Keep Track of Your Slide Foot Board

Lane conditions are always changing. Staying ahead of those changes is what separates good bowlers from great bowlers. Understanding body positions, launch angles, targeting, axis rotation, ball speed, and ball selection are always top-of-mind when you’re stringing strikes together or struggling to find the pocket.

In this premium video, Scott Pohl, owner of On Track Pro Shop, explains why you need to keep track of the board you slide on and why it should be added to your top-of-mind awareness.

Slide Board Tendencies

When right-handed bowlers set up in the middle part of the lane, they tend to walk straight.

The further right you (right-handed bowlers) start on the approach, the tendency is to slide left at the foul line from the board you stated on in your stance. The further left you (right-handed bowlers) start on the approach, the tendency is to slide right at the foul line from the board you stated on in your stance.

Drifting a board or two left or right is not a big deal as long as you drift the same every time regardless of where you are playing. Another reason for knowing what board you are supposed to slide on is key.

Cause and Effect

When you identify where you are supposed to slide, you can now work backwards and eliminate physical game problems. Getting your footwork aligned in time with your arm swing helps to achieve your desired launch angle.

Do you know what you do if you hit your target and the ball motion is lackluster? Check your slide foot location before you even think about what to adjust, just to confirm if it was something you may have done before making an adjustment.

Check out “Do You Drift on the Approach” and “How to Use an Alignment System to Improve Bowling Consistency” for more instructions on your sliding board.