|
How Many Steps
Selecting the appropriate
number of steps during your
approach helps to achieve a
free-flowing, synchronized
motion of your feet and ball
swing cycle.
The number of steps taken
can vary from 1 to 12 (or
more). The bowler's
height, arm length,
strength, and rhythm
determines their comfort
level. Upon closer
examination, that isn't all
there is to it however.
Deciding on the number of
steps puzzles many bowlers.
There are many concepts that
do not serve you well, and
we should reject notions
that are ill conceived.
Contrary to the belief that
the number of steps don't
really matter, the number of
steps taken in your approach
affects:
-
Timing
-
Ball Speed
-
Muscle tension in the
arm, shoulder and wrist
The number of steps taken in
your approach should match
what you are controlling in
your shot. Contrary to
the "one way fits all", you
should select the number of
steps that best matches your
ball reaction on the lane
conditions you are
experiencing. Let's
introduce areas of
consideration when
determining the appropriate
number of steps that serve
you best.
Most bowlers are introduced
to bowling using a four-step
approach, and incorporate
this as their standard
choice.
First of all it is necessary
to determine how many steps
you wish to take. Some
bowlers use a three-step
approach. The ball is
pushed away with the feet in
place, but this technique,
in my opinion, places too
much of a “weight burden” on
the arm. The four, five or
more-step approach allows
the bowler to develop a
flowing motion, which seems
to make the ball lighter as
it is delivered over the
foul line.
M ost
champions, but not all
utilize varied number of
steps as they match up to
the lane conditions.
The first step(s) in the
five plus step approach are
commonly shorter steps which
start the bowler off
smoothly and assist in
adjusting their ball speed.
 The
four-step approach is the
most popular and the one
that recommended for forming
a good foundation. The
last four steps of any
approach largely determines
whether your approach will
result in good timing or
not.
When you have decided how
many steps you are going to
take, go to the foul line
and do an about-face, so
that you are facing toward
the seats. Your heals
should be placed where you
plan to end your slide.
This is normally 4-6 inches
from the foul line.
Taking your natural stride,
walk the number of steps you
have decided to use. When
you have completed your
paces, add an- other
half-step to compensate for
the slide. After you have
done this several times,
note carefully the spot at
which you have arrived. That
is your starting position.
|
You may want to develop two
or three similar techniques
for versatility.
Make a mental note of these
distinguishable dark or
light board areas on the
approach that can serve as a
guide. After you have
practiced from this position
for a while, you will become
so familiar with it that you
will go to it automatically.
Adjusting to lane conditions
When lane conditions require
additional speed, typical
reactions include raising
the height of the ball and
forcing the ball from the
backswing through the
release.
USBC studies have found that
raising the ball height in
the stance increases the
swing time of the ball.
You have limited choices in
responding to this increase
in time.
- Slow your pace of
your approach to match
the increased swing time
... a slower pace may
also slow your ball
speed.
- Increase the length
of your stride to match
the increased swing time
... you'll have to
locate a new starting
position as noted above.
- Increase the number
of steps to match the
increased swing time ...
both the higher ball
speed resulting from the
higher ball swing and
the increased speed
resulting from the
longer approach
effectively increase the
overall ball speed.
- You can muscle the
ball to attain a higher
ball speed. This
is the most common, and
least successful option.
A muscled swing, as in
most sports, results in
muscle tension changes
and release changes.
A muscled ball is not
recommended.
The
Final Four Steps
The
final
four
steps of
your
approach
form the
foundation
of your
approach.
4 step delivery
Step 1
The
first-step
is the
most
commonly
misunderstood.
A smooth
and
coordinated
movement
of the
ball and
feet
need to
match.
If they
do not,
and
you'll
feel it,
you
should
abort
your
approach
and
begin
again.
There
are
several
first-step
techniques
taught,
and many
of them
are
correct
to a
degree.
Most
techniques
describe
personal
experience,
and may
not fit
the
bowler's
arm
length,
push-away
distance
or
speed,
or
muscle
structure.
Instead,
the
first-step
should
result
with the
ball
starting
it's
downward
movement
at the
moment
the
ball-side
foot
first-step
is
planted
on the
approach.
So at the end of the 1st
step, the ball will be out in front of your body, and
beginning it's downward motion.
Your pushaway synchronizes your first step.
One
Pushaway
Style
Your
pushaway
should
not
result
in an
overextended
arm
having
sharp
corners
in its
motion.
The ball
should
be
extended
out and
away
from the
body.
The ball
should
not be
moved in
an
upward
motion.
Once
reaching
a
comfortable
extension,
the ball
should
begin a
downward
motion
with a
slightly
bent
elbow.
|
Hinged Pushaway
Consistent
motion is basic to your success. Repeating a
consistent pushaway takes skill. One method to
achieve consistency it to use a hinged pushaway.
If you were to
hold the weight of the ball for a long period of
time, it would be natural to hold the ball close to
the body with the elbows tucked at the body and that
ball just beneath your chin. This places the
weight on the stronger muscle set of the body,
primarily on the lower body.
Once in the
stance, the ball is lowered to your beginning height
in a hinged motion. That is to say the elbows
remain tucked against the body, and the lower arm
rotates downward until it reaches the desired
height.
As the first step foot is planted on the
approach, the ball begins its descent into the
swing.
This hinged pushaway results in a consistent motion.
Step 2
The ball should continue its swing downward in a rounded
motion as you start taking your second step.
As the slide foot is planted at the end of the
2nd step, the ball should be at the side of your leg and
enter into the backswing.
Step 3
The third step initiates the downswing, and is
considered the Power Step. The power step is
often used to urge, not pull, the ball down from the
backswing. Forcing the ball downward often leads
to "nailing the ball into the approach" or bouncing.
Instead, the power step aids the motion by bending the
knee as it drops downward, thus aiding the gravitational
pull on the ball as it gains energy during the power
step.
As the ball-side
foot is planted on the approach at the end of the
3rd step, the ball should be at the top of the
backswing, and entering the initial motion of the
downswing.
Step 4
The fourth step is varied according to the bowler's
style. Normally, the fourth, and final step is a
slide step.
The slide step allows the
ball to enter into a flat spot or area where the
ball can be smoothly projected out onto the lane.
The longer the flat area, the smoother, and more
controllable the release.
High rev bowlers often
"plant" their final step in order to gain full
leverage and revolutions on the ball which results
in a higher degree of hook on the ball.
As the slide ends,
the
ball is being released just to the side or just
beyond your ankle.
Seems simple, right?
Well, this is the traditional 4-step delivery. This
ensures that you have solid fundamentals and can build
on your foundation.
Additional
steps?
Once your 4-step approach is firmly established,
additional steps can enhance your ability to control
ball speed or timing enhancements.
|
Bowler
Ball
& Pins
Home
Lanes
Information
