How to Make a Bowling Ball Slide Longer

Although beginning bowlers simply attempt to throw the ball straight at the pins, as a bowler advances in skill, he throws the ball so that it slides into the pins from the outside. A bowler maximizes the chance of his ball creating a chain reaction of pins falling to yield a strike with the long slide maneuver. By making the ball slide horizontally as it rolls, the ball crashes into the "pocket" between the lead pin and a second row pin.

Instructions

    • 1

      Check the oil levels on the lane, by speaking with a lane employee if possible and monitoring early rolls. A lane which is heavily oiled results in less hook and requires more rotation on the ball to slide a greater distance.

    • 2

      Wear a wrist supporter when bowling. In addition to helping protect your wrist from injury, the support makes it easier to maintain proper form, allowing for hook to be placed on the ball.

    • 3

      Wipe your ball clean before every roll using your ball cloth, to remove excess oil from the prior throw. Oil left on the ball can effect your roll and reduce the slide achieved.

    • 4

      Grip the ball using the finger holes to support the weight of the ball, as the index and pinkie fingers should not be used to help hold the ball up. A bowler who merely uses the thumb hole then cradles the ball in the palm of his hand sacrifices control and makes adding spin more difficult.

    • 5

      Roll the ball at a quick pace, using a steadily accelerating downswing. Beginners often feel they have more ability to put spin on the ball by slowing down, however the best hooking results are achieved with smooth but quick throwing motions, as opposed to the jerky release of forcing your arm to slow down to add extra whip as you release.

    • 6

      Turn the hand releasing the ball up and over as the ball is released, completing approximately a 90-degree rotation. Failing to flick to a large enough degree results in a lack of spin, and a resulting lack of horizontal slide.