Your Jack Distance 2/2 (AMem)

 This blog will in the first few paragraph will suggest  to the new lawn bowler a few trick or method of knowing the "Jack Distance" by using "Markers" of distance which are surrounding our green. But this blog will also suggest how advance athletes can use possible areas of "Memory Visualization" to identify the Jack Distance. For this reason the blog is classified as AMem (for advance Members) with the hope that the suggestion will show the developing athletes ways to progress into Muscle Memory modifications.

 To understand how our "Muscle Memory" has develop and/or also extend into discussion of future Muscle Memory development; the reader must be concern to not cause an  interruption of the subconscious (or Instinctive) performance of "Muscle Memory" when attempting changes. If we see from our regular life experiences that the subconscious mind (like an AI program) gathers data and stores it into memory to be used later as part of it's wanted development; we can use these examples to encourage such changes during "Muscle Memory" performances.

To understand this interaction lets take an example from the first part of this blog of two parts. I use the sport of Petanque as an example here because the distance between the athlete doing their performance and the finished  "Muscle Memory" action is so short; and the individual can immediately view the result of the performance. With such a short duration between events, the subconscious mind may often jumps ahead to view the result instead of finishing the "Muscle Memory" actions.

 In the attempt to do a take-out shot, the petanque athlete must know that his performance is good and completes the Muscle Memory feedback of feeling the presence of the "Completion Void". Instead, the athlete in looking toward the target ball, often thinks of the results he wants to see. That thought when it happens  causes an interruption of his  subconscious mind doing the shot performance. To correct this problem the athlete must teach his Muscle Memory to wait for the "Void" feeling or feedback.

Focus is the mind's thought or direction of thought. Thinking to feel the "void", keeps the athlete in the "Muscle Memory" action. Is it harder to think for the "Void" or not to think about wanting to see the "take-out" result as it happens. You can understand that this problem does not occur or happens in Lawn Bowls where the green speed of 14 to 18 seconds means the athlete has to wait for the final action to finish with the stopping of the Bowl's roll.

 Concentration is often confused with focus but like focus of a camera or light beam it has nothing to do with the flashlight remaining on; which is concentration object toward the mind. One would say that being at peace, or of a mindset is the goal of concentration. With this difference in meaning and knowledge of how to strength the two, Focus and Concentration; we can attempt to develop the correct actions during the performed "Muscle Memory".  For the Petanque player it may mean confidence in knowing that the result should be a perfect shot or performance and give the ideal result. Focus on feeling the "Void" and concentrate on confidence of the action thus allows the athlete to develop the ability to wait.

 However because the athlete's lack of patience. his "Muscle Memory" is interrupted as he seeks to see what has happening and the result of his take-out. The building of this "Wait Routine" on to the "Muscle Memory" Routine will take much mental practice and patience, but eventually the feeling of the "Void" and seeing the result will be one after the other. In lawn bowls this same type of action may be watching the bowl roll and collecting data for the "Post-Mat" Routine. How can you evaluate the delivery performance and bowl roll if you did not see all the aspects of the bowls' roll?

To teach the conscious mind to not interrupt the performance is hard and it is just sometime as simple as feeling something as to thinking something. For the new player who is learning of their "Muscle Memory" and feeling the "Void", this extension of that need to feel it forces the Muscle Memory to   finish the action.

Beside understanding what happen and Why, it becomes a mental progress of practice to force the full duration of the "Void" before allow return of control to the conscious mind.  In earlier blogs I showed that the visual projection to the jack by the lawn Bowl athletic was several memory retrievals and viewing. 

When is it best to suggest to the subconscious mind to do something else before its performance and until you feel the "Void" ? Some would suggest before because after the "Muscle Memory starts a thought can become an interruption. Done very carefully is also import, because too much thinking of the change or addition and the thought become a (conscious) muscle instruction. 

So now we have our "Muscle Memory" developed and with excellent results we are working to make changes without causing an interruption of the "Muscle Memory"action. Also, where the subconscious mind may accept a quick thought without interruption, too many such interruptions will create mindful doubt on how the interruptions is intended to affect the Muscle Memory performance. To have consistancy in this mental practice, the  "Advance" athletes (AMem) must understand this lack of focus which interrupted the established Muscle Memory and even assign blame to a non focus thought which destroys the concentration sending the start of the Muscle Memory action.

For that reason. this type of subconscious modelling is an advance mental development this blog is (AMem) and dense for the (NMem) (normal Member). If "Muscle Memory" is "Mind less" or instinctive performance by well developed muscles, how do we create changes if we encourage it to develop into a different data analysis action. The above three AI inquiry photos explain building Muscle Memory but also this blog will attempt to push the athlete to modify it a bit.

Ok now back to the Blog principle information on knowing the Jack Distance for the beginning or normal Lawn Bowl Member. Toward the blog's end we can discuss how to  change what we want the Muscle Memory to do extra before allowing it to do it delivery.

  We are all in one of  two groups of  Lawn Bowl's athletes; either doing an "Learned" delivery and waiting; as it is improving every day with perfection or the athlete with a developed  "Muscle Memory" delivery. These athletes have their style developed and believe that their Muscle Memory's improvement can still be forced beyond that slow "self learning" method of daily practice. Like daily practice build "Muscle Memory" now daily exercise of mental forcing a change will take time but will see success in time.

 I will suggest some very hard work for this advance developments by teaching the subconscious to use visualization.  As we work the mind toward a goal of being able to change something in our previous established delivery, we can gain that extra 4 or 5 inch addon. 

Single Step Delivery

Ninety percent of  Lawn Bowlers see their delivery as a "Single Step Delivery" (SSD) and the remainder  which are World Class athletes see a Delivery as an "Projection Visualized Delivery (PVD). Later, we will see this visualization of the "Jack Distance" by Youtube videos.

 If we are able to give the subconscious the precise measurement to the Jack Distance by  a "Mental Visualization",  we can teach our subconscious through practice to use a memory (for me it is an image) to draw tighter to the jack. And we know that the mind has in memory all the previous rolls of delivered bowls to jacks at different distances, if age has not prevented us form retrieval. It is just a matter of what image to seek and how fast the subconscious can be taught to choose the right one.

 Yes, after we have established our "Muscle Memory we still get some improvements in our "Muscle Memory" because Delivery improvements happens naturally. But slowly because our deliveries are in that "void of thought" and we are afraid to attempt improvements to our muscle memory as we know we can lose focus and the thought become a conscious commands or actions.  Over time, Muscle Memory will make it's own changes as we are consciously trying to make changes. With the failure of these decisions of play; we find that our muscle memory will add "Modified Muscle Memory" movements to our delivery in the same way practice prefects our delivery. 

 

These Muscle Memory delivery improvements are generally because we had quick thoughts and our thinking was before delivery action started and did not interrupt the "Muscle Memory Void". But from this we see how to indicate to our subconscious mind the changes we want to our performance; and if done properly without breaking the "non-mind delivery, the muscle memory will include that action.

