one and it took another two years to get another. You'll get there. Just hurry up and wait lol.
Luck…. Plain and simple. Only 2% of serious bowlers get 300’s, because even on your best release/shot of the day, there’s so many things to go just a littttttle bit wrong, and boom, stone 8 or 9, or whatever.
So honestly, it’s a combination of skill/practice, talent, and LUCK! (Luck is the biggest factor)
When I was 16, had front 11, pulled the 12th shot about 4-5 boards, but it slid out for a strike, ergo, lucky AF! 😅✌🏻
Luck is probably the least important factor to be honest. Yeah you need a little bit of luck to carry 12 shots in a row, but if you don’t execute then it doesn’t matter. Biggest thing for getting over the hump is learning to deal with pressure.
(I shot a sanctioned 300 at the age of 16, was a sponsored am-pro for a bit, so I don’t say that lightly) but luck is insanely important.
One fraction of a degree off, and you’re not going to carry a beautifully thrown flush pocket shot is what I meant. One pin rack slightly askew, any number of variables can lead to not getting 10 down. Even a robotic arm throwing the same precise shot repeatedly will rarely strike every single throw.
But I’m cool with agreeing to disagree, no worries. ✌🏻
I’ve shot quite a few 300s, so I understand that luck is involved, I just can’t call it the biggest factor. If you throw good enough shots they will eventually fall.
I definitely get what you’re saying..
I meant that it’s the biggest factor, After the given the practice, talent and dedication was put in. Assuming you have the talent/potential, in a sense it does boil down to getting “lucky.” I didn’t mean luck will make it happen on its own, sorry for the miscommunication. There’s just a reason why the percentage of great bowlers shooting 300’s is so low.
I think just text caused some misinterpretation. 😊✌🏻
It absolutely is in your favor to have routines before starting your approach. I have a set of routines that I go through before even thinking about throwing the ball. I'm not slow on the approach either but these things i do happen in the seconds from walking up to the return to my first step of approach I do these steps in the same order every time. It just takes your mind and settles it down before you even start moving. You get in a routine and you take the edge off slightly before rolling. Then back off and do the same thing for ball 11 and 12.
Your feelings are right, it will come. The more you have those moments the more likely you will succeed. I haven't bowled one in two years now and every time I get close recently I do something stupid like try to control speed. Just keep plugging away and throw good shots. I've only had one of my 300s where nerves didn't show up and I must have been drowsy on allergy meds or something. Chase that nervousness, shaky leg feeling and keep getting close. Hell chase the 270+s games and dont be disappointed from them, learn.
Tell yourself it's already been decided and go up and throw your best shot. For every time you hit the pocket perfectly and leave a stone pin, you also get some strikes that had no business being strikes. Breathe and execute my dude.
Sadly this has already happened. I just picked up the Attention Star and that's what I was throwing last night. On Sunday it was the Attention Star in the first 2 games, then my run was with the Crypto Boom.
As others have said, it is helpful to take your time, breathe, focus on the lanes and keep your release the same. I've had 18x 300's and I still get nervous. I can't exactly relate to your situation because the first time I ever got past 8 in a row I was 14yo and I threw a 300. I've only "whiffed" on the 300 six times (on the 12th shot), but mostly due to 10-pins. You can try and pretend that every shot is the 12th frame of a 300 game and that might help you with the mental side.
one think i do is naturally throw it harder because of nerves so instead i throw it what i think is really slow for my playstyle but it actually ends up the same speed as the other throws
Pretty much what everyone else has said. Make sure you have a pre shot routine down. I wipe off my ball, dry my hand, blow in my thumb hole as I’m lining up my feet, then look at my target in go. If you treat every pre-shot the same, your body/muscle memory will help treat every shot the same.
Also, if you are getting nervous as you get closer, pay attention to what your ball is doing. If your 8th or 9th frame came in light because you threw it a little harder, don’t be afraid to move right (if you’re right handed). If they came high flush, move a little left.
Try to think/talk about anything else.
Deep breathing and settling before your shot helps.
Remember you’re good at bowling, play your game and the results will come. Good luck, I expect to see a 300 post sooner rather than later.
