4 vs 5 step approach preference

[NewToBowling]

Ok, from casual viewing of PBA bowling from what I see many do a 5 or even more step approach. I could be wrong but not seeing many with 4 step approaches.

For me it's easier and more natural with 4 step approach as I move my right hands and legs in unison with first step.

What's everyone's preference?

Also, how heavy is your overlapping first step (right foot for right handers) over the other foot. Ideally the right foot should just step in front of the left but I've noticed on mine I go way beyond and am straying at least a few boards. It's funky to say the least.

[bubba809]

For me it's easier and more natural with 4 step approach as I move my right hands and legs in unison with first step.

What's everyone's preference?


You just answered your own question. I think it's whatever you're most comfortable with. Sure there may be some advantages (5 step=more ball speed), but in the end you will decide what feels right.

[Monte]

I still go with a 4 step approach. I started "learning" to bowl (since I think it's a game of constant learning) when I was around 11 or 12 years old (junior leagues).

I tried a 5 step approach once, didn't go well.

[Amyers]

I started with a 4 step and used it for years but I changed to a 5 step last summer

[vdubtx]

I started with a 4 step and used it for years but I changed to a 5 step last summer

I started with 5 step and went to a 4 step approx 4 years ago.

[jab5325]

Always been a 5-step, but have tinkered with a 4-step.

[epiepenburg]

4 step for me. I've gone back and forth a few times, 4 step always feel more natural. I am 6'3" and naturally take longer strides, so 4 step suits me better. I also tend to end my slide a good few inches before the foul line.

[rv driver]

I started with a 3-step. Soon progressed to a 5. I'm a "righty," and since I spent so many years in marching band, stepping off with the left foot, starting the approach on the left foot seemed more natural to me. Hence, I need an odd-number of steps.

[SRB57]

I have always been a 5 step approach. A great bowler Allie Brandt tried to get me to go 4 step and tried for a brief time but went back to a 5 step. It gives me better timing. Steve

[Hampe]

Like Amyers I went from 4 to 5 last year, and it feels better to me. With the extra step you kind of get your body already in motion and it makes it easier to start the next step/pushaway at the same time. I feel like my first step and pushaway were not as consistent when starting from a stationary position. Plus for me, a plus to the extra step was being farther up on the approach, which means the rest of my steps needed to be a little shorter, which meant my approach was less of a "run" up to the line.

There's no real "right" way....whichever one you can do consistently and feels good to you, is the one you should stick with.

[Mark O]

There's no real "right" way....whichever one you can do consistently and feels good to you, is the one you should stick with.

Such a great quote! I changed from a 4 step to a 5 step a few years back and it really helped my rhythm and pacing. A teammate of mine tried it and it was awkward to watch and I felt like he was ready to fall on his face with each attempt. He stuck with 4 steps and does very well in his own right, to each his own!

[Gone59]

Can someone tell me a good way to find what would be best for me? I take about seven steps. Is that good or Bad?

[got_a_300]

Can someone tell me a good way to find what would be best for me? I take about seven steps. Is that good or Bad?

It's what works best for you whether it is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more
steps it doesn't matter how many, it is what works for you and
what is comfortable for you that is what counts.

Over the years I have seen many styles of bowling and many
different approaches made some 2 steps and some all the way
up to 10 steps but they all worked for the persons doing them
so that is what counts.

I can switch back and forth between a 4 step and a 5 step and
sometimes a 3 step if I have to stand in front of the ball return
it just depends on the conditions and where I'm bowling at that
dictates which approach I use.

[rv driver]

Can someone tell me a good way to find what would be best for me? I take about seven steps. Is that good or Bad?
Norm Duke takes like 7. Seems to work for him. But my guess is that the reason why the 4 or 5 step approaches are most popular is because they allow you to deliver the ball with the least amount of steps that are expedient. Seems like too many steps create too many possibilities for variables that would throw off your timing. However, if your timing is good and your delivery is consistent and works well, keep doing that -- even if you're taking 12 steps.

[Mike White]

I have always been a 5 step approach. A great bowler Allie Brandt tried to get me to go 4 step and tried for a brief time but went back to a 5 step. It gives me better timing. Steve

Freakin Name Dropper :)

Allie Brandt shot 886 in 1939, and that record stood for 50 years until Tom Jordan beat it in 1989.

How "ancient" are you?

[RobLV1]

Norm Duke takes like 7. Seems to work for him. But my guess is that the reason why the 4 or 5 step approaches are most popular is because they allow you to deliver the ball with the least amount of steps that are expedient. Seems like too many steps create too many possibilities for variables that would throw off your timing. However, if your timing is good and your delivery is consistent and works well, keep doing that -- even if you're taking 12 steps.

Norm takes so many steps for the simple reason that his small stature requires that he use the entire approach to generate enough ball speed. The main difference between four steps and five, six, or seven is how much momentum can be generated. Regardless of the total number of steps used, timing is created by the last four before reaching the line. A common problem among lower average bowlers is standing too far back from the foul line in relation to the number of steps used. Many bowlers who take four steps (or five in a lot of cases) and stand all the way at the back of the approach have timing or consistency issues caused by footwork.

[SRB57]

Freakin Name Dropper :)

Allie Brandt shot 886 in 1939, and that record stood for 50 years until Tom Jordan beat it in 1989.

How "ancient" are you?

I am not that ancient... late 50's. I grew up in Lockport N.Y. where he lived. Allie was a very nice guy who would help out the bowlers in the area when he had time. Steve