4 step approach vs 5 step approach

[witesoxwoz22]

I don't know where to post this but...currently I have a 4 step approach and I have a ball speed of around 13.5mpm, and I'd like to get more ball speed.  If I were to back up a bit on the approach and add an extra step, would that help me in increasing my ball speed?
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- woz

[TBS1]

Before trying to go to five step, try raising your ball starting position to a higher level.  This will in turn raise your back swing, creating a bigger pendulum, resulting in more ball speed.
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James

[witesoxwoz22]

I tried that, but it seemed to mess up my timing and didn't work out too well.
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- woz

[TBS1]

When you change height, you may need to start the push away a little sooner or later, depending on how it is effecting your timing.
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James

[ThongPrincess]

Just for information, a 5 step is still a 4 step with an extra timing step.  On a 5 step the ball doesn't move until the 2nd step.  So the ball motions are still that of a 4 step beginning with the 2nd step.
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USBC Bronze Coach

"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean
Quaker 10/93 - 4/07
Quaker

[shelley]

quote:Just for information, a 5 step is still a 4 step with an extra timing step.  On a 5 step the ball doesn't move until the 2nd step.  So the ball motions are still that of a 4 step beginning with the 2nd step.

The 5 step approach helps increase foot speed, though, so even if the ball is only moving for four of those steps, you are traveling faster towards the foul line and that will increase ball speed some.

SH

[Action]

5 steps do not necessarily increase ball speed. the initial speed of the movement of the ball being first placed in motion and the speed at which you move your feet build up momentum which can then be imparted to the ball and the result will be higher speed. when trying to increase ball speed you want to increase your entire body's momentum. if you take 6 or 7 or 23 steps and they are all slow calculating steps you will not have built up any momentum and your ball speed will remain slow. if you raise the ball higher in your starting stance you will increase your swing length which will increase your ball speed as long as you do not try to control or muscle your swing. or you can increase your back swing by using a slinging motion to get the ball higher in your back swing. the key to using this slinging motion is to slightly tilt your body forward when the ball is falling to its lowest point in the initital ball placement. at the same time move your non bowling arm forward which will alllow your bowling arm to increase the height of your back swing. you have to do all this and still maintain your balance and timing. you will need to practice this hundreds of times until your body gets used to it and you still maintain your balance. an increased back swing height will most definitely increase your speed. if you notice smaller bowlers with fast ball speed they employ this type of technique to increase their ball speed. when done properly and with very little muscle other then the initial sling back you will see a big improvement in ball speed.