Now, because we believe that we can have the subconscious mind respond quickly as a changing situation occurs, it is  automatic. In the first group we eventually see something  and decide to maybe changes. In the other group we teach the subconscious to identify the needed change and immediately use our  memories to make the change.  "Focus all the time not just once and a while"

 This second group, know a lot of work is required to develop the visualization delivery, and because this work is intense and personal, it is seldom mention, except maybe in very advance coaching sessions. When the topic of visualization's ability to support "Muscle Memory is mention, it is then probably more a suggested  action with the intention to develop in the athlete a feeling of  the  jack's distance; and not as the ability of the subconscious (your Muscle Memory) to use the memory data (images) to perform tasks such as measuring the Jack's Distance or make other similar minor changes. 

To those readers with a developed "Muscle Memory" and feel and know the "Void" or "Zen Moment" of their Delivery performance, this suggestion of allowing the subconscious to further build "Muscle  Memory" with the data of previous deliveries seems far fetched.  When we see an athlete's   "5 or 10 second on the mat delivery", you can be sure that their Muscle Memory was developed by  using memories of previous bowls rolls to the jack and now they are seeing the result as a very quick "Total Instinctive"  delivery. 

As for the new bowler, with a delivery style and wanting to incorporate a thought or image into their delivery, as more than a "one time instruction" to a successful delivery, but to further develop their "Muscle Memory".

Each time that a "Muscle Memory" is interrupted, but done quickly, it will advance your subconscious acceptance of these interruption and slowly we will see this extra "Performance ability" toward  a more precise shots. If in practice, you are feeling your "Void" or "Zen moment" after the  "Muscle Memory" performance, you know that your interruption was done right. In the same manner, when we know we have done a bad delivery, it is because of the absence of this feeling after the "Muscle Memory returns control to the conscious mind.

Because the internet opens everything to everyone; some things read or viewed are best to be identify as "Not for me at this time". Today's lawn bowler student may not understand everything but needs to see this idea as the long trip to another level of delivery development. A r career made of many short steps forward every day, week or month of practice and performances, with each step a realization of success.

Many years of personal development has made our delivery style and performance successful ; but as we grow we also become ready to attempt changes which "may" improve our delivery. Our national athletes have taken years and sometime decades to reach their  saturation point where they have stopped changing their delivery.

 Others are still working on new parts of their delivery, seeing it as a quest to perfection of style. One problem is that it is sometimes best to stick with what we know works well. When in a competition and going to the mat and knowing the shot; we may often feel that we have the ability to now include our most recent delivery improvement into this delivery. "Surprise or Success", what is important is afterward as we review the decision we learn something new on when and how to use that improvement.

 When first I saw the separation of these two levels of athletes I was amazed. When I began working on reaching that advance Delivery level, I was in doubt if I should even mention it in these blogs. That was in December 2012 when I introduced the blog Seeing the Shot Visualization .  As we approach the end of this blog we will see a Petanque player and a Lawn Bowls elite (in the world bowls finals) using the same method of "projection visualization".  The petanque player is in practice but the Lawn bowls athletic is in a world class competition and we see how the muscle memory turns on and off this "Projective visualization". 

 As a developing athlete, one must have confidence that during the changing of one's delivery that shows signs of progress forward, we witness that we can use an image to help (or if possible) instruct our Muscle Memory. As I began a delivery of Projected Visualization and saw the hard mental work and the results I accepted that it was possible, I felt with each success that the subconscious and "Muscle Memory" could be influenced. Today, I can ask "How much short am I ?" and then put 5 or 6 inches more distance with what I see as an image of a tape measure "tape" showing from the front end to the 6 or 7 inches area.

When at that section of the blog (near the end) showing the petanque player and Lawn bowls athlete in her competition take the time to watch the videos suggested.. both videos show what is needed to be seen at the beginning. However, as you view Angela Boyd (NZ) game you also can see how to maintain focus after a long game, she has certain tricks to relax and keep a sharp focus which is needed to still compete "Muscle Memory" performance.

We teaches that the bowl delivery weight is influence by three forces. First your physical development of a delivery movement, then your "body Movement Speed" of your forward step and "Conditions of Play", all which may change the result of th e expected delivery.

 The third force includes "green speed" and in another blog on "Changing Green Speed"  we saw how my club's green speed changed three times in just a few ends. That blog was introducing a "Curling Trick" to read green speed changes, but because our club's location is near a large body of water and game play was in June; those conditions caused dew to form on the green as the sun set.

 The third part of a Bowl delivery influence, "Condition of Play" which we have no influence over will always be part of your Lawn Bowls game in the same way as does rain or bad greens.

The photo (right) shows a Blind Bowler's Distance marker on the side bank of the green because the individual who will be centering the jack will also be telling the  blind bowler the distance that the rolled jack has arrived from the mat. 

The Jack Distance that the assistance gives the blind bowler is from the Mat Line and the bowler calculates the difference if their coach has not told them the distance.  If the jack distance is 21 meter when the mat is at the "Mat Line" then the Jack is just over (or at) the "Hog Line". If the mat is brought forward 5 meters the centered jack will be announced as 26 meters even if the jack is again just  at 21 meters. 

 Unlike blind bowls games, where the mat may remains at the mat line for the entire game, the Lead who has just thrown the jack must calculate the actual "Jack Distance" with consideration for "Forward placed Mat" and  the "Green's Jack Distance". The  Lead, after rolling the jack and it being spotted, must use various trick or distance markers to identify this actual Jack distance. Also, when off the mat and before returning to the mat for their delivery.

A legal jack can be between 21 meters and 31 meters with the "Re-spot mark also at 2 meters from the back ditch. In the photo (above) it is showing "29 meters because the "Re-spot" or "T" mark is at 31 meters. The Mat Line and Re-spot Marker are both 2 meters from their ditches. As the mat is brought forward from the "Mat line" this maximin distance decreases from 31 meters to 21 meter. (when the mat is brought up all the way to the opposite direction  Hog Line) 

So "Jack Distance" requires to be calculation, how far above the Mat Line  the mat has been placed and how far up the green the jack has been rolled. Be subtraction of the "Mat Line distance" from the "Up the Green Distance" you have the Jack distance for your delivery. 

 In developing your Delivery for a "Jack Distance" which no longer is seen as "Close", "Far", "Very Far", you must use this exact distance in your delivery. If your delivery is fairly well developed, and  you have reached a level of "Natural Distances and "Muscle Memory" awareness; you now must teach yourself how to do a delivery thinking and decisions which use that distance information without interference or destroying your developed Delivery. ("Muscle Memory")

 We will no longer "Guess and Roll" the bowl and based on how close we arrive to the jack, then prepare for our next bowl to be closer. This "Guess Distance"  of the jack  becomes a thing of the past as no longer  accept that first delivery is really a "Trial End" to know the newly rolled and placed jack.  "Jack Distance" is now a precise distance in meters. In a later blog I will attempt to show how each change made to delivery for a jack distance become a "Natural Distance" for the delivery. Then small "Muscle Memory" changes will add on or take off the needed difference.