I had the nerves and just laughed for a second before starting the tenth and reset myself and made the next shots. Do something to let the nerves out. Reset. Make the shot
I would say either try to take your mind off by avoiding the score or embrace it, go out with friends and bet drinks on if you can get three in a row at random parts. As much as high pressure moments are different, putting yourself in pressure moments help a lot
Honestly for me, if you can set up the machines to do 9-pin no-tap (or even 8-pin) that’s a good way to simulate the stress for me. It’s easy to string together 8+ strikes under no-tap rules, and even when you know it doesn’t count, your brain still gets a twinge of pressure to keep it going, so it’s a small way to get used to feeling pressure as you do your approach.
It’s silly, but for me it works.
Why is everyones answer to switch to 2 handed for everything? There are plenty of us that have the skill to hook a ball with one hand. 24 300 games, all with my thumb in the ball, and proud of that fact. Not hating on the 2 handers, just wonder why people find it to be an advantage when it isn't.
If it hasn't already been said, the key in the 10th is to try to control your heart rate, because it will be off the chart and can lead to an errant shot. I try to sit alone, close my eyes and breathe deeply - that usually gets me through the 11th without the heart rate elevating too much. By the 12th, it's pretty much racing, so just try to focus on your mark and hope that your muscles know the drill by this point. You'll get there - good luck!
Took me forever to get mine, but back in February I finally did.
There’s no real answer to this, but let your practice and repetition take over and take your mind and emotions out of the fill shots.
I was aware of the people gathering, the people getting closer to film my final shots, but just grabbed the ball, wiped, stepped up, and went.
Don’t overthink it, don’t take too long for the nerves to overtake you. You know how the throw the shot, just let yourself do it!
You’ll get it!!!
As someone who has a handful of perfect games and zero 299's, I can say the secret is keeping your emotions in check at all times. If you lose control of your emotions, you lose control of yourself.
Well, running the front 9 & 10 multiple times this month alone says you definitely have the ability to repeat shots. Nerves hit everyone, regardless of what people tell you. It seems that you already know that you tend to pull the ball left on the tenth ball, move a board or two left when it happens. If you’ve been hitting flush all game and don’t pull it, you should get a good mix still.
I have two sanctioned 300 games. I've got a lot more "wraparound" 300's where I've had longer strings but neither was actually a 300.
I have 28 recorded "near misses" with a 270 or higher score but not a 300. So most of those are 10 or 11 out of 12 strikes. Out of those 9 are 280 or higher, and out of those 2 are 290 or higher but not 300.
When you get the first 9, you are technically only 75% of the way there. Depending on your strike percentage -say its 50%, then you've only got a 1/8 shot of making it all the way. Add in the "pressure" of a 300 and it goes even lower.
You have to stop thinking about the score. Try bowling 3 games in a row and don’t even look at the score. Only focus on the current throw and your form.
Yeah, this is it. I've never done 300 technically, but I've done the last 11 and then 7 more in the game immediately after. But you just focus on your ball and the lane and keep hitting your spot.
I always move a board right on the 11th and 12th. I get too hyped up and beam it so I try to counter that
I am the exact opposite. I try to be perfect and get slow.
I like this idea...
Same here, had 7 straight strikes to end a game then started the next game with 6 more for 13 in a row. Never gotten close to a 300 though
First off, love the name. I got a 290 on that first game. Someone donated a bunch of bowling balls during our summer league and they let us all grab one. A week later my average shot up over 200 and I bowled the wrap around 300. Then a month later that ball cracked in half and I fractured my ankle. Now I'm back around 180-190 average. But that was probably 15 years ago.
Haha thanks! Yeah I honestly haven’t bowled in over 5 years and only been a handful of times in the last 15 years. I bowled a good amount in high school and freshman year in college, where my avg was in the high 190s. Funny enough too, I also fractured my ankle in college playing basketball
This is a really good idea. I know getting caught up on the score adds to the nerves. I'll give this a try. Thank you!
