To slide or not to slide, that is the question...

[swingset]

Actually, I think I already have the answer because weeks of trying to re-learn a good slide have left me with the realization that it's just wrecking my approach. My coach and others who have watched me bowl tell me I should slide so I've given it an honest college try.

I used to slide, and got away from it and now find that sliding upsets my balance, and makes me contend with the approach surface (both good and bad) and factor that into my game which is yet another variable, and really I think this is the most important thing...it just feels weird. Hours of practice until it's become second nature to do it, and all I found was that every 5th or 6th time I bowled, something in the slide step was off...I stuck, I slid too much, I slid then grabbed, and my consistency (which is not my strong suit) got even worse. I think I'm just not meant to slide, and I don't enjoy the game doing it so that's that.

But, it begs the question - how important is a slide in a modern bowling approach, really?

I see a lot of very good bowlers on both sides of this. Some plant, some slide. Some slide a little, some way out there, it's all over the map. Is this another case of tradition (don't drop the shoulder, verses the modern "always drop the shoulder", stay square verses open up for power) carrying over into the mechanics of the modern game where really it has no bearing? Or, do the benefits in power and reduced muscle stress of the forward leg outweigh the downsides?

[Greenday]

Sliding for me gives me a bigger window for my release. Since you want to release it around your foot/ankle while in a forward motion, the slide continues to forward motion for a longer time giving you more wiggle time for reaching that target area for release.

[billf]

I agree with Greenday on the reason for it. However, different strokes for different folks. You gave it a real try and just can't get it right so be done with it. I find that when I slide AND get real low my accuracy greatly improves. When planting I can't get nearly as low but I can get more revs.

[Greenday]

It doesn't have to be a long slide. Even a slide of just a few inches makes a huge difference. It keeps your forward momentum going, adding more power to your shot.

[J Anderson]

Personally I wish I could slide like Marshall Holman in his prime. The only time I've come close was when the local bowling center was celebrating 50 years in business and did something to the approaches. Instead of stopping 3-5 inches behind the line everything but the heel of my shoe went sliding over the line. First time I had ever fouled in over thirty years of bowling.

[swingset]

It doesn't have to be a long slide. Even a slide of just a few inches makes a huge difference. It keeps your forward momentum going, adding more power to your shot.

I do slide a tiny bit, but my slide step is heel-first and then it pushes forward an inch or so in a mini-slide. I'm not totally planted, but I sure don't scoot like some people do.

[ghetto24]

sometimes, it feels like im sliding forever. I don't think I could ever plant and throw. if my shoe sticks ANY amount it throws my entire approach/throw off.

[got_a_300]

Back in my younger days of bowling I had a long slide where
the toe of my shoe would end up about a quarter inch or less
from the foul line.

Now fast forward 19 or 20 years with bad knees and bad back
and taking 12+ years off from bowling and now days I have very
little slide if any and I stop about a foot or two from the foul line
now.

I've been working on trying to get a little more slide and trying to
get a little closer to the foul line but it is hard to do now days.

[WolfGirl1980]

Me I weigh alot in the 270 range but plan on getting that off this summer but thats another problem anyway me I don't slide reason I don't is for that very reason because of my weight and that I don't know if I could slide with the weight I got on me I don't even know if I could end in the correct stance for ballance with my right leg behind my left toe on the approach left knee bent and etc anyway besides I am 99% flat footed would that prevent me from sliding let me know what your thoughts on the subject?

-Sara

[Greenday]

Being flat footed won't change anything. I'm flat footed and with my new shoes, I slide a ton. For me, it was just making sure I didn't come down on the heel or else I'd just stick my landing.