 "Skip's Assistance" often is not seen in major competitions because it also instructs the opponent of information like the "Jack Distance".

However,  a good skip will develop their team and may even be using signals to indicate the "Jack Distance" to their lead.  These quick signals only occur once per end, after the jack was centered, and usually intended to help the lead's performance. Photo left is the world Finals of Women's Pairs and Wales skip Jess Sims indicating to Lead Laura Daniels she is 4 meters short on the 29 meter jack.

The most common Skip Assistance is their body movement after the placement of the jack on center line. Sometimes we see the skip walk to the "Hog Line" or the "Back Ditch" and then walk back to the jack. (the 2 steps to a meter walk). Such signals are intended to help a team's "Lead" without give that same information to the opponents. Therefore are done fast or with a hidden objective.

My first skip of a money competition would put his fingers to his chest, which was for my first "Natural Distance" and showed me how much more (in feet) I needed. In another competition, and another team, I saw him used that same signal for his "Mate" to indicate the points in the head. Signals are a big part of Lawn Bowls for spectators and fellow team members.

Since that time, I have developed the use of the same signal to indicate the jack distances of 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4  green distance.  Sometimes, I still use it to show points in the head which  I am sure has confused the opponents if they saw the same signal on the "jack centering". Hell sometimes I even lie to my players about the number of points. (They know it is a lie if they are following the game).

 Indicating the "Jack Distance" or other such help knowledge during a club or local games will help the player as lead  to develop their skills in Jack Distance evaluation. Especially at times when the skip has asked the "Lead" to bring up the mat. There are several methods of creating "Distance Markers" if the mat is not at the "Mat Line".

The jack will always be between 21 meters (the "Hog Line") and 31 meters ("T" 2 meters from back Ditch); unless the mat has been moved forward. Since this distance of 10 meters is the playing green between  the Hog Line and the Re-spot or "T" spot; a player can identify the jack distance with reference to these two limits.

 In those first walks up the green I often take a lot of notice of furniture or buildings at various distances surrounding of the green which I can use when on the mat as a "Distance Marker". 

 Thoughts like "the front of that bench is 1/2 green", or that "miss-colored sport on the green is 1/4 green".  Notice all of these sign as you go up the green and then back after the next round of play and let them become your distance markers. The benches at my club are two meters apart so I can say 23,25,27,29 and 31. Likewise, the clubhouse's windows are also the same distance apart.

Having the "Jack Distance" now is the time that distance is used. No we do not have the precise delivery to all possible jack distances which is why "Multiple Natural Distances" are developed.   A Natural Distance is the distance a bowl rolls with  your "Muscle Memory" performance, and if you have made a change to your muscle actions it will then create another "Natural Distance".

 Going to the mat after having done your Pre-Mat routine (verify bias, decide on method of weight control, etc), you prepare your delivery. At this point, each of us have a different introduction to our "Muscle Memory" delivery. With the exception of the advance athlete who has worked and practice to have a "Projected Visualize Jack Distance",your delivery and "Muscle Memory"starts as you step to the mat. You do a few last minute check and then just allow your instinctive delivery to happen.

 When I first started a "Projected Visualization Delivery" (PVD) I had to use a "filler image" to separated my mental visualization, but eventually I could feel my start of "Muscle Memory". That "Filler Image, (like a cloud or flag flying) became a separation of the practice of using mental images of previous Jack Distance. 

As in SSD where we decide on how to modify the muscle actions fo that "Jack Distance" for the conscious mind; so I had done those "Pre-mat actions. I was now doing a "Pre-Delivery Routine". I was on the mat and doing mental tasks (remembering previous bowl roll to the jack) which would be completed before I initialized my "Muscle Memory".

In the Single Stepping Delivery where my thoughts before delivery was to instruct the muscle changes needed to perform that distance's delivery; so also my mental image was being done before initializing this Muscle Memory Delivery.  Because we do not want these thought of distance ( the image) to interrupt the "Muscle Memory" I introduced a small action to my delivery to say "Finished Visualizing" and "ok to start Muscle Memory" delivery. 

In the Lawn Bowl Video the athletic looks down at her foot which is her start of Muscle Memory Performance "Tag" (action) where she then moves mental control and enters her "Void" of thought and allowed "Muscle Memory"  to start and go until it's finish.

Remember, it will take practice and you will know you have inserted the distance by that image.  (the bench, the car in parking etc) because you will feel the presence of that "Void" after your finished delivery.  But practice, because it will take time for this to be automatic as each time we interrupt the subconscious mind with the thought ( image) it wants to return control to the conscious mind for an instruction for muscle performance

Later as "Muscle Memory" see these mental actions as part of  the "Pre-Delivery" routine,  the Muscle Memory will wait until that action which indicates the Pre-Delivery" end and the "Start" of "Muscle Memory" delivery.  As with the Pre-mat Routine of the "Single Stepping Delivey" happens before actual delivery, so also the Pre-Delivery Routine ends your visualization work when you feel you have that proper Jack distance. (Angela looks down at her feet, I tap my toe because in Petanque it is also my "Start" of Muscle Memory)

  As you train you subconscious mind to include that memory data as part of your instinctive delivery, you will eventually not need the "Start " thought or action as the "Muscle Memory" will know your feeling of having the proper Jack distance and begin the "Muscle Memory" Delivery.

  Seems a strange or doubtful action, but it is the same way that in a Single Step Delivery that "Muscle Memory" adds extra weight to your delivery when it guess at a Long Jack Distance. In this Projective Visualization while using a memory of having previously seen the bowl roll to a Jack at this same distance, it has decided the amount of delivery weight needed. 

One problem, the distance image or calculation has to be always part of your Pre-Delivery routine and Delivery movements because even if you are not calculate the distance Muscle Memory "Start is after those movements. After the first bowl roll when the newly rolled jack was center we and the Subconscious knows the "Jack Distance"; so the next delivery are corrective or repeat deliveries. 

Where  in the walking to the mat we have the separation from Pre-mat routine thinking and the Delivery "Start" muscle action is the Pre-Delivey Routine action to indicate its end and "Muscle Memory" starts.

So it is important that the muscle movements (if any)  that are incorporated in that first Bowl "PVD" action is also part of the second or third bowl's delivery movements. These following bowls don't need the Visualized distance and if you watch in the video you will see from Angela facial expression and eyes she is not doing a mental visualization but a Pre-Delivery routine before the Muscle Memory.. 

Muscle Memory will eventually stop automatic using the Visualized distance data if a muscle movement, like an arm swing, was removed from  the Pre-Delivery Routine. After the subconscious know the jacl distance from the collected visualized distance data of the first, "Pre-Delivery" it accept on to the next deliveries to continue to use that distance. Doing the same thing with muscle actions even if mental actions are not included in the Pre-Delivery routine.

