Questiongary, I have read your book and loved it. Some great info in there. One thing I am having an issue with is getting a slide at all now. Growing up I bowled three step delivery and straight. When I learned to hook the ball I started opening up my shoulders more and eventually got to where I wasn't sliding at all and just planing my foot.
Anyhow, my chosen "A" game is the twig, and playing more of a power stroker game. I need more slide and now that sort of got in the habit of that planting I can't seem to get back to sliding the 6 inches or so with my slide foot. I watched video and i always lead heal first like a normal step now. It's really frustrating.
So basically to use your software analogy I need to "re-program" myself to slide on that last step. I use a four step delivery and have a difficult time going "toe first" on the slide foot. Any drills or tips you can give me to get back into sliding so I can practice this. I think growing up it was natural so now it's difficult. Actually bad part is I can naturally slide on a three step approach but would like to do it with four steps.
thanks for the time and assistance,
mh
Answer
True Bowler Adjustment
Hello Michael, I am very happy you loved my book! I am under the weather right now so I probably have about 30mins of up time before I have to lay down again so this will be brief but informative I hope. When you slide it is as though your slide foot is in control and putting on the brakes so to speak, from the heel to the toes, and you stop. When someone slides it like truly being in tune with what's going on as you deliver the ball. You don't worry about sticking or going over the foul line, as long as you feel balanced and comfortable at release. The main points are that you're not falling off your shot! And your ball is reacting down lane and getting to the head pin like you need it to!
Honestly, I don't have an answer for you as far as REPROGRAMMING except for you to build off the feel of the three step slide that you know best! Its that "momentum" that you must take into your four step slide that matters. Its a "feeling." Often its a cadence or tempo you have to work out. (STEP - ONE TWO SLIDEEE) (STEP STEP STEP SLIDEEEE)You may have to work your three step for weeks to command that "feeling." Often you move the ball with that first step.
If you decide to go five step like it is described in my book, you will have to wait until after the second step to move the ball which will be more natural for you!
Michael, I will share with you the following from a coaches perspective. When a bowler comes to me stating that they feel this or that will help them with their game, I say with all my heart, "let's give it a try!" If we figure it out and it adds to their repertoire cool. We in incorporate the change and move on. One rule I use though is: When you are trying to learn one thing, "sump'n else" is going to suffer!!! By that I mean that while we are trying to learn to slide, it may impact your release, balance, revs, timing, or targeting because your mind is temporarily distracted. (No matter what we have to get all of that back)
I believe a bowler always brings something powerful to their game that you do not want to lose as a coach. No matter what changes you make, you have to tell the student up front, "You have "this" and "that" particular strong point of your game that I do not want to loose, so remember it!!!
This is why you will hear bowlers disgruntled sometimes about coaching because there was a change made, however something crucial was lost!
Sliding itself, often requires a very low center of gravity to push that slide foot. Which means you have to bend that slide knee and be in tune with your toes just in case you stick or the foot begins to slide out from under you. "I can't teach feel." Whether its with your feet or your release. I can get close, but your three step slide is your best "feel" at reality.
When a player gets pissed because the approach is to slippery or too sticky their game often goes in the toilet. Interchangeable heels and soles are their best weapons to combat approach conditions. It's best for any bowler who slides to get a quality pair of shoes with this advantage. But its not something you just buy and think it will work first time you use them. Like any thing you buy, those heel and sole interchangeables have to be broken in. You may have to go out numerous times to get the extreme slide you need from one pad under your foot verses getting a medium or short slide you need from another. They just don't work automatically out of the box or package that way!
Remember that your leg, quad muscle, and knee joint will bare all the weight with the slide so it will have to stay in shape. Continuous practice, so the strength is always there at your command. Recently I had a bowler who was in a slump, we call him G3. He had stopped bowling as much, he was "not" a slider! However he wondered why he was not consistent anymore. When you are bowling 9 games a week verses 3 games a week you keep that leg strength and what your muscles are use to. G3 increased his play and now he's back to throwing 300's and 800's again! When you do not bowl as much the body adapts. Most of the time you lose something that affects your game.
Quite frankly, I'm sure it can be learned, but its a feel. What I can help you with though is whether or not your ball is going too long or hooking to early. Sliding or not Michael, like G3, I need that ball consistently pounding the head pin and stringing strikes. Work on your slide as diligently as you can,(if you still want to try it) however balance at the line today, and ball reaction down lane is paramount.
I would love to hear from you at e-mail:
[email protected]. Keep me posted. I think you can still pull it off,(I'm curious) maybe the muscle memory will kick in! -Move the ball on your first step, have a cadence, or tempo, work hard, see what your ball reaction is like! I'm gonna get some juice and go back to bed! Man, I guess there's no need to get that flu shot now! Take care Michael.
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com
