Any 3 Steppers?

[Edy13]

I'm curious who uses a three step approach and why you have stuck with it versus the traditional four and five step.
I am currently learning with the four step and am curious if one less step is good / bad / neutral..

Thanks..

[ep1977]

I've seen 6 steps but never 3.

[RobLV1]

Generally, 3 steps never work as bowling, regardless of the number of steps taken, is always based on four steps. With more than four steps, the ball is held in a neutral position until the last four steps. The only time that I have seen 3 steps work was with a senior bowler whose knees were so bad that he could not use any kind of traditional approach. He solved his problem by taking two very short shuffle steps, using a significant pause after the second one, before starting his slide. A physical disability would be the only reason that I would ever recommend using a three step approach. In other cases it just results in very late timing, and very bad bowling.

[ytlas]

ABC Hall of Famer Lee Jouglard used three steps, so it's possible but not recommended

[Amyers]

Seems like I seen an old video where Earl Anthony (may have been someone else from that time frame) was demonstrating a 3, 4, and 5 step approach but even he said that the three was difficult to time because the ball had to be in motion before the feet started. I agree with Rob though unless there is some physical disability there is absolutely no advantage and a lot of disadvantages to a three step approach. You would be better off simply using a one step drill it would be easier to master at least you would have a consistent starting spot with that method.

[fokai73]

4 steps is the way to go. I started bowling with the basic 4 step approach, but 5 steps works best for me. I haven't used the 4 steps approach in almost 10 yrs?? but, I some times do use the 3 step approach. It's rare (3 step approach) now these days since I don't bowl as much as I did in the past. But, there are times where I find myself in front of the ball return.

I don't plan on bowling like this in tourneys or travel leagues, but it's good to know how to bowl with 3 step approach. (the lanes will tell you and your equipment too - or the lack of it too) Having a good coach will help you determine what style is good for you. But rest assure. he/she will not recommend the 3 step approach unless really have to.

[djp1080]

When I was a youngster, I started out bowling with three steps. When I got a bit older (around 12 or so), I thought I needed more speed on the ball. Since it felt natural to start my motion with my left foot, I went from three to five steps.
There is a fellow in our senior league who takes two steps and he falls off on most every shot. It due to timing issues. He has a hard time getting his trailing leg behind himself early enough.
The only reason to go to two or three steps would be on those occasions where you have to line yourself up in front of the ball return, but timing is likely the biggest thing to have to overcome.

[2handedsniper]

I like 3, with more steps you get late, with less steps you get early

[Edy13]

Great info- exactly what I was looking for..

Thanks all...

[J Anderson]

I'm curious who uses a three step approach and why you have stuck with it versus the traditional four and five step.
I am currently learning with the four step and am curious if one less step is good / bad / neutral..

Thanks..

I am still a three step bowler. The why is that for the first 30 some years that I bowled, I did not take the game all that seriously, and had no formal lessons or coaching. I haven't changed because I have doubts as to whether the results would be worth the effort.

That said, there is in my opinion only one reason some one learning the game now to try a three step approach is to have it as an option in case lane conditions force you to line up in front of the ball return.

[JasonNJ]

Funny you ask, I met someone a few weeks ago and he told me he was a 3 stepper and he had trouble switching to 4 steps, so he had to switch to 5 steps because that way he still started with the same foot.

[AlexNC]

Funny you ask, I met someone a few weeks ago and he told me he was a 3 stepper and he had trouble switching to 4 steps, so he had to switch to 5 steps because that way he still started with the same foot.

I can relate to this; but not the three step part. When I decided to get more serious into bowling I made a conscious decision to go to a 4 step approach and work on it. But I naturally want to take first steps with my left foot and could never get comfortable and ended up just staying with 5 steps.

[2handedsniper]

I do the off balanced 3 step and steer the ball with my wrist rather than my off balenced lower body .

[RobLV1]

I like 3, with more steps you get late, with less steps you get early

I'm afraid you have this reversed: 3 steps by definition will result in late timing unless the ball is already in motion before the steps start.

[2handedsniper]

Your right. we both know what I mean. i'm going to try to move up on the approach a little bit and commit to a quicker 3 step

[mc_runner]

Why would you do a 3 step, especially as a 2 hander? Where would the power (or "skip") step come into play with only a 3 step approach?