During the time of the long wait for the delivered bowl to arrive at the jack allow yourself to always attempt to feel the "Zen Moment" or "Void" as Muscle Memory returns control to the conscious mind as this is your first "Feedback" that your "Muscle Memory" was performed completely.  It is hard to stop watching the the Bowl roll to the jack as we want to see the result, but to seek this feeling is important to  your successful "Muscle Memory" modification.  No feeling then the conscious mind did the action because your thought has interrupted the instinctive delivery with a "too long" a thought.  Feel the "Void" and return to watch your bowl roll finish

In an earlier blog, I indicated that you could put a few inches more on a delivery by thinking of feeling your foot (toe) on the green as you step forward (a though of moving your body weight forward a bit more).  Or that it was possible to take a few inches off your delivery by feeling your heel on the ground behind you. Again a thought not a feeling. Introduced as interruption then gone. 

These are just a thoughts but to move your delivery from a "Single Step Delivery" of arm swing, forward step and lay down the bowl action; to the subconscious mind being taught to learns an instruction which will become part of the "Projected Visualized Delivery". 

This improvement of your delivery, is to place interruptions into the "Muscle Memory" delivery in such a way it does not interruption the "Muscle Memory" delivery. And then later, when it is easier to insert thoughts,  to use a Projection Vision of the delivery bowl rolling to the jack as an extra action of the delivery.  "Muscle Memory" delivery of a SSD has then began to move into a PVD delivery where the instinctive performance has become a thought produced delivery.

Each time you practice a Muscle Memory interruption  it is the same. An image or thought during your start of delivery and quickly leave it.. At the beginning you will use your filler image to occupy your thoughts after that interruption because you want a nothing thought.

There is two things I will introduce here. Each is an split second interruption of the "Muscle Memory" or subconscious control of the delivery. Both must be developed through practice until the subconscious mind incorporates the new change in delivery without interference to the Delivery. 

The first is where a players whom is beginning to see a "Muscle Memory" and feel that absence of thought returning; and now ,second is wanting to introduce a image or thought into Muscle Memory with out interruption and then allow the delivery to continue being performed by "Muscle Memory".

The second level of "Muscle Memory", which I have after almost 10 years only a success of  about 40 to 50 percent of the time. It is called "Projected Visualization Distance" (PVD) and involves allowing the subconscious to use memories of previous deliveries roll-up to jack  at other distances. The subconscious mind's use of learned information is how "Muscle Memory" is developed.  We did the proper delivery so many times that now it is instinctive. Likewise, we can introduce other thoughts and with practice they will become part of our "Muscle Memory".

In Archery, Projective Concent-ration happen when an archer at the shooting line follows the "Zen instruction" of "Be the target, pull the arrow to you".  An introduction to  Visualization was a blog of 2012 titled "Seeing the Shot, Visualization; where a Youtube video of Tiger Wood talks about "Being in the Zone".  I could go back and update that blog but my ideas on Visualization may also be how an inexperience reader see this topic, so I will leave it like it is with all its errors.

In the Youtube video of Tiger Wood he said he does not see the ball between his golf back swing and when it was already in flight in front of him. There is also other blogs to help the reader to discover the subconscious feeling of being "In the Zone" but over the next few months as I do blogs on  "Multiple Natural Distance" it is best to just know what level of "Muscle Memory" usage you are at today and become aware of the feeling of its presence. 

 The Lawn Bowls blog of "Three subconscious mind exercise" of December 28 2012; was at first, an attempts to identify to the reader the presence of the Subconscious mind in the athletic's actual Lawn Bowls delivery. This small exercise to feel the presence of a "Void" of thought after the delivery made by your "Muscle Memory" is important. Knowing the difference of the conscious mind giving muscle instructions and the subconscious mind having learned from experience how to do a delivery is valuable in understanding what else we can achieve.

Your memory data. collected during the past several years of delivery to a jack at difference distances is like a DVD bank fill of different  Music DVDs. Over your career, you have seen every distance between 21 meters and 31 meters being bowled, and watched your bowl go to the jack. More a memory of the long time it took to get to that distance. But these memories are what the subconscious seeks out when you see a jack and guess at its distance and use the proper delivery weight for that distance. If, with your Music Bank of DVD, you were to remove a DVD and check the music and it was not the correct music; you would put it back and take another. 

The visualize of deliveries is the same thing before your delivery. Your seeing and remembering the rolling a bowl to the jack is like the DVDs but you memory data is not something we retrieve often. As you progress to use this data to find the right jack distance; your feeling that the chosen memory has a lack of roll, and therefore you do another retrieval of another memory of a longer distance. Yes, Muscle Memory can be taught to visualizing the exact jack distance and  with practice to change the memory and push a longer roll to the jack image. 

In practice of this "Muscle Memory" development you will eventually  feel you have the distance on the first few "Pushes". But the practice like learning your "Single Step Delivery" will take a lot of mental practice as visualization is a mental exercise.  Myself, now I am restricting my self to three memory visualization but because we are lazy on mental task performance, in the beginning the "Muscle Memory" often reverted back to the Single Step delivery type of Muscle Memory.

What is the difference between the two Deliveries? (SSD and PVD) In the simple Muscle Memory of a Single Step Delivery it is a total of muscle movements for the delivery actions. We hear coaches say that the Pre-Mat Routine is the place to do all the other thinking which are decisions or remembering to check things. But not until you come to the mat does "Muscle Memory perform all those practice muscles actions that have created your delivery. 

The identification of the "Start of the Muscle Memory" is almost after you step to the mat.  If your Muscle Memory gives you a Natural distance at 25 meters and the jack is at 26 or 27 meters, it is off the mat (Pre-Mat) that you are deciding to do a longer arm swing for that 2 meters or maybe a longer step (which increase the speed of the Forward movement). You step to the mat and tell yourself, "Muscle Memory" will do it. And see how your separation of thinking and performance has actually done that longer swing or step automatic.

Now the Projective Visualize of the Jack distance Delivery. After much practice of mental work to visualize and the subconscious using that information a "Muscle Memory. is now developed. You have now inserting mental performance into your "Muscle Memory", and that reteival of a stored memory of a bowl rolling to that distance is apart of the PVD "Muscle Memory" (physical and mental)  performance.

 As the subconscious or instinctive delivery makes a modification for that distance you can no longer not have that image there for the "Muscle Memory" to use.  You are just seeing the roll and then letting the "Muscle Memory" do the delivery.  Not a single step Delivery with  a suggestion to change one of the muscle's performance this time, but a total commitment to allow the Muscle Memory do everything because that quick remembering the image is saying "Same Distance". 

Yes the athletic still will modify their delivery but not for 4 or 5 meters but for 2 or 3 feet because "Condition of Play" or something else prevented their delivery to be on the jack.  Myself, at 80+ years often find "Balance" is the cause so my placing my open hand on my non-stepping knee is fixing that. My Muscle Memory performs the same but now I have done something which changes the previous results.

