Let’s define “the zone” or “peak performance”. We are talking about those magical moments when you feel like everything in your game plan is going to be exceptional. Your thoughts, body, attitude and energy levels are all working together. Like some sort of psychic, you feel like you can direct where the ball will travel and hit. Distance to the pins seems to shrink and you feel a connection between your hand in the ball, the lane and the pins. Spares are no problem; you see them and shoot. They’re gone!

Personally, you feel the ultimate natural “high”. You have the thrill of the big payoff after all of your sweat, tears and training. Unfortunately for most of us, this experience is far too rare. Sometimes we have it for a game and then lose it for a game in the same set. Rather than blame it on the lane condition breaking down or anything outside of you, it’s time to look at harnessing your zone power.

First “peak performance” is a combination of “mental & physical factors”. Sorry, you can’t separate them. You have to have a certain level of training and physical conditioning, and some basic skill mastery. Beyond this, “peak performance” is relative to the individual bowler. I have seen 110 average bowlers bowl out of their minds for a 195 game, which might be the same feeling for an elite bowler who rolls and 800+ series or wins a tournament.

For the average bowler, somewhere between 40 to 90 percent of their success on the lanes, falls into their mental factors. There is a huge variation in their physical game from day to day. But as a player approaches the elite level, the percentage of psychological factors increases dramatically. During a championship match, at a tournament or on TV, most times any one of the competitors has the skill to win the contest. It is the mental readiness that accounts for an unbelievable percentage of their game. At the elite levels of competition I would say that roughly 90 % of non-split spares are made or missed because of psychological factors.

The elite bowlers, those who repeat again and again, will tell you that when they bowl their best they have the following experiences:

Loss of Fear:

They have no fear of failure. Their only thoughts are of following a game plan they have set forth. They have confidence the ball will hit the pocket each shot and that they will make their spares. They become “fearless”, they simply will not allow “the, what if….” or “I don’t know….” and the, “I can’t…” actions to happen upstairs.

Not Thinking of Performance (Outcome):

They have no thoughts of past or future shots, games or scores. Their bodies are doing the bowling automatically. (Sub-Consciously) There is no deliberate thinking about any parts of the approach or the release. “They’re bowling effortlessly”. They do not force or over-aim, they own an area of the lane. The most any one player is keying on, is some aspect of how the body moves, “feel” hand in the ball, footwork, release. (Self-Awareness)

Totally Immersed in Bowling:

Oddly enough, bowlers express a sense of harmony with the area immediately around them, including being around other bowlers and even their equipment. They feel in their bodies, not perceiving themselves, as if from an outside viewpoint. They are completely connected to the whole scene around them, yet somehow in their own space as well. Like most everything else about being in the “zone”, it is difficult to describe, but anyone who has ever felt “the zone” for whatever experience understands the calmness and harmony.

Complete Control:

Elite bowlers feel confident and positive. They feel like they can do anything well during a “zone period”. Making adjustments for lane conditions and overcoming equipment decisions become very small elements. They just know they’ll deliver the ball in the best place, and it will react, as they want it to. Their physical state is a mix of being energized and relaxed at the same time. There is an adrenaline pump without the anxiety. Sometimes elite bowlers will experience a shift into this state after a few frames or games, while others may start a competition in “the zone”.

Time and Space Distortion:

Some bowlers have expressed that time seems to stop or slow down. Their perceptions expand. The pins look bigger, the lane looks shorter, and the area for a successful hit looks larger. The effect is that the game feels simple. Bowlers who get to this ideal “zone” generally cope better with mistakes. They utilize their competitive anxiety and turn it into positive strength and energy. These players are constantly expressing positive “self-talk” which in turns contributes to overall high “self-confidence”.

Okay, How do we get to a Mental Place that we cannot force to get there?

