Pin Pointers - The Bowling Approach and Timing - Four and Five Step

This video is an instructional video on the proper technique and timing of the four and five step approach in Ten-Pin Bowling.
Within the video each step is examined and broken down to explain what is happening and the proper technique involved throughout.
Feel free to use this as a visual aid for your own game, or for any students you coach in the game. The goal of this video is to teach and inform, so please feel free to share as you see fit!
Thank you for watching and stay tuned for a lot of great coaching episodes coming in this featured playlist, Pin Pointers!

[@wahsld]

Following this video's instructions I completely overhauled my 4-step approach. I repeatedly did drills with a 5 lb practice ball at home until I could complete all the steps without thinking about them. Yesterday tried it out at the lanes and wow! My speed increased by 3.6 mph and my revolution increased by 250 revs. The accuracy was great and the strikes came one after another. This is by far is the best instructional video I've watched. I'm going to have my granddaughter (state level bowler) use it to improve her swing. I've been guilty of telling her she's dropped her shoulder when it's been a timing issue and she's pushing to the right. Thanks again for your fantastic video!

[@T.R.223]

Thank you so much for the slow description I was able to immediately the errors in my set up and timing please post more like this.

[@Mmyers1177]

Great explanation on proper technique with 4 step approach NICE JOB EXPLAINING

[@revolvern]

This must be one of the best instructional videos on youtube, not only showing how but he's also explaining why!

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

+Magnus Nilsson Thank you!

[@rickkrieger4455]

Best explanation of the approach that I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Rick Krieger Glad to hear it! Hope it helps.

[@rebekahkaris2753]

Rick Krieger Carmen

[@davidsoto1472]

@@sk8sbowlingreviews Helped me figure out balance on initial setup athletic position :-)

[@tomk1tl]

Thank you for posting this video.....I have been "criticized" by many about my "crossover step" and slightly "dropped shoulder". I tried explaining this to them and they couldn't understand it and said I was doing it wrong...I will show this to them. My game has improved considerably from doing this over the past year. I'm 72 and it is not easy for someone my age to improve at a fast clip ! Again thanks for the "great video"...

[@charliesmith9528]

I just returned to bowlng after being out 6 years,,i am now 65 and can hardly break 100,,i usually shoot 180s-210 in league,,i have found that my issue is because of my back issuei am going to have leran a different way to bowl,,,i am pulling most shots,,im thinking my feet are too fast and im not sliding and opening up enough to allow ball pass knee and ankle

[@donaldwilliams1437]

outstanding instruction, clearly explains the why, not just the how. Excellent production and narrative.

[@john6422]

Great video! As a beginner, it helps to see the breakdown of every step. Thank you!

[@keeganjacobs5913]

yup amazing video !! This is what i was looking for, timing and step by step . thank you

[@keeganjacobs5913]

Can you show front view as well? Just want to see where the ball is lined up with your movement

[@wahsld]

Best instructional video teaching the 4-step approach. It goes into great detail on each step and with repetition and multiple angles. Excellent bowling form! I'm using this video to teach my grandchildren the crossover step to improve their game. I can't wait to hit the lane to implement some changes to my approach too!

[@gregoryvoncool]

Very good teacher, thank you so much I see the error of my ways, stand straight and don't get in front of yourself.

[@hankgolfer1]

Superb video. The best I have seen with incredible detailed description of with 4 step approach and all important crossover steps. Great side and back views. Highly descriptive. Great job. Thank you so much for this excellent video.

[@CMP-tr2ws]

I've just started bowling and this is the best explanation of how to do a proper approach that I have seen yet. Thank you.

[@mrmyjam1]

You are a great instructor. Your step by step videos are top notch, and very easy to understand. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Appreciate the kind words!

[@andrewhurdman7065]

The best instructional video out there - nice job and thanks

[@lucassmith2328]

If you want to learn how to bowl like a pro then visit this website here: HootBowl.xyz

[@looseleftie]

Fantastic vid, just gone back from 2 handed to one handed (after 7 yrs), and it's like starting all over again.. I was currently very much old school technique, now thanks to u sk8 (remember u from Bowling community) u have got me going very much forwards big time!!!! Sincerely appreciated

[@hyacinthperrault-lg3015]

Excellent Video! Best I have seen yet! Your explanation throughout is very much appreciated! Thank you so much!

[@ajpeanutx]

A lot of this I already knew from study and practice. But its nice to see someone post it and share. Thanks ill definitely be back for reference.

