Hello everyone. This topic post is for everyone to list how they practice. For instance lets just say that you have 5 games to practice. What do you do in those five games. Do you shoot at spares? Do you practice different lines to throw for different entry angles?

Another question is do you do your normal approach or do you stand up at the line to focus on your release and hand positioning?

Do you actually write down what you did so that you know your lines and what boards you are playing?

Practice is something that should be done with a purpose. Just bowling and keeping score like you normally would is not practice, it is just bowling. Practice is taking something new and working on it to make it part of your game, or working on honing skills you already have.

You should always practice with a plan of what you are going to work on before you walk in the door. If you are working on your physical game do not concern yourself with scores, you can bowl all 5 games at the same time or best yet turn off the score system if that is an option.

Don't work on too many things at one time, work on one thing until you are comfortable with it before moving on to another skill, working on too many things at the same time is a recipe for disaster.

I think this topic would benefit everyone from being in the "Physical/Mental Game & Lane Conditions" forum(?)

When I practice I go in with a purpose. I usually spend at least a game on each think I want to work on. Sometimes its throwing straight, or going after corner pins. Other times it might be something else I feel is off in my game whether its the release, the foot work, the arm swing and so on. I think trying different lines on the same pattern while practicing doesn't help much. Sometimes it is actually is harmful since it might lead to bad habits to get that line to work.

Now every time I go into a center outside of league isn't just for practice. Sometimes I go for fun but still tend to work on something.

My practice isn't text book. I learned to not tinker too much at one time. I'm usually there to work on weaker parts of my game which is usually balance at the line. I have a small notebook I use to record what bowling center, oil conditions, ball used and anything else I may want to record. I do record scores, I know it goes against every bit of proper training but if I do things right it shows.

On Sunday I threw 7 games on typical open play conditions. The first 4 games I threw my typical delivery trying different lines and balls with average results. The next 3 games I spent working on slowing my feet down and holding my balance at the line after the release (no leg raising up). What I found was balance and the front 11 with authority on those same iffy conditions. I pulled the 12th shot left and went heavy for a Big 4 and a 296 game followed by 228-237. I have something to slowly build on my next time out despite the choke.

When I practice I like to get the most for my money. I want atleast 20 balls a game. I usually shoot a 7 or 10 pin on my first ball, then throw a particular line, or work a hand release on the second ball. People always come down and say wow you are struggling today, I laugh and tell them I could care less about my score right now.

I know some people that say they aren't getting their money's worth unless they try for score and feel they are throwing their money away if they are paying by the game and not trying their best to score well.

When you practice, go with the attitude that you are going to work on a few aspects of your game and try some new things as well. Or simply target a specific aspect, like your release for instance.

As has been said, score in practice is irrelevant. Coach Jim's "practice with a purpose" is the mantra. I suggest using the first shot for a corner pin, the pocket is still there if you want to throw a strike. But, try picking off both corner pins...play a game of low-ball. Your accuracy will improve. Then, try to hit specific pins...the 2 or 3 without hitting the head pin. Then aim at the 4 or 6 pin. The typical house shot gives most of us an area of 5 boards (or more) where a miss still gets to the pocket. Not so when you're targeting single pins. If you can make a specific pin with confidence then you have succeeded with a purposeful practice.