How far forward do you stand on the approach?

[jab5325]

Had my first lesson last night, and was able to identify some good points to work on in the coming weeks until my next one.

Mainly, I have a tendency, and have since youth, of rushing my routine, which causes quick footwork, which causes early (or late) timing, which in turn causes off balance shots. I also have a tendency to "throw" the ball, have a very active shoulder, and not letting the thing roll.

I used to stand with my heels on the last set of dots at the approach for all shots. Sometimes, I would stop sliding a good 16-18 inches before the line. He recommended putting my toes at the middle set of dots, which is a significant move forward. In turn, this caused me to take shorter/somewhat choppier steps, which gave me a much more fluid motion/approach. Working on consistency will be key here, but, I feel better about where I'm heading.

So, where do you stand to start your approach? How far behind the foul line do you usually finish?

[BrianG]

I stand about 6 inches behind the first set of dots and I finish about a foot behind the foul line.

[NewToBowling]

I stand about 3 inches behind first set of dots and usually finish just right at the foul line. But I do believe the distance the dots are to the foul line are not standard and can vary from center to center

[bowl1820]

So, where do you stand to start your approach? How far behind the foul line do you usually finish?

I stand at the 12' markings, I could move up some though because I come up short of the foul line some.

Most bowlers if you watch them start too far back. This causes them to have a overly long stride that affects balance a great deal.



I stand about 3 inches behind first set of dots and usually finish just right at the foul line. But I do believe the distance the dots are to the foul line are not standard and can vary from center to center

While there is some variation, Actually there are rules to where the approach markings are.

1. Measured from the foul line, a maximum of seven guides may be embedded in or stamped
on the approach at each of the following points: 2-6 inches; 3-4 feet; 6-7 feet; 9-10 feet;
11-12 feet; and 14-15 feet. Each series of guides shall be parallel to the foul line and each
guide shall be circular in shape and shall not exceed ¾ inch in diameter.


Most lanes now usually just have the 12' & 15' markings.

[Amyers]

I used to start at the 12' dots but my coach moved me back to about 6 inches in front of the 15' dots. I finish about 3-6 inches from the line regardless of where I start

[AlexNC]

I start about 6" in front of the 15' dots. I could probably afford to move up just a bit for some of the same reasons Jab mentioned above.

[vdubtx]

Start about 12" behind the 12' dots. If needed I move up to the dots and always stop my slide about an inch or 2 before the line.

[TonyInPortland]

I stand as far back as possible on the approach.

[shadd]

I set up with my right pinky toe on the dot/board at the 15' "line" and end my approach 8-12" from the foul line.

[Aslan]

It's varied.

Started out using the whole approach. Over time, in an attempt to slow my speed down mainly...have moved up to where my toes are on the first set of dots. But with my height and longer legs...I have to kinda tip toe like Wes Mallot to make sure I'm not sliding over the foul line...AND usually plant versus slide.

I've seen very few non-pros that can use the entire approach in time and effectively. Usually when I see it, it's a 207-246 average bowler with really good form, youth, and strength. The longer the approach and faster the feet, the harder it is to stay in time. And timing is probably slightly ahead of or slightly behind release in terms of potential impact on your shot/game. Everything else is a distant 3rd.

[jab5325]

It's varied.

Started out using the whole approach. Over time, in an attempt to slow my speed down mainly...have moved up to where my toes are on the first set of dots. But with my height and longer legs...I have to kinda tip toe like Wes Mallot to make sure I'm not sliding over the foul line...AND usually plant versus slide.

I've seen very few non-pros that can use the entire approach in time and effectively. Usually when I see it, it's a 207-246 average bowler with really good form, youth, and strength. The longer the approach and faster the feet, the harder it is to stay in time. And timing is probably slightly ahead of or slightly behind release in terms of potential impact on your shot/game. Everything else is a distant 3rd.

I'm in the same boat--I've been all over the place, over time.

