Fellow BR family,   

I've bowled for 24 yrs, and I've always used the plant method, but with me finally learning all the aspects of playing the game the right way (basics, fundamentals, all handstand and feet adjustments, all hand positions, and can play almost any part of the lane).    I'm ready for tournaments and more (also been on sport patterns for 2 years now and it's humbling).   I just started this past Thursday, and it's going to take quite a while to get used to.

What ways, advise, or techniques/videos can you guide me to to help transition to it smoothly as possible? Thanks in advance.  P.S,  I have slide 10 soles on the way to me Tuesday, and I practice 15-18 games a week to get prepared for the change.

I've been working on this and seem to do well with targeting but reaction wise is a different story plus I'm not sure if my release timing is correct. do you release the ball at the end of your slide or during? I was releasing during and as a result had less leverage and hook on the ball. I was either doing incorrect or need to consider different equipment strategy and lane play. it is a work in progress...

yeah I figured my timing was messed up a bit. I have the same story you have and now getting older I want to keep bowling for many years as possible. not gonna happen with planting.

I know a senior bowler who decided to go from sliding to planting.   After a couple of years, and now developing a sore knee, he is switching back to sliding.

Good luck to you in your switching to sliding. 

Guys,

One serious note: as a slider, you are now subject to the vagaries of the condition of the approaches at the foul line, where before, as a planter, you could virtually care less. Believe me when I tell you, they can get royally messed up, to be polite. (My last week in summer league, the approaches were so bad, I stuck, jammed my leg and tore my hamstring muscle; I was out for 8 weeks!) Even worse the slide at the 20 board (example: strike ball) can be completely different from the slide at the 35 board (example: 10 pins).

Before you ever throw a ball on any lane, heck, before you even pick up a ball, go to the foul line and test several spots at the line and 10 - 20" behind the line, wherever you begin your slide.

Do it every single time you bowl on a new pair of lanes. EVERY TIME!

You may need to change soles or you may just need to brush your sole. If you usually use a #8 sole, make sure you carry a #6 and a #10. Heck, I even had to create a #9 sole for my Brunswick TPU-Xs.

Good luck. In the long run, you'll be able to last a lot longer with less strain and pressure and danger of injury with a decent slide.

As far as transitioning, you should treat this the same way you would treat a beginner bowler.  Start with one-step drills, then move to two, then three and on till you get to the entire approach.  This will get you used to sliding and it will also allow the timing of your release to adapt to the new style.

Good luck and as charlest stated, keep extra soles.  Also, for any sole you have, break them in as soon as you can.  Most people will only use one sole, however, when they do need to change, having a brand new leather sole isn't always the best.  They need some breaking in.  Put them on the shoe and simulate sliding around the approach.  Don't need to actually throw the ball, but they just need to be worn.  Do the same for your heals.

Jeff, very informative as well, as I was planning to use only s-10 soles, but I'll keep a variety to stay prepared thanks!

Just a note. Going from no slide to a 10 sole is going to be tricky. I would at least go and try something like a 6

Impending/Charlest,


I'm currently using a s6 (for a week now) and the house I bowl at is primarily sticky, and the s6 just isn't enough slide; As Jeff has mentioned, I have used a person's s10, and it gets me in a more comfortable slide. Also as some of you have mentioned, since I have to be real patient and take 1,2,and 3 steps to get familiar, it is coming along, and my comfort is getting better.   Thanks yet again for the informative suggestions.