The Power of Positive Bowling: what separates good bowlers from champions? The strength that lies between the ears - The Coach's Corner

THIS COLUMN IS INSPIRED BY A youngster who averaged more than 200 in his local league but fell short of his expectations in road tournaments.

Does this sound familiar? We all know players who are accustomed to house conditions but enter tournaments in unfamiliar scoring circumstances and hit a wall.

What goes wrong? Simply put, the comfort zone players are accustomed to on house conditions isn't there. This is the area where the Power of Positive Bowling--an element in a bowler's game that requires proper execution and bowling smarts--plays a major role. This is the area that rewards the thinking player.

Knowledge of equipment may perhaps account for 50% of a player's mental game. Most amateurs are not as fortunate as PBA players, who are afforded the services of bowling ball representatives. These specialists have made scientific studies of ball surfaces, pin placements, and sophisticated weight blocks. Nevertheless, a number of ball manufacturers have added top non-professional players to advisory staffs on yearly contracts. Some are inked to limited arrangements, sponsorships on tournament-to-tournament agreements.

Amateurs who do not have access to ball reps have the alternative choice of soliciting advice from their pro shop operators or seeking out competent coaches.

"Competent" is the key characteristic here. Bowling is overstocked with wannabe experts. Serious players should seek out qualified coaches in order to absorb accurate information in proper execution, as well as the mental aspect of the game.

The modern world boasts excellent bowling manuals, books, and tapes. Furthermore the emergence of competent bowling instructors has played a major role in the development of outstanding talent. Unfortunately, manuals, tapes, or books cannot successfully inject the essential ingredients into any individual's mental game. That factor, more often than not, plays a major role in the success or failure of physically talented bowlers.

Most sports feature defensive measures to neutralize an opponent. Bowling poses no defense, It is solely dependent on individual prowess. Possessing the Power of Positive Bowling is the principal ingredient for bowling success, especially when two players of equal ability face off.

On occasions, bowlers who uncork high-revolving missiles have the ability to overcome conditions that are more favorable to power players than average strokers. Conditions that are conducive to wide-arcing trajectories rarely require precision. This "stand left and throw right" mentality is normally practiced on house conditions and is also affectionately referred to as "adult bumper bowling."

Many bowlers averaging well more than 200 fall short of their expectations. They flounder, wallow, and waver, and are totally bewildered when confronted with conditions they're not used to. For example, lane heads dry out oil is carried down, breakpoints change, lane dressing is excessive in their favorite areas, and various other factor come into play.

Failing when confronted with such routine developments on the lanes is due to a deficiency in the mental aspect of the game and is the principal disparity between amateur players and those who earn a living bowling in the professional ranks.

Perhaps the term "amateur is a misnomer. Pro bowlers are usually distinguished as card-carrying members of the PBA. Yet there are countless bowlers guised as amateurs who earn more money than players on the PBA tour.

For example, Tim Mack, perhaps America's most celebrated amateur bowler, earns in excess of $100,000 yearly. He is a dominating force in megabucks tournaments, and although he has yet to annex a title in either the high-roller or eliminator games, he is perhaps the leading money winner in sweepers and brackets year in and year out. In addition, Mack has established his reputation as the top performer on the international scene. Two others, Tore Torgerson of Norway and Tomas Leanderson of Sweden, also are amateurs who earn $100,000 to $200,000 per year The tremendous success enjoyed by these amateur stars can be attributed to experience acquired through competition on all lane conditions.

And how do great amateurs fare when pitted against the top stars on the PBA tour? To date, they have encountered difficulty against the likes of Norm Duke, Parker Bohn III, Brian Voss, Walter Ray Williams Jr., Amleto Monacelli, and other leading PBA stars. Foreign bowlers have had their opportunities against PBA stars during the past 10 years, particularly in the original Brunswick World Invitational, which included stars from across the globe. Rarely in the history of this tournament have foreign bowlers seriously asserted themselves, although a number of them subsequently cast their lots with the PBA.

The most prominent, Mats Karlsson of Sweden and Monacelli of Venezuela, became successful on the PBA tour, but only after an extended learning process. Once they acquired the necessary knowledge and experience to compete, their skills began to pay dividends.

Monacelli is a shining example of the Power of Positive Bowling. During his first two years on tour, he exhibited a powerful strike ball--but little else. His spare game was mediocre at best. He studied other bowlers and became particularly close with Tommy Hudson, a very successful player in the 1970s. He absorbed the necessary experience and knowledge to become a major force on the PBA tour, successfully mastering the art of hand and speed control to cope with varying conditions. His focus and concentration have been the principal ingredients in his 18 titles, 37 300s, Player of the Year honors in 1989, earnings of nearly $2 million, and election into the PBA Hall of Fame in 1997.

Sweden's Karlsson, Europe's dominant star for years, also suffered growing pains in his stint on the PBA tour. Like Monacelli, he persevered and endured the learning processes of the PBA grind and eventually crashed the winners' circle. He retired from the PBA with four national titles.

