Defining the Four Approach Step to Bowling

There are more sports terms associated with the sport of bowling than with any other sport. Some of the terms are hard to understand for novices, while others are denoting concepts that even the occasional bowler will have a hard time wrapping his or her mind around; one such concept is the four approach step. It looks exceedingly simple when in motion, yet to talk through the approach clearly evidences just how complicated each part of it truly is.

First and foremost is the first step. Instead of carrying the ball for the first step, you are actually sending it forward with the first step. To greatly simply this four-step approach, it is important to realize that it is defined by this all-important first step. Not only does it offer a different ball delivery, but it also differentiates itself from the other approaches by this first step with concurrent ball delivery. Posture is everything when positioning to take this approach, and many have suggested that the foot corresponding to the dominant arm should be slightly ahead of the other foot. Please note that this is incorrect and will result not in additional strength, but instead will leave you unsteady for this approach! Thus, instead of having one foot slightly ahead of the other one, your feet should actually be even.

Next, make sure that your upper body is not leaning forward. The goal is to keep your bodys center of gravity low, and if you are bending forward you will actually upset your overall balance. As you take that first step, you will move your ball in synchronicity with your foot. In other words, as your dominant foot goes up, your dominant hand moves the bowling ball straight ahead. Once you have mastered this approach, you are ready for the second step, which will also see the second step of the ball delivery. You will need to let the arm, which is holding your ball, go down by your side and back! The mistake that most novice bowlers make at this juncture is to take their eyes off the pins in the distance and instead follow the progress of the ball on its 90-degree incline. You may not realize it, but by doing so you are permitting your body to leave its upright posture, and instead slump forward slightly, thus upsetting your center of gravity. This will hamper the delivery of the ball especially its trajectory as defined by the four-step approach itself.

The third step will see the completion of the back swing. If you keep your eyes on the pins, you will avoid the body twist so many bowlers experience at this juncture. The fourth step will now see dual action. Your knee will be bent more than at any other step, while your hand will release the ball using only the force of gravity that you have built up during the preceding steps. Do not give in to the temptation at the last minute to hunch your back or twist your shoulder. Instead, keep your upper body as balanced and upright as you did before. Not only will this ensure that your ball embarks on its planned trajectory, but it will also prevent your muscles from tensing and aching, and your back and shoulders from causing you some awful after bowling pain the next day. As you can see, the idea of the four-step delivery appears to be simple, yet when you truly consider the implications each step has for the successful release of the ball, you quickly realize that it takes a long time of practice to perfect this approach.