Bowling is a simple but exciting sport that requires mild physical activity. If you are looking to learn more about this wonderful sport, the first thing to do is learn the rules.
As with any other sport, to perform well, you must know and adhere to all the rules. Otherwise, you will end up committing unnecessary fouls.
Whether you are new to bowling or want to increase your knowledge about bowling, we have gathered a list of the 10 most important bowling rules you should know.
Top 10 Rules of Bowling
Unlike other sports, such as basketball or football, bowling is much simpler and far less physically demanding. This means you don’t have to remember 100 different rules to play and enjoy a bowling game.
But, to know the basic and the most important rules of bowling is necessary for every bowler. Especially if you are a regular or want to play competitively. Sometimes, you can just impress your friends with your knowledge of the bowling rules!
1. 10 Frames in a Game
A bowling game is structured around 10 frames. This is true for every bowling game. In every frame, a bowler takes only 1 turn. A turn consists of 2 rolls.
Moreover, for the last frame, a bowler is allowed an additional roll based on the performance of his previous rolls.
If you score a strike on your 1st roll in the 10th frame, you will get a 2nd roll, and if you get a strike on your 2nd roll, you will be awarded a 3rd roll, not an easy task, but certainly a possible one!
2. Releasing the Ball from Behind the Foul Line
Always be careful of crossing the foul line when you release the bowling ball. You want to ensure that you release the ball from a point way behind the foul line.
The point at which you release the ball onto the lane can make all the difference to the scores.
Casually, this rule isn’t taken care of when you are playing just for fun with your friends or family. But, when playing by the rules, it is a violation if the ball is thrown over the foul line. In case this rule is violated, the pins you knocked down as a result of this fouled delivery are discounted. Although the ball still counts, the score isn’t added to your final total.
3. Stay Behind the Foul Line
During a bowling game, if a player crosses the foul line, it will be considered a foul, and the roll will be nullified.
The foul line is the red line. If you touch it during your turn, it is a foul, and you will lose your roll. In this case of a foul, the ball isn’t counted.
This rule is just like in some other sports. For instance, in soccer, the player must not cross the white line sprayed by the referee at the time of a free kick.
4. The Ball Must Not Come out of the Gutter
It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally, the ball might bounce back out of the gutter. Usually, most players will see this as a great break.
But to most people’s surprise, it is a foul, and, as a result, any knocked-over pins will not be counted, and any knocked-over pins are therefore discarded.
5. The Ball Cannot be Altered During the Game
Ever heard of ball tampering in cricket? Similarly, in bowling, you can’t change or tamper with the ball during a game.
This also means you can’t change the ball in the middle of a game. Although, you can always change it before or after the game.
This rule prevents cheating or manipulation by players to gain unfair advantages. Some players have a habit of polishing their ball before the game. This smoothes out one side of the ball while leaving the other side rough. Hence, helping them with additional spin on the ball. This, and all other alterations on the ball, should be done prior to or after the game.
In violation of this rule, the bowler can face immediate disqualification from the competition altogether.
6. The Maximum Score is 300
In any bowling match, the maximum score a bowler can reach is 300.
This is called a perfect bowling game. It is achieved if the bowler hits all the pins in the 1st nine frames as well as on all 3 rolls of the 10th frame. Sounds impossible, right? But, it can be done!
7. Two Balls Per Frame
Besides the last frame, the bowler is allowed to have only 2 rolls in every frame.
However, in case a player hits a strike in the 1st roll of frames (1-9), his turn is over. However, for the 10th frame, the rules are different.
In the 10th frame, even if a player hits a strike on the 1st roll, they will still get another roll. Hitting a strike in the 2nd roll will get them a 3rd roll. Therefore, to max out the score in bowling, you must hit 12 strikes in a single game!
8. Proper Attire is Important
Bowling shoes are one of the most important factors in determining your performance. In fact, some bowling alleys don’t allow you to play if you are not wearing the proper bowling shoes.
If you wear your casual jogging shoes to a bowling alley, you will end up ruining the lanes and risking slipping over. Most probably, you won’t even be allowed to play with those shoes.
In more competitive games, professional bowlers have different soles on both their feet, one sole provides the glide, and the other has higher friction and enables greater traction for the players. The slippery shoe is worn on the foot on the opposite side of your stronger hand. For example, a righty player will wear the gliding sole on the left foot.
9. Wait for the Bowler on your Right
Every sport has its unique ethics and etiquette.
The bowling etiquette is to let the player on your right go first.
For perspective, this rule only applies if you and the other bowler walk up the lane simultaneously. This builds an environment of harmony in the bowling alley.
For example, if you disregard this rule and 2 people bowl simultaneously, it can be distracting for both of them. Therefore, affects the result.
10. Always be Ready to Bowl
As a bowler, you must be on your toes all the time, waiting for your next turn. This ensures that games move smoothly.
Bowling is not a timed game. Unlike other sports like soccer, where you know that the game will be over in a certain period, bowling can theoretically go on forever!
Conclusion
Although there are not many rules in bowling, it is important to play by the ones who enjoy the game fully. Some of these rules must be followed by the book, while others are general etiquette.
But regardless of what the case is, you must at least know the most important rules so you don’t end up bothering other players with your lack of knowledge in the alley.