Think of an office employee who has in their work load the task of sending 5 or 6 faxs to head office every day. (Muscle memory task). The employee often tries to use the fax at different times and find it often busy but now decides at 4:30 it is always available. So the employee changes their work schedule (the Muscle Memory sequence of mental tasks) to collect the faxes and be prepared at 4:30.  Every day always the same routine (Delivery of a Projected Visual Image (the fax) is now part of the Muscle Memory and that last image is what the instinctive delivery is always performing. The employee goes back to his work schedule, finds the best time for his fax sending and then for the next couple of months always the same performance.  

The image used to fix a PVD delivery may not be muscle movement changes but maybe a "focus" or other mental distractions. Years ago, I had a fellow club member who had a problem of holding his delivery performance concentration when something was happening around him. Then, 10 years or more ago, I told him when he is distracted to remember his feeling of calm , he just ahd to look at the big elm tree at the corner of the green.  That image was his fall back to relax image and allowed fixing and destroying his memory distractions.   To insert  a interruption of the "Muscle Memory" to fix a delivery problem is the next step for an athlete which has "Muscle Memory. I was so proud when he went of to the Nationals and did well because  his difficulties and control of "focus" is like visual disabilities: and does not change the athlete's performance if they have the developed the skills or tools needed,  like Muscle Memory.

 What would happen if the Muscle Memory wanted to use that last memory image you saw and  your accepted of a bowl roll and it is not there because they were not feel you needed that part of your "Pre-Delivery routine.. The thoughts before our "Muscle Memory" starts are important as without that  image it would force a return to Conscious mind muscle instructions. A total cancellation of that specific Muscle Memory performance.

Angela Boyd, the New Zealand lead for the Finals of the 2016 world bowls is explained by the announcer as:   "Very deliberate on her delivery,  Half a dozen motions of the arm, then a look down at her feet, then a look back up and now a delivery". And of course the first bowl of the game, a forehand delivery which rolls to the 29 meter jack and stops less than a foot behind.  

Above I talked about a Projective Visualization and this Youtube  video (below) with her several  arm swing for the  feeling of the bowl to jack delivery; is a perfect example of  a Lawn Bowl athlete being required to do muscle movements which are only done as to not interrupt the Muscle Memory" performance. 

This Visualization of Distance  in the Youtube video Mark Wildoboer Petanque practice, which is the same  trick of  Angela's Lawn Bowl Back hand delivery. Same toe tapping as he looks toward his target ball for his Pétanque takeout as Angela top tapping as she feels the distance of 29 meters.

. Because the jack (cochon) or target of an opponent's ball, is a lot closer than a Lawn Bowl's Jack is the same Mental projection of distance. Mark only need 3 "Projective Visualization because of the distance, (between 6 and 10 meters); while the 29 meter jack, travel, of Angela i is a different in that it is difficult to project to 29 meters. Maybe Angele needs more "go and come back" projections to capture the feeling of the distance..

Angela Boyd (NZ) forehand

In the  Lawn Bowls blog of   "Talking to the Subconscious mind 2/3" , it discuss this same mental visualization as Angela Boyd, the lead for New Zealand performs a  Visualization of the Jack distance before her first bowl's  delivery. The 2016 World Bowls Final .video viewing is important as it shows the multi-movement delivery needed for this Jack Distance. 

Backhand and Same "Void"

To understand these movements we can imagine that the half dozen motions of her delivery are memory recalls of bowl rolls until the feeling that distance the is detail.. Because this mental action is outside the "Muscle Memory" and the delivery; the looking down at the feet is to identify to the subconscious "the start of Muscle Memory delivery" and  the look back  up the green is the start of the "Muscle Memory" performance (the delivery).

 It is important to watch the 2nd and 3rd bowls of  her delivery and her body language. You will see the same 8 arm swings but she is not doing any serious "projective" thinking as she is just feeling the  "Jack distance". When the SDV players has decided how to go that extra distance (up to 2 meters) the Visual image of the jack distance and roll of the bowl is automaticly done by the "Muscle Memory". 

 In these first bowls of Angela, forehand and backhand we see how she separates this pre-delivery action so as to have no interruption of the Muscle Memory's subconscious performance. Having the distance from the first PVD she has a feeling and her arm swings  "reproduce the feeling of distance" for future bowls. I must thank Angela for allowing this great example of Distance Visualization of the Jack, and the separation of Visualization it from the "Muscle Memory" Delivery as she looks down and rolls her bowl.

  Also we see the problem created when we add an Muscle Memory interaction as a extra movement like the arm swing which gives a feeling of  the distance before allowing "Muscle Memory" to do the delivery. In time and with practice this will be like a SSD (Single Step Delivery) Muscle Memory and not need the many arm swings. we teach students to  have a Pre-Mat routine and them a "Delivery" performance. 

Advance athletes with a well developed  Muscle Memory  must always check for the feel their "Zen Moment" after the delivery. This feeling of "return awareness" is a confirmation that the delivery was a "Muscle Memory" and performed correctly (uninterrupted).

 The Pre-mat Routine or the Pre-Delivery routine (as in Angela delivery)  can be changed but not without an "Let Muscle Memory Happen" action. To Angela. the "Looking Down" action identify the start of the "Muscle Memory"delivery.

 In SSD where "Muscle Memory" exist, so also the Pre-Mat routine must be seen a separate action. Walking to the mat is definately a separate action. But to interrupt the "Muscle Memory" with a thought is so sharp and quick that it does not interrupt  the "Muscle Memory" Delivery.

You can see that Angela is not projecting a vision of the jack distance in all of her "Pre-Delivery" arm swinging movement after her first bowl. Myself I don't have a movement as the PVD distance is found because I am doing a mental thinking or  visualization. But I agree with Angela's use of the arm swing for the delivery weight feeling as she repeats her bowl's delivery swing, and this summer I will attempt to include a single arm swing (for feeling of distance). However, I do not know if I will need her "Identify Start" of the Muscle Memory. I will know as I discover that in my new practice this summer.

. In a SSD the Muscle Memory still does an adjustment of the Delivery weight, so if the SSD interruption is a thought and brief, the Muscle Memory will not be interrupted. Although, the several arm movements can be a type "Identify the Jack Distance" movement,  I have seldom seem it done off the mat. As in Angela performance, it does not change the  PVD "Muscle Memory" delivery; I doubt it would not change the  SSD Muscle Memory Delivery if done off the mat..

If this subject matter about Muscle 

Memory is your point of personal development there is presently about 145 short videos on Youtube by Eli Straw a sport psychologist and founder of Successstartswithin.com. This sport psychology site covers most of the same topics as a Level 4 or Level 5 coach would discuss with athletes. Bowls Australia and Bowls New Zealand as well as United Kingdom lawn bowls organization usually have these professionals on staff.

 Myself I don't do competition much any more and this will be my 4th year working on and practice adding Visualization to my delivery. My efforts of staying in the "Zone " and not interrupting the "Muscle Memory" is not easy during the first 15 minutes of practices where I have 4 jacks at different distances. But because you are interrupting the "Muscle Memory" I suggest only one  (4 x 15 min) practice per week on this because too much  interruption of Muscle Memory (this type of practice) will damage your Muscle Memory performance. It is easier for the subconscious to simply return muscle control back to the conscious mind. 

