I ended my Winter League with a 209 Average, Which isn't all that bad I dont think. I am taking the summer off and looking to just improve my game by practicing. But Everytime I go I get very bored. I'll either go with my Wife or go alone, and I just dont get the urge to compete like I love when its a league night. anyone got any ideas how to make practice feel more competitive, or what to do when you actually practice, what you work on, try to do etc. I'll entertain any ideas.

Practice can be very boring. I like to try different lines with different balls. Move inside, outside, change hand positions. I will even take my strike ball and just fire it down the lane so I have a spare to shoot at. When I go, I take 4 balls with me. My main 3 and my spare ball. I will normally shoot 2 games with each ball (game 1 with my Special Agent, 2 with my Paradigm, 3 with my X-Factor then start over). I try to take my time and breathe between shots. A lot of time because I am by myself, I bowl too quickly. I try to bowl slow. Sometimes, I may even bowl a game or 2 with my spare ball. It helps with accuracy. Then, I bowl 2 games with the ball that I would use on that condition on the line that I would normally play. Those are the only ones that I really pay attention to the score. The first ones, I pay attention to my spare percentage. Last time I went out and bowled, it was per hour and I bowled with my team captain for Nationals. For the first hour, we didn't even put on the scorer. After about 20 minutes, one of the lane guys came down and asked us if we needed help. Funny how everyone is concerned about their score during practice. I shot better that day than I had in a while.

Here are a few things to work on.

1) Playing different lines. Depending on your arsenal, you should be able to play different lines. 1st arrow, 2nd arrow, 3rd arrow, etc....

2) Using different hand positions. This depends on how comfortable you are in changing hand positions and getting different rotation on the ball. By changing your hand position, you can change where your ball starts to hook on the lane.

3) Spare game. Improving your spare game is the best way to improve your score. When I bought a new spare ball and started using it for 10 pins, my average went up almost 9 pins. Now, I use my spare ball for all of my single and 2 pin spares (except for double-wood).

Other than that, bring a buddy along and bowl pot games. It may help you focus on your game

There are little games you can invent. Like just go for 10 pins, or 7 pins. You can try to strike from every arrow, and board in between. There are other games that some others( Erin,CoachJim to name a few)can suggest that escape me now. I usually work on my mechanics and release timing etc. when I practice, and I don't really pay attention to the scores.

A 209 average is "not all that bad?"

Man, things really have changed since I was on a league. We would have considered 209 d@mn good.

I like to try playing different lines - working on the different adjustments it takes to play those lines. Shoot a frame over 5th arrow, then 2nd, then 4th, then 1st, then 3rd, then start over. Either change each frame, or wait for a strike to change. Shoot every spare.

Some of the things I practice are spares I might have trouble with such as the corner pins. I play for low score while trying the take these pins out while leaving the other pins standing. I'll also practice strikes using different paths to the 1-3 pocket. Many times the desk guy gives me a lane with a bunch of bumper bowlers on the next lane. While this situation is not good, I look on it as a means of practicing my powers of concentration. Being able to bowl with kids running up along side of you requires that you maintain focus. I haven't been practicing much this year because of physical problems and my concentration powers were low. This was apparent in the city tournament last week where I was halfway in my approach to shooting the 10-pin when the idiot behind the desk made an announcement over the PA system that some other bowler in the tournament just shot a high score. I missed the spare. I suppose if my concentration was where it should have been, a blaring loudspeaker would not have affected me.

The problem with the front desk using the PA system while someone is bowling is very common around here. I've learned to tune it out, especially when some of the people feel the need to almost swallow the mic and talk very loudly into it at the same time. I can tune out most distractions without much issue. The thing that gets me is when I consciously notice a bowler two lanes from me(one lane courtesy) setting up and starting their approach at the same time. Its not that it bothers me, but I wonder if I am throwing them off. This has started since last summer doing the AMF Doubles tour and people started giving two lane courtesy and I just picked it up.

As for what I do when I go practice, that depends. It all goes by I feel I'm weak on at the time. Lately its been spares so I'll shoot at the corners or at a particular pin in the full rack. I also work on my release if I feel like I am having problems with it. Sometimes its my approach and timing. Like others have said, my biggest problem when practicing is not pacing myself and going to fast. This can undo what ever I was working on.

Pretty much what everyone else said...I play different arrows. I play the area between the arrows as well with all of my equipment.

As of yesterday I began testing the waters of the extreme outside angle. Not trying to laydown deep. I was actually laying it down around 5,6 trying to get it to 1 and 2 finding looks. You'd be surprised to how many people will not dare to play 5 and out during league, and I'm sure tournaments. You could own that with practice, confidence, and a good look to the pocket during league night.

When you think about it, somethings you can practice on are endless if you have the desire to be good/great/versatile/whatever you wanna call it.

The only time I don't tune out the PA system is during mystery. Brotha trying to win some money!

Practice is mainly boring. I usually come up with one of my bowling buddies in league and we challenge each other for example test each on not getting the ball past the 10 board. Then we might change to cant get past the 15 board but you have to strike when you try this. Another thing with do is scotch doubles which will work on our spare or strike game it is good practice for spares. Then we might practice on our weakest part of our game which for me is playing up the 1 to 5 board. LIek everyone said spares is a big key and play low ball which is working on your 7 and 10 pin.

I attack it just like leagues. I get a pair of lanes and alternate. Like everyone else I'll play different arrows, different balls, change hand positions, loft and work on my weakest parts of my game. Mostly I'm there to find more balance and keep my game sharp for Winter season.