Foul Line Meaning in Bowling

The foul line is the visible boundary that separates the approach area from the oiled lane. Crossing this mark during a throw results in a score of zero for that specific turn. It exists to keep the game fair and protect players from the slippery oil on the lane. New bowlers often step over the line because they do not time their footwork correctly. For example, the buzzer sounded because his toe touched the foul line during the release. The foul line marks the legal limit for where a bowler must release the ball.