Question about cross over step

[zdawg]

So my next thing I'd like to incorporate is a cross over step and I had a question about that. I right handed and use a 5 step approach, since the beginning when I went to my first coaching session it was stressed that I should walk in a straight line. I'm pretty good at walking almost perfectly straight, I usually end up on the same board as where I lined up using my left foot, if not I drift maybe a board.

That said, if I were to cross over the 2nd step, wouldn't the third (left step) then have to take place 2-3 boards to the left of where it started? The only way I can see using the crossover and having your foot start and end on the same exact board would be to basically crossover EVERY step or walk a tight rope. Is this correct, or am I understanding this wrong?

[dnhoffman]

You're thinking too much. Crossover on the second step (in 5 step approach, if this is mixing you up, practice with a 4-step), walk straight, eye locked on your target, ?????, profit.

[Aslan]

Yeah man…I hate to agree with my arch enemy dhoff… : ) …but I got some feedback about my "funky crossover step" after some people watched me bowl and watched my videos…and I got all freaked out about it…then watched bowler after bowler after PBA bowler and guess what…they all have their own funky crossover steps. So I stopped worrying about it.

If your timing is down…it really doesn't matter if you do a 360 spin on the way to the line. I've been focusing on timing, balance, release, and form. I don't even know what my feet are doing. I know that I don't have the "drift" I used to. But is sounds like drift isn't a problem for you…so I agree with hoff…no need to bother with it. IMO

[Stormed1]

The reason for the crossover step is to get your hip out of the way for a straighter swing path

[zdawg]

The reason for the crossover step is to get your hip out of the way for a straighter swing path

Right, which is why I'm adding it...it was briefly mentioned to me when I had my first lesson however we had a ton of other stuff to focus on so I didn't bother asking him a bunch of questions about it at the time. Now I've had time to slowly incorporate stuff, this is the next thing.

I really was just kinda thinking about what the feet do after the crossover step as I normally walk almost perfectly straight to the foul line, obviously the crossover step would require me to drift a few boards left on my third step assuming my third step does not go directly in front of the crossover step.

As mentioned above, maybe I'm overthinking it and I'll play around with a bit and see what happens I guess.

[dnhoffman]

Drop down to a 4-step and practice starting out with the x-over step. Do it a hundred times or so until you build some muscle memory with it.

[zdawg]

Drop down to a 4-step and practice starting out with the x-over step. Do it a hundred times or so until you build some muscle memory with it.

Yep thanks, that's what I'll do, if I try to think too much doing the approach everything else gets thrown off a bit.

[dnhoffman]

I start off students with the 4-step, focusing on the cross-over and keeping the ball in step with your right foot for that first step. Remember that keeping the ball in step with your right foot there is essential to your balance throughout your approach/release.

[Stormed1]

One of the things my buddy iswho is a silver level coach told me from the video I sent him was my second step was going right. I slightly altered my stance which helped a lot

[sprocket]

Tightrope?

[zdawg]

One of the things my buddy iswho is a silver level coach told me from the video I sent him was my second step was going right. I slightly altered my stance which helped a lot

So your second step was crossing over the first step, meaning after the first crossover step you also did a crossover with the second foot

[tr33frog]

I've never even really thought about doing my first step as a crossover, had to watch a video on why you would even want to. Then looked at what I really do and I do a partial where my fist step (4 step approach) does get even with my big toe of my left foot. Interesting, to think about.

[zdawg]

I've never even really thought about doing my first step as a crossover, had to watch a video on why you would even want to. Then looked at what I really do and I do a partial where my fist step (4 step approach) does get even with my big toe of my left foot. Interesting, to think about.

Yeah I always stepped straight forward with my second step (5 step) and while I haven't actually hit my leg with the ball, on some video I did notice the ball doesn't swing back as straight and natural as it would if my step crossed over a bit. I just wasn't sure how it would affect the rest of my steps - I did practice a bit yesterday, and while it threw my timing off a bit at first near the end it seemed about right.

Next practice session I'm gonna work on 5 step and hopefully get that down somewhat by league night.

[tr33frog]

Yeah I always stepped straight forward with my second step (5 step) and while I haven't actually hit my leg with the ball, on some video I did notice the ball doesn't swing back as straight and natural as it would if my step crossed over a bit. I just wasn't sure how it would affect the rest of my steps - I did practice a bit yesterday, and while it threw my timing off a bit at first near the end it seemed about right.

Next practice session I'm gonna work on 5 step and hopefully get that down somewhat by league night.

I think next time I bowl I'm going to record myself with my phone, I want to get a better view of things.

[zdawg]

I think next time I bowl I'm going to record myself with my phone, I want to get a better view of things.

I find it helps a lot, and I never even thought of it until I noticed people on this site doing it.