Imagine training on a clay court to prepare for the US Open or Australian Open in tennis. The skill set, pace, physical environments, and the tension in the rackets are extremely different. Anyone who attempted this would be woefully underprepared and likely lose in straight sets. Literally, the skill set refined in preparation didn’t match the environmental needs. As the adage attributed to Franklin and Wooden says, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. I will refine this to preparing to properly prepare is preparing to fail.

One of the most important elements in tenpin bowling is environmental preparations. Like tennis, we have different lane surface materials, ranging in hardness and softness. On one lane panel, the ball will slow down faster and hook more, while another will retain velocity longer, yielding to less hook. Equipment matters a lot, similar to matching the best golf club to the shot needed on a particular hole.

In addition, like in golf, we have different environmental conditions applied to the lane. In our sport, in addition to the different lane surfaces, we compete on what is referred to as lane patterns. Lane conditioner, comprised as high as 94 per cent of industrial grade white mineral oil and having different amounts of viscosity, is applied to the lane with a Zamboni-type machine that applies various amounts and lengths to create different patterns (see included graphics). Bowlers navigate this varying friction, which requires us to play in different areas of the lane.

Due to the potential variety of the bowling environment, tenpin bowlers need to be able to alter their velocity, the amount of rotation of their hand, the length to where the ball lands on the lane, as well as the launch angles needed. These athletes need to be able to bowl from the extreme outside to standing in front of the ball return and throw it over the inside gutter, landing the ball from 10 to 20 feet down the lane.

Accordingly, for my teams, preparations are critical. Due to these patterns and required lane play zones, the Bermuda national team bowlers are being tasked with improving their skill set. As Abraham Lincoln stated, “give me six hours to cut down a tree and I would spend four hours sharpening the axe”.

When you possess skills paired with the ability to play anywhere on the lane, you are never mentally trapped. In sport and in life, if we feel we don’t have a solution, we can become unnecessarily stressed and panicked, leading to fear, underperformance or paralysis. With our radically purposeful preparations, we will always have a lane play solution. This will help the bowlers remain in the zone and perform at their highest level at the Central American and Caribbean Games.

Since starting with the team in January, I have designed training plans that both challenge athletes in relation to their comfort levels and facilitate their proficiency in all prerequisite skills and mental toughness.

“It works, if you commit 100 per cent you will see improvement in your game,” team member Lamar Richardson said.

Veteran international team member David Maycock reflected on the training. “I learnt a lot on how to play the lane differently. How the lanes break down, where to start and what ball to use in different parts of the lane.”

Our next phase of preparations will involve a concerted effort to not only be comfortable playing all parts of the lane, but to also to work on the official Games practice process. Based on the official Central American and Caribbean Games lane pattern, we will develop a zonal testing process. During the official practice, which is always held one day before the competition begins, we will test the zones in a radically purposeful manner as a team. This will lead to having a plan A, B and maybe C.

Wearing the national jersey is an honour and a privilege. I want the bowlers to take this responsibility seriously. They need to understand that they are representing each of the approximately 65,000 countrymen and women. We want to be prepared for what needs to be done. As I always say, we need to work the lane, bowl as a single unit and fight to the end of the Games, no matter what. Preparations are prerequisites, not guarantees. But our obligation to the country is to be prepared to be at our best and we are working through this now.