I was watching a video that I made a few weeks back and I noticed that after I release the ball I turn my slide foot to the left.  Take a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNv0V6vxqU4

Is this common?  Is it a sign of poor balance or something else I should work on?

Any input would be appreciated.  Thanks.

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ILBT!

( o )( o )

I turn mine the opposite way, toe inside and ankle to the outside.  I had a spell years ago where I was frequently grazing my ankle with the ball (HURTS LIKE H***!). A couple of times I hit it so solid I took my leg out from under me and wound up in a wad on the approach. Around then is the first I remember starting this "toe in, ankle out" thing.  It also caused me to "crabwalk" - I shifted my hips left and turned my upper body sideways - kind of forming a "C" to keep my balance with the ball in motion - in preparation of keeping the ball away from my ankle. Plus, I've always had a tendency to rush a bit, so that doesn't help this condition any. Hard habit to overcome now, 20 years later...

I've been getting a bit better on the crabwalk thing, staying more square the last 5 years or so, but I still twist my foot even when my timing is good.  I think subconciously I'm still afraid of hitting my ankle.

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9~

Internet Tough Guy

Cyberspace Sheep Lover

I think Dizzy is on the right track here. It looks like you have stopped sliding and then the ball comes through. The torque from the ball turns your hips left and the foot has to follow. It's not a huge thing but something that needs to be looked at. Late timing is good but your forward movement shouldn't be ended at the time of the ball clearing your hand. I have a tendency for early timing so I am trying to work on making it later. When I get really late, I do the same thing with my foot. You may be able to adjust your balance arm position to combat the torque affect from the ball. If I keep mine horizontal and in line with my shoulders, I have more success with maintaining my relationship to the foul line.
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whoever said size doesn't matter never had trouble with a thumbhole

Lefty,

  What I noticed was, upon your release, your momentum continues to the left which causes your balance point to change, which is causing your foot adjustment at the foul line.

 You also appear to have the same problem I have, which causes me to do the same thing at times. Your shoulder is dropped on release, which causes you to "lean into" the release, making you a bit unbalanced just as you release the ball. You have a release, then a small "bounce" to compensate that allows you to re-balance after the ball is gone. A couple of times, your trailing leg went further out to compensate and your foot didn't turn as much.

  When I, or a team mate, catches me doing this, I try to make sure to square up good and not drop my shoulder so much during the approach/release and it helps me quite a bit. Dropping my shoulder always causes me to do this.
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Good transactions list in my profile

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Ideally, with a sliding foot, you have your pendulum and the slide in sync with the momentum of your body. This decreases the force you need to apply to get everything in sync, and a good timing will also help you at the release point, when you generate the best/most leverage and momentum. It sounds very simple, but there are many factors that go together, and with a proper executions these add together and create lost of power.

When you plant the shot, you need to make this lack of body momnetum up with power from the rest of the body.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany

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