Ideal Slide Distance

[billf]

Changing a slide is hard. This is especially true when so many lower level bowlers don't power off the prior step. Another piece to a rather large puzzle still the same. I do know how much a good slide helped my game not just with timing but better balance. My objective wasn't to get people to slide six feet but rather to try to stop planting so hard (bad for knees and back nevermind accuracy and timing) and try at least a small slide.

[unclemantis]

Good to see you back Bob.

[Tampabaybob]

Changing a slide is hard. This is especially true when so many lower level bowlers don't power off the prior step. Another piece to a rather large puzzle still the same. I do know how much a good slide helped my game not just with timing but better balance. My objective wasn't to get people to slide six feet but rather to try to stop planting so hard (bad for knees and back nevermind accuracy and timing) and try at least a small slide.

Total agreement with you on this Bill. Planting is "really bad" for the knees and other aspects of timing. If I see someone planting I do get to have them try to slide, but it comes with lots of practice usually and many bowlers are 3 games a week type of bowlers. So it's hard to get them set up and stay that way. Guys that plant will almost always end up with knee problems somewhere down the road. One of the hard parts is convincing them of that.

[SmilingBowler]

Good to see you back Bob.

Always good seeing the best chatters return. Welcome back Bob. Best of Luck!

[SmilingBowler]

Changing a slide is hard. This is especially true when so many lower level bowlers don't power off the prior step. Another piece to a rather large puzzle still the same. I do know how much a good slide helped my game not just with timing but better balance. My objective wasn't to get people to slide six feet but rather to try to stop planting so hard (bad for knees and back nevermind accuracy and timing) and try at least a small slide.

Total agreement with you on this Bill. Planting is "really bad" for the knees and other aspects of timing. If I see someone planting I do get to have them try to slide, but it comes with lots of practice usually and many bowlers are 3 games a week type of bowlers. So it's hard to get them set up and stay that way. Guys that plant will almost always end up with knee problems somewhere down the road. One of the hard parts is convincing them of that.

I encourage many other bowlers to at least try to slide on the ball of their slide foot. Distance doesn't matter as much, as long as your ball is in control and slightly behind the foul line when you end your slide. This helps your forward momentum transfer to your upper body to lift on the release. I find as long as I keep my arm straight and don't dip my shoulder, I can get enough loft to clear the first 4-5 feet of oil. This lets the ball slide shorter, break on-point and crash through the pocket, clearing the deck. But its all in the timing. I wouldn't want to throw off someone's timing trying to tell them to increase their slide.

New shoes, something I'll be adjusting to this month or next.. whenever I get them, can throw off your timing in your slide and release, but as you get used to how new shoes (any and all shoes for newer bowlers) you can slow your approach to control your slide. Like most everything else, speed kills. Its better to stay slow, in control and make your marks.