Should I Take Straight Bowling Steps In My Approach?

bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 5/1/15; Updated: 3/24/21

It has been said many times that accuracy in bowling comes from good footwork.

If you ask should I take straight steps in my bowling approach, then you are likely not walking a straight line path to the foul line and are walking off line in an inconsistent direction for strike or spare deliveries.

If you are averaging 160 or less or are a new bowler and are struggling with your accuracy, start by developing a straight line walking path to the foul line.

The straight line walking path is easy to develop.

One step straight ahead of the previous step walking on the center line of your body as do acrobats on the balance beam or tightrope walkers on the high wire in the circus.

A straight line walking path promotes good balance which, in turn, develops accuracy and good shotmaking.

So many mistakes made when delivering the bowling ball come from walking inconsistent lines, your walking path, to the foul line.

If you walk a straight line, as example, when you are standing in or near the center area of the approach, you will slide on the same board at the foul line.

When shooting corner pin spares ,as example, the same should hold true that you slide on the same board on the approach floor where you started.

If you drift or walk away from a straight line path, the spot on the lane you choose to sight at to hit the pocket or pick up a spare will appear to move in relation to your bowling shoulder.



If you try and alter your swing or follow-through motion to compensate when drifting off of your intended walking path, you will surely lose control of the direction you release your ball.

Being precise in walking a straight line regardless of where you stand on the approach works best for any player, particularly for new bowlers or bowlers averaging 160 or less who are trying to improve their accuracy.

For best results, walk a straight line and avoid unneeded drifting away from that path.