Refining The Approach: Larger Bowlers Advice?

[JaraTo]

A huge flaw in my game has been the inconsistency of my approach. I've got the timing down, the release, but the inconsistency is in my actual steps. I will fall off of shots because my inability to sometimes get my slide foot closer to the center of my body.... Thus causing me to pull shots because my release will be too far from my ankle.

I've narrowed the reason for this randomness down to something physical. Ten years ago I didn't have the same body I do now. I'm not considered large at all, 5'9" at 185 lbs normally closer to 195, but from years of weight training I'm now alot more bottom heavy. Picture Barry Sanders tree trunk legs. I can stand shoulder with apart have my legs touching mid-thigh.

How do some of you bigger guys adjust your stance or starting position in order to keep your steps in line? Right now, there are times where just by doing my approach my legs will kind of push each other to the side, in a way, as they pass each other.

Now that I wrote this it seems dumb but I'm open for comments.

[JoshWithrow]

No way dude that's not dumb at all. I'm outright fat. So here's how I handle this exact same issue...

I make a CONCIOUS effort to get my sweeper leg behind me. Some prefer straight back, some prefer bringing the sweeper leg behind the slider (and this is my preference). I find that so long as my sweeper leg gets behind me and behind my slide leg I don't have the balance issues.

And this is a recent victory for me. It's been working wonders. The other part of this, believe it or not, was my armswing. I was inadvertently pulling my ball behind my back. But once I relaxed and started opening up JUST a bit (and NOT pulling behind my back, but rather letting the arm go where it wants - sounds wierd... I'll have to put that camcorder to work soon) my swing is MUCH more fluid and consistant, and it helps with my balance.

Hopefully that helps.

[BubbaRay]

And no it is not a dumb question. I am a big man and what I find is when I usually fall off to the right off balance my feet get fast causing this. I try and slow the approachdown and take more heel to toe steps. Keep the sweeper leg behind you to keep your balance. The key is slow heel to toe steps for me.

[JaraTo]

Forgot to two tell both you guys thanks alot. Things really came together last night. Ridiculous how much of a difference concentrating on the heel toe walk was as well. Prevented me from getting ahead of the ball as I normally walk on the balls of my feet which causes me to lean early. Thanks Guys

[JoshWithrow]

I'm glad Bubba's advice worked out for you! I'm a heel-to-toe walker anyway so I never even considered that it could have been your "step technique" ;)

[Dave34]

I'm also a big person (fat), and my coach has me doing the same things Bubba said in his post. As I used to always fall to the right after everyshot, So much so that I didn't even realize it was happening. He has me slowing my feet down and making sure my trail leg is behind and to the left. Getting a lot better release because of this.

[2KDriver]

Great Post JaraTo!! I am 6'3" @ 305 lbs and am always falling to the right...never considered it a prob, but now I am thinking...maybe?!? Glad you brought this subject up...gotta try checking that sweeper!!

[2KDriver]

And no it is not a dumb question. I am a big man and what I find is when I usually fall off to the right off balance my feet get fast causing this. I try and slow the approachdown and take more heel to toe steps. Keep the sweeper leg behind you to keep your balance. The key is slow heel to toe steps for me.

Good points Bubba...but how does this affect ball speed? I have been told that sometimes ball speed is affected by approch speed?!?

[Rowdy]

Good points Bubba...but how does this affect ball speed? I have been told that sometimes ball speed is affected by approch speed?!?

It can be. A higher backswing combined with being able to use the slide foot for leverage can actually get you MORE ballspeed. Since I'm not focusing on a long slide,I'm able to concentrate on my release from a higher backswing. I slowed down my approach speed,but picked up 5mph on my ballspeed. Plus I'm more accurate in hitting my mark on the lane. Go figure.

[BowlingRay]

I've been practicing the heel to toe step the past week and it has helped...I can see I need to practice it some more though yet.