1) Generically, the first thing a bowler or anyone must have is “commitment”. We are talking about heart, desire, attitude and self-motivation, whether it be sports, work, anything. What this generates is the practice, to study and physically develop so as to get where you are going. Practicing good habits during training is the base from which the Zone stuff” is going to be drawn from during game time. Since one of the main elements to obtain for “peak performance” is “self-confidence”, training habits will increase ones “confidence-level”. You know you are witnessing “commitment” in yourself when you are willing to go past discomfort or boredom to practice the right things, and study the game, and mentally prepare. A few top coaches have cited; “Commitment as the most important factor in successful athletes”.

2) When you compete, your excitement level (adrenaline flow) needs to be managed; too much excitement or adrenaline will cause you to tighten up, and too little will keep you from performing your best. One way of controlling the “thermostat” is through “self-talk”. Observe the statements you make to yourself. (So many players talk negatively to themselves; “what a dummy I am or boy was that stupid”) These statements will affect your performance. Top-level athletes will respond differently; (That was a good shot, and they will have a nine pin staring back at them, they make the spare and go about business.) The brain received a positive response, which in return will help maintain the adrenaline flow. Another manageable tool is to have the same pre-shot routine, focus on concentrating, and distract your attention from the outcome.

3) Successful bowlers have a “positive preoccupation” with bowling. They daydream about it. But something more than that, bowlers see themselves form the perspective of looking through their own eyes at the lane. (This might be the most important aspect of “visualization” - Internal visualizing). It is not the same to see yourself from the outside as if you were looking at a video. Seeing and feeling your own bowling through your mind’s eyes, gets everything in your mind, body, and emotions wired to compete.

4) There are benefits to watching the best players, and seeing how they perform. Internally attempt to visualize an image of yourself performing the same motions from the inside. Most elite athletes, once they have mastered basic motions, can quickly perform new skills simply by utilizing this mental process. Once you have an internalized image and a feel for your own best form, “you can call upon it when needed.”

5) When an elite bowler steps onto the approach, they have the experience of stepping into a private room. They detach themselves from other people, teammates, competitors, distractions, basically anything outside of themselves. Their minds are like a camera and the shutter is open, they see and hear things, but it’s like they’re at a distance. All the planning: (target, footwork, release) was completed prior to stepping onto the approach.

6) So often people will respond with the statement, “nothing ever seems to upset that person”. Almost all elite bowlers practice to maintain their “composure”. Reacting well to mistakes and adjustments will help with obtaining a greater level of “focus” and “concentration”. When you learn to react well to circumstances, you will have your own “composure” to count on in the big games and pressure situations

7) Finally, part of the process of finding the “zone” or “peak performance” is what you do after practice and competition. Following practices and competitions you must objectively fully evaluate and analyze how you bowled. This is part of the “commitment” thing we talked about earlier. Evaluate yourself honestly and realistically as to whether or not you achieved your personal goals. Get some feedback from someone who knows what to look for. It can be almost impossible to know what you have to tweak (improve) without proper feedback - at any level. In bowling we do not always have control of the outcome, a pocket hit sometimes doesn’t carry, competitors sometimes have career sets, but we do have the “control” over how it affects us and we have “control” over how well we competed. I once heard someone say, “I never feel like I loose, because I tried!”

8) “Peak performance” or “the zone” does not have to be random or temporary. You can use these ideas and suggestions to fine tune your own “peak performance zone” and learn to call on it at will. Going to the “peak performance zone” can be personally risky. It means that you are willing to give it your “all”. You are not going to hang back with the careful bunch that never really “crashes” because they never really go after something great.

9) “Challenge” is an invitation for Confidence, Courage, and Commitment & Control. ,onfidence” is daring to be better at something, “the best you can be”. ,ourage” is the competence to take the next step. ,ontrol” is the power, knowledge, and understanding of yourself plus the ability to work a plan. Commitment” is a pledge made to you, both mentally and physically.


Research: Peter Jensen “The Inside Edge”

Sandra Lowe's dedication to the sport of Tenpin Bowling is nothing short of incredible. Her Canadian 4 Game record of 1043 along with 18 International Medals (5 Gold) and 10 years on Team Canada is just the beginning. She has coached at all levels of competiton and her reputation is held in high regard across the Nation. Sandra is a certified Level III coach with many high-performance courses under her belt such as Olympic Training and Sport Leadership programs.