 A good coaches will advise a student of 15 minute practices and then relax or something else for the mind, especially on this type of practice. To the medium level lawn bowler this blog is probably confusing. I will attempt to do another blog to explain the many complex things that the Subconscious mind can and does do in our life. Remember some things like this are for athletes more advance  but are still working on their development. They may try it or accept it as something to discover or build. If it is strange or too advance for you, stay with your present SSD Muscle Memory as it can and will build to the same level.

Thank you for your patience and read this extremely long blog. Some of the stats of the blog may be of interest. Like I say in the Header "the reason for the blog is to promote discussions". 

January 2026 stats before this blog

If t he athlete can remembers a previous lawn bowl's delivery and watch it happen (visualizes the memory), they can follow it the distance it rolled. If in their memory they see that it does not reach the full distance to the jack you are now playing then you must get another memory. With this next memory, the athlete attempts to push it that extra distance needed to get to our jack distance.

 Aware of this mental exercise when watching game videos, we may see the athlete never feeling comfortable they have the proper distance (data from memory). 

For this reason, if after three such retrieval and viewing during the preparation for the muscle memory ii is not feeling right; I force myself to allow the "Muscle Memory performance. This need for  a focus performance means you must have your limit of working the subconscious mind.  So my Pre-Muscle Memory Routine is "Looking, verifying if the right memory, two times and after the third is my "Go" on the Muscle Memory. On the final pass I usually find the feeling, whether that it is or not. I often feel the work so demanding mentally that the right distance or else is my Muscle Memory Routine or I accept to simply follow the execute of  the last  played bowl.

Your Jack Distance 1/2 (NMem)

 In 2026, my blogs on Lawn bowl will be in three groups, New Members (NMem), Advance Members (AMem) and General Information (Info) and will allow readers to choose topics according to their experience. Sometimes, when a reader is moving ahead on a topic for which they are not prepared in experience only confuses them. The second part of this blog will be (AMem) for Advance players and it is suggested that new lawn bowler with a few years experience do not chase to understand this information until your practices or play experience is four or five years.

A major problems in developing club member as quality athletics for a competition level performance; is that beyond the "New Member" coaching in their first year, very few club members get any secondary coaching. This type of extra coaching, must be more than answer to questions but introduce the advance member (2nd year, 3rd etc) to improvements in their delivery, their performance, and bring their game to a different levels. 

Today's Blog. "Jack Distance" suggests the need to know method to evaluate the distance of the jack. My first general answer when talking about "Muscle Memory" is often a comment of   "Children do very well to throw a baseball without knowing the distance it has to be thrown and achieve the proper distance".

 It is true that their "Muscle Memory" develops faster than older individuals who come to a new sport later in life after having experienced several other sports. Actually, such a reply from a coach is often to avoid the question, especially with several new players in the coaching class. The answer actually inserts a "Buzz Word" with the intention of preventing explaining in details what is "Muscle Memory". Although, beyond the intended level of the course being given; the club coach will probably explain that "Muscle Memory" is one's ability to practice and prefect the delivery to the point that it becomes instinctive.

 "Muscle Memory" is doing the same actions over and over until the action is being done without thought. Breathing is Muscle Memory as is the quick foot to the brake to stop the car when a child or animal runs out in front of it.  In the first year's learning of a lawn bowl's delivery, the coach and their student are concentrating on how to instruct different muscles to do the correct actions which are usually new.

 Over time, with practice and game play the student will have developed their own style of delivery which becomes their own "Muscle Memory" introduction. In these first years, the student's thinking, as they learn and develop their Bowl delivery,  is to be continually checking that certain muscles are doing as instructed. We are always aware that other muscles are attempting to do actions which may have previously developed in another sports. These old muscle actions will always be interfering with your Delivery until the new movements become the quick and correct method of performing the delivery.

No there is not only one type of "Delivery" but the one new students are taught touch on all the necessary area of performance. Later when a proper delivery has been developed, the student then might make a few changes or fine adjustment. The unique aspect of Lawn Bowls which separates it and the delivery performance of other similar sports where a "Ball Rolls to a Target" is the extreme distance of the target (or jack) from the player. Other sports like Bocci, Petanque, and Curling, all have closer distances of play and their delivery is often to a target which is at a fixed distances or very small different in the acceptable distance.  Lawn Bowls closest to farthest distance is 10 meters or over 30 feet. 

In Curling the "house" or target, to which the "Stones" are delivered, is always the same distance and the "Release Line" and the center of the house is the same as  a Lawn Bowl's legal short Jack distance. (I believe a distance of  21 meters)

 In Curling, "Muscle Memory" develops quickly, where in Lawn Bowls, unless the jack is always placed at the same distance; the new 1st year student is always modifying their delivery weight for a different distance. So muscle development of a Lawn Bowler's delivery is seen as always working to repeat the same  muscle movements and because of the changing distances also doing modifications to that performance for a new  and different distance. 

Also, beside the different distance with each new end of play or practice, a player is forced to change direction as they return back up the green from where they came. This new "Jack Distance"  which may require modifications to the delivery may now have new problems of the environment like wind or difficult in judging the distance. (A large tree behind the green or club house will force the player to feel as if the jack is closer.

Since game play requires that the "Lead's first bowl be rolled after their preparation and decisions; with every bowl be as well played as possible. When the coach shows the new club member  how to play their bowl to that distance; they are taught a preparation which may be  called  the "Mat Routine" and includes all the right movements and checking for the common mistakes. Wrong Bias, Balance, or even how to increace "Delivery Weight" for this new distance.

In Petanque, the french "bowls" game; the "Cochon" or target (an opponents ball) is between 6 meters and 10 meters. (Rules also allow for it to be up to 20 meters if during the game the "Cochon" has been moved when a ball had been played).

Petanque Take-out

This short distance of 4 meters different distance for a legal start of play as the "cochon" is thrown at the start; is a lot easlier than the 30 meters of Lawn Bowls's legal distance. 

And where the Lawn Bowl is rolled your bowl up the green, in the Petanque game often the players are permitted to throw their metal ball of 3" or more at the opponents balls in what is called a "Takeout" shot. To roll to the target or throw for a "Takeout" the distance is likewise important in Petanque as in Lawn bowls' Delivery.

 Also in order of play, if the team does not have the closest ball to the "cochon", then they play again until their ball is the closest or they have  no more balls. This screen capture of a youtube video shows a mental "Distance Viewing" development of the athlete who is passing instructions to the subconscious mind prior to the "Muscle Memory. Later, this video showing this mental distance evaluation exercise can be seen by World class athletes of Lawn Bowls. A skill developed after many years to instruct the mind of the actual distance to the jack.

