Bowling Slide Tips For Beginners

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 6/16/17; Updated: 12/22/20

Since learning to slide properly on your final step is key to balance and body stability when delivering your bowling ball, there are a few bowling slide tips for beginners you may wish to consider.

There are obvious benefits gained from using a smooth and well balanced bowling slide motion. A balanced slide indicates that you have generated good momentum entering your sliding step in order to create a long, smooth slide.

A balanced slide allow you to remain focused on hitting your target and delivering your bowling ball consistently.

By using sufficient knee flex in both knees while sliding, all you need to do is to retain good upper body posture and keep your head as still as you can while walking, swinging, and releasing your bowling ball.

By the way, using a good pair of bowling shoes will further improve sliding stability for accuracy purposes. Using bowling shoes that are made specifically for the "hand" bowler you are, right handed or left handed, the bottoms of the shoes will have corresponding slide pads and brake pads to fine tune your approach. Many bowlers today use bowling shoes with interchangeable soles and heels so that they may swap pads out without the need of purchasing a brand new pair of shoes. 

Here are a few tips for sliding properly into the foul line area on the approach:

*Your slide step must move toward the center of your body with your sliding leg supporting the full weight of your body.

*The front portion of your shoulders should be directly aligned over your knees while sliding so your total body weight is supported by your legs.

*As you complete your next to last step, slide away from your trailing leg bowling shoe creating separation between your final two steps with a fairly long sliding movement which adds to good balance and sliding stability.

*Slide into the foul line area with the toe of your sliding bowling shoe pointing toward the head pin.

*Complete your sliding movement where you end up no more than 3 or 4 inches short of the foul line.

*Although the ball of your sliding step first contacts the approach floor, your entire sliding bowling shoe surface follows whereby your weight is distributed evenly across the heel and toe of your bowling shoe. Your upper body should remain void of unnecessary movement while sliding and releasing your ball.

Developing good sliding technique as you learn the game and progress as a bowler will provide you with a solid platform where you can control the ball speed and the direction your ball exits your hand. If you develop a long slide movement, you have extra time to make an accurate delivery. A well balanced and long, smooth slide is a very important key to good shot making and to your game.

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