Trouble getting ball close to sliding foot in my swing

[Hammer]

I have a 5 step approach. Being a lefty I start with my right foot. My second step is the crossover then start the arm swing. Third step is straight with a short 4th step pushing the 5th step into a slide. My problem after that is getting the ball to swing close to my sliding foot for an accurate shot. When I don't do it right I feel off balance. Sometimes I think my problem is that I am afraid that I will hit my sliding foot ankle. Is this kind of a common thing with folks that don't get the ball close to the sliding foot? I heard that to get it close make sure your upper arm brushes your side as you swing through.
Another problem I have is to let the ball swing naturally from the top of the backswing instead of grabbing or muscling it as it gets close to the release.
Why does something this easy seem so hard to do? It seems like this will take concentration and practice, practice, practice to get corrected. Should I wear a sliding foot ankle protector until I get this right? LOL.

[GeoLes]

I was taught the key to good bowling is doing what is easily repeatable 1-million times without variation. I have heard several approaches to stepping in bowling, but generally, I was taught (I can only speak for myself) to simply walk a straight line to your target (Actually a straight line along side your taget to keep the ball on track, (think of walking along one railroad track rail, with the ball on the other track). If you take a cross step in the process, you have to take a slight different line to get back to your mark. So why step out of line in the first place, is the philosphy I was taught.

Don't take my word for it. Consult a coach, check the numerous online instructional video clips on You Tube, borrow a book from the library, etc. Take your practice time and work on what is right for you.

Simple things are difficult because old habits die hard.

[Hammer]

With the crossover step you just adjust for it in your setup. Being a lefty with a 5 step approach my first step with my right foot is a straight one. My second step is the crossover one where I put that foot in a line in front of the foot of my first step. After that the rest of the steps are straight. The purpose of the crossover is to get your leg out of the way of your ball swing so the ball stays as close to straight down from your shoulder when you swing the ball back. If you don't crossover you might swing the ball to far outside of your body and have to make corrections on your follow through. Watch pros on youtube and chances are you will see a crossover before the ball swings past their leg in the backswing.

[billf]

The crossover step isn't to clear the leg. It's purpose is to set the torso to an open position. Your arm swings from the shoulder and the shoulder is not aligned with your leg.
One problem you mentioned, "letting the ball swing naturally from the back swing", isn't a problem. That is the proper way so not a problem. How far from your sliding ankle is your ball?

[Hammer]

I know the ball has to swing naturally in the downswing but I meant that it is a problem if on the downswing you start to muscle it or grabbing it on the way down in anticipation of the release. The thing with the crossover step is I saw a bowling instructor on youtube say that the crossover step gets your leg out of the way so your ball can swing as close as possible to your body on the backswing. I watched pros on youtube and I see them do the crossover step before their ball goes past their legs.
I guess the choice is up to the bowler involved. You do what works best for you.

[billf]

You're the one with the question. I do what works best for me. I also use the cross over step but for the reason it is used by PBA bowlers. Just because somebody put a video on youtube doesn't mean they gave the correct answer or have any real clue at all.
Sorry I spent the time and money to get the proper training and certification so people who don't know what they are talking about can argue with me when they are the ones asking for the help....hmmm

[Hammer]

My intent was not to sound confrontational with my reply. I just repeated what the instructor said on the video. Whether the crossover is to open up the torso or clear the ball side leg for the swing I use it for whatever it is supposed to do for you. I wasn't using the crossover before so I thought that I would try it and see if it helped my swing. Using it seems like it does set me up better for my swing. I just have to get used to it.

[billf]

How is your swing slot? Do you bend your back horizontally (tilt sideways)?

[Hammer]

Being a lefty I do bend somewhat forward and slightly to my left in my setup before I start my approach. Plus I have a bend in knees and not stick straight in my stance.

[billf]

See if this helps any or if that's you already are. http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/swing_slot_btm_july_08.pdf

[J Anderson]

You're the one with the question. I do what works best for me. I also use the cross over step but for the reason it is used by PBA bowlers. Just because somebody put a video on youtube doesn't mean they gave the correct answer or have any real clue at all.
Sorry I spent the time and money to get the proper training and certification so people who don't know what they are talking about can argue with me when they are the ones asking for the help....hmmm

I've seen the 'get out of the way of the ball' reason for the crossover step given in a number of places. It never made sense to me and as a dyed in the wool stroker I tend to drift right rather than cross over. I think this piece of misinformation is going to be like the "fact" that all model T Fords came from the factory painted black. The truth is that the early Ts came in at least three colors. The all black came about as a way to continue to under price Chevrolet while maintaining most of the profit. color options came back the last year or two of production to try to boost sales.

[Hammer]

See if this helps any or if that's you already are. http://bowlingknowledge.info/images/stories/swing_slot_btm_july_08.pdf

Thanks for the link. I think all bowlers should read this. The crossover step he says is to clear the hip for the ball to swing into the slot. That is what I meant in a previous reply on this post. Once again thanks for the link. I will use this when I bowl tonight. I used it the last time out and bowled a 225 first game. Something happened after that though. I think I lost my line because of oil changing on the lane and I couldn't find a good line to keep the strikes coming. I will just say that my second game was 167 and my third game, well let's just say I bowled a third game and leave it at that. Maybe I just have to get accustomed to the new approach. Like they say it is hard to break old habits.

[billf]

Also remember that as you move to stay in the oil after moving your feet 3 or 4 boards you will need to adjust your target.
Joe is also a big supporter of DYDS (drop your damn shoulder) by spine tilt which in itself also creates and keeps the swing plane within the 4" that is "preferred".