If the lane condition is such that I can play far enough right to take a full approach, it'll be five steps, or maybe six or seven if they're tighter and I'm trying to play more up the lane.

Otherwise, it depends on how far the ball return sticks out onto the approach.  I feel fortunate when I can take a four-step approach from in front of the return;  I usually have to take three from there.  The center where I bowl just got new ball returns, which are even longer than the old ones were, so it's more like a two-and-a-half step approach when I have to get deep.  

I take 4 or 5, depending on how my timing is (5 seems to get me back in time if I'm off).  I'll stand anywhere from about 5 feet from the foul line to 2 feet from the back of the approach.
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