In Lawn Bowls a bowl which touches the Jack is marked as a "Toucher" so it can be counted later even if it has gone into the Ditch and would normally be out of play. In Bocci, the Italian similar game,  all the balls are marked as well as the target "Pallino" (Jack). Bocci has a bit longer distance then Petanque but no where as far on the short and longest distance as Lawn Bowls. Most important is that international games of Bocci is more of a "Call Shot" sport. Similar to Petanque, the Bocci player rolls or throws their balls but if in the attempt of doing a "take-out" shot, if it is missed then "Boccis"  and "Pallino" (Balls and Jack which were marked) which were  probably displaced by the failed shot, are replaced to their pre-shot positions.

  Of course, where in other throwing sports (horseshoes, Darts, etc) and the distance to the target is also fixed, the player's ability to do a good performance or having developed a "Muscle Memory" of precision is  much easlier then in Lawn Bowls. Muscle Memory in Lawn Bowls is always being modified for each new "Jack Distance" between the short (21 meter) jack and the longest possible "Legal" Distance of a full rink length of 33 meters (to the edge of the Back Ditch.

"Muscle Memory" is a performance perfection developed for what we refer to as a "Natural Distance". With all the same movements and effort of a "Delivery Routine", a players can expect all their bowls (three or four) will arrive at the same distance. A Natural Distance for those Delivery perfected actions. A new "Jack Distance" may have or need "Add-on" actions for that extra (or less) distance. Actions such as a longer step or a increase in Delivery weight.

These differences are important to understand because a Lawn Bowls athletic who can draws to within inches of the "Jack", which may be at any distance, up to 31 meters; must be always  making many fine adjustments to their bowl's "Delivery Routine"  Then depending upon the quality of the green or the affect of the envirorment on the game;  the experienced athletic must not only roll to a long jack distance but also adjust to the changing conditions of play. Rain, sunshines and even wind will only increase the game's difficulty by changing the speed at which your bowl will roll up the green to the jack.

Blind Distance Markers

If your coach has told you how important it is to know the actual distance to the Jack, then we begin to develop methods to judge the Jack's Distance and do a delivery to different "Jack Length". 

In Blind Lawn Bowls when the jack is thrown and centered by a "Game Assistant" the distance to the jack from the mat (or the Mat line) is announced to the Blind player by the assistant. The "game assistance" (or marker in Singles) only needs to look to the side of the rink to know the distance. As a help for the assistance or individual who is centering the Jack, the jack distance is indicated by numbers on the side boards which the assistance uses to indicate the "Jack Distance. (photo above).

 Then the Blind bowler just performs a delivery for that distance by making changes to their basic delivery weight for the indicated distance. Their line of Delivery is given to them by their coach or "Delivery assistance" who indicate the proper line by instructing their movement prior to delivery.

  A social games skip will usually tell new bowlers their distance to the jack. However, unless the coach has been using the same distance for the first few lessons of the new club member; the learning to roll the bowl is being learned for consistance delivery performance and not distance. Later, the coach will teach different distances of the Jack to a new lawn Bowler as they now develop more delivery weight for a different jack distance. 

Since in a game the jack distance may only be indicate once by the skip as he centers the jack, all players should be listening or watching this indicated distance given to the "Lead" player's first bowl. (or maybe distance signal or action).

 As explained by the coach, after Delivery line and Delivery Weight has been learned, there a periiod of preparation before going to the Mat for your delivery. This "Pre-Mat" routine is where most players make decisions on how they will play their bowl when they go to the mat to do their "Delivery Routine". All the various checks on possible errors and proper delivery movements which were explained by the coach up to this point is now placed in this routine. Some athletes seem to not have a  Pre-Mat Routine as they step to the mat and do a perfect delivery. However, the  delivery is a performance and the Pre-Mat time and routine is the decision and pre-performance actions. When the athlete steps to the mat and  then following the instruction of their skip by doing the best delivery they can perform they are in a period of "Muscle Memory" performance. 

This routine is one of three parts of a "Delivery Cycle".  First a "Pre-Mat",  then a "Delivery", and finally a "Post-Mat" as you leave the mat and evaluate your just finished delivery. It is after the delivered bowl has stop that the Post-Mat Routine begins an analysis of the performance, an analysis of any errors,  and whether in the calculation of the Jack's distance or the evaluation of the playing surface or conditions there were mistakes.

The Pre-Mat Routine is where decisions on the modification to a delivery for the next bowl occurs, whether a new distance is now to be prepared, before your turn to go to the mat and roll your next bowl. Without the  Post-Mat analysis and Pre-Mat preparation, we find new players going to the mat and just doing a Delivery.

Between the Post-Mat analysis and Pre-Mat preparation there should be a period of "Focus" and even "Relaxation". A lawn bowls game is long and unless you forget the previous bad delivery and go to the mat with a clear mind set you will make all the same mistakes again. 

The "Lead" player and their first bowl to a just "centered" jack is difference than the delivery actions and changes for the following bowls. The "Lead" has an advantage here on the "Jack Roll" and the "First Bowl Roll" in that it has been said "if a Lead rolls their First bowl within the 15 seconds after the jack was rolled, the mind has a feeling for the Jack distance and they will draw their bowl directly to the jack". A skip, knowing this principle will not waste the time of the Lead with a lot of instructions but allow the Lead to roll their bowl as they wish.

However, with the "Next Bowl" of the Lead, and following decisions of the Pre-Mat about delivery corrections and improvements learned from the last bowl delivery, or even a "Do the same" Pre-Mat decision; the lead should be ready to do a perfect "Delivery Routine". 

The exception is when there is a request from the team Skip for a different delivery as he build his game strategy.  If this happens and there is a request for a changed delivery listen and understand the new instructions and then step of the mat and redo the "Pre-Mat" routine and verifications before returning and doing the requested delivery.

**It is critical in knowing the actual "Jack Distance" when coming to the mat, because  we can make adjustment to our delivery weight with this more precise distance, which is the goal. To place our bowl on the "Jack" and this extra information will help "Muscle Memory" do that. 

 Problem which exist is that if a player is busy thinking of a precise distance during their delivery, like say "25 meters": these words are seen as a conscious mind thought which expects it to be an actual instruction for changing the muscle's performance rather than letting the "Muscle Memory" delivery happen. With practice an  athlete can learn to communicate this important information to the subconscious without causing it to see the thought as an instruction to muscle performance.

For this reason, such thoughts during the performance of the delivery destroys "Muscle Memory" if it has been properly developed. Also, when the learning bowler's progress is delayed because the "Muscle Memory" is not allowed to perform the instinctive delivery; it can take a lot of hard work to re-establish the "Muscle Memory" performance.

 One must remember that  a subconscious or instinctive performance is performed without  the interruption by the conscious mind which always wants to give and control instructions to the muscles.  We have to train our "Muscle Memory" to use the data collected before coming to the mat for our instinctive delivery and just quickly think of the change before returning to the "Void" of performance. Yes, the subconscious or instinctive action of delivery will use that suggested information, and with practice not be interrupted when it has been give it. 