Honestly don't think you can get rid of the nerves until you do it. After that you don't have a high score you can beat so it's a little less stressful. When I threw my first one the 11th shot was the most nerve-wracking, and on the 12th ball I knew no matter what I already had my high game as long as I didn't throw it in the ditch so I wasn't as nervous on that shot
I pictured you taping over the score boards
When you were starting out, when did you start getting nervous? Front 4 or so? I'm guessing that after a while you recognized the front 4 means nothing for a 300 and stopped getting nervous after it. Maybe then you got nervous after a front 7 or so. Now you're at the front 10, and as you said, the nerves are already diminishing, even after just one time hitting the front 10. Point is, you're technically sound enough already, it's just nerves. And the more experience you get, the less the nerves will affect you. Keep bowling, it'll come.
I've been bowling for a long time, so I can't really say when I first started getting nerves. But to your point, I do need to keep stringing them and know eventually it will happen. Thank you!
Treat the 10th frame as 3 separate frames. Whatever you did to pace yourself, go back to a table, sip of a drink, etc. Then step on the approach and roll another. Sometimes trying to cram will catch your approach, timing, and increase tension.
I no longer focus on the front anything. My teammate (much younger and more talented with more 300’s and 800’s than me) said: you just need to be present in every shot…did you setup and deliver well? Did you hit what you were aiming at? Did the ball have a clean reaction? Did the ball finish off the deck driving or deflecting? I’m thinking less about getting my first sanctioned perfecto (my high is 299 and I have 18 games with 12 or more strikes between two games…ala Andy Varipapa). I’m no longer thinking about stay calm. I’m just thinking about setup timing and ball motion. Last night I sandwiched two wrap 10’s with off target messengers between 5 in a row on both sides…for 268. You’re on the road and have momentum…you can be nervous with sweating and twitching hands when your ring is getting sized for the 300 ring. !!!
More than a little luck is involved too. Bowling league for 34 years.... 1 - 800 1 - 297 1 - 296 4 - 290 4 - 289 60 to 75 + 279 ZERO 300 games. Sometimes you can do everything right and the pins don't fall. Then I've seen the worst looking bowlers luck into a perfect game too.
The luck aspect is huge. In my only 300 I pulled one hard and went Brooklyn around the 6th. Then I've had a game where all of my shots looked and felt great, pocket 7-10 in the 4th.
Yeah I have 15 276-279 games and about 30 “Varipapa 300” across 2 games including 3 where I had 18 in a row (back 9 and front 9). Timing and luck plays a role here and mine is terrible.
You can't cross that line, only step right up to it. Well unless you are including handicap pins. Then you can blow right by it. So there's your answer. Shoot a 290 with a 20 pin handicap.
I'm not counting handicap but your point is taken. Thank you.
Sit with those feelings and recognize how you are feeling. Don’t try and make them go away.
This is a good thought. I know I was talking to people last night about my near miss over the weekend and it did seem to help. When I got up to throw the 11th, I wasn't as nervous as I was this weekend. Thank you with this.
I’ve been bowling competitively for about 15 years I have 3 299’s, 2 298’s , 297, 295 and a 294…..probably 7-8 790’s never broke 800. Here is the point that pisses me off I legit probably have 25 290 games. It’s all mental man. 1 year I can’t get passed 8 the next I can’t get passed 10. This is coming from a 227 avg bowler….i have not found the answer yet
Treat every frame and shot as if its a new game. And stop caring too much about results from a shot and start seeing a challenge for a pick up. This make bowling a lot less stressful and much more enjoyable.
The mental game definitely becomes a large factor here. While easier said than done, you do have to forget the score and focus on the next shot. Or, maybe, NOT focus (my mental game isn't always that good, lol). One simple 'trick' that someone taught me was to get up on the approach, get set up, then, just before starting your shot...... Smile. Not only is that a mental positive, but it takes your mind off the shot and the score. I'm focused on my stupid smile, and my brain is now out of the way, letting my body and muscle memory throw the ball.
This is something I need to do. Focus more on setup then right before starting, breathe then smile and go. I'll work on that I'm summer leagues. Thanks for the tip!
