Tomorrow I get another shot at it. I think my focus and concentration has been lacking for whatever reason and I need to slow the game down some.

I am going to take all your advice, in particular Erin's because I need to slow down and stay focused.

Something I never thought of until now is this pattern has started since I took over anchor. Funny thing is that many times I have come through at the end of games even though I have been struggling throughout. In some ways i think my concentration as leadoff was better than anchor because I seemed to focus on every shot and as anchor I sometimes get lackadasical if we are way ahead or way behind. As leadoff I wanted to do well no matter what to get the team started on that particular frame. A lot of times as anchor you see all your team has marked and the other team opened and I think that can cause you to lose focus as it is not that big a deal if you open. It also can work in the opposite if your team tanks and the other team is on fire.

I need to just slow down, concentrate, and pay attention to my shots and not the game itself. Do the best I can and let the rest take care of itself.

Scott,
To Stay slow i started to count to three before i start my approach now. It has helped me stay relaxed and not rush. That might help also.

Thanks Brandon,

Tonight I am going to get back my focus. I am going to really stop rushing everything.

Funny you mention this because when I shot my 300, there were no indications I would after the first game. I started with a 158 game and so lost a map couldn't have gotten me back. Then, all of the sudden, I found a groove and shot 244 (could've been a 280 if not for a bad break 7-10), and then I finished with my 300. After that first game, I would've settled to hit 575. After the second game, I would've been pleased with 625. But in no way did that 300 even cross my mind until the 10th frame. Even then, I knew I had to get over my "10 in a row hump". Once that 11th ball carried, I knew I had the 300.

Funny how some of the best games you throw come amongst some of the worst ones.

I did the same thing earlier this year. I had a 160 game followed be a 180 game. I switched to my Erase-IT for the third game. I shot 299 (I threw the 12th ball like a pansy for a 10 pin). Alway try to keep your head in the game. You never know when it is going to happen.