To slide or to plant??

[looseleftie]

Im unsure and unclear regarding sliding. Prior to stopping bowling as a result of starting a family, i had a smoothe (relatively) slide. Now, 2 years or so later, and I have this plant the foot down approach. At first I was ALL over the place, now, I am getting less erratic in terms of ball speed and balance...

I have heard that the slide helps balance and release, and also prolongs the years where u can physically bowl for.... I am trying to get my slide back, any tips firstly?? (are there any practise exerecises or even warm ups that I could perform on the lanes before practise or league), and secondary , If I find that my plant approach is to ingrained should I continue??? Very confused bowler!!

My biggest problem in bowling is my balance, this more than likely is a direct result of being inconsistant as a result of not sliding... Balance is off, miss my traget (arrows) by a board or two, and u guessed it yucky split..

Any help/advice appreciated
LL

[card79]

A drill I do to work on my slide is to move way up on the lane.  Start the ball in motion and then without any steps slide into the line down and balanced and through the ball.  It helps timing and feel for me anyway.
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I don't really play cards and I am not 79, but it fits together somehow.

[looseleftie]

Thanks guys for your replies.. much appreciated....
At present after a few months of planting (still unintentional), I have noticed I am getting some soreness in my planting leg, as a result of having it at an angle at the approach (its around 45 degrees.. too much angle and too much strain).

This has got me back into thinking about sliding.. i will try the last step drill, see how I go, but I think that if I wish to bowl for another 30-40 years, then I must slide... Ill add to this post later, when my slide come s back and average goes up..

Thank you again for all advice and discussion.
See ya Looseleftie

[charlest]

Planting vs sliding can be a timing consideration also.
When sliding, the ball is later in the arm sequence. When you start a slide the ball is not at your ankle; most of the time, when you plant (the same moment you start your slide), the ball is at your ankle or should be.

Planting puts some, up to a whole lot of stress on your knee and associated muscles. if you're used to sliding and your shoe or the approach gets slightly tacky and your slide is reduced, later that night or the next morning, your upper thigh muscle will tell that you were not sliding like you should.

Some crankers plant and then pull the ball through the release point because their timing is even later. This puts even more stress on the knee -  avery bad thing. You may notice that almost only young people plant; as you get older you will realize the DISTINCT advantages of sliding. Some older people cannot plant because it causes too much pain. FYI Nothing, absolutely nothing will stop you from getting older.

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"We get old too fast, and too late, smart."

[onlybowling]

Hi loose

There are two images that have helped my last step to the release.

1.  I can see ice skating - a speed skater - knees bent forward ~20 degrees, shoulders forward 15 degrees square and balanced over toes of leading foot gliding into the next step.
 
2.  I can see the pitcher in a slow pitch softball league as he steps toward the plate and into the pitch, focussed on the catchers mitt.  The catchers mitt is your target arrrow.  Every pitch is a strike.

Hope this helps.
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OnlyBowling