-Backend:  The 15 ft. of lane directly preceding the headpin.

-Boards:  Any one of 39 one inch wide individual pieces of wood pieced together to comprise the surface of the lane.

-Break Point:  The portion of the lane where the bowling ball completes its transition from skid to traction and provides the greatest amount of hook. This generally occurs in the last 20 feet of the lane.

-Channel (or Gutter):  There are 2 channels on each side of the lane. Once a ball falls into the channel or gutter before hitting pins, the bowler shall receive a zero.

-Follow through:  Portion of bowler's delivery after the ball has been released.

-Foul:  Touching or going beyond the foul line. When a bowler fouls they recieve zero count for that delivery.

-Foul Line:  The line separating the approach from the lane.  Bowlers must remain behind the line for pinfall to count.

-Frame:  One-tenth of a game. Each square on score sheet is one frame.  Each frame includes up to 2 rolls in which the bowler attempts to knock down pins.  The tenth frame can incluse up to 3 rolls.

-Gutter ball:  Delivery which rolls off the lane and into the gutter. Once a ball falls into the channel or gutter before hitting pins, the bowler shall receive a zero.

-Lane: The playing surface. It is usually a wooden or urethane deck 62'10-3/4" long and 42 inches wide with ten pins spaced one foot apart 60 feet from the foul line. Pins are on and gutters are at the side of, not part of, the lane. The lane does not include the "approach."

-Mark:  Point on the lane at which the bowler is aiming.

-Pocket:  Area between 1-2 pins for a lefty and 1-3 pins for a right hander.

-Spare:  Knocking down all remaining pins in the second ball or delivery.

-Split:  Two or more pins that remain standing after the 1st ball has been delivered. 

-Strike:  Knocking down all ten pins with the first ball or delivery.

-Target:  Where on the bowling lane the bowler is looking to place the ball.