Mika Koivuniemi, Finland's top player for years, is the lone exception among foreigners to have achieved instant success on the PBA tour. Koivuniemi joined the PBA tour in 1999, when he participated in 11 tournaments and earned $17,160. In 2000, his first full year on tour, he beat Pete Weber 236-235 for the ABC Masters title. On December 9, 2001, he captured the U.S. Open, beating his best friend, Patrick Healey Jr., 247-182.

Koivuniemi has the physical game and, by virtue of a contract with Ebonite, has been the recipient of vast information by his ball representative, Del Ballard Jr., one of the PBA's all-time great stars.

Hundreds of amateurs around the country am the equal of many PBA players in shot execution, yet cannot compete in the professional ranks because they lack the mental strength to cope with the big boys.

Furthermore, America's amateur players have been less than dominating in international competition during the past four or five years. Americans have become weaned on soft conditions, while foreign bowlers train on tougher lanes, practice the men aspects of the game, and are thereby more prepared to cope on neutral, undoctored lanes.

A number of amateurs have tested the PBA's waters, only to return to the greener pastures of the megabucks tournaments and easier pickings in the non-pro ranks. Most megabucks tournaments permit former PBA players to compete, provided they have never earned a title the tour.

And, therein lies the magic ... winning a title. Winning is a blend of proper execution and mental ability. The mental game can divided into several components: knowledge of equipment, reading the lanes, concentration, and self-assurance.

Wichita State University has become a mecca for bowlers who aspire to become professionals. It has been able to attract outstanding talent, but most of the success of the university's program can be attributed to coach Gordon Vadakin, a great bowler in his own right and, more importantly, a master of the psychological facet of the game. Many of his outstanding students--including Rick Steelsmith, Justin Hromek, Lonnie Waliczek, Healey, and Chris Barnes--have graduated to the pros and have credited Vadakin for his expertise in conveying the mental approach bowling.

Although most amateurs are not afforded this luxury, there are several points to ponder when confronted with circumstances that are mentally related. Fast, bowlers who have nerves would be wise to emulate basketball players in crucial foul-shot situations. Savvy hoopsters take a deep breath, exhale, and immediately flip the ball into the net. This is an exercise that has aided many athletes in crucial situations in other sports. Another practice applied by great sports figures is visualizing perfect execution. In this case, a bowler rolling the ball into the pocket and driving all 10 pins into the deck. This is the essence of Positive Bowling.

The opening of the 1998 season saw 12 great amateurs join the PBA. This bumper crop included Healey, Barnes, Rudy Kasimakis, Robert Smith, Kurt Pilon, and a number of others. To date, the most successful player in this group is Barnes, one of the greatest proponents of the Power of Positive Bowling.

Barnes is the epitome of confidence, determination, and concentration, and also is sound fundamentally. All of the clements have helped him reach the same level as superstars such as Bohn, Williams, Duke, Jason Couch, and Mike Aulby. The Wichita State product has been listed among the top three in average, cashes, finals, and earnings virtually every year since arriving on tour.

Marshall Holman, one of the greatest talents in the history of the game (as evidenced by his selection as one of the 20 greatest bowlers of the 20th century), collected 22 titles in his illustrious career. Numerous bowling experts--including Holman's on-lane competitors--contend that had the fiery Medford Meteor possessed the Power of Positive Bowling, he would have easily annexed an additional 10 titles. Holman's lack of composure was a shortcoming to an otherwise glorious career. He was often distracted by antagonists who envied his incredible skills. Unfortunately, the tremendously talented Oregonian succumbed to Murphy's Law, often expecting to fail and becoming his worst enemy.

Conversely, PBA and ABC Hall-of-Famer Dick Ritger was unflappable due to his application of the Power of Positive Bowling. Ritger captured 20 PBA titles and may have added several more had he chosen to continue to bowl professionally. The mild-mannered Wisconsin native retired from competition while still in his prime, opting to embark on a teaching career that took him across the globe. He became one of bowling's most respected instructors.

The antithesis of Holman was Don Johnson. While Johnson, like Holman, was one of bowling's all-time 20 greatest players, Johnson often stated he was not possessed with the great natural skills of his contemporaries. This was simply an example of Johnson's modesty.

The Kokomo Kid was the quintessence of concentration in crucial situations. Nothing fazed him. He stood on the approach, eyes focused on his target, oblivious to any distractions. He was as cool as proverbial cucumber.

Johnson was, according to PBA Hall-of-Famer Harry Golden, "the greatest clutch bowler I ever saw." Keep in mind that Golden witnessed the likes of Don Carter Dick Weber, Earl Anthony, Mark Roth, and Hohnan--all selected among the greatest bowlers of the 20th century.

As much as anyone, Johnson symbolized the Power of Positive Bowling.

John Jowdy is a member of the ABC and PBA Halls of Fame. He has coached countless champion bowlers, including BOWLING DIGEST colleagues Parker Bohn III and Danny Wiseman. His first book, "Bowling Execution," is in stores now.

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