BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: JJM on August 13, 2014, 05:08:45 PM
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I'm curious how many of you plant your sliding foot, instead of actually sliding. Is this something you've always done, or have you trained yourself to do it. Some pros do it, and I wonder if there may be a benefit from this. Heck, some even wear a tennis shoe on their sliding foot!
Can more leverage or loft result from such a practice, maybe more power? Can this intentionally be learned or any reason to give it a try.
Hope it's not an ignorant question, but I've been meaning to throw it out there for some opinions.
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Definitely not an ignorant question.
I'm pretty close to just a plant, I believe I have a very slight slide. I've just always done it, I've tried different soles to slide more I just don't like it.
The way I've seen it seems to show the guys that don't slide as much are more of your power players which also in turn can lead to some injuries (I.e. knee)
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Yes, a very good question. I have always been a slider without really thinking about an alternative method. Several touring pros---Wes Malott and Michael Haugen---who plant their left foot have had some pretty substantial knee problems. The abrupt force on the left knee probably causes extra wear and tear.
I have a bit of arthritis in both knees. I think that the arthritis in the left knee would be aggravated if I planted the left foot.
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A friend of mine has always been a "planter" since I first met him over 12 years ago. Now, he has knee problems and may require surgery.
In many sports, planting the lead foot is a must to throw a ball, punch, and kick to get the torque/leverage...in bowling, it can be dangerous over time IMO....but there are those who plant and don't have knee problems...
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I pretty much plant. There is a tad of a slide there, but not much. I have been doing it that way for like 20 years now, and I don't have any knee pain, but the way everything else in my body is breaking down I am sure it is only around the corner. The lack of pain and the relative comfort in which I plant probably has to do a lot with my slow and short approach.
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I use to have a longer slide. As I worked to increase my rev rate my slide shortened. It is a very short slide now. It enables me to pull through the ball more.
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I use to have a longer slide. As I worked to increase my rev rate my slide shortened. It is a very short slide now. It enables me to pull through the ball more.
Having reduced your slide, was it a physical shortening in your approach as well as possibly a change in heels and soles on your shoes?
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Yes I went to less sliding heels and soles. Shortend my approach by 6-8" and also slowed my speed down.