[@BOWLINGPHREEK]

One of the best help videos I have seen, and believe me I needed it, Thank You

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

James Jake Thank you for the kind words.

[@kevintatum9815]

Awesome breakdown of each step. You showed both the rear and side view of each step which for me makes the instruction so much more valuable. I am a fan of your work, please keep them coming.

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Thank you very much, I plan to get a lot more training videos out this year!

[@ClintWilber]

Excellent video. Very well spoken. I appreciate how the video was laid out replaying the full motion for each step the instructor was talking about. Great way to ingrain each step of instruction.

[@Procraseighter]

This was done very well and thoroughly explained the approach to the foul line. The only thing I would've added would have been mentioning the importance of the knee bend at the slide to release the ball as low as possible.

[@imrdmw]

As a Bronze Coach myself this video is as good as any out there precise and very well explained. Great Job performing and posting this quality video should help many seeking help on the tube channel for there personal bowling and of teaching the game. I will be using it as a reference to many I teach. Thank You

[@hemarunsom01]

Omg this video was so helpful in correcting my 5 step approach. thank you for this frame by frame explanation.

[@Makookla]

I've been trying to look for videos like this for a while. I've been a four-step since I first started, but my "coach" is both a five-step and a lefty, so his tips were limited at best. This video was so helpful, so thank you! And if I had a dollar for every time I've heard "Your shoulder dipped!"...

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

+Makookla I am glad it helped!

[@barbaraparker736]

What a wonderful video.

[@eladiofloresc5462]

Outstanding Job!!! Excellent contribution to the students of the game...Thank you very much!!!

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@andrewoods9550]

My absolute favorite video!!!

[@TheCrawfordFive]

Terrific tutorial. Now if only I could do it!

[@richardtester2859]

Excellent presentation. My game has been in a slump recently, and this was the shot in the arm I needed.

[@HippieP629]

One of the best vids I've seen in a while. Excellent. Thank you very much!

[@supernpr]

Great video. You continue to be one of the best on KZbin. Your reviews are by far so helpful, because you actually explain what each ball does, instead of some other "reviewers" that just show crankers throw the ball to heavy metal music. (Not that I don't like heavy metal, but it does nothing for me as far as bowling ball reviews.) I hope you continue to put out more of these videos. Good luck the rest of the way!

[@jamesrobinson7171]

Great instructional video thank you!!

[@tomhouston9329]

great lesson,you have really put it together,after watching your video,i am in the process of changing my approach to your lesson.you have made clear some of my flaws.i will continue studying your lesson and will apply your lesson.i know from studying this a few times that you will improve my skill level.thank you

[@bryndenwhitten9082]

Extremely helpful already been changing up my approach and it’s helping

[@richardsymms404]

Thank you so much! A nice clear teaching video and I think I can improve my stance, tilt and forward lean from seeing this video.

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

I hope it helped, if you have any other ideas for training videos feel free to let me know!

[@richardsymms404]

Well I would assume many would be interested in some video on releases. I also like the videos on adjustments because that is one are I have problems with.

[@stangtrax]

I been searching and watching KZbin for almost a year trying to learn and just now found this video. Great video and I have such a hard time doing this gracefully. I am not flexible not a small guy lol. I'm watching to see wear your feet are at the start compared to your arrow target. I lean over to much right and my swing is 10-15 boards right of my left foot. I see it should be like 5 boards.

[@Caddiator]

Where’ve you (this great video) been hiding all my (bowling) life 😱 Helped me (senior bowler) a great deal! Thank You Michael for your time and effort to make these vids available to bowlers like myself who can not afford bowling coach (leave alone attending Kegel or IRTC). I must add that I have visited both facilities and only wish that I could get some le$$on$ Thanks again.

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Thu-Lan Caddiator No problem!

[@gregsgot4]

Thu-Lan Caddiator zZounds

[@dalefeekes313]

Very good instructional for beginning bowlers.

[@mikeoverdrive7543]

this is the way to do bowling lesson..excellent!

[@geog1388]

Thank you sooooo much, this video really has helped my game!

[@CineplexPlayhouse]

Great tips! Thanks! It is the little things.

[@briantelfer1091]

Excellent video. It has me thinking about whether or not I'm getting my ball up high enough in my backswing. Something I can work on.

[@bowl12strikes]

Great Video. Multiple angles and clear explanations makes for a well received presentation. I'm 6'4" and my 2nd step (of 5 step) starts quick but slows which gets my timing 'off'. Looking for a way to get my 2nd step more consistent...

