proper stroker technique

Question
Susie,
I am wondering about proper stroker technique and the "modern" game.
I remember watching a video where Norm Duke said to "square" the shoulders at the line. He also would lead with his right foot out in front a bit of the left, and the right hand(ball hand) out in front a bit at the beginning stance. This was when he was playing the twig, or outside.

Most books and websites say you keep your shoulders square when playing this style. Is this still the case in your experience?
There is so much information out there that it gets a bit mind boggling.

If i want to play a stroker style approach. Would i keep my shoulders square, and still drop the right(I am right handed) bowling shoulder a bit, but keep it square to the target.

I know when you are more of a power player, which is what I morphed into for a while, I would keep my shoulder open and come through at the line.

I want to go back to my stroker style game as it was much more effective and accurate for me, and quite honestly I prefer that game over a cranker or tweener style.

Also, is it best to maintain the same approach by simple , short, long, short long step process in the 4 step approach for this style?

Answer
Hi, Michael!

In my opinion, body alignment is the biggest secret in bowling. If you are not lined up properly, it doesn't much matter how well you get to the line. If you are, you can get away with stuff at the line. Always good to be forgiven...

You are right to think about being square but it's square to your intended ball path, not square to the foul line. If you intend to play a shot that goes the same direction as the boards, you would be square to the line but that's just an accident of the shape of the shot you're playing. If you are playing right-to-left, you're going to be square to that path. In other words, that right-to-left requires you to have your hips and shoulders closed a tiny bit just as a left-to-right shot would require you to be a bit open.

The 'stroker' style of timing is one that will last you a long time. Don't make it complicated. Whether you take four steps or five, it's just taking the ball for a walk. Keep your shoulders and hips square to the ball path, not the lane, and you'll be fine.

Susie