Expert: Russ King - 11/21/2007

Question
I used to bowl years ago, and started up again.  I am having real problems
with abrupt stops and no slide.  I have had pretty constant knee discomfort
since.  Can you suggest anything to work on with my approach.  I just bought
Dexter SST 5's, but have not tried them yet.

Thanks

Answer
THIS SOUNDS CRAZY. BUT NEW SHOES NEED A BREAK IN PERIOD. PUT THEM ON AROUND THE HOUSE & WALK IN THEM UNTIL THEY FLEX EASILY.A NEW STIFF SHOE WILL NOT SLIDE WELL.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT STYLE YOU ARE (CRANKER,STROKER,TWEENER).YOU ARE PROBABLY STIFFY & HERKY JERKY.YOU NEED A SMOOTHING OUT PERIOD TO HAVE A SOLID SLIDE.YOU MAY BE FLEXING YOUR KNEES TOO MUCH AT YOUR STANCE & QUICK LOCKING THEM IN THE SECOND/THIRD STEPS CREATING A HYPER EXTENSION & THEN YOU BEND TOO MUCH AT THE WAIST REDUCING SLIDE.

RELAX IN YOUR STANCE. TAKE A DEEP BREATH, SAG/RELAX EVERYTHING AS TO FEEL LIKE SINKING INTO THE APPROACH.ALL YOU NEED IS TO HAVE A SLIGHT OPEN OR SLIGHT BREAK IN THE KNEES.THEN YOU GO IN TO THE FOUL LINE AS IF YOU WERE A 707 COMING IN FOR A LANDING. SLIGHTLY LOWER EACH STEP INTO YOUR RELAXED SLIDE.DON'T OVERTHINK THE SHOT. JUST LET YOUR BODY FLOW FOR NOW.IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME TO SMOOTH OUT.

BREAK IN THE SHOES SLOWLY. THEY WILL THANK YOU BY LASTING LONGER.

A GOOD STRETCH ROUTINE BEFORE BOWLING WILL HELP YOUR KNEES BE FLUID & HELP PREVENT INJURY.