To get into the right mindset before practice even starts, it helps to have a routine before league or tournament play begins. Elite athletes have routines that start 24 hours or more before game time, but to get started, just focus on the following pre-competition elements:
- Arrive with enough time to comfortably get ready to bowl, allowing time for things like registering for the tournament and putting on your skin patch.
- Do things in a consistent order and try to do them in a similar place each time. For example, always tie your shoes last, right before practice starts, at the back of the settee area. Details matter to help normalize unfamiliar environments.
- Pick a time to do some visualization to get into the right mindset. This can be with the ball and line you plan to start with, or you can simply replay past successes in your mind’s eye.