USA City Wide

It’s a story I hear all the time: students going out for a sport at the beginning of their high school career only to be cut from the team (and their pride) after a few short weeks of putting in hours at practice every week day and on the weekends. For every wide-eyed freshman, high school football can be the path to popularity or to shame because every high school’s football team is adored, while those who get cut are, unfortunately, relegated to outcast status. It doesn’t take much to make the cut; all it takes is some perspective, some hard work, and a few pointers.

At the freshman level, no coach really expects his players to have great skills or technique; after all, if athletes came in knowing how to play, why would they need a teacher? What coaches are looking for in those first few weeks is a great attitude and the willingness to get into shape if you aren’t already. Any coach at any level of any sport will tell you that the best attributes for any athlete are a good attitude and good conditioning. These two things will allow anyone to succeed to all but the superstar levels of any sport, since they will be able to acquire all of the technical and managerial skills they need to succeed more easily than players who are less committed, less focused, or in poor condition.

As far as the personality component is concerned, coaches look favorably on players who are committed to the team and committed to doing whatever it takes to be good at a sport. Within the first few weeks of starting practice, freshman high school football players can demonstrate a good attitude by showing up to practice early. Asking the coach for particular recommendations for training – drills and exercises – will demonstrate a desire to learn and a to become a part of the team.

Conditioning is the second component that coaches look for. If you aren’t in good shape, you’ll be forgiven; coaches love being able to sculpt slow but committed athletes into quick and strong football machines. Leveraging a positive attitude by seeking out help with a conditioning program will demonstrate your desire to invest in yourself and thus in the team’s success. Starting a program of weight training and aerobics will have an immediate impact on your stamina and your ability to focus during practices, making you a stand-out .

Unfortunately, many young high school students consider their ability to make the cut on the freshman football team the most important factor of their high school experience because it will lead to a better social life, better chances at college acceptance, and a lot of fun on the field. Thankfully for those who weren’t born with a golden arm, coaches at this level are really looking for a good attitude and good athleticism to make you a good team player.

Are you still using a house bowlingball? Do you have to use a stranger’s ball, every time you decide to enjoy the sport? That’s like wearing someone else’s shoes. It just doesn’t feel right.

The truth is, you’ll probably enjoying bowling a whole lot more if you had a bowlingball to call your own. When you have your own ball, the game becomes special as you find a source of pride in the sport you love. There’s an identity, a connection between you, the ball and the thrill of the sport. There’s nothing like that powerful, satisfying feel of knowing a ball is yours, completely part of you and your passion for the sport.

Bowling is a satisfying sport. It’s an affordable form of recreation that’s great to share with friends, family and co-workers. What could be more enjoyable than the smooth polish of the lanes, the soft rumble as the ball returns, that satisfying clatter as all the pins go flying? Bowling is a great way to spend an evening, relax and compete against the best of yourself?

It’s a sport that’s even more satisfying the more you can call it your own. People tend to form close relationships to their bowling balls, similar to the love of a motorcycle, guitar or favorite sports jacket. It’s more than an object. It’s an affirming expression of your own identity.

Aside from the satisfaction, owning your own ball might actually improve your game. When you own your own ball, you can customize the finger holes to suit the exact dimensions of your hand, giving you a more satisfying grip that will improve your delivery and performance.

And you can choose your own preference for the ball’s core. The core of the ball is its soul, the point of its weight performance that determines the action of the ball. The core is what makes every ball different. Cores are dynamically balanced to cause the ball to try to stabilize as it rolls down the lane. Heavy centered balls provide for a more solid spin, while other weights will ease its spin.

Make bowling your sport. Get your own ball, one that’s right for you. It will make bowling a more satisfying pastime, a sport you can call your own.