And I would think moving up on the approach will probably lead to even quicker steps making you even later on timing. Just a bit confused on what you are meaning and doing.

[2handedsniper]

Until I average 230 or higher, my footwork can always change!

[Tony]

I have a teammate that uses a 3 step approach, he went to see a coach a couple of years ago and the first thing the coach tried was adjusting to a 4 or 5 step approach.
He is so used to the 3 step and so obstinate that he never changed or went back to the coach.
The timing and slow ball speed are quite a hindrance and his average suffers because of it, couple that with his small size and sometimes I wonder if the ball is even going to knock down a pin.....

[Mike White]

There are a number of pros who due to a late push away, effectively throw a 3 step approach.

The tale tell sign is while the ball is swinging back, the ball side foot is moving forward.

That causes a torque on the body that makes consistency more difficult.

Both of these bowlers effectively use 3 steps.

Notice when the ball reaches the bottom of the back swing, their weight is on the left foot, and the right foot is moving forward.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl6xBD_BEzY

[2handedsniper]

I do 3 steps and am very comfortable with my feet and balanced, I just always get 9 pins!

[billf]

There are a number of pros who due to a late push away, effectively throw a 3 step approach.

The tale tell sign is while the ball is swinging back, the ball side foot is moving forward.

That causes a torque on the body that makes consistency more difficult.

Both of these bowlers effectively use 3 steps.

Notice when the ball reaches the bottom of the back swing, their weight is on the left foot, and the right foot is moving forward.


Seeing as the whole point to the steps is ball speed. Both of the players in the video have short back swings with average to above average swing speed. The only way they could be in time when it matters is to delay moving the ball. Because most 5 steppers don't move the ball the first step does that mean the "effectively" throw a four step? The illogic, unscientific basing of this post is more what I would expect from 2handedsniper than Mike White.

Our arms and legs can move independently from the other without causing an increase in torque on the body. If the timing was off at the bottom of the swing this would be accurate but both of these ladies are within the range set by the timing spot Mark Baker made famous and is now considered the most accurate way to check timing.
Maybe if these ladies knew they were bowing wrong they could have been inducted into the hall of fame...Oh wait, they are hall of famers.

[Mike White]

Seeing as the whole point to the steps is ball speed. Both of the players in the video have short back swings with average to above average swing speed. The only way they could be in time when it matters is to delay moving the ball. Because most 5 steppers don't move the ball the first step does that mean the "effectively" throw a four step? The illogic, unscientific basing of this post is more what I would expect from 2handedsniper than Mike White.

Our arms and legs can move independently from the other without causing an increase in torque on the body. If the timing was off at the bottom of the swing this would be accurate but both of these ladies are within the range set by the timing spot Mark Baker made famous and is now considered the most accurate way to check timing.
Maybe if these ladies knew they were bowing wrong they could have been inducted into the hall of fame...Oh wait, they are hall of famers.

I just became aware of this video from the ETBF.

At the end of the video, they are discussing this exact topic of moving the right foot forward while the arm swing is moving backwards, and the negative effects it causes.

They refer to it as 1 step late timing.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQfSHD_Gtrg

[Blacksox1]

I have seen a 2 step, 2 handed bowler. He is probably 22 years old and scores well on a THS, 210+ average. I foresee injury problems in his future. It's a shame he does not get certified instruction. I believe with a 4 or 5 step delivery he could improve.

[okfoz]

I have a 4-4 approach, where I take 4 steps, and my ball is in motion all 4 steps. My son (age 12) however (it drives me crazy) has decided to do the 4-3 approach. He takes 4 steps and the ball is in motion for 3 of those steps. He takes his first step, pauses, then starts the motion with his ball.

With his 4-3 step approach he was taught to hold his ball higher, right under the chin, take his first step, pause, then as you relax, push the ball forward, and let the ball swing back and then swing the ball forward. He does well enough, he is one of the top scorers in his league for his age with more than 70 kids. Matter of fact we did a sport shot league together and he virtually out bowled all of the teenagers even those much older than him with the exception of those kids that have coaches for dads.

So it can be done