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  • RulesAbout Rules

    You may know that when you step over the foul line in bowling and deliver the ball down the lane, you have committed a foul and get zero for that shot. But did you know that if you cross the line but don’t let go of the ball, it’s not considered a foul?

    That and hundreds of other rules for the sport of bowling are the responsibility of the United States Bowling Congress.

    As the sport’s national governing body, the USBC maintains bowling's integrity by consistently interpreting and enforcing the playing rules for USBC league and tournament competition. By helping bowlers, association leaders, tournament managers, league officers and others understand the rules of the sport, USBC ensures for us that play is fair so we can enjoy it more. Those efforts also allow USBC leagues and tournaments to run more smoothly.

    While the USBC Playing Rules is perhaps the most visible and main overall responsibility of the USBC Rules Team, the group does more than that. The USBC Rules department provides online tools such as the League Operations Handbook and the new league and tournament sections that guide officials through the duties and responsibilities to keep USBC league and tournaments running more efficiently and in accordance with USBC Rules.

    Our expert counselors work behind-the-scenes for you, answering thousands of e-mails, other written requests and phone calls each year relating to rules interpretation and direction, rules infractions, different approved competition formats, eligibility requirements, tournament prize distribution, online tournament certification, specific rules for USBC Youth, High School and Collegiate bowling programs and eligibility questions.

    Remember that the USBC rules and regulations are here for you to enjoy the sport and know that it is being played fairly around the world.

    Read More
  • Officer Certification

    The USBC Officer Certification Program teaches current and future league officers his or her responsibilities for any office he or she holds or wishes to seek. In order to become a certified officer, a member must first go through the instructional course and then pass the exam. Officer training is currently available for league secretaries but will soon be available for league treasurers and presidents.

    Prior to taking an officer course, all members will have to take our Basic Bowling Course and pass the exam.
    A one-time $25 registration fee is required. Once paid, members will be able to take any course he or she desires.

    Basic Bowling Knowledge
    What are the parts of a lane? When should a provisional ball be used? How do you score the game of bowling? All of these questions and more will be answered once you go through our Basic Bowling Knowledge Course. This course is a prerequisite to any league officer course.
    Click here, to sign up.

    League Secretary
    Prerequisite: Basic Bowling Knowledge
    Are you a first time league secretary or a seasoned veteran looking to enhance your skills. Our League Secretary Training Course is what you are looking for.
    This course takes you through the responsibilities of the league secretary from the organizational meeting all the way through prize distribution.
    Click here, to sign up.

    League Treasurer
    Prerequisite: Basic Bowling Knowledge
    The league treasurer is an important office because he or she is responsible for the league's money. Find out what you can do to safeguard the funds and all the other responsibilities a league treasurer has.
    Click here, to sign up.

    League President - Coming August 2012
    Prerequisite: Basic Bowling Knowledge
    The league president is more than just a figurehead of the league. He or she has the responsibility to help safeguard the funds along with other important duties. This course will show you what those duties are and how to perform them.
    Click here, to sign up.

    Read More
  • RulesOnline Tournament Certification

    Certifying your USBC tournament has never been easier. Complete the certification process online and save time and paperwork. Certify your tournament when it’s convenient for you whenever you want on your computer, on your time.

    This time-saving new feature streamlines the tournament certification process and saves valuable time for tournament managers.

    USBC now requires all tournament managers to certify their events this way. Go green by using this paperless technology to expedite the certification process.

    The process initially takes about 20 minutes to complete and can be done at any time. Those who registered online last season and submitted all required reports can renew the same event online this season. Go to the tournament certification link under "Departments" on bowl.com. Log in under your user ID and password and click "renew." You can then review and update the center(s), tournament date(s) plus make any changes to the rules previously selected.

    Within 30 days of the tournament's completion the required financial report must be submitted online.

    If you need assistance using the new online tournament certification program, call (800) 514-BOWL, ext. 3155 or e-mail rules@bowl.com. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm CST.

    Let’s get started!

    You will need the following information before starting:

    • USBC account
    • A username and password
    • A copy of the tournament rules (you will only need to input those rules that are a requirement for USBC certification)
    • Tournament location(s) and date(s)

    Note: Youth scholarship tournaments must have a SMART account to complete the process. Contact SMART at (800) 514-BOWL (2695), ext. 8292 or via email to smart@bowl.com for more information.

    Getting certified

    Once you have your USBC account you are about 20 minutes away from printing your Tournament Certification Certificate. Enter all requested information and click “next" to save it. The Online Tournament Certification Program will archive all of your certification requests for your review at any time.

    Read More
  • RulesGuide to League Issues

    AUDITS

    The league president is required to appoint an Audit Committee and ensure the committee completes at least one audit during the season.

    The audit committee duties are to check the bank statements to receipts; check pay envelopes to ensure payments are current and match deposits and check to be sure that any withdrawals or checks have the two officer signatures.

    ABSENTEEISM

    • Absentee score is average less ten pins unless league rules state otherwise.
    • Handicap is figured on the absent bowlers average, unless league rules state otherwise.
    • Absentee score is used for the first session unless league rules state otherwise.
    • Contact bowlers absent for more than one week.
    • Teams cannot be forced to pay for an absent bowler.

    CENTER CLOSINGS

    • Click here for league options when a center closes.

