The Approach

The approach consists of five elements, namely:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Number of steps taken;

The length of each step;
Knee bend;
Power step and
the Slide.

1. The number of steps taken

What is the ideal number of steps to be taken in a good approach? There is no such
number. Some players have reached phenomenal success with 4 or 5 steps; there are
some who feel comfortable taking 6 or 7 steps, and there are yet a few more who perform
best in a three step approach. The best approach for you would be the one which keeps
you most comfortable, and concludes with a perfect release.
3-step approach
The push away in the 3-step approach starts off just before the first step. Right handers
start with the left foot forward first. This step approach relies a lot on the swing of the
ball, for force of release, as the momentum provided here is less than that of a 4 or 5 step
approach.
As the ball is on push away before the first step there is not much coordination between
the foot work and limb movement, throughout the 3 steps. There are also chances of a
hasty release and an ill-timed swing.
4-step approach
The four step rhythm, as explained earlier is quite the ideal approach, both for beginners
and seasoned players. The steps are so coordinated, that the footwork and armswing go
in tandem, as if, powered by a piston. The cadence of approach and the natural reflexes
of the player combine to see that no extra muscle is strained, and no untoward movement
is made.
5-step approach
This is almost identical to the 4-step pattern, with only one important difference. After
the first step, you pause before continuing with the next 4 steps. The pushaway begins
only after the foot of the first step is firmly planted on the ground. The pause will help
- 36 2004, HowToBowlStrikes.com