As A Senior Bowler, How Can I Control My Ball Skid?

Written By: bowlingball.com | Written On: Friday, April 10, 2015 | Updated On: Thursday, October 18, 2018


If you ask as a senior bowler, how can I control my ball skid, try these few simple tips next time you practice.
By working on controlling your ball skid distance, you solve a big piece of maintaining a good ball reaction which leads to hitting the pocket consistently.
Ball skid (slide) typically refers to the distance your bowling ball will skid on the front end of the lane before changing directions at or near the mid-lane.
Here are a few easy tips to try:
*Prepare the bowling ball surface texture to best match the lane condition. Your pro shop professional can help guide you as to which texture will help you control your ball skid.
Get into a habit of refreshing your bowling ball coverstock routinely.
*Control your ball speed so each delivery is close to or at the same ball speed. Never decelerate your follow through motion.
*Release your thumb from the ball as close to the same moment relative to your shoelaces on your slide shoe at the bottom of your forward swing.
Avoid hanging on the ball too long and over-lofting the ball in an upward, airborne manner which creates too much bounce upon contact with the lane surface.
The opposite is also important in that you must avoid dropping the ball behind the foul line onto the approach floor.
Both mistakes result in losing control of your ball skid distance.
*Release your hand from the ball below your sliding knee at the mid-point of the calf on your sliding bowling leg.
*Gradually add knee flex with each succeeding step so you have sufficient knee flex when sliding into the foul line. This technique will help you introduce your ball into the lane surface at a gradual angle of descent.
*Avoid rotating your bowling fingers more than an inch of rotation when releasing the bowling ball. Varying the amount of finger rotation affects your axis of rotation and can alter your ball reaction unfavorably. Strive for a consistent release.
*Never force your delivery. Relax and reduce muscle tension in your legs and swing.
These are a few reliable tips for senior bowlers to help control ball skid.