    PRE or POST BOWLING

    • Scores bowled first can be seen unless the league rules or past precedence do not allow.
    • Substitutes can pre or post bowl.
    • No honor score recognition when bowling unopposed.
    • HELPFUL HINT - Announce to the league that requests for make-up games must be made prior to the scheduled match.
    • Emergency postponements are when a team cannot field a legal lineup for reasons beyond its control.

    PRIZE LISTS

    • Click here for a guide to adopting prize lists.

    SUBSTITUTES and NEW BOWLERS

    • Must complete a league membership application card.
    • Memberships received after the league certification application is filed must be sent to the local association within 30 days of receipt.
    • Can bowl at anytime unless the league rules state otherwise.
    • Count toward the legal lineup requirement, unless league rules state otherwise.
    • CAP leagues - when using a substitute or new bowler the combination of all entering averages including the substitute or new bowler must be less than or equal to the cap.

    PROTESTS

    • Click here for a guide to handling protests.

    PLAYOFF FACTOIDS

    • Total pins cannot break a tie.
    • A playoff is held using the same format employed in regular league play; same number of games and same point system, unless the league adopts another procedure.
    • Playoffs must be at least one frame, scored like a tenth frame.
    • Co-Champions may be named by league rule.
    • Current averages are used for handicapping purposes.
    • USBC awards are recognized, unless bowling unopposed.
    • Teams may have to pay lineage.
    • Teams cannot split the money and forego competition.
    • Playoffs can be used to break a tie for positions other than first.
    • Substitutes can bowl, unless league rules prohibit.
    • Teams can be granted a pre or post bowl when a legal lineup cannot be fielded for good reason.

    WITHDRAWAL FACTOIDS

    • Verbal notice fulfills the notice requirement.
    • Two weeks are based on the calendar, not league sessions.
    • A member who withdraws properly with good reason is entitled to a prorated share of team prize money based on the number of weeks paid.
    • The league board determines good cause for withdrawal.
    • A league can file a complaint for up to six sessions of unpaid league fees.
    • A bowler must be notified of a meeting to file charges for failing to pay league fees. Click here for a sample letter.
    Read More
  • RulesContact Us

    We are confident the expanded on-line version of the rule book will make finding the rules that you are looking for easier. However, if after searching you still need a question answered, the USBC Rules team is here to help you. We can be reached between the hours of 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. CST Monday through Friday at (800) 514-BOWL ext. 3155 or by e-mail at rules@bowl.com.

 
 
RULES
  • USBC Playing Rules

    Whenever you and your friends play a game, someone usually asks up front, “Does everyone know the rules?" For each game or sport we play or watch, rules are essential. All participants must agree to play by the “rules of the game" which makes it fair and gives everyone a chance to win.

    In the sport of bowling, the USBC Playing Rules represent the framework for all USBC-certified league and tournament competition. They make the sport of bowling fair for all players, no matter what their skill levels.

    To assist in answering your questions USBC has provided versions of the USBC Playing Rules for viewing on your Kindle, iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, personal computer, or online.

  • RulesLegislation

    USBC members may submit written amendment proposals to USBC general playing rules, adult league and tournament rules and bylaws to USBC by September 1 for action by the delegates at the following USBC Annual Meeting.

    The USBC board of directors amends the USBC award and youth league and tournament rules, which may be submitted at any time.

    View Legislative Results, Resolutions, and Proposed Amendments

  • USBC Championships

    USBC tournaments are certified using the online tournament certification program and follow USBC playing rules. Each USBC tournament has its own set of rules that each entrant should become familiar with.

    Click on the tournament of interest for a current copy of the tournament rules.

  • Sport Bowling

    The USBC Sport Program operates its competitions under general USBC playing rules. However, there are additional USBC Sport bowling rules that must also be complied with.

    Click here for USBC Sport Bowling Rules.

  • High School

    The USBC High School program operates its competitions under general USBC playing rules. However, some specific rules adapted from the USBC Playing Rules book apply only to high school bowling events.

    Click here to see the HS rules book.

  • Collegiate

    The USBC Collegiate program runs its competitions under general USBC playing rules. However, some specific rules adapted from the USBC Playing Rules book apply to collegiate bowling events.

    Click here to view Collegiate rules.

 
 
 
 
LEAGUE RESOURCES
 
 
TOURNAMENTS
 
 
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
  • Associations

    The United States Bowling Congress has a national network of about 35,000 USBC volunteers who manage more than 3,100 USBC local and state associations across the country. Click here to learn more about associations.

    The links below assist the volunteers in operations.

    Association Forms and Manuals

    Association Tournament Resources

    Association Suspension and Reinstatement Resources

  • Equipment Specifications

    Ever wonder how long or wide the lane is? The Equipment Specifications and Certification Manual not only addresses lanes but all bowling equipment that may be used in USBC competition.

    Click here to review the manual.

  • Youth Eligibility

    Most general USBC playing rules apply to our USBC Youth members. However, some rules apply only to Youth bowlers, such as eligibility requirements.

    We've made that easy for you by providing essential information on BOWL.com, your one-stop rules resource.

    Click here to learn more.

  • RulesLegislation

    USBC members may submit written amendment proposals to USBC general playing rules, adult league and tournament rules and bylaws to USBC by September 1 for action by the delegates at the following USBC Annual Meeting.

    The USBC board of directors amends the USBC award and youth league and tournament rules, which may be submitted at any time.

    View Legislative Results, Resolutions, and Proposed Amendments