Rules

Experience fair, competitive play with USBC standardized rules and regulations.

Click on the rule book for the Complete 2010-2011 & 2011-2012 Rule Book

The Complete Rule Book by Chapter

Chapter 1: Introduction

Chapter 2: General Playing Rules

Chapter 3: Awards

Chapter 4: League Rules

Chapter 5: Sport Bowling

Chapter 6: Tournament Rules

Chapter 7: Equipment Specifications and Certifications

Chapter 8: Bonding, Burglary and Holdup Insurance

Index

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.

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 48 hours prior to the scheduled match.
Emergency postponements are when a team cannot field a legal lineup for reasons beyond its control after the 48-hour window has expired.

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.

Guide to League Issues AUDITS

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 guidebooks such as the League Operations Handbook that help leagues keep track of their finances and run their leagues more efficiently, and the Tournament Manager’s Manual that gives tournament officials checklists, applicable rules, forms and letters that help them run their events.

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.

About Rules