Sport:
The Seven Cs of Bowling
We hope these useful tips will help you improve your game.
1. COMFORT:
Players should be comfortable at all times if they are to be able to bowl to the best of their ability.
They should wear the dress appropriate to the occasion otherwise they feel out of place and uncomfortable.
If like the author, they are 'pear shaped' and, through repeated bending and streching, their dress becomes
uncomfortable around the middle, they should excuse themselves and visit the toilet or locker room to adjust
this. Using the correct size of Bowl is also important in this context as nobody can be comfortable if they are
having to put a tight grip on the bowl in case it falls from the hand.
2. CONCENTRATION:
Players should be advised to pay attention to all aspects of the game they are playing in. Watch the run of
the jack after it has been delivered. Since it does not have any bias, deviation from the line along which it
was delivered may give you clues to any little slopes on the green. Watch All the bowls that are played and
note any clues to the 'run of the green'. You may learn as much from a 'bad' bowl as from a 'good' one.
Watch the tactics being used by your opponents and make sure that your side is alert to them.
Any weaknesses or strenghts in your opponents game can also be noted as areas to be exploited or avoided.
Never ever deliver your Bowls and then just leave everyone alse to get on with it!. Pay attention to the game
that is being played and you will increase your chances of winning.
3. CONTROL:
It is important that you explore and establish the correct line of delivery on both 'hands' in both 'directions'
as early as possible in any game. When you have established this line, and noted it into your memory,
you will then be able to concentrate on the feel of the 'weight' you must apply to reach the intended target
and, therefore, the more you will be able to control the bowls you are playing.
4. CONSISTENCY:
In order to influence a game and establish a reputation as a reliable team player, it is vitally important
that all aspects of your delivery action and your approach to the game should be the same on every occasion.
It is only by regular, meaningful practice that a high level of control will become a permanent feature
of a 'Players' game but it is a target well worth attaining for anyone who has ambitions to play at the higher
levels of the game.
5. CONFIDENCE:
If you are comfortably in control of your own game and are concentrating on consistent play;
then you are likely to find that you are developing confidence in your own ability. The same applies
to the confidence you place in your team mates playing their part. Your own confidence can be effected
by small things, like arriving at the green late or just in the nick of time and not being prepared mentally
for the task that lies ahead. Always try to ensure that you have all the right equipment with you to allow
you to be comfortable and this will help to give you the confidence you need. When deciding the shot you
are about to play or you are asking a team-mate to play, always be sure that you are asking for a shot which
the player about to execute it is confident that he or she is comfortable with.
6. COMMUNICATION:
This is a vital element in team play since we all have a much better chance of acheiving an objective,
if we know exactly what we are being asked to do. If you are directing play, always make sure that the
player on the mat knows what is being asked for. If you think there is any doubt, call them to the head
and discus the situation. If you happen to be the player on the mat and you are not sure, either ask or
go and have a look at the options, Don't play blind!.
7. COMPATIBILITY:
An important aspect of team play. If you have responsibility for team selection, this will often decide
who plays and who doesn't. There are many things to watch for in this aspect.Best friends don't always
make good playing partners. Body language, grit (when things are not going well) communication,
shot selection and the complementing of each others strenghts and weaknesses are very often the basis
of a good dependable team.
