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Author Topic: Approach issues  (Read 1995 times)

Pinbuster

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Approach issues
« on: October 29, 2004, 12:36:58 AM »
Up to about 10 years ago I had a Marshal Homan type slide in my approach.

I had fairly quick feet and my push into the slide was very strong and I would slide probably 5 feet or more.

I had problems at times with my feet getting to quick and if I got on approaches that were tacky it would really screw up my timing. So I worked on heel toeing my steps and staying under control.

Today my feet are much slower and I seem to have lost some of the power in my push step. My slide is 2+ feet shorter today than then.

The only real problem is I now come up short of the foul line by 3 feet and I have lost some ball speed from the lack of foot speed. I have tried moving a couple of feet forward on the approach but that just seem to make my steps shorter yet and still come up short.

I’m now using a Dexter number 8 sole with the red leather heel to get as much slide as possible.  

I’m still scoring good on my house shots so do I change anything?

 

pin-chaser

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2004, 08:51:30 AM »
It would appear that if you are still stopping several feet short of the foul line that when the heads breakdown you might not be able to get the ball "out" over the line as much.

We sound alot alike, since returning, I have worked very hard on my approach shortening it, heal toe, slower tempo, less slide but I hate it. I am overwieght and differences in approaches kill me and it take several games to acclimate. I have tried dexter SST6's and hated those (too much surface touching the apporach with all the weight I am putting on my sliding shoe). I went back to Classic Linds (with those disks that are changable). However, I am wanting to goto Dynaroo's now because of the great difference is sole/heals and less matrial touching the appraoch than SST 6's.

I have since moved back on the approach and am taking larger strides and regaining ball speed. I dont know if any of this helps but you are not alone.
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tenpinspro

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2004, 09:22:26 AM »
Hey PinBuster,

If not the Dex 10 slide sole, have you tried Smash's slidesock?  I guess if you're still scoring, it currently may not be an issue.  I'd rather be 3 ft behind the line and score than not score standing at the line..  Just a thought...

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Pinbuster

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2004, 09:43:38 AM »
I tried the AMF slide sock last year. But on most approaches I felt I was on ice and my slide foot would shoot out from underneath me.

Pin-chaser I’m on the larger size as well but have been about the same size the last 20 years. When I was using Lind’s shoes I would wear a dime size spot about a 1/16” deep in the middle of the heel. I guess I put so much pressure going into my slide that my heel would push out the rubber heel on the shoe and wear it off.

As stated it becomes the biggest issue in my travel league bowling second shift. If I try to loft the ball to take the heads out I tend to hit up on the shot and that causes more problems.  

Smash49

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2004, 10:15:42 AM »
Difference between the SLSM Designs Bowler's Slide Sock and the AMF is Night and Day.  First the Bowler's Slide Sock comes in 2 standard sizes not one size might fit you.  Construction and purpose are both completely different. 2ply heavy duty reversible bottom that works on Slick or Tacky approaches vs. felt.  Materials used on the soles are different.  Performance is like comparing a Ferrari to Hugo.  Large size Bowler's Slides Sock are custom made the same way Lind's did at one time.  Trace the bottom of your shoe and send it in.  We believe this to be the finest slide sock product on the planet!  Like our slogan says:

 If you are using something else this sock will make you throw the others away!

Thank you Tenpinpro for the mention.

See our ad on the Back of Bowling This Month's 2003 Ball Review Guide or go to our website for more information

 Smash49
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Pinbuster

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2004, 11:11:41 AM »
I’m not really sure it is a shoe/sole issue and many of our approaches are still wood but all the lanes are now synthetics.

If I take an approach without a ball in my hand I can still slide a long ways. But put a ball in my hand and I tend to plant a lot more than before.

Smash49

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2004, 11:38:49 AM »
Sawbones,

No problem.  Your method is the great grandfather of todays modern slide sock.  It all started with someone putting a tube sock over the shoe in a way or manner.  It's gotten a little more high tech over the last few years  Of course so has everything else in bowling.  Just like anything else there are better products with different qualities and characteristics.  When we applied for our patent a few years ago we got some strange looks.  The concept has grown.

Smash49
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Smash49
robert@bowlersslidesock.com
Bowler's Slide Sock: Simply the finest slide product on the planet!  This sock will make you want to throw everything else away!
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charlest

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #7 on: October 29, 2004, 01:10:57 PM »
pinbuster,

I wonder if your heel-toeing change might have caused this problem.
I may not be as big or as heavy as you but my weight also cause slide problems sometimes; I use Linds EXXXtras, with the quarter sized inserts.

Anyway, the modern shoe uses the sole to slide and the heel to brake. It can cause problems when you have to think your way to doing this,but could you be starting your slide with your heel too far down, in contact with the approach, rather than placing it down fully as a brake, at the end of your slide?

Personally I can't think in this way and I have slippery inserts in my Linds' heels as well as the sole. I also have "risers" under the inserts which raise the level of the insert above the level of the surrounding leather to insure they are what I am sliding upon. Normally one's weight pushes the inserts level with the surrounding leather.


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ksucat

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #8 on: October 29, 2004, 01:31:17 PM »
Twinkletoes, what are you trying to accomplish by getting a longer slide?  More speed is the obvious.  However, I would think the extra slide would cause more trouble going between approaches.  I don't know about all your physical limitations, but I think a looser and higher backswing would be a good way to add speed.  You don't get the ball very high right now.  I know you have problems doing this, so I don't know if it is even an option.

Another way to look at it is to just accept that your ball speed will never be as much as it used to be due to the punishment you inflicted on your body when you were younger.  Look for ways to develop your game around this limitation.  Find out what guys like Pat Healey and Tim Criss do to combat dryer lanes.  I know Healey is just a phenom, but you should be able to pick up on some of his techniques.  I don't know how much he comes back here anymore, but maybe you could talk to him some.

Sounds like your body has become accustomed to setting up away from the foul line.  No way to change that without lots of repetition of forcing yourself to get closer to the foul line.

At your age, you might want to keep a notebook of what heel and sole combinations work at different houses.  You're covering a wide variety just in the city so the notebook will give you a head start on your practice shots if you are at least close with your shoe matchup.

I'm kind of glad I missed watching your 5-foot slide from the past.  Nobody your size should be able to do that.  Sort of like watching rhinos ice skate.

Pinbuster

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Re: Approach issues
« Reply #9 on: October 29, 2004, 02:25:16 PM »
Rhino's hmmmmmm.... I resemble that remark (or insult) .