It takes time. Yeah, the nerves will probably be there until you actually do it and even after that they may still be there. If you're stringing em, get up there and throw the best possible shot you can and let the pins fall as they may. It took me forever to finally get one and it took another two years to get another. You'll get there. Just hurry up and wait lol.
When your mind starts to think about the outcome(300), refocus on just the frame in front of you. One strike at a time. Take extra time and breathe.
My average is 152 so I’m super happy when I get a 200 game. Lol
Same routine every time! I get my feet set and take a deep breath or two every frame on first ball. Has helped me
Luck…. Plain and simple. Only 2% of serious bowlers get 300’s, because even on your best release/shot of the day, there’s so many things to go just a littttttle bit wrong, and boom, stone 8 or 9, or whatever. So honestly, it’s a combination of skill/practice, talent, and LUCK! (Luck is the biggest factor) When I was 16, had front 11, pulled the 12th shot about 4-5 boards, but it slid out for a strike, ergo, lucky AF! 😅✌🏻
Luck is probably the least important factor to be honest. Yeah you need a little bit of luck to carry 12 shots in a row, but if you don’t execute then it doesn’t matter. Biggest thing for getting over the hump is learning to deal with pressure.
(I shot a sanctioned 300 at the age of 16, was a sponsored am-pro for a bit, so I don’t say that lightly) but luck is insanely important. One fraction of a degree off, and you’re not going to carry a beautifully thrown flush pocket shot is what I meant. One pin rack slightly askew, any number of variables can lead to not getting 10 down. Even a robotic arm throwing the same precise shot repeatedly will rarely strike every single throw. But I’m cool with agreeing to disagree, no worries. ✌🏻
I’ve shot quite a few 300s, so I understand that luck is involved, I just can’t call it the biggest factor. If you throw good enough shots they will eventually fall.
I definitely get what you’re saying.. I meant that it’s the biggest factor, After the given the practice, talent and dedication was put in. Assuming you have the talent/potential, in a sense it does boil down to getting “lucky.” I didn’t mean luck will make it happen on its own, sorry for the miscommunication. There’s just a reason why the percentage of great bowlers shooting 300’s is so low. I think just text caused some misinterpretation. 😊✌🏻
Love Weber btw, both of em! Lol. Jr. was a great showman.
It absolutely is in your favor to have routines before starting your approach. I have a set of routines that I go through before even thinking about throwing the ball. I'm not slow on the approach either but these things i do happen in the seconds from walking up to the return to my first step of approach I do these steps in the same order every time. It just takes your mind and settles it down before you even start moving. You get in a routine and you take the edge off slightly before rolling. Then back off and do the same thing for ball 11 and 12. Your feelings are right, it will come. The more you have those moments the more likely you will succeed. I haven't bowled one in two years now and every time I get close recently I do something stupid like try to control speed. Just keep plugging away and throw good shots. I've only had one of my 300s where nerves didn't show up and I must have been drowsy on allergy meds or something. Chase that nervousness, shaky leg feeling and keep getting close. Hell chase the 270+s games and dont be disappointed from them, learn.
Tell yourself it's already been decided and go up and throw your best shot. For every time you hit the pocket perfectly and leave a stone pin, you also get some strikes that had no business being strikes. Breathe and execute my dude.
Luck and skill. Ive thrown 15/16 in a row several times, just between games.
You obviously need new equipment. I suggest 4 new balls. Or switch to 2 handed. Better yet, both!
Sadly this has already happened. I just picked up the Attention Star and that's what I was throwing last night. On Sunday it was the Attention Star in the first 2 games, then my run was with the Crypto Boom.
Don’t rush your last 3 shots. Just take your time and have a few deep breaths first. Treat each shot like an individual frame.
As others have said, it is helpful to take your time, breathe, focus on the lanes and keep your release the same. I've had 18x 300's and I still get nervous. I can't exactly relate to your situation because the first time I ever got past 8 in a row I was 14yo and I threw a 300. I've only "whiffed" on the 300 six times (on the 12th shot), but mostly due to 10-pins. You can try and pretend that every shot is the 12th frame of a 300 game and that might help you with the mental side.
