Footwork Technique For New Bowlers

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 12/23/15; Updated: 3/9/21

It is recommended for beginner bowlers to take a bowling lesson from an experienced and qualified bowling instructor to properly learn the physical fundamentals of the game.

Trying to bowl with no understanding of coordinating your arm-swing and steps can become clumsy or awkward and lead to a prolonged experience in learning to bowl.

Learning good footwork fundamentals is the starting point for new bowlers after learning the set-up process involving the stance on the approach and how to hold the bowling ball.

Here are tips on developing good footwork technique for new bowlers:

*Use your natural length walking stride for consistent footwork.

In a standard four-step approach, begin with the right foot (if you are a right handed bowler) and end with your sliding step, your left foot.

*Bowlers 6 feet in height will typically cover about 12 feet plus or minus 6 inches allowing for the slide with a four step approach.

Slide step should be completed within 6 inches or nearer to the foul line but not over the foul line.

If you have a short walking stride, stand perhaps 6 to 18 inches in front of the guide dots located 12 feet from the foul line, depending on where your slide finishes near the foul line.

Bowlers without a long walking stride can stand nearer the 12 foot guide dots, plus or minus 6 inches in front of or behind the guide dots.

*Avoid racing or lunging with your steps but rather pace your steps evenly to maintain good body balance while walking and delivering your bowling ball.

*The pace of your steps should allow for a slight heel-to-toe action leading into the slide step. Each step should match in pace with the previous and be fairly uniform in length to prevent loss of balance.

*The slide step should glide into the approach with the sole and heel of the bowling shoe sliding evenly and smoothly from the momentum built from the first steps.

*Avoid taking a quick first step. Develop gradually increasing pace of steps.

*Maintain a slight amount of knee flex during the first three steps.

*Allow your knee on your sliding leg to flex slightly more than previous steps so the big muscles of your sliding leg help you retain good balance and a stable platform from which you can make deliver your ball accurately.

*Walking straight lines when learning the game helps you develop a good arm-swing and accuracy.



Walk as straight of a line as possible ending on the same board with the sliding bowling shoe at the foul line as where the shoe was positioned originally in your stance on the approach.

*It is highly recommended every new bowler purchase a pair of bowling shoes and using the services of a professional bowling instructor or certified coach to help you learn additional fundamentals of the game.

A bowling lesson is well worth the investment and helps familiarize any bowler with the components of a good bowling approach.