Another adjustment I made was going to a tackier slide pad. I used the S10 (SST-8 shoes) since I got them, and since switching to the S8, I get less slide, but I'm also not pulling the ball across my body with as much frequently. I feel more "in tune" during the shot, even if I'm off in the end. Always have used the H5 heel.

[shadd]

...I've seen very few non-pros that can use the entire approach in time and effectively. Usually when I see it, it's a 207-246 average bowler with really good form, youth, and strength. The longer the approach and faster the feet, the harder it is to stay in time. And timing is probably slightly ahead of or slightly behind release in terms of potential impact on your shot/game. Everything else is a distant 3rd.

This idea has been in the back of my mind for as long as I can remember and I do my best to not think about this for fear of having to completely re-vamp my game haha.

[dougb]

I stand right on the dots. I measured my steps from the foul line back and accounted for a little slide, which placed me there. I sometimes stand farther back if I need a little more speed.

[Timmyb]

One foot behind the 12' dots. End up one foot behind the foul line. Gives me room to kick forward or back if the ball isn't hitting just right. Five step approach.

[ChuckR]

Curious question and answers. In my case, it all depends on how tired my legs are. If it has been a medium active day for me, 73 years, I can stand at the dots and reach the foul line. If I find I am tired and finishing short, then I have to move forward. Moving left or right depends on the lanes and to some extent my delivery.

[Aslan]

Curious question and answers. In my case, it all depends on how tired my legs are. If it has been a medium active day for me, 73 years, I can stand at the dots and reach the foul line. If I find I am tired and finishing short, then I have to move forward. Moving left or right depends on the lanes and to some extent my delivery.
Can't argue with that.

I have the opposite problem. I've tried everything I can think of to try and get my speed under 15mph (at the pins) and if I'm "fresh" (at 41), I'll look up and see 17.88mph. It's like, no matter how close I get to the foul line (approach)...my body compensates by just firing it faster to make up for the lost momentum from my feet. Coaches have said to try and "just drop it"...but when I DO do that...I get a 12mph (at the pins) shot with 2rpms that usually leaves me a 1-2-4 or 2-4-5 or 1-2-4-7...or if God is really hating me that night...the 1-2-4-10 which is lovely.

I actually bowl better when I'm sick or hurt. I had a bad reaction to a tetanus shot once...very painful in my bowling shoulder...bowled great. Could barely move my arm and every shot hurt...but I didn't have to worry about over-throwing it.

[Tony]

I start about 1 foot in front of the dots at 12' and use a 4 step approach.

[SAbowler]

I start about 1 foot in front of the dots at 12' and use a 4 step approach.

Ditto.

[TVan]

I start about 8" in front of the 12' dots. However at one house with wood I need to keep ball speed up to not over hook every line I try so I move back and speed up a bit. I also hold he ball a bit higher at address. I hinge when I drop the ball on step two (five steps) and I typically take short steps. However when I move back I naturally take slightly longer steps and always finish at the foul line.

[mc_runner]

I am about 16 inches or so in back (with the front of my feet) of the 12' dots in my usual starting spot. 5 step approach for me.

[mc_runner]

Follow up question, has anyone seen their starting stance change over the years as your shot changes? I used to start a lot further up on the approach but have slowly moved back over the last few years.

[Amyers]

I've moved farther back on the advice of my coach

[jab5325]

As mentioned, I've moved much farther up.

So far, it's worked very well for me. I only shot 591 last night, but I was deliberately trying out a new drilling layout/thumb slug for the entire first game--the ball was way too strong for the conditions, but, I had to do what I had to do. Shot 245 last game, clean, and had consistently good roll/timing all night. My first ball average was just a shade under 9.

[PauL757]

My normal approach I stand at the end of the approach. Depending on the ball reaction I move up.

[J Anderson]

Follow up question, has anyone seen their starting stance change over the years as your shot changes? I used to start a lot further up on the approach but have slowly moved back over the last few years.

