Bowling Footwork

Accuracy is linked to good bowling footwork. Good footwork provides the core of a solid foundation and transportation mechanism to the foul line. If you wish to improve your bowling footwork, please focus on three important keys which will help you sharpen your skills.

1. Length of Steps – Taking steps which match your normal walking stride usually produces a consistent approach to the foul line. The strategy is to not bounce or lose balance during your approach so you can make consistent and precise deliveries. Establishing the correct length of stride of your steps is essential so you achieve a solid footwork foundation from which to bowl. Bowlers 6 feet in height and using a four step approach will typically cover about 12 feet plus perhaps 6 inches more allowing for the slide. Since the set of dots at the mid-point on the approach measure 12 feet from the foul line, then a 6 foot tall bowler using a four step approach will likely be positioned on or near the these dots on the approach floor. If you are shorter than 6 feet and do not have should a long walking stride, then position yourself closer to the foul line. Naturally, bowlers using five steps should allow more distance from the foul line accordingly. Try and make sure you finish with your sliding foot only 6 inches or less from the foul line.

2. Tempo - The pace of your steps should be slow enough as to produce a smooth walking motion to the foul line with a slight heel-to-toe action leading into the slide step. Each step should match in pace with the previous and be uniform in length or close to uniform in length as to prevent loss of balance. The slide step should glide into the approach evenly and your momentum built from the first steps should enable you to slide smoothly as to maintain balance and be in a good position to release the bowling ball. Hastening the slide step or pushing off too quickly from the step before the slide can cause a thrusting action into the foul line and usually causes a hurried release of the bowling ball. It is important to maintain the same pace each step and for each delivery during your session on the lanes.

3. Direction – An extremely important key to accuracy and to consistent approaches is the direction you walk to the foul line. It cannot be emphasized enough how vital walking your lines is to achieving a target-seeking arm-swing and accuracy in your deliveries. A good objective is to walk perfectly straight to the line as to end on the same board with your sliding foot as where the foot was positioned originally in your set-up position. Regardless of where you position yourself laterally on the approach for spares or for a strike ball delivery, it is a good goal to not drift away from where you began. Try making steps which are placed under your chin or under the center of your body to maintain balance and result in an effectively straight path to the line. Visualize the tight-rope acrobat in a circus arena moving carefully down the wire. Each step is measured in length and directly under the center of the body for maximum balance. Try to limit your drift to about two boards from your set-up alignment so your arm-swing will produce a high degree of accurate deliveries.

These three key elements will help you establish good bowling footwork and will result in improved accuracy. While you are here at our site, please take some time to examine our extensive list of bowling products and kindly be reminded that our discounted prices are available with free shipping on every item at bowlingball.com. When you are ready to make your purchase, simply follow our easy online order instructions or give us a call at (888) 265-2695 and one of our sales associates will assist you 24 hours per day, each and every day. Thank you for visiting bowlingball.com.