Is there a rule that the ball must touch down before where those 'planks' on the side of the gutters start? It looks like there might be a line there. And no one ever seems to loft it
Yes! There are two lines, making a "box" before the gutters. The first line nearest to the bowler mustn't be crossed by the feet, and the ball must touch the alley before the second line (where the gutters start). The opposition could call a foul throw if either of those rules are broken and the throw would need to be taken again, with any skittles hit being reset.
Is there a rule that the ball must touch down before where those 'planks' on the side of the gutters start? It looks like there might be a line there. And no one ever seems to loft it
Yes! There are two lines, making a "box" before the gutters. The first line nearest to the bowler mustn't be crossed by the feet, and the ball must touch the alley before the second line (where the gutters start). The opposition could call a foul throw if either of those rules are broken and the throw would need to be taken again, with any skittles hit being reset.
Melksham skittle league done away with the line, you can now lob the ball down the alley which I think is wrong.