| Game Basics MassBowling is played on a basketball court. The number of players needed to play the game ranges from 18 to 60. For smaller groups, try the MassBowling Half-Court Game. The number of balls used (14 to 30) may vary depending on the number of players. MassBowling is played by two teams separated by the centerline. A bowling pin is placed six or seven feet away from the midpoint of each line. All players must stand on or behind the end lines and sidelines that mark the boundaries of their side of the court. The object of the game is to knock down the other teams pin (offense) with a ball and to prevent the other team from knocking down their pin (defense). The ball must be rolled subject to the following rules. The Players Each team shall designate one or two players to be a "ball retriever". The ball retrievers are responsible for retrieving balls located on the playing court and to reset the pin after it is knocked down. The ball retrievers must NOT: 1. direct a ball towards the opponents pin. 2. deflect or interfere with any ball rolling toward his/her own pin. 3. touch the floor beyond the endline, sidelines and centerline with any part of his/her body. 4. delay in resetting the pin. 5. use his/her feet to retrieve the ball. 6. enter the pin area, except to reset the pin. The pin area is defined as the basketball court free throw lane. This is a safety rule intended to keep the ball retriever from getting hit by the pin as it is knocked down. A player: 1. MUST roll or bowl the ball with an underhand motion when directing a ball towards the opponents pin. Refer to "USCB Bowling Techniques" for correct instructional methods. 2. may attempt to deflect any ball on their side of the court that is rolling towards their pin by rolling or throwing another ball at it. 3. may pass a ball to a teammate by rolling the ball. A player may not: 1. throw a ball overhand at their opponents pin. 2. touch the floor beyond the end line, sidelines and centerline with any part of his/her body. 3. have in his/her possession more than one ball for a time period of three seconds or more. 4. use his/her feet to propel the ball. The Game Before the game is started, the pins must be in place, game balls located within the center circle, and all players in position on their own side of the playing court. The retrievers should be standing near the center circle ready to retrieve the game balls. The referee will blow the whistle to start the game. He will blow the whistle again to end the game when one of the teams has been awarded 15 points. If play is interrupted because of an emergency or for instructional purposes, the players in possession of a ball retain possession. The referee will restrart the game by blowing the whistle. The referee should be positioned off court at the midline to monitor the action. If a separate scorekeeper is used, that person should be situated off court directly opposite the referee. Points are awarded to a team when their opponents pin is knocked down. Points may also be awarded when the opposing team persistently violates the rules of play. |
| MassBowling Rules |