1. The Mental Game / Presentation

2. “Physical Ability + Mental Ability = Winning Ability”
The Mental Game
“Physical Ability + Mental Ability = Winning Ability”

3. The Mental Game Conscious vs Sub-Conscious
LEFT & RIGHT BRAIN SKILLS RELATED TO BOWLING
Left Brain
• Problem solving adjustments for
aiming systems
• Tactical decisions: Equipment, Pin
carry, etc.
• Analyzing Lane Conditions
• Score goal setting
• Competition goal setting
• Analyzing release
• Controlling Speed
• Controlling position of the ball in the
swing
• Analyzing ball reaction
Right Brain
• Approach
• Balance
• Foul line correction
• Visualizing aiming systems
• Performance goal setting
• Awareness of Swing
• Awareness of Release
• Feeling Speed
• Feeling position of ball in the swing
• Observing ball path
• Observing ball rotation
• Observing ball transition
• Placing hand in ball & creating the feel for the ball

4. SWITCHING HEMISPHERES
The Mental Game
SWITCHING HEMISPHERES
(FROM THE LEFT SIDE (ANALYTICAL)
TO THE RIGHT SIDE (INTUITIVE)
• Sing or hum to yourself
• Remove yourself form the playing
area. Go get a drink, snack, etc.
• Watch TV or listen to the radio,
music
• Listen intently to another players
point of view
• Replay in your head a bowling
incident from the past
• Sit back and think of a good time you
had out in the bowling environment
• Daydream, let your mind wonder
• Tune (Listen) into sounds around you,
conversations of others, video machine, etc
• Doodle (Draw)
• Do some stretching exercises
FROM THE RIGHT SIDE (INTUITIVE) TO
THE LEFT SIDE (ANALYTICAL)
• Set goals for yourself
• Analyze your body movements
• Judge your performance
• Connect with the time of day, look at a
watch
• Solve a tactical problem, real or fantasized
• Break a problem down into several parts
(Make a list)
• Write a list of alternate ways of
overcoming the lane conditions
• Ask questions of fellow players
• Read something, work on a crossword, or
puzzle.

5. The Mental Game “BEHAVIOR IS A CHOICE”
“Be RESPONSIBLE”:
1) Responsible for creating a “Positive Attitude” around training & competition
2) Responsible for “Individual Preparation” & “Performance Plans” around training and competitions.
3) Responsible to the “Needs of Team Preparation”, & Performance Goals around training and
competitions.
4) Responsible for demonstrating “Loyalty to The team” and “The Organization” around training and competition.
5) Responsible for “Competitive Instincts”, around training & competitions.
6) Responsible for “Communication”, & I understand Listening is Crucial.
7) Responsible for “Admitting Mistakes”.
8) Responsible for Self-Improvement; I will take risks, & seek new goals.
9) Responsible for handling “Success” & I will be responsible when “Dealing with Failure”.
“Today is the day to be done with alibis and excuses.”
“Today is the day to shoulder the responsibility for Triumphs and Defeats.”
**What we learn after we know it all --- counts the most!**

6. “ We are not our Feelings”
The Mental Game
TAKING CONTROL
Can we control Emotions? You bet we can!! We can check in with ourselves every now and than!! We can take control of our performance.
“Active Awareness” (Mental Evaluation) Physiological state of understanding that we are not:
“We are not our Bodies”
“We are not our Minds”
“ We are not our Feelings”
All these elements can be controlled. Teaching athletes to be Actively Aware is the only true tool they have of controlling these “Internal Dynamics
“the mind”
“the body”
“the feelings”

7. 3) Make a Choice 4) Act on your Choice
The Mental Game
TAKING CONTROL
How can “Internal Dynamics” be controlled?
Dis-identify from “Internal Dynamics” so decisions can be made in order to keep “Control” of performance.
Mental Myth: One of the most confusing & destructive Mental Game Myths is that we need to make Negative thoughts and feelings go away. Yes we want Positive thoughts & Positive feelings, so how do we acquire these?
Face / acknowledge the negative thought or feeling.
2) Rephrase the thought (It is a distraction)
3) “Active Awareness”/ Dis-Identify: TEMPLATE:
Step Back 2) Take Notice
3) Make a Choice 4) Act on your Choice

