Game version
Routine game: make a short routine (breath, aim, roll) and teach it to your partner. Swap, and notice how calm it feels.
Kind Words to Yourself
Say one kind thing to yourself after every ball, good or not.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
After each ball, say something kind, like "nice try" or "good swing".
Core: Full routine. Beat your own calmest routine.
- Ages
- 7 and up
- Time
- 6 min
- Players
- Just you
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Bowling ball, lane
- Level · skill
- Beginner · Focus
The steps
How it works
- After each ball, say something kind, like "nice try" or "good swing".
- Clap for teammates too.
- Bowl 10 balls.
- Notice how you feel at the end.
Coaching point
Be your own teammate.
Safety: Never step past the foul line; the lane is oily and slippery. Wait for the pinsetter to finish before you bowl, and never go down the lane.
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (one breath), Core (full routine), More (the routine after a miss). Beat your own calmest routine.
Story
You are a pilot running through the pre-flight checks.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own calmest routine. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free bowling week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.