[@johnparker1708]

Hi sk8 ,I've enjoyed your videos. I live in England and i play a game that's popular regionally called "Skittles".Don't know if you've ever heard of it.I am not a Ten Pin Bowler but I play for a couple of top Skittles teams.The sport is amateur and we play ten men in each team. In my opinion Ten Pin Bowling is the closest thing to it.Main differences are there are nine pins, not ten and the wooden balls are smaller 4.5 to 5 inches with no holes in them. We play on alleys that are usually around 13 metres long but have no arrow markings.The foul line is only 8 feet in front of the bowler. I doubt if you will find any videos of skittles on internet.Most of the principles of Ten Pin Bowling, I think apply to Skittles.There are Spares,same as Bowling but we bowl the ball straight with no hook on every shot. Just wondered if you had heard of it??

[@headzoeable]

very informative, easy approach will try

[@billylusk3515]

Great video, ive always struggled with timing, i cant even force myself to take a crossover step

[@WildGrandma]

Great video! Thank you.

[@Askvonne]

Thank you!! Awesome training info.

[@freddierodriguez3913]

Henry👤💐👙💍🚗💋💄

[@sirwilhelm2648]

Thank you man! Better than my coach!

[@conniecodger4654]

Well done, nicely produced. Im a senior bowler in Canada in mens league - average about 180. Only using 2 balls, Mutant Cell Pearl and plastic for spares so cant do all the ball changes recommended at this time, rely on moving position etc. Your video illustrates the next steps for me, although i agree it is really hard to learn to read the ball reaction changes. Keep up the god work, much appreciated!!

[@Ftybr57]

Excellent!

[@TheHSIHP]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@manulealao9343]

This is a great well thought out video, thank you this helps so much!

[@kvdgadj]

To many think to remember when you walk down, but nice video?

[@kyletuttle6179]

Great video!

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@michaelsaad684]

Super: Thank You So much.

[@conniecodger4654]

I think i posted my response to the lane play video to the Approach and Timimg video in error. Sorry for any confusion - the Approach video was excellent and i intend to change a few things on my approach as a result. Thank you.

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

I'm glad it helped, bowl well!

[@robertsneed3]

Outstanding!!!

[@jayboek2854]

great video. If only I can do this. Can you make a video on how to properly release a hooking bowling ball? I try doing it like throwing underhand spiral....yet Ive heard this isnt the right or new way to do it.

[@davidkeith3161]

Helped me a lot

[@iconz116]

This is gold sk8. Thanks

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

+Giovanni Mosquera Thank you!

[@johnnierobles2304]

KTC Does teach the five step approach very differently is this a more advanced five step approach

[@JasonYapp]

Is it just a matter of preference if you do a 4 step or a 5 step. Or, are there certain situations where you may want to do a 4 step or a 5 step?

[@jeffblanke3162]

GREAT VID!! great instruction..love the break down...would love to use this with my high school girls team, do you mind?

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Jeff Blanke Absolutely, that is what it is here for!Feel free to share it with anyone you see fit!

[@kerrysiler6625]

does anyone know who made this excellent video

[@Anduril198]

Great vid man very helpful :)

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Thank you very much and glad it helped! Stay tuned for more upcoming coaching videos in "Pin Pointers"

[@reynegroblackking8912]

So does it matter which foot moves first? I'm right-handed so do I move my right foot first instead of my left?

[@jonaha.1301]

A very helpful video:)

[@johnnierobles2304]

Dropping the shoulder is accomplished how ? The ball ankle ratios is incredibly good. I just can’t get there and not sure why

[@Rockness724]

Very nice!!!

[@barkanellichasingdreams4142]

In the starte you stand on your heels and you roll forward changing your balance om your feet. Its your preference. 😊 I do like your game. How is your flatspot?

[@barkanellichasingdreams4142]

You turn your right shoulder back to early and the release from the inside gets to the outside. Your close to a Even stronger release! 😊

[@RainaCK_NOLA]

Great video...love how you broke down each step. I'm always telling newer bowlers timing is everything in bowling...2nd only to whatever's going on in your head of course :-) You may or may not be able to answer this, but I'm female so obviously we're built differently...would you recommend anything different in starting position since you don't really have hips to contend with? Or, do you know it there's a video tutorial similar to this featuring a female bowler? I'm going watch your Language of the Pins video now...Thoroughly enjoyed this video and I'll be recommending it....Great Job

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Raina Casbon-Kelts As a female you will probably start with more lateral (left to right) spine tilt to clear that hip out of the way.Keep in mind that the lateral spine tilt is not just created by your upper body leaning to one side because that pushes your center of gravity outside of your feet. Instead it is a combination of your ball side shoulder getting lower and your ball side hip pushing away from the ball side (right hander would push the right hip left).Hope that helps!