8. The Mental Game “Self-Awareness” (Physical Evaluation) TAKING CONTROL
“An athletes “Awareness” of their actions throughout the approach & the delivery
becomes the “Standard” by which they assess their performance.”
Once an athlete fully understand this, than they will fully understand the difference
between “performance goals” and “outcome goals.”
High Performance Athlete’s physical games are consistent; success will rest on their ability to:
Be aware of how the ball is reacting on the lane.
Determine what adjustments are required.
Make the necessary changes.
Below are top (4) classic examples of what may hold an athlete back in a squad:
Not changing from a favourite ball because it is familiar, or it’s a habit, even though it is not
the best weapon for the lanes on that day.
Hooking the lane, or playing down and in, simply because that is your “A” game.
Running on automatic without considering why certain shots are, or are not, carrying the rack.
Assuming a better shot needs to be made, using wrong equipment for prevailing lane
conditions or playing the wrong part of the lanes.

9. Over coming Challenges and difficult times are really Opportunities to
The Mental Game
DOMINANT THOUGHT
Affirmations + Dominant Thought Principle + Action = Life of your Dreams!
The concept is simple, but do not underestimate the power of it. 
The basic premise is that whatever thought dominates your brain most of the time is a
goal that you will eventually accomplish. 
How long it takes to accomplish depends on your resources and the goal, but it will
eventually happen.
The idea is that whatever your dominant though is, you will regularly take steps toward it and thus setting yourself up to achieve the goal.
Over coming Challenges and difficult times are really Opportunities to
LEARN, GROW and build Self-Confidence

10. Fear Factor equals…. “What if”…. “I don’t know”…. “I can’t”
The Mental Game
FEAR FACTOR
WHAT IF? These words “What if” take a person out of the “now” (present) and play on ones ego and fears!
What if:
I do not score as well as others
I do not carry well
I throw bad shots
I miss spares
I make the top 4
Etc. etc.
Turn the “What if” around… try asking helpful questions for competitive venues “What do I need to do to win? How can I play like a champion right now? These are productive questions.
Fear Factor equals…. “What if”…. “I don’t know”…. “I can’t”

11. TRUE or FALSE about Stress Management
The Mental Game
TRUE or FALSE about Stress Management T
Stress is a normal and a necessary part of life T
Stress can be beneficial F
Eliminate stress by eliminating stressful situations.

12. “Pressure is Self Induced”
The Mental Game
STRESS MANAGEMENT
“Too much stress and anxiety can seriously affect ones ability to focus on their skills
and flow in a performance.”
It is important to recognize that everyone is responsible for their own stress levels.
Very often they are a product of the way they think. One needs to learn to monitor their stress levels, and adjust them “up” if they need more arousal, or “down” if they are feeling too stressed.
“Pressure is Self Induced”

13. The Mental Game STRESS MANAGEMENT
Stress: A certain level of stress is needed for optimum performance.
When one is under “too little stress”, then they will find it difficult to motivate themselves for a good performance. Too little stress expresses itself in feelings of “boredom” and “not being stretched”.
At an “optimum level” of stress one will get the benefits of “alertness” and “activation” that a good level of stress brings.
Excessive levels of stress damage performance and damages ones enjoyment of the sport. These excessive levels occur in the following circumstances:
When one thinks that what is being asked is beyond their perceived abilities
When too much is asked of someone in too short a of time
When unnecessary obstacles are put in the way of achieving goals

14. The Mental Game STRESS MANAGEMENT Stress and Adrenaline:
When one is in a competitive environment or in an environment in which they are being evaluated, adrenaline may enter the bloodstream.
This has the following positive and negative effects on the body:
Positive Effects:
Adrenaline causes physiological arousal
It causes alertness
It prepares the body for explosive activity
Negative Effects:
It inhibits judgment
It interferes with fine motor control, and makes executing complex skills difficult.

15. The Mental Game STRESS MANAGEMENT The negative effects of stress are:
• It gets in the way of “judgment” and “fine motor control”
• It causes competition to be seen as a “threat”, not a challenge
• It damages the positive frame of mind needed for high quality competition by:
Promoting negative thinking
Damaging self-confidence
Narrowing attention
And disrupting flow
• It consumes mental energy into, “worry”. This is energy that could be devoted to
keeping technique good

16. The Mental Game STRESS MANAGEMENT Rational Thinking:
Once you are aware of your negative thoughts, write them down and review them
rationally.
See whether the thoughts have any basis in reality.
Often you will find that when you challenge negative thoughts they disappear as you
see that they are obviously wrong.
Often they persist only because they escape notice.

