<P> The 41.5 - inch - wide ( 105 cm ) , 60 - foot - long ( 18 m ) lane is bordered along its length by semicylindrical channels called `` gutters '' , which are designed to collect errant balls . The overall width of the lane including the channels is 60 ⁄ inches ( 153 cm ) . The narrow lane prevents bowling a straight line at the angle required to consistently carry ( knock down ) all ten pins for a strike . Most skillful bowlers will roll a side spinning ( hook shape reaction ) ball to overcome this . A foul line is marked at the seam of the start of the lane and end of the approach . If any part of a bowler 's body touches the line itself or beyond ( anywhere on the actual lane surface or any adjoining areas including walls and other lanes ) after the ball is delivered , the bowl is a foul and any pins knocked over by that delivery are scored as zero ( 0 ) . The bowler is allowed one shot at a new rack of ten pins if s / he fouled on the first roll of a frame , and if all ten pins are knocked down on this shot , it is scored as a spare . Behind the foul line is an `` approach '' approximately 15 feet ( 5 m ) long used to gain speed and leverage on the ball before delivering it . 60 feet ( 18 m ) from the foul line , where the lane terminates , it is joined to a roughly 36 - inch ( 91 cm ) deep by 41.5 - inch ( 105 cm ) wide surface of durable and impact - resistant material called the `` pin deck '' , upon which each rack of pins is set . </P>
<P> The 41.5 - inch - wide ( 105 cm ) , 60 - foot - long ( 18 m ) lane is bordered along its length by semicylindrical channels called `` gutters '' , which are designed to collect errant balls . The overall width of the lane including the channels is 60 ⁄ inches ( 153 cm ) . The narrow lane prevents bowling a straight line at the angle required to consistently carry ( knock down ) all ten pins for a strike . Most skillful bowlers will roll a side spinning ( hook shape reaction ) ball to overcome this . A foul line is marked at the seam of the start of the lane and end of the approach . If any part of a bowler 's body touches the line itself or beyond ( anywhere on the actual lane surface or any adjoining areas including walls and other lanes ) after the ball is delivered , the bowl is a foul and any pins knocked over by that delivery are scored as zero ( 0 ) . The bowler is allowed one shot at a new rack of ten pins if s / he fouled on the first roll of a frame , and if all ten pins are knocked down on this shot , it is scored as a spare . Behind the foul line is an `` approach '' approximately 15 feet ( 5 m ) long used to gain speed and leverage on the ball before delivering it . 60 feet ( 18 m ) from the foul line , where the lane terminates , it is joined to a roughly 36 - inch ( 91 cm ) deep by 41.5 - inch ( 105 cm ) wide surface of durable and impact - resistant material called the `` pin deck '' , upon which each rack of pins is set . </P>
what happens when you cross the line in bowling
what happens when you cross the line in bowling
after the ball is delivered , the bowl is a foul and any pins knocked over by that delivery are scored as zero ( 0 )
after the ball is delivered , the bowl is a foul and any pins knocked over by that delivery are scored as zero ( 0 )