Should I Switch to a 5 Step Approach

[kev3inp]

I moved from 4 to 5 steps after decades with 4 steps. My health issues dropped my ball speed with 4 steps so Ron Clifton recommended I switch to 5 and it got me 1.5 to 2 mph faster than I was before. I've had to drop from 16 to 14 lbs, too, so I've been transitioning, but I think it's finally coming together.

[billf]

i tried doing a 5 step but the only problem i had was going to the same exact spot/lengte from the foul line. I do a 4 step facing a dot so im always consistant, but a 5 step is inbetween both groups of dots
i hope this makes sence

Makes total sense to me. What you may want to try is pacing it off and locating a 'landmark' to go off of. One center I occasionally go to this ends up being a sticker on the side of the ball return. I have also noticed variables from center to center as far as the distance from the alignment dots to the foul line. After awhile you will be able to just look down at know you are __ inches from the dots you're use to.

[martin]

tried doing a 5 step before (i use 4 step) but got my timing all wrong.. maybe i should just stick with the 4 step..

[eugene02]

tried doing a 5 step before (i use 4 step) but got my timing all wrong.. maybe i should just stick with the 4 step..

same here! tried to do 5 steps.. but seems like can't coordinate my legs and arms together >_> shall stick to 4 steps

[billf]

tried doing a 5 step before (i use 4 step) but got my timing all wrong.. maybe i should just stick with the 4 step..

Doing nothing with the ball that first step does take some getting use to. It took me about two weeks of practicing to get it down. That was daily practice to the point that I was even trying it empty handed when I had a couple of seconds at work.

[eugene02]

Doing nothing with the ball that first step does take some getting use to. It took me about two weeks of practicing to get it down. That was daily practice to the point that I was even trying it empty handed when I had a couple of seconds at work.

LOL! i do try walking at home empty handed too ><

[aussiedave]

I've been using a 4 step approach since I started bowling regularly two years ago. My ball speed is only around 12-14 MPH. With a 4 step the fastest I've achieved was 16 MPH and it took a ton of effort. I've tried a 5 step approach in practice a few times and my speed was around 15-16 MPH with the same amount of effort as usual. Would it be advantageous to switch to a 5 step approach to increase my ball speed? I'm starting my unsanctioned summer league with 3 free games every day soon so I would have plenty of time to practice before my next sanctioned league beginning at the end of August. Are there any negative effects of switching to a 5 step approach?

If you can bowl consistently around 14m.p.h., then that is plenty enough speed to get the job done.
My recent experience has been that I have been tending towards throwing a bit too fast and it ruined my game. Slowing back down to where I know I have been getting results has worked a charm. It's only a couple m.p.h., but I found the way I was gaining that extra speed was throwing me off a touch and unbalancing me.
Otoh, a friend of mine slowed his down too much and much the same thing was happening - it affected his timing.
He sped up just a touch and hey presto, the old form came back to him.
You probably already know, just by thinking about what I have said if this is you.
Hope this helps.
ad.

[Etrain]

Makes total sense to me. What you may want to try is pacing it off and locating a 'landmark' to go off of. One center I occasionally go to this ends up being a sticker on the side of the ball return. I have also noticed variables from center to center as far as the distance from the alignment dots to the foul line. After awhile you will be able to just look down at know you are __ inches from the dots you're use to.

good idea, im thinking of putting a small sticker on the ball return

[TheSheibs]

That was the problem I was having with a 5 step approach . I kept starting off that spot by 1-4 inches. It was making things a little frustrating for me so I went back to a 4 step approach. I've been using 4 steps for almost all my bowling career, if you want to call it that. It works for me but if you want to switch to 5 steps, good luck and I hope it works better for you than it did for me.