When i started bowling I would stand with my toes on the set of dots farthest from the line. At some point I moved up so my heel was at that set. By 2008 I had crept another foot closer to the line. A coach then reccommended that I move closer, so now I'm either just behind or just in front of the second row of dots dependind on which shoes I'm wearing.

[Turkey Track Hammer]

I stand with my toes on my left foot at the set of dots farthest from the line.

[jab5325]

I stand with my toes on my left foot at the set of dots farthest from the line.

Hah, your board handle made me chuckle. Welcome to the board!

[billf]

My feet are two inches from the 12' dots. For a faster ball speed I back up 6" and LOWER the ball in my stance. To slow it down I move up 6" amd RAISE the ball in my stance. This keeps my armswing the same speed each and every shot, or at least that's the objective. My finish is within an inch of the foul line. I use a 5 step approach (most of the time) and stand 6' tall.

I've been all over the approach and it's taken me years to get to where I can control my arm speed and leg speed accurately and independently of each other. I would like to increase the length and speed of my steps but that usually results in my timing getting out of whack when using the neutral ball height. Also my head tends to move too much with the higher leg tempo

[jab5325]

My feet are two inches from the 12' dots. For a faster ball speed I back up 6" and LOWER the ball in my stance. To slow it down I move up 6" amd RAISE the ball in my stance. This keeps my armswing the same speed each and every shot, or at least that's the objective. My finish is within an inch of the foul line. I use a 5 step approach (most of the time) and stand 6' tall.

I've been all over the approach and it's taken me years to get to where I can control my arm speed and leg speed accurately and independently of each other. I would like to increase the length and speed of my steps but that usually results in my timing getting out of whack when using the neutral ball height. Also my head tends to move too much with the higher leg tempo

Interesting comments, bill.

You hit the nail on the head when you say "...it's taken me years to get to where I can control my arm speed and leg speed accurately..."

I struggle with that so much. I shot a 245 game and was on the pocket the whole time. I left 4 7pins off of slightly heavy hits because my approach was too quick, causing me to tug the ball just a tad. Though I've never gotten a 300 and have a 277 game, this 245 was truly the closest I came to having a perfect game in terms of pocket hits.

[billf]

To this day I still have a tendency to muscle the swing. Now when I muscle the swing AND grip the ball, I can hit the 7 pin from anywhere on the lane because that damn ball sure isn't going anywhere close to where I want it.

[Turkey Track Hammer]

Hah, your board handle made me chuckle. Welcome to the board!

Thanks for the welcome jab5325. I tried to send you a PM, but I guess it did not work.

[jab5325]

Thanks for the welcome jab5325. I tried to send you a PM, but I guess it did not work.

Looks like you got your signature working!

Nice arsenal! Be careful with different weights though.

[Turkey Track Hammer]

Looks like you got your signature working!

Nice arsenal! Be careful with different weights though.

Yeah, the 15# balls feel better to me but, I score much better with the 16# ?

[jab5325]

Yeah, the 15# balls feel better to me but, I score much better with the 16# ?

Stick with what feels better. Switching back & forth will really mess up your armswing and timing. Very few use 16# balls anymore because nothing is lost by dropping to 15. You get better control which means more accuracy.

[Turkey Track Hammer]

Stick with what feels better. Switching back & forth will really mess up your armswing and timing. Very few use 16# balls anymore because nothing is lost by dropping to 15. You get better control which means more accuracy.

I don't know, I suppose you could be right as I have heard others say similar things. I have only had these 15# balls for a little over a month now, so things could change. So far though, for me anyway. I have to be more accurate with the 15 when it comes to strikes. I get far more strikes with the 16, on shots that I probably did not deserve a strike. So far I have just been bowling 2 games back to back with each weight. I want to go with what feels best "15" because it just seems like the natural thing to do. How ever, my final score will probably make the decision for me.