Tip of the Month - January 2026
The Adrenaline Bottle Analogy
The ‘Adrenaline Bottle Analogy’ creates a nice ‘visual’ for knowing where the Bowler’s Mental & Physical game is at all times and how to give the Bowler the best chance to perform.
What is ADRENALINE?
Adrenaline is a hormone secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress and increases heart rate, pulse rate, and blood pressure, and raises the blood levels of glucose and lipids.
Adrenaline is hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that helps the body meet physical or
emotional stress.
Adrenaline simply increases our total awareness with ALL ‘5’ of our senses. As our senses are
sharpened and we can see, feel, smell, hear, and taste at higher levels; we can perform at higher levels inbowling because our instincts can help us more in detail. At these times, our depth of focus is extreme!
FIRST, let’s discuss how adrenaline can hurt us in Bowling.
Everyone has experienced (at one time or another) being out of control and too hyper with our
emotions. Whether this comes from a string of strikes in-a-row or needing a strike to win a game; the pressure and stress we put on ourselves determines how much adrenaline kicks in.
When we have TOO MUCH adrenaline, the Bowler is not able to relax and perform at a high level with feel. When the adrenaline is too high, our natural strength increases and that will carry over to faster footwork, stronger armswing coming through, more grip-pressure, etc… All without knowing it because the adrenaline makes us ‘naturally’ stronger. When this happens, ALL ‘5’ instincts are aware at super in- depth levels. In times of having TOO MUCH adrenaline we must find a way to calm down so we can maintain the ideal mental & physical level to win.
When we have TOO LITTLE adrenaline, the Bowler can feel tired and the Bowler’s ‘5’ senses are NOT functioning at the level to perform their best. The ball can feel heavy and the speed can feel difficult to maintain going down the lane. In times of having TOO LITTLE adrenaline we must find a way to elevate and increase our ‘5’ senses awareness so our instincts are in a better place to help us win.
Don Campbell (my mentor) gave me an example that created a great visual for me on an everyday basis and how to know exactly where my adrenaline was so my mental &; physical game were always at their peak.
Here’s a GREAT ‘Key’ to understanding adrenaline and how it can help OR hurt you.
Let’s imagine a bottle of adrenaline with NO top on it.
Ultimately, to be performing at our best, the Bowler would want the adrenaline at the very top of the bottle (maximum) so he/she is strong and super alert with all ‘5’ senses.
Remember there is NO top on the bottle so if you are out of control and too hyper, visualize your
adrenaline flowing out of the bottle! WAAAY TOOOO MUUUCH!
Let’s say we are having a day on the lanes and we are lethargic, unmotivated and weak.
In this case we can visualize our adrenaline being at the BOTTOM of the bottle.
In order for the Bowler to perform their best they must bring that adrenaline level UP to the top of the bottle so they regain the sharpness of their ‘5’ senses and start being competitive again.
In order to bring the adrenaline UP we must find a way to build ourselves up and strengthen ourselves.
Each individual is different in how they would do this.
Some may need a simple little pep talk and think positive to get the juices flowing again. Others may need to give themselves a little ‘kick in the pants’ to get motivated.
This can vary on any given day regardless of the person.
Whatever it takes, we do it!
The ‘Bottle of Adrenaline’ Analogy helps the Bowler to always know where they are and what needs to be done to perform maximally.
I was taught that it would be great when first learning this to ask myself, “Where is your adrenaline level” after every shot. This helped me learn and understand right-a-way and really helped me to know exactly where my mental & physical game (‘5’ senses) were in competition and how to get that back in 1-2 shots.
This takes some practice but is well worth the benefits when coming down the home stretch to win.
A Bowler can certainly take a whole practice session (while working on other things) learning where their adrenaline level is by asking after every shot, “Where is my adrenalin in that bottle?” At the bottom” At the top? In the middle?
We always want it AT THE TOP BUT ‘NOT’ OVER-FLOWING!!
Where is YOUR adrenaline on the lanes??
Start implementing this thought process NOW!!
- Randy Chism -
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