Bowling Footwork Tips For Beginners

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 6/1/17; Updated: 12/29/20

If you are a new bowler or simply a social and recreational bowler, you may be in need of bowling footwork tips for beginners.

If you develop a few time-tested and proven techniques for walking to the foul line to slide and deliver your bowling ball, you will improve your accuracy, balance, and ability to pick up routine spares.

Good footwork fundamentals are the cornerstone of a sound bowling approach.

Here are a few recommended basic bowling footwork tips:

*Use your natural walking stride distance. Try not to take longer steps than your normal. 

*Use a slight amount of knee flex in your set-up on the approach.

*Add a little more knee flex each step and in your slide to gradual descend to a solid bowling ball delivery position.

*Walk softly and lightly on the approach to avoid excessive muscle tension in your legs and to control the pace of your steps.

*Use a slight heel-to-toe action leading into the slide step.

*The slide step should glide into the approach with most of your weight balanced on the ball of your sliding foot initially and then your weight becomes more evenly distributed across your sliding heel and sole of your bowling shoe.

*Establish a consistent walking tempo. Walk at a steady pace avoiding rushing your steps or hesitating between steps.

*Limit the amount of drift (left or right) to about two boards from your initial alignment positioning on the approach. If possible, train your steps to arrive precisely on the board where you intend to slide for maximum accuracy. There are many drills to practice this. Be sure to check out our other articles here on Bowlversity that cover footwork as well.

*Begin your first step with an unhurried movement to trigger a consistent start each time you take an approach to the line.

Good bowling balance is vital in developing good technique with your steps. A very good strategy is to keep your head and shoulders positioned directly above your knees and remain as motionless with your head and shoulders as possible while walking to the foul line. Hold your form at the foul line. Watch your bowling ball pass through your aim point on the lane.

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