Testimonials. What other people think. Such an informative publication. Learning to be good at bowls.

Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:18 PM

Subject: Short Mat bowling by Roy Wiggins

Hi. Would it be possible to pass on a big thank you to Mr. Roy Wiggins. The author of Short mat bowling ISBN 978-07552-0448-9.

Dear Roy.

Your book has really opened up my game. This is my first year playing for my local bowling club in Northern Ireland. I had been struggling with my delivery, with the bowl either hitting the fender or stopping short of the dead line. After reading your wonderful book my game has improved beyond my expectations. Reaching the semi finals in the league, playing fours. Me being the lead at present, but have played second. I now know the importance of having my hand left palm up and head on focus until bowl is well on the way. Thank you for taking time to produce such a great and unique guide to the sport. My skip liked your book so much I bought him a copy, as it was the only way to get it back. I do hope the knee operation was a total success and you continue to enjoy the sport. Your guidance was fantastic and I will never forget who gave me the push up.

(Signed W.M.)

There are some more interesting reviews, on the Amazon Book site.

A Recent letter...

Dear Roy,

Thankyou so much for the book. It really is very helpful. Could I please have 3 more copies (and could you please sign them as I want to give them as presents) I enclose my cheque for £22.50

signed MD

REVERENDROJ says

I have established a new club here in SW France and we play in a local gymnasium where the floor is far from flat and level. Consequently we are learning very quickly how to either, take advantage of or counteract slopes and bumps under the mat. There seems to be a 'learning curve' which is soon ascended, if not completely conquered, by our 'novice' heart of membership!
Your book is just so helpful in identifying techniques which might otherwise have taken us years to find by 'trial and error'.
Thank you again for such an informative publication.....and if you are ever in the Limousin..........!!!!! Regards

5 Jan 2012

Learning to be good at bowls. (or anything else)

You don't have to be proficient in any particular area right now. You don't have to have an 'aptitude' for any particular sport or skill and you certainly don't have to be naturally talented to succeed.

You simply have to have a desire to change things.

Anders Ericsson, a Swedish psychology professor based at Florida State University has found that 'innate' ability

(aka 'natural' talent) in any given area is largely irrelevant in determining success.

What's more important is practice (or what Ericsson calls 'deliberate practice').

Basically, he concludes that 'expert' performers in any field - eg. Johnny Wilkinson, one of the world's best rugby players; it's not natural talent that enables him to strike a rugby ball on target more often than not. It's the years of meticulous and dedicated kicking practice on the training field that gives him his edge - by his own admission, he even practices on Christmas day!

David Beckham was one of the world's best free-kick takers at the age of 35 - but it's not just a

natural talent that enabled him to strike the ball so sweetly every time - it's years of repeating the same drill on the training ground that made him the best in the business.

The same can be said for the world's top ballerinas, gymnasts, opera singers, novelists and yes, even bowlers.

You can rise to the top in any field you choose - beating more 'naturally' talented people along the way - so long as you're prepared to put in the graft to get there - at any age.

Ericsson says that the key to success isn't how many times you practice a particular skill - like a 'C' chord on the guitar, for example. Or drawing to the jack. It's something he calls: 'deliberate practice'. That is, in his words: 'Setting specific goals, obtaining immediate feedback and concentrating as much on technique as on outcome'. That's how you get to be good, according to a psychology professor.

The key is to make your goals achievable. Imagine yourself actually completing each task you set. The idea is to make your work on these goals not seem like a chore, so that you stick with it and get good at it. Remember - hours spent practicing is the key here. Develop a consistent technique and stick to it. Ask your coach if you are doing it correctly. Or what you are doing wrong! What is right for one person is not necessarily right for another.

Second thing Ericsson suggests you should do is 'obtain immediate feedback'. If something works, think about what you did and build the same process into your work from then on. If something fails, learn from your mistake and don't do it next time. Analyse your stance, your delivery, your follow-through etc. Read through the book again, look to see if you have missed anything. Above all if something does go wrong - don't blame anything or anybody else. Ask yourself what you have done wrong.

This is a practical and proven way to be a success. You don't have to have a natural talent or aptitude for a particular pursuit. You just have to put in the hours to learn how to do it properly.

If you are not sure how to do something properly, ask a Qualified Coach!

Above all enjoy your bowling. and take a look at http://www.miltonhill.go-plus.net when you have a minute or two to spare

Roy Wiggins

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