Ideal Slide Distance

[explorer05]

I agree it's tough to judge because for me too much slide and timing goes do the drain, not enough and I pull the ball. Really it does depend on the bowler. For me it is a feel not really distance. I think the longer you bowl the amount of slide will come to you. I buy bowling shoes with interchangeable heels and toe inserts. To me it gives me the best match for the approaches because I can change to make my side right. I also believe the amount slide can make a bowler better or worse, but that is something the bowler has to figure out.

[sukeetoshyoo88]

scott norton? no slide super late timing one hander?

i actually thought i didn't slide at all, until i recorded some videos. and was like, wow. that pretty far.

[J Anderson]

The following is an article by Joe Slowinski regarding the importance of the slide and deternining your ideal slide distance.

http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/...e_feb_2013.pdf

I just went back and re-read this article and while he makes a good case for this theoretical ideal slide distance, there isn't the slightest hint as to how to compute it other than that you need to work with a coach to do it. I know its not covered in level one. Can I just go to one of the bronze level coaches that I know, or do I have to find a silver or gold level coach?

[billf]

It wasn't covered in the Bronze course either. I won't know about the Silver until July 13th. I also found it interesting that there was no explaination on how to determine what slide distance would be ideal for each bowler.

[billf]

scott norton? no slide super late timing one hander?

i actually thought i didn't slide at all, until i recorded some videos. and was like, wow. that pretty far.

I just watched some of Scott Norton videos on YouTube. His slide is very short on his strike shot and none on his spare attempts.

[unclemantis]

Slide is subjective. There is no IDEAL slide. The slide that works for you is the slide that works for you.

[GeorgiaStroker]

I got the impression he was saying to experiment with sole and heel combinations and or footwork speed to obtain a slide that allowed you to come to a stop at the same time the ball reaches your ankle. That would be your ideal slide length.

[Tampabaybob]

Slide length for each bowler will vary. Some guys with high back swings will plant on the last step some will slide. Likewise for strokers and twiners some will plant also. Here is a prime example of each bowler having a unique style and delivery pattern. Sure Joe can theorize that a certain slide distance is "the best", but what it really comes down to, is the bowler able to come thru the ball "completely balanced" and with his/her release timed with there finishing foot ? As long as that can happen, and the bowler is able to post his/her shot, whatever slide length they have is correct for them. Just my take on it. You can always "try" to change someones slide, but that doesn't guarantee, it's going to help them increase their average.

[billf]

No change ever guarantees success for every bowler though. Coaching is about increasing the player's odds by trying different techniques that can suit that bowler. Just like keeping the balance leg on the floor doesn't work for all bowlers, but does help the vast majority, so won't a proper slide.

[Tampabaybob]

True, but you must admit there are many other "tweaks" you can do for a bowler that will take much less effort on their part, to help them increase. On a scale of 1 -10 I'd put the slide factor somewhere around a 5. Again, that's just my take. Every coach has different outlooks on what's going to help a bowler progress faster.