Hello Chris. Two comments were made that bear repeating. Erin advise a coach. Great answer. Mary Allen advised Video taping.

The reason why these are paramount to solving your slump dilemma is: If you just practice more you will only continue to ingrain your mistakes into your mental and muscular memories, which will make things worse.

A certified Bowling Coach whose sole purpose in Bowling life is to know your game can see your mistake sometimes more readily than you can and render a tried and true solution.

By using video equipment you are allowed to see your technique and criticized your own flaws. Even this takes a certain amount expertise to perform. Not to mention objectivism and acknowledgement of fault which sometimes eludes us as humans.

When Parker Bohn was in a two year slump, he got a coach. When Mike Aulby went into a prolonged slump he got a coach. When Pete Webber went into a prolonged slump, he got a coach. Must times we as humans need constructive outside help in the things that we endeaver to.

This past winter season was a continuation of my slump. Dropped about 3 pins from my entering average.

One of my teammates suggested that I come back out and practice with him and the other guys on Sunday mornings. (3 of the 4 regulars are scratch bowlers that easily carry 190+ averages.)

Got the blessing from my DH and began practicing with the "guys" (I'm the only female).

I've definitely seen improvement. It's amazing that practicing with these high average bowlers has helped me improve my own fundamentals. The guys will give me a tip now and then. And the Pro Shop owner has also given me some very good coaching tips.

I've been bowling better on league nights for the most part.

In typical female fashion, shopping and buying some new equipment sure helped my mood! So far, I've bought a new 3-ball roller, the Absolute Inferno, Dexter SS6 shoes, a spare ball, and subscription to Bowling This Month!

Rikki, sounds like you have made some very sound decisions. And your shopping choices ain't bad either. LOL

Practising is one aspect that many bowlers overlook. Bowling in league two or three times a week is not practising. And lets face it, if you bowl only three games a week, in one league a week, you really don't have much room to complain about not improving. You have to be pro active, and that means taking steps to do the work that will help you get better. Having higher level bowlers give you help and "pearls of wisdom" is a great way to learn lane transisions as well as some phsyical aspects of the game.

But as Darrell mentions, you want to make sure you are getting good advise (either from a coach or higher level bowlers that know what they are doing), or you will just continue bad habits that got you into the slump. I typically mention getting a coach first, because they are not going to give you bad information. However, higher level bowlers, are not always as knowledgable as their scores might show.

Erin

A couple years ago I was slumping hard core, I was running about 10 pins below my usual average and I was having no fun at all. I ended up skipping the summer league I usually bowled in, came back in fall for my winter league and I was out of my funk! So I don't know if you bowl in a summer league, but maybe some time away from the game could do you some good too? Just a thought.

Thanks, Erin!

The guys that I practice with are very knowledgeable . They are not the type to overwhelm a person with coaching tips. If they see that I'm consistently doing something totally off base, they may suggest something for me to try. They are kind of picky as to whom they coach, too.

I should have mentioned that each one has excellent fundamentals. But even they will struggle from time to time, depending on the lane conditions.

Another fun thing about practicing early on Sunday with the guys is that we often watch the PBA telecast between frames.

I'm definitely of the mindset...

When the going gets tough, the tough go SHOPPING!

If you're in a slump, go back to your fundamentals and work on it (Norm Duke stated this once, just can't remember when or where). It's even better working through it with a good, competent coach.