Start by Simplifying Your Thoughts Over the Shot
One Technique Thought — Before each bowling competition, find one technical thought that you will use for making every shot–preferably simple, and somehow related to a “feel” you are trying to achieve, such as “Smooth Pushaway, Free Swing,” “Soft hand, Smooth Follow Through,” ”Tempo,” etc.
First Impressions — Use first impressions as much as possible when reading lanes and when deciding how to make an adjustment.
Emphasize Tempo — Agree with yourself that you will not work on your swing, footwork, etc. during competition–make your tempo more important than your mechanics.
Relax Between Shots — Take your mind off your round between shots with daydreams, small talk, etc. as much as possible during competition. Do this in Quadrant #1 after you have made a decision to win the next shot.
Visualize — Take a brief, quiet moment behind the approach (Quadrant #2) or on the approach (Quadrant #3) before every shot to visualize the ball path down the lane and through the pins.