[@RainaCK_NOLA]

It does, thank you.

[@iamgazoo]

What are you aiming at?

[@exitar1]

Well Done!

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Brian Sulzbach Thank you very much!

[@RadhadaniteBabylonian]

I'm left footed but right handed so I think the five step approach would work best for me. Would feel much less awkward.

[@Charmander009]

Does this work for backyard grass bowlers

[@iconz116]

Sk8, this brings things into great perspective for me. I'm trying to get my timing where the ball is at the top of the backswing as the power step compresses, but I'm having great trouble with it. I have the ball beginning to descend as my power step compresses. I already tried elongating the push away on the second step (5 step approach) and it helped a little bit, but I still can't get it down. Do you think I need to delay the push away until the second step compresses?

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

+Giovanni Mosquera I would try to delay your push away until your heel touches the ground (in step two) and see if that doesn't do the trick! Let me know if that helps!

[@splintercelloo7]

Thank you

[@fromthtips]

Great instructional ......btw......What did you use to record this video..??

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Rick Bumgarner I used a Canon t2i DSLR camera.

[@williamrandall3786]

This step method of pulling in front both right steps has caused about 3 - 4 boards of drift..Should that be considered normal and OK??

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

As long as the "drift" is in line with your targeted swing plane it should be fine. Everything should stay on plane as best as possible, so if it seems you are drifting and your swing plane changes as you walk then adjustments need to be made.

[@videofan8090]

Hallo, ich finde dieses Video sehr lehrreich und hätte dazu noch ein paar Fragen. Kann ich diese auch in deutsch stellen ?

[@PsychobillyVW]

Parker Bohn III style approach

[@poindext003]

Great Video. I was wondering what kind of ball you're throwing here it kinda looks like an Ebonite Gambreaker 2 the same one I have I just bought and am trying to figure out my mechanics some. Can you also please elborate on where the seam line on your shirt is?

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

+Jeff P The ball is the Storm Crux. The seam line on your shirt is the seam that connects the chest panel of your shirt to the sleeve panel. You will notice the two have a stitched seam there, that is where the ball should be aligned. Thanks for watching!

[@poindext003]

+sk8sbowlingreviews This Video really has helped me a lot. Im lining up a little in front of where you are. Im about 5'10 so I might be a little shorter than you are. My follow through seems to be the area of my game that needs to be improved. I gotta get away from throwing the ball and more a follow through and roll to get tight into the pocket. Do you have any tips for right handed bowlers that feel they arent getting low enough to their left shin at the end?

[@makaixsurber7955]

Bvx

[@rice4lyfex365]

Jeff P

[@kohjiwada4940]

So one major tip, your arm goes in a straight balance. Your arm stretches out in a 90 degree angle from back to front

[@ohniechannel9268]

Right approach yes but the best timing is high back swing to make the pin crawl with high speed

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Ronilo Rosero, a high back swing is not needed to compete, even at the highest levels in bowling.

[@brrrrr_1]

Awesome awesome video

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

Thank you very much!

[@ohniechannel9268]

Yeah for me every bowlers has their own style to make strike the only things that could been the similar is is how to approach

[@juliawhite7730]

Very nice detailed instruction. The interruption of the adds was annoying.

[@connor171000]

What about Two Handers? Anything on that?

[@sk8sbowlingreviews]

+connor171000 That is a great idea. I am not a great two-handed bowler but I have a couple students I could use as examples, let me work out a time to film and I will see if I can't get something put together!

[@steves7944]

Cornhole Baby!

[@jackeper543]

River lanes is a nice place to bowl tbh

[@ahmadalali5103]

We hope to see it in slow motions

[@ohniechannel9268]

Tips back swing is more important too

[@kohjiwada4940]

So basically, everything is evened out. If I could summarize this in one tip, make it look smooth.

[@joeegas5718]

I have clicked your subscribe button and nothing happens. Am I doing something wrong.😫

[@reverendbluejeans1748]

I call lowing the shoulder, bent-snake.

[@Monk-Amani.]

Par Bowling in sixteen minutes and fifty eight seconds.

[@quickplaya]

Someone should tell BELMO he is doing it WRONG

[@esteranglesiobzhzhdhdhdhdh9870]

20 Mag 2023