Technique LIFESTYLE AND BOWLING TECHNIQUES TO MAKE YOU A BETTER BOWLER /// MARCH 2011


One Step at a


FOUR-STEP VS. FIVE-STEP APPROACH Time S Step-in-Time


PBA pro Michael Haugen, like many top players, uses a five-step approach for more momentum. The first step is a short step before elongating his strides toward the end of his shot.


aying that the ap- proach in bowling is


critical to the success of your game is like say- ing the foundation of a building is critical to keeping it upright! The approach is what gives bowlers their rhythm, timing and momentum in accelerating into the delivery. And while most


bowlers come by their approach naturally, few really understand the mechanics of it and the reasons each step is critical until they start to take the game more seriously. (We’ve all seen the recreational bowler, standing completely up-


right, feet together, ball held chin-high. In fact, most of us have been that recreational bowler at one time!) But while it may seem


funny now, letting new bowlers simply take the lane and establish their own approach can be healthy. Instead of trying to get a new bowler to concentrate on each step, it can be best to let them come across the ap- proach naturally. Why? The body will always find balance to protect itself, and through the simple process of swing- ing a heavy object your body will automatically establish a rhythm and timing for releasing it. Once a bowler has


By Stephen Padilla 12 USBOWLER MARCH 2011


determined that he or she wants to improve and become more con- sistent and accurate, a more thorough look into the approach will pay huge dividends.


FOUR-STEP APPROACH The four-step approach is the recommended choice for beginners because it provides a strong foundation, it’s easy to establish a rhythm and because it accommodates the four motions required for a shot — pushaway, back- swing, downswing and release. Determining your


starting position is easy. Facing away from the


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