Optimistically imagine that this week, I WILL throw it well, despite bowling about 3 games a week (in a cold storage facility) at present. Go home a bit disappointed, repeat...
I once typed out my pre-shot routine for a friend. Here it is from 2011...
Here’s a précis of my pre-shot routine as promised… A lot of this happens simultaneously, as you can imagine.
It’s interesting to over this stuff occasionally. I definitely don’t “think” about a lot of it consciously.
1. Maintain hydration and energy levels – i.e. eat and drink as required.
2. Observe what’s happening on the pair
a. Based on pattern breakdown behaviour
b. Or if lucky enough to have a player I can get a read off, their reaction
3. Sort line out (feet, target – x & y distances, breakpoint and target point at pin deck) based on previous shot and watching team mates reaction
4. Commit to strategy
5. Wipe ball clean
6. Dry hand with blower and/or rosin
7. Breathe
8. Step up and line up, being careful to set/adjust distance from foul line and align heels correctly (left -right angles - heels set hips, which set shoulders etc...)
9. Set my hand position
10. Set my pushaway height for speed adjustment if required
11. Observe my required pushaway angle to create a favourable swing
12. Observe target line and projection point beyond breakpoint
13. Commit to follow through the breakpoint to the deck (or often off to the right of it)
14. Set shoulder down
15. Set head above ball
16. Allow my eyes to return to the target
17. Consciously breathe to relieve any torso tension and minimise adrenaline effects
18. Visualise what my stance will be like at the foul line
19. Visualise what the ball will feel like coming off my hand to create the desired reaction
a. and what body adjustments may be required to accommodate it. (Say when going coast to coast with high rotation and revolutions.)
20. Wait until target is in sharp focus
21. Walk into the visualised finishing position with that release feeling and follow through the breakpoint.
22. Hopefully pull it all off. (Mentally give myself a pat on the back if I did!)
a. Confirm results, adjust accordingly and predict any moves if required.
23. GOTO 1
Hmmm... Interesting to go back over that!