4 step or 5 step approach.

[Mad Professor]

Hello everyone.

Quick question 4 or 5 steps?

I've gotten so use to 4 step and I can get everything timed and out by the last step, and I'm deadly accurate when it comes to putting the ball on the target.

Today I tried to do 5 step approach and my game went to hell! The only thing I've noticed is a longer period of time in arm swing which allows a natural feel instead of me muscling it in the back swing to reach my ball speed due 16lb balls, which is nice but I still get that bowlers pain that feels like carpal tunnel but the trade off/downside is sliding my way to the line and reaching to get the ball on the lane. I tend to come up short 6-7 inches and I drift a section over, example I start on center dot and I drift to the the next dot to the right, it's consistent. Doesn't do this with the 4 step.
Also coordinating it so I start with the left foot is fouling me up, sometimes I do the flintstone dance mid-way.

Is there any real benefit to 5 steps besides the common "THE PROs DO IT!"

I'm 5,7 with a short torso and average leg length, I feel that the 4 step is just better for me.

[Motivlution]

My advice is to go with whichever one you are more comfortable using and is more natural for you. I personally use a 4 step approach myself and for a tall guy with long legs I have a very short approach due to my small steps. I've used a 4 step approach for years and have never had a problem with it, but that might not be the same for everybody. The important thing is do you feel comfortable or rushed? If you feel like you don't have enough time, but are more comfortable with a 4 step approach you could try staggering your left foot in front of your right to start your approach or getting rid of your push away if you have one.

[Mad Professor]

I guess the 4 step is better for me. I can't tell if I'm rushed or not because when I start my approach I'm no longer aware of my surrounding and it's almost like time freezes for a moment. The next thing you know I hear the ball drop on the lane and I'm brought back out of my trance like state. All I know is I feel comfortable with my stance and approach, it's just my arm/wrist/ thumb/pinky that are having issues.

I have two 16# balls, one particle, the other I don't know. They are heavy, they hurt my wrist, they tear the skin off my thumb and pinky after 6 games. I have no control over them, They are old and take alot of effort to get them to do what I want them to do. I figured if I change my approach and allow more time for the swing and release that I might be able to get the ball the way I want it before the actual release and/or reduce the pain. My mother's 14# axis ball feels better and doesn't destroy my hand and I have more control over it then my 16# so I'm wondering if I need to drop a weight class.


This is what I got.
I got a used Columbia Rock On! Tec2, well over 300 games on it. Drilled for length/arc, but for what ever reason it had a snap at the end which it no longer does. But it's still my favorite. I can still get strikes with it but I have to compensate for the lack of arc/hook in it. The second one is a Visionary Magenta DC - Tour Edition, but I never use it much. It was my first ball recommended by a coach, who just basically did not teach me the mechanics of the game. I did not understand anything except "stand here and throw it like a suitcase" mentally until I got into a youth league and few knowledgeable seniors who taught me better. I have not seen this thing hook ever since I got it. It probably has about 75-100 games on it, I don't know if I had it re-drilled for a straight shot or what but all I know it's been re-drilled, does not arc much.

The oil track on the Rock On! is just left of the finger holes, or 4-5" to the left from the pin *yellow mark If that gives you an idea. Since I don't know the science behind the pin on a bowling ball or give an exact measurement on how it setup. I also threw it in the dishwasher few times to get the oil out of the coverstock but that hasn't helped.

[Motivlution]

Well, I'm no expert, but I would say if you can better control the 14# and the 16# is causing you pain and tearing up your hand I would go with dropping a weight class if I were in your situation. It really sounds like a winning move for you. As for the balls not arcing anymore do you throw a lot of speed? It could be that you are over-throwing the balls any ball is going to skid if it is overthrown regardless of how reactive it is or how dry the lanes are.

[Mad Professor]

16-18mph, low revolution. If I were to do what I did acouple of years ago, first dot to the left and 3 arrows from center on the right. The ball would hit it's mark, slowly arc around until it got to the end then snap the last foot and half or so into the pocket. What it does now, center dot, 2-3rdish arrow, ball, slightly arcs into the pocket. It seems so straight I thought I was rolling my mothers ball and that's actually setup for a general straight shot. I don't know. I think Friday I will go to the pro shop and have them watch me bowl and see what I'm doing wrong or if they recommend a new ball, I will probably drop to a 15 if it comes to that. I'll see if they have 15 I can try. Or maybe I should wait for the fall league and see what the members say.

[Brad Pierce]

I do suggest just going with what is comfortable for you. I switched from a 4 to a 5 recently, because I was rushing in a 4 step, and 5 step seems smoother for me.

[The Mayor]

There is no right and wrong in bowling. It's all about what you can be consistent with and have solid timing. There are pros who use 4 step approaches. As for the weight of the ball, I would definitely look into moving down to 15#. I wouldn't drop from 16 to 14 as a two pound difference can really throw you off. 15 is the most popular weight, by far now, so don't worry about hitting power or anything like that.

[Mad Professor]

Well I didn't go to the pro shop Friday, but I did bowl 10 games today and the lanes were recently oiled.

What I found out was that at 4 step really feels short and fast, and it didn't give me time to think. The 5 step on the other hand gave me time to relax and gave me the ability to correct myself in mid swing and regain focus on the arrows where as before I was losing focus on the arrows and kept looking at the pins. Overall I'm gonna stick with the 5 step, the only down side is my left knee and lower back hates me for having to slide a little bit more.

Also, it seems like today I have regain control of my 16# balls and have a clue on why they don't hook as well as they should. Turns out if I bend my elbow slightly when the ball is right at my side or front of me but before release, my wrist no longer hurts and I can actually feel what my hand is actually doing. I get better control on release and achieve a better rotation, in layman terms it's hooking like it use to. I just need to get the feel of it and practice a bit.

I think a little more practice and I can get consistent in strikes instead of me getting doubles and turkeys and then missing the next frame and having to pick up my spares.

Also I'm gonna go see about getting an insert put in my thumb hole on the Rock On! as I seem to be slightly losing my grip during the swing.

[J Anderson]

There are a number of Yoga stretches that I use to try and keep my lower back in shape. Your knee might benefit from some strengthening exercises or some sort of brace.

[DanielMareina]

I can't believe that no one mentioned this yet, but it is very possible that the ball's finger and thumb pitches are not suitable for your hand. Most balls are drilled for the "average" hand, but many people, including me, need adjustments to the norm to stop their hand from getting sore or torn up.
As for the approach, I use a 5 step approach because I find that I fall off balance stepping with my right foot and pushing out with my right hand at the same time. There are many reasons people use to pick between one method or the other. Each have their merits, and I am a firm believer that you should do what is comfortable for you.