17. The Mental Game STRESS MANAGEMENT Stress and Adrenaline:
When one is in a competitive environment or in an environment in which they are being evaluated, adrenaline may enter the bloodstream.
The following are positive and negative effects on the body:
Positive Effects:
Adrenaline causes physiological arousal
It causes alertness
It prepares the body for explosive activity
Negative Effects:
It inhibits judgment
It interferes with fine motor control, and makes executing complex skills difficult.

18. The Mental Game STRESS MANAGEMENT ANXIETY:
Anxiety is different from stress. Anxiety is a result of “ENVIORMENT”
Anxiety comes from a concern over lack of control over circumstances.
In some cases being anxious and worrying over a problem may generate a solution.
Normally, however, it will just result in negative thinking.

19. The Mental Game IMAGERY Mental Energy:
One needs mental energy to be able to concentrate their attention and maintain good mental attitudes.
When one is concentrating effectively then they can conserve physical energy by maintaining good technique even when the muscles are tired.
One can also maintain focus and good execution of skills, and can push and drive your body through pain and fatigue barriers.”
Imagery in Stress Reduction:
Imagery is a potent method or stress reduction, especially when combined with physical
methods such as deep breathing. One common use of imagery in relaxation is to imagine a
scene, place or event that you remember as peaceful, restful, beautiful and happy.
One can bring all their senses into the image, with sounds of running water and birds, the
smell of cut grass, the taste of cool white wine, the warmth of sun, etc. Use the imagined
place as a retreat from places of stress and pressure.

20. The Mental Game IMAGERY Applying Imagery:
In a quiet and relaxed place Close you eyes;
Feel the weight of the ball in your hand
Imagine the ball movement and the even rhythm of the arm swing
Visualize the pace of your steps and finish with a good, controlled knee bend
Imagine the ball coming cleanly off your hand with your thumb out first and then
extending through with your fingers
See the ball rolling over your target and then breaking towards the pocket
See the ball entering the pocket and going through the pins and, of course, the pins
falling
** Mental imagery, like anything else, becomes more beneficial the more you do it,
The more you practice, the better you’ll get and the more real & helpful it will become. **

21. The Mental Game IMAGERY
Imagery is the ability to mentally visualize the approach & release.
Seeing / Felling --- The Approach & The Release before attempting it, can go a long
way towards turning it into reality..
Images are what instruct the body. Talking to ourselves in words is ok, but the words need to be translated into:
Sight images
Sound images
Felling images
The total package of sensation is what gets the action into our:
Bodies
Bones
Brain
The body will do what it is told when we know how to tell it!

22. The Mental Game CONCENTRATION / FOCUS What is Concentration?
Concentration is when the “Body” & “Mind” work together as one.
Same sensations
Concentration allows the action to happen naturally
What is Focus?
When success requires a physical skill to be executed, then “focus” on the physical skill.
In bowling the physical skills being applied through-out the “approach” and “release” require total focus and feel.
Our bodies will do what it is told when we know how to tell it!

23. POSITIVE “SELF TALK” / AFFIRMATIONS
The Mental Game
POSITIVE “SELF TALK” / AFFIRMATIONS
Positive Thinking and Affirmation:
You may find it useful to counter negative thoughts with positive affirmations.
You can use affirmations to build “confidence”, and change negative behavior patterns into
positive ones.
You can base affirmations on clear, rational assessments of fact, and use them to undo the
damage that negative thinking may have done to your self-confidence.
Examples of affirmations are:
I can do this.
I can achieve my goals.
I am completely myself and people will like me for myself.
I am completely in control of my life.
I learn from my mistakes. They increase the basis of experience on which I can draw.
I am a good valued person in my own right.
Everyday in everyway I am getting better and better.

24. POSITIVE “SELF TALK” / AFFIRMATIONS
The Mental Game
POSITIVE “SELF TALK” / AFFIRMATIONS
Traditionally people have advocated positive thinking almost recklessly, as a solution to
everything.
It should, however, be used with common sense: no amount of positive thinking will make
everyone who applies it a World champion (although a World Champion is unlikely to have
reached this level without being pretty good at positive thinking).
Firstly decide rationally what goals you can realistically attain with hard work, and then use
positive thinking to reinforce these.
Remembering past good workouts, performances and achievements:
• Feeling the power of self confidence
• Feeling the power of achievement
• Feeling the power of following a well prepared plan
• Feeling the power of natural
“Power of Positive Thinking”

25. TEAM CANADA A Step Above
"Risk more than others think is safe. Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical. Expect more than others think is possible"
TEAM CANADA
A Step Above