But to suggest the distance during the actual performance of the delivery, is like someone talking to a typist when they are busy working. The interruption, if too long. will stops the actual work from being continued. If quickly  suggested and the following thought is toward the delivery results as a "Focus" it will allow  "Muscle Memory" returned to it instinctive delivery.

 The interruption of  "Muscle Memory" by that thought of a distance during the instinctive performance is like the typist hearing an instruction and saying "so what do you want me to do". The Muscle Memory performance which is the boss of this delivery action must be allowed to perform the delivery.

The second part of this blog will attempt to suggest how to introduce this thought, a distance, quickly during your "Muscle Memory" delivery and let it be passed quickly to the subconscious mind. A good example is breaking the car an instinctive action but with the sight of a ball and not a child running into the street; the drive modifies his braking reaction by not seeing the ball as a danger to life. You have a "Muscle Memory Delivery" which is a routine of actions and after that quick thought it will continues to execute the delivery because the image. or thought was so quick it was like a sound you simple ignore.

 Each of your delivery, the first bowl included, should have an expected result as we first establish the distance to the jack and then define what changes you will need to make to your delivery so it will improve your performance for that distance.

The stats (above) of the blog show some similar blogs which might be helpful to thoughts from this blog. Things like "Line of Delivery" and the right Bowl's bias and other Pre-mat actions, are useless if you have been guessing at the distance or feeling that distance

. Lawn bowls student must makes some changes to their delivery for that new jack distance. And I always found that they are thinking on the Delivery Line or (not and) the  Delivery Weight. Hard to control and learn both . Best advice is to do one or the other in Practice and apply them as needed when in game play and on the mat.. 

But, here is the problem.  If you are thinking, during your delivery, a number of meters or a distance, which is a conscious thought and you know it will causes the instinctive delivery to be interrupted, then immediately follow it with a "Filler" thought. A thought of a cloud you have just seen, is so meaningless image that  does not introduce or suggests a muscle performance instruction. 

The reason I explained the other sports above is because the second part of this blog is to help "Advance Members" and then when I explain the problem with "Muscle Memory" interruptions; we will see how depending upon the length of your "Delivery Routine" how hard it is to not interrupt that delivery. Information for the more advance athletes on Jack Distance and Delivery Performance.

What it does do is suggest something but still allows the subconscious (Muscle Memory)  to continue it's performance. In time,  and with practice, the subconscious will always go and get that image because it has, over time, included it into the other actions of the "Muscle Memory" delivery.

 So, in these practice sessions intended to interrupt the Muscle Memory, you do your image (or word if Vocal) and then  allow the Muscle Memory to happen. The subconscious will learn through practice, to use that information without  you ever thinking about the distance again; because it has always been developed as a part of all the actions. A delivery routine of interrupted "Muscle Memory" is developed during  these practice sessions in such a way that the modified delivery routine is reference just prior to active "Muscle Memory" delivery.

In the second part of the Blog, intended for the Advance Players who want their "Muscle Memory" action to collect the Jack distance information; the biggest suggestion is to just do your delivery with a small (microsecond) thought of distance. Not a number or a word just a memory of your calculation from before going to the mat.

If in reading Part 2 it seems complex, just realize that in time and practice that instinctive delivery will happen. You will know when your delivery  is at your level of development and to re-visit Part 2 will help make other changes to your delivery without interrupt to the "Muscle Memory". 

 With hours of practice of inserting a microsecond memory into the delivery performance ("Muscle Memory) the advancing competitive bowler will know that  "Feeling" of distance is confidence that Muscle Memory  know the distance.

Have tagged as Advance athletic (AMem) that second part of these two blogs because for the athletic with a developed "Muscle Memory" the next step of performance is the most difficult. After  long hours of  practices to develop  the actions of "Muscle Memory", the advance athlete must be able to enter the "void of Thought" needed for the subconscious to perform.

 I know that my blog readers who are new to Lawn Bowls and have been seeking several small changes or correction to their Instinctive delivery (Muscle Memory); but to enter this "void of thought" and remain long enough (without conscious thought) also will require practice. (a mental practice)  At first the student develop their "Muscle Memory" feels the return from the "void of thought" which is so very short. I expect the new lawn bowls student will find it hard to understand this danger of interrupting your "Muscle Memory" by returning from the "void" too quickly. 

In the "shorter distance to target" games like Petanque or Curling the performance is almost immediately followed by seeing the results of your delivery. And all these four games, Lawn Bowls, Bocce, Curling and Petanque have about the same length of time for the delivery. Yes in Bocci the running forward before the delivery is an action but the "Muscle Memory" is the Delivery Performance og which the action is almost the same as Lawn Bowls

The opposite is true for Curling where the Delivery Action of the stone is immediate then the slide to the Release line while waiting for the final movement. The Curling Delivery is almost the same "Muscle Memory" then the player is in what might be call "Finishing Up the Delivery"é  But in each delivery (of the 4 sports), the success of "Muscle Memory" depends upon the ability to remain in the "Void" long enough to complete the complete action.  In Lawn Bowls, the last part of delivery, the release, has no change on performance if weight and line are correct. While in Petanque the want to see the result of the performance actually forces the athlete to come out of the "Void of Thought" too early. 

However, in Petanque with the throwing takeout release any small movement as the athlete comes out of his "void of thought" of his "Muscle Memory" can create a complete miss. The same with curling with the final "Delivery Curl movement" or the Bocci Release after the running delivery.

The difference in Concentration and being in Focus are often confused. Focus is like the focus of a camera for a clear picture and refers to a fine adjustment to better perform. Focus on a small spot or work your mind set (relax or breathing or balance). Concentration is the  self-relax peace of mind  needed. But it is not the "Void"  but knowing the void is important and doing  a concentration to accept it is the story. 

A complete absence of thought  is hard to develop put happens because you are so occupied (concentrating) on your performance or "Muscle Memory". For the duration of the complete delivery cycle you should be in the subconscious mind control. For this raison many Petanque (Curling and Bocci) players work to remain in the "Void" until their release is completed or otherwise see a negative result. The lawn bowler waits for his result as his bowl rolls and being finished of his "void" has no influence over the final result of delivery.

 In  a youtube video  above of the Petanque player doing his takeout, the tell or his toe movement, is showing his thoughts of seeing (or feeling) the distance. This same exercise of pushing the void with a concentration on the vision of the  expected shot is a way to extend the length of the void.

  In these three sports, the athlete's mind is expecting to see the result immediately and therefore comes out of the "Void" to soon. On the other hand, the long delay between the end of delivery and the final stopping of the Bowl; actually seperates the delivery from the result viewing. In the  athletic developing, through practice, a longer  "duration of the void", the viewing repeatively of the vision; prevent doing anything in the last microseconds of delivery which influences the finish of the delivery of "takeout" shot.

 The newer Lawn Bowler student should read the 2nd part with out expecting it applies to them but as an insight of what the final performance mental development will be after several years... Leave it when finished and return later as experience shows you that you need that advice. Enjoy the blogs and appreciate your club coach who can not  always explain these things as they will only confuse your development at the earlier learning stages of development.