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Author Topic: Heel toe steps VS slide steps  (Read 2390 times)

Moon57

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Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« on: May 25, 2008, 02:44:14 AM »
I've always had a kind of slide step delivery. Last time I bowled practice the approaches were a little sticky and my feet were catching sort of. I tried taking deliberate heel - toe steps until the final slide step. It felt odd but at the line it seemed like I was getting more leverage on the ball as it was snapping into the pocket harder. I'm going to keep working on taking actual steps but am wondering how many people on here take actual steps or slide their feet or some kind of combination of the two.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2008, 11:45:55 AM »
I use to walk with "rolled" steps, heel to toe, except for my initial stride (5 steps) which is only a small push with my sliding foot to trigger the right foot and pushaway. My final step is a true slide step to the foul line. Took me very long to "develop" it at all, because of late timing, but through shifts of body CG backwards and a proper knee bend I was able to properly slide. I am still late, wait for the ball to come forward, but again, balance has much improved as well as leverage and power of the ball. Small changes, great results!
I found this overall way of movement very helpful with balance and fluid motion, and it also helps me being guided by the ball pendulum - even though "fluid" is relative, when you see me play it looks pretty wooden
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Moon57

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2008, 12:12:44 PM »
It's funny you used the word wooden because that's kind of how I feel taking deliberate heel - toe steps. But it definitely feels better at the line so I'm going to keep working on it.
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Moon
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Gazoo

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2008, 12:22:47 PM »
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Moon57

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2008, 01:37:40 PM »
Right now I have the Dynarooz tour ultras. If I had seen the shufflers at the time I would have bought those instead. I'm rh and I've been wondering if the rh tour ultra gets too much traction to slide step.
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Moon
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Brickguy221

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #5 on: May 26, 2008, 02:49:33 PM »
I am currently heel-toe and too much "robotic" in walking that way plus feet get too fast at times, so I have decided to try to convert to a shuffle and see how that goes.
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dizzyfugu

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #6 on: May 27, 2008, 06:13:41 AM »
quote:
It's funny you used the word wooden because that's kind of how I feel taking deliberate heel - toe steps. But it definitely feels better at the line so I'm going to keep working on it.


I got used to it - but in the beginning it was strange feeling, almost as hobbling down the approach. And you have to "work" with your body to remain balanced. My initial error was to walk very upright, which resulted in many "ups and downs" and a final bent upper body upon the release. But with flexed knees from the beginning and a half-sitting starting position everything came together nicely. I think it is very importnat to behold the complete movement package, not just the feet. Everything has to fit together, otherwise you might cover up one flaw with another. It took me about 9 months to get things better, as well as external help. But the result so far is worth it.
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Moon57

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #7 on: May 27, 2008, 03:49:04 PM »
It seems with heel-toe I cover my spares better. It may be because I'm better balanced at the line. Also, for example, when shooting the ten pin I was shuffling across the boards on the approach vs going up the boards on my strike shot. It will be interesting how this change works out over the long run.
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Moon
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Moon57

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Re: Heel toe steps VS slide steps
« Reply #8 on: May 31, 2008, 04:45:07 AM »
My last practice I tried using more knee bend in the start position and maintaining it thru the delivery. Bingo! Don't feel wooden any more and I seem to have a nice flat spot at release. Accuracy went up also. The only thing I have to do is make sure I pick my feet up enough. Sometimes my heel would touch the floor while taking a step and throw my concentration off. Maybe sticking on the approach using my old shuffle steps might turn out to be a good thing. Time will tell.
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Moon
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