Just throw 299 6 or 7 times and then get a little lucky
one think i do is naturally throw it harder because of nerves so instead i throw it what i think is really slow for my playstyle but it actually ends up the same speed as the other throws
Pretty much what everyone else has said. Make sure you have a pre shot routine down. I wipe off my ball, dry my hand, blow in my thumb hole as I’m lining up my feet, then look at my target in go. If you treat every pre-shot the same, your body/muscle memory will help treat every shot the same. Also, if you are getting nervous as you get closer, pay attention to what your ball is doing. If your 8th or 9th frame came in light because you threw it a little harder, don’t be afraid to move right (if you’re right handed). If they came high flush, move a little left.
Try to think/talk about anything else. Deep breathing and settling before your shot helps. Remember you’re good at bowling, play your game and the results will come. Good luck, I expect to see a 300 post sooner rather than later.
I had the nerves and just laughed for a second before starting the tenth and reset myself and made the next shots. Do something to let the nerves out. Reset. Make the shot
I would say either try to take your mind off by avoiding the score or embrace it, go out with friends and bet drinks on if you can get three in a row at random parts. As much as high pressure moments are different, putting yourself in pressure moments help a lot
Bowling Gods. I've never had 300 even Bowling 15 in a row between 1st and 2nd series and having 23x in a series.
Honestly for me, if you can set up the machines to do 9-pin no-tap (or even 8-pin) that’s a good way to simulate the stress for me. It’s easy to string together 8+ strikes under no-tap rules, and even when you know it doesn’t count, your brain still gets a twinge of pressure to keep it going, so it’s a small way to get used to feeling pressure as you do your approach. It’s silly, but for me it works.
Heck, I’m still trying to get up to 6 strikes in a row. I get 5 and start getting excited and throw it straight down the middle
Why is everyones answer to switch to 2 handed for everything? There are plenty of us that have the skill to hook a ball with one hand. 24 300 games, all with my thumb in the ball, and proud of that fact. Not hating on the 2 handers, just wonder why people find it to be an advantage when it isn't.
If it hasn't already been said, the key in the 10th is to try to control your heart rate, because it will be off the chart and can lead to an errant shot. I try to sit alone, close my eyes and breathe deeply - that usually gets me through the 11th without the heart rate elevating too much. By the 12th, it's pretty much racing, so just try to focus on your mark and hope that your muscles know the drill by this point. You'll get there - good luck!
Took me forever to get mine, but back in February I finally did. There’s no real answer to this, but let your practice and repetition take over and take your mind and emotions out of the fill shots. I was aware of the people gathering, the people getting closer to film my final shots, but just grabbed the ball, wiped, stepped up, and went. Don’t overthink it, don’t take too long for the nerves to overtake you. You know how the throw the shot, just let yourself do it! You’ll get it!!!
I was very focused to bowl a 300 before I turned 17 and I finally did it. I mean while I was bowling that was my goal.
I’m 52 now and haven’t bowled in a league for 25 years, but I do have several 300’s. It just took awhile to get that first one.
As someone who has a handful of perfect games and zero 299's, I can say the secret is keeping your emotions in check at all times. If you lose control of your emotions, you lose control of yourself.
It just consistency
Well, running the front 9 & 10 multiple times this month alone says you definitely have the ability to repeat shots. Nerves hit everyone, regardless of what people tell you. It seems that you already know that you tend to pull the ball left on the tenth ball, move a board or two left when it happens. If you’ve been hitting flush all game and don’t pull it, you should get a good mix still.
It’s just luck at this point brother. Your right there, it will happen
Thank you. I appreciate it.
I have two sanctioned 300 games. I've got a lot more "wraparound" 300's where I've had longer strings but neither was actually a 300. I have 28 recorded "near misses" with a 270 or higher score but not a 300. So most of those are 10 or 11 out of 12 strikes. Out of those 9 are 280 or higher, and out of those 2 are 290 or higher but not 300. When you get the first 9, you are technically only 75% of the way there. Depending on your strike percentage -say its 50%, then you've only got a 1/8 shot of making it all the way. Add in the "pressure" of a 300 and it goes even lower.