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Author Topic: How many steps in your approach?  (Read 3058 times)

golden_bear

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How many steps in your approach?
« on: March 06, 2011, 01:20:59 AM »
I've been bowling for three years now and have progressed nicely each year in league. Everytime I throw I am worried about line and speed.....but this past monday I forgot how to walk....anyone ever have this?? I started my approach and half way I just blanked and didn't know what to do. It only lasted a frame and then I practiced on the side but has anyone else ever had this??? I am a righty and start with my left foot. What foot does everyone start on and how many steps?


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Locke

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #1 on: March 06, 2011, 09:38:07 AM »
I have done that and I have been at this game for 17 years now. I always threw the traditional 4 step approach until i started having trouble getting going. It was almost like the yips or something. I would stand there for 5 or 10 seconds with a mental block not allowing me to initiate. So to solve it I went to a five step approach starting with my left foot. But I had timing issues so I have no settled in on a 6 step approach, starting on my right foot with the first two steps simply being initiation steps with the push off on the third step.

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lsf_21

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2011, 09:50:35 AM »
4... Less steps to screw up.

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Brickguy221

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2011, 10:51:50 AM »
Similar to Locke, but going to 5 steps did it for me. I got to where I just couldn't get into any kind of rythem on 4 steps.
 



Locke wrote on 3/6/2011 10:38 AM:I have done that and I have been at this game for 17 years now. I always threw the traditional 4 step approach until i started having trouble getting going. It was almost like the yips or something. I would stand there for 5 or 10 seconds with a mental block not allowing me to initiate. So to solve it I went to a five step approach starting with my left foot. But I had timing issues so I have no settled in on a 6 step approach, starting on my right foot with the first two steps simply being initiation steps with the push off on the third step.

Always be sincere, even when you don't mean it


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"Whenever I feel the urge to exercise I lie down until the feeling passes away"

Juggernaut

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #4 on: March 06, 2011, 10:59:40 AM »
As a beginner, I had a simple, three step approach. As I got better, I changed to a four step to help with m continuity.

 

 When reactive balls became predominant, I moved to a five step to help maintain enough ball speed.

 

 And yes, I think almost everyone gets there feet mixed up at some point. Just go back to basics and count of your step cadence until you get back into rythm.


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kidlost2000

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #5 on: March 06, 2011, 12:56:37 PM »
Five steps

 

When I started bowling it was a four step approach and then I noticed a lot of higher average bowlers and pro's use five steps, so I worked into five. What I liked is it put me a little further back on the approach and felt like it gave me that extra bit of time to focus in on my target and shot.

 

What I like now is how easy it makes it to adjust my ball speed when needed. When lanes really dry out I can use my momentum from my approach to create more speed and still keep my arm swing relaxed and use very little energy to do so.


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Xcessive_Evil

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2011, 02:19:04 PM »
5 is my normal, 4 if I need to slow my speed.  I tried raising/lowering the ball, throws off my mechanics.

 

If it's 5 I start with my left, 4 I start with my right.


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LookingForALeftyWall

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #7 on: March 06, 2011, 02:36:59 PM »
4 steps - like PB3 and other old school lefties.

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MI 2 AZ

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2011, 03:37:52 PM »
RH- I started out with four steps for decades then changed to five steps to get a bit more speed.  When I started to learn how to bowl LH, I really got all mixed up there for awhile.  Now, I bowl either four or five step depending on the lanes and which spares are left to shoot at.
 
But, to answer your question.  If you are RH and want to use a four step, you would start with your right foot so that you can slide on your left foot.  If you are RH and want to use a five step, you would start with your left foot, sliding with your left.
 
Since you are RH and start with your left foot, you are either using a 3, 5 or 7 step approach assuming you are sliding on the left foot.
 
 


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Six decades of league bowling and still learning.

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #9 on: March 06, 2011, 04:42:14 PM »

5 STEPS

Left, right, right, right, left!

 

 

 


Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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KNR216

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #10 on: March 06, 2011, 04:48:44 PM »
7 steps

 


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golden_bear

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #11 on: March 06, 2011, 05:13:07 PM »
Thanks for the replies. I actually bowling on the 2011 USBC Open Championship pattern today and was able to work on my timing and foot work. It would be easy until I thought of how to step and then I got confused. I think I was paying to much attention to my feet and not the pattern today.


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r534me

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #12 on: March 06, 2011, 05:13:48 PM »
six steps

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Zanatos1914

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #13 on: March 07, 2011, 08:00:48 AM »
5 steps


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Cobalt Bomb

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Re: How many steps in your approach?
« Reply #14 on: March 07, 2011, 06:50:24 PM »
This video should really help you

 



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