Bowling has a lot of intricate rules. I remember when I was first learning to play, some new rule would always trip me up. It was frustrating.
However, I came to realize that knowing the basics and understanding the game will make me a better and more confident player.
That is why I wrote this guide, to talk about what constitutes a foul in bowling – a crucial element every bowler must know. After reading this guide, you’ll know all about fouls in bowling and what happens when you commit one.
You’ll also learn all the different types of fouls there are and how to score if you throw a foul ball on your first delivery. So, let’s get started.
What Constitutes a Foul in Bowling?
You get a foul if you cross the foul line or step on it during delivery. It is also a foul if any part of your body touches the lane, equipment, or anywhere else.
Fouls in bowling can be pretty tedious, especially since there are so many ways to commit them. There are many ways to make a mistake. When you commit a foul, your throw still counts, though. However, any pin you drop will not count.
What Is a Foul in Bowling?
The USBC Playing Rules clearly outline all the important rules you need to know when bowling. Like in many sports, there are fouls in bowling. A foul is what happens when a player doesn’t follow the rules.
All players (at least the serious ones) hold the rules in high regard. This is why if a player commits a foul, they get no points, or there’s some kind of penalty.
You might commit a foul if you’re a beginner – that’s fine. Although, that doesn’t mean you will be given points for that throw. An experienced player committing a foul means one of two things – either it was a mistake, or they completely disregarded the rules.
A foul will either result in a penalty or zero points awarded. Therefore, you need to be careful. Understand all the rules of the game and practice.
Types of Bowling Fouls
One of the reasons why fouls in bowling are a bit confusing is that there are many of them. Here are the major types of fouls that may occur.
1. A Deliberate Foul
Deliberate fouls are fouls that a player commits intentionally to gain an unfair advantage. A simple example is knowingly crossing the foul line during delivery.
These fouls are serious. The judge will give you a zero for that frame if you are caught deliberately causing a foul throw. By the way, a frame in bowling in a turn. Moreover, you can’t attempt any more deliveries in that frame.
2. A Detected Foul
Bowling centers or tournaments have special foul-detecting machines. They catch common fouls like stepping on or crossing over the foul line. When the machine detects a player has (unintentionally) crossed over the foul line, it’ll call a foul.
In some cases, a human judge will be in charge of calling out detected fouls. Sometimes, this job is assigned to the opposing team’s captain – especially in league matches.
3. A Disputed Foul
Occasionally, the bowler might disagree on a foul call. When that happens, it’s called a disputed foul. Players can dispute a foul call even if they aren’t the ones delivering. Calling a foul and disputing it isn’t taken lightly. The player will still play their turn.
However, they’re given a provisional ball only if someone calls the foul when the first ball of their turn is being played. A provisional delivery is not given if the foul was called during a spare.
4. Gutterball
Throwing the ball into the gutter because of a wrong delivery is also a foul. You could argue this is one of the most embarrassing types of fouls. However, don’t sweat it too much.
A gutterball can happen to anyone. It happened to me a couple of times. Maybe you misaligned your delivery or just slipped. That’s why bumper bowling is a thing for beginners and kids.
Regardless, a foul is a foul. You don’t get any points for that. If the ball somehow drops some pins, you still don’t get any points because the pins dropped illegally.
Crossing the Foul Line
The bowling lane will have a clearly drawn line that separates the approach from the lane. You need to release the ball from behind the foul line. If any part of your body is on the foul line or crosses it, it’s a foul.
This is one of the easiest fouls to detect. You should always ask permission to cross the foul line if you drop anything over it, like a piece of jewelry or a pen. That wouldn’t constitute a foul.
In addition, be careful when you need to cross the foul line. The alley past the line is very slippery, so the ball can roll smoothly.
What Is the Legal Way of Bowling?
Bowling has a lot of rules. To make your delivery count, you’ll need to throw the ball the legal way. Here are the rules you need to keep in mind for the perfect delivery:
Step 1: Perfect Your Grip
How you grip the bowling ball is very important. Without the correct grip, you’ll have a bad throw. Moreover, you won’t be comfortable during the delivery either.
It’s okay if the ball feels heavy – it is. But it should feel comfortable enough to throw. You should also use the holes in the ball to guide you and help you find the perfect angle.
Step 2: Keep your Body Loose and Behind the Foul Line
Your body should be loose, but stretch your arms out. You should also be mindful of the foul line. Your approach is crucial, too. Use the 4-step approach method for the perfect throw.
Step 3: Imagine a Delivery Path
Throwing the ball into the gutter is an automatic foul. An excellent way to avoid this is to imagine a line you will throw the ball into – it eventually improves with lots of practice. Then, release the bowl right when it’s near your ankle.
Remember that you can only commit a foul when your delivery is legal. For example, a foul cannot be called if you cross the foul line but don’t release the ball.
You can use this to your advantage. Don’t release the ball if you have a snap moment of thought and feel like you did something wrong.
How to Score a Foul?
As I mentioned before, there are a couple of ways to score a foul. You might be able to salvage some points even if you foul on your very first delivery.
Committing a foul on your first throw allows you to throw again. Your first delivery will still count, though. However, any pins you drop will not be counted.
After you commit a foul on your first delivery, the pins will reset. You can throw it a second time. If you drop all the pins on your second delivery after a foul, it counts as a spare. However, the turn is considered an error if you drop fewer than ten pins.
A single game of bowling has ten frames, so you’ll have ten turns. You will have another turn to play if you commit a foul on your tenth frame.
If you drop all ten pins on your turn following your tenth turn, it’ll count as a spare. However, if that throw is a foul, you will not get any more chances.
Additionally, if you get a spare on your second throw, you can throw another ball (a third chance). If you foul at that point, only the previous two throws count.
What Is a Dead Ball?
In bowling, there’s a concept called a dead ball. You’ll have another chance to throw if there’s a dead ball. Therefore, your frame doesn’t count. A dead ball can happen for the following reasons:
- If someone interferes with the throw
- If you hit an object with the ball when throwing
- If the pins aren’t set up properly
- If the player bowls in the wrong lane
- If pins are missing
Conclusion
The rules of the game of bowling are what make it fair and competitive. This is why you should always respect and learn the rules. Now that you know what constitutes a foul in bowling, you can avoid them when playing your own game.