Cannot Slide?

[strike654]

Help me somebody, I have bowled now for two years, I average 203 on a house shot, 185 on PBA shot, but I have a problem, I cannot slide, I plant. It would normally not be a problem, however I am getting some pain in my leg from it everytime I bowl. Can anyone tell me the best way to learn how to slide??
Thanks!

[litefrozen]

The first place to start is with the shoes. Most plant and shoot bowlers wear non sliding shoes.

So what kind of shoes are you using now? Regular shoes (like a street shoe) or bowling shoes.

The best ones would be bowling shoes that have interchangable soles on one shoe and a grip sole on the other. That way you can adjust how much you slide. they cost the most.

Next would be some standard bowling shoes, they just have a standard slide sole on both shoes.

[BowlingTracker]

Stand just behind the approach, put your sliding foot on the approach and your heel slightly lifted and try to slide it forward, putting just a little weight on it.. does the sole slide? try again with a little more weight. If your heavy like me (about 240 lbs), then you'll need a sole with less friction.

Basically, just do some tests to see if it's your sole that's unable to slide under your weight, or is it your heal that's grabbing to keep you from sliding. They also make a slip cover that can be fitted over the from of the should (kinda like a sock) that can help with sliding issues, but that won't change a heal issue. Also, there are teflon or nylon pads that can be stuck to the sole to give you a different sliding surface.

If it's the heal that's sticking, try glueing a peice of soft leather over the leading edge of the heal and see how that works..

As litefrozen said, the more expensive shoes give you interchangable soles and heals to allow you to adjust your shoes to match the approach.. Some provide non-rubber heals (dexter and I think there is one for the dyno-thane too).

A good brass wire brush is good for cleaning the sole of your shoes.. if the approaches are not cleaned regularly, your sole will turn slick and black very quickly.. Depending on the type of sole and type of approach surface, this could either increase friction, or reduce friction.

[strike654]

yea..

I use dexter interchangable soles, I have tried them all, even the felt ones, I stick. It is something I am doing, the way I am stepping or something, I need to learn how to step and push myself into a slide. Part of my problem is that I grew up in track and field, threw the javelin and learned to run and plant. I think somehow I have to trick my brain or learn the proper way. I know that many people out there do plant and do just fine, but I am a firm believer in consistancy and not having pain.

[BigDawg70]

I have a similar problem. I plant my foot and still maybe slide 6" or so. I also tried to add more of a slide to my release recently. Our old proshop guy gave me a tip and it actually works. If you need a little more slide on a sticky approach and don't want to change heels etc, apply a little Robby's skin protector (without the patch) to the leading edge of your heel. It will really help with heel drag.

[litefrozen]

Since you using Dexters and you tried the soles , did you try the different heels too?
Since you say your sticking it sounds if your putting all your weight on the sliding shoe heel. The heel acts like a brake on the slide shoe.
Your body is probally tilted slighty back at release, this transfers your weight back toward the heel and stops the slide.
Tilt you body forward slighty (I think the books say about 15degrees) this will transfer the weight forward taking presure off your heel.

Check out Dexters interactive slide guide to see which is the best sole and heel combo to use. I use a S8 sole and a H5 heel.

http://www.dexterbowling.com/soles-heels.asp

[banjoec]

I had been using the Dexter H5 heel w/ S8 Sole with no problem for a while. Then one day I started to stick every few shots. Maybe my footwork changed to where I was putting more weight on my heel. But I now use the H7 red felt heel / S8 Sole and the combo slide perfectly everytime.

[metnvolfan]

Try adding a red leather heel to your Dexter shoes. I use the felt sole and this heel for a "17" and I have no probelm sliding. Also make sure you don't walk on the carpet in your center as this will not only create static but will build up a whole bunch of crap on your sole and heel thereby not allowing you to slide.

[BowlingTracker]

When I used Dexters, I also used the red felt sold heel.. It seem to give me the most consistant slide. The rubber heels always stopped me too soon.. I contribute it to my weight factor though.. about 240 lbs.. The heavier you are, the less friction sole (and heels) you need to use..

[JAS65]

I had a similar problem.. I switched to the most sliding heal and sole.. I slide now

[mapotts]

me to i use the brunswick shoe with the s8 h7 and works fine everytime