Rules and Stuff

Lawn Bowls has a set of concrete rules. There is a link to a Basic Rules Guide here and the full rulebook above. However, it also has a softer set of guidelines. As a new player, below are some things to be aware of when playing your first matches. Most of these have been learned from bitter experience. It’s normal to be nervous for your match but do try and relax and enjoy it – if you don’t enjoy it why are you doing it? It’s only a game. If you have any questions or concerns, just ask.

Bowls England have produced a useful Beginners Guide.

 

Check match details

Check for venue, start time and dress code which is normally Club shirts and Navy trousers/skirts/skorts/shorts etc. Smart (not football or swimming) shorts are OK. Let your captain know in plenty of time if you have to pull out of the match so they can arrange a replacement.

Weather

It is useful to have a cloth to clean/dry your bowls if the green is wet. It also makes you look professional! Matches normally continue in the rain so good to have a waterproof top with you if the weather looks bad.

Money

Bring some money along. As well as the match fee, there will usually be a raffle and sometimes a Spider (see below) and, if playing at home, there is an expectation that you will buy your opponent a drink at the bar.

Arrive Early

Your team captain would welcome help in putting out mats, jacks, scoreboards, sweepers etc for the match. Also, please help in putting these away afterwards. If adjacent rinks are still playing when you are doing this, make sure that you pick the right moment to move behind that match – when no-one is on the mat ready to bowl. Don't wear your bowls shoes to the match - change in the clubhouse - this stops fungus transfer to the green and keeps grit off the playing surface.

Bowl Stickers

Make sure that the bowls you are playing with have the Club stickers on them for identification purposes during the match. These are available behind the bar. If you are playing with Club bowls make sure the ones you normally use are available for the match.

Drinks

Good idea to bring a drink with you as the bar is not always open. Don’t take your drink onto the green. Some clubs will have a tea break (usually after 9 ends), this will be announced at the start.

First End

Normally, in a friendly match, you only score one bowl off the first end (sometimes second end too). This is to get a feel for the green. Some (mainly League) matches tend to operate with two up, two down – effectively two trial ends where all players get two bowls to get their eye in.

Spider

Some clubs run a charity event before the game where a plastic spider is placed on a jack in the centre of the green. All players stand with one foot in the ditch and, on command, bowl at the jack. Bowl ending up nearest to the spider (not jack) wins a small prize (usually a bottle of wine).

Check your bias

Easiest way to waste a bowl. We all do it - so it is worth taking an extra moment to make sure the little ring is on the inside.

Delivering the Jack

In your early matches you will probably be playing Lead because the Second normally has the responsibility of agreeing the score (measuring if needed) and directing the Skip which is thought to be too much of a burden for a new player. However, playing Lead is an important position and many established players prefer to play there. The Skip will show you where they want the jack to be. Once the jack is delivered, stay on the mat to give directions to the Skip to line it up. Don’t bellow instructions – use gestures to indicate direction and amount.

Skip Instruction

As Lead, the Skip shouldn’t be giving you much direction (unless they are power mad). They may indicate how short or long you are, but with not too much traffic in the way, you should be able to stick to your preferred side. It is a team game and your opinion is valid so you can discuss things with your Second, however, only the Second should communicate with the Skip when you are at the head. If he looks like he is swatting wasps, he is probably signalling the Skip the end score.

Sweeping

The Lead from the team who has just lost the end is responsible for sweeping up all the bowls using the zimmer-frame sweepers. Other players should assist by kicking the bowls together to help the sweep - apart from the Lead whose team now has the mat. They should leave the bowls and focus on the mat placement and jack delivery.

Stand still at the head end when someone is about to bowl

The bowling player needs to concentrate, and there’s nothing more distracting than somebody moving around behind the bowls he’s aiming for. Give them the courtesy of keeping still while they make their shot. Generally, stand a metre behind and to the side of the jack (white bowls shoes behind a white jack can be a problem). Make sure you don’t cast a shadow on the jack. Stay involved in the game rather than go off and sit on the rink edge unless you have a physical need to do so.

Don’t Apologise................or use inappropriate language

Everyone does a bad bowl and everyone has a nightmare day where nothing goes right. No-one does a bad bowl on purpose - so there is nothing to apologise for. Maybe, though, if you do get the bias wrong repeatedly…….

The Count

Do not touch any bowl until the score has been agreed. This results in weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Be Spatially Aware:

1) Avoid walking on to adjacent rinks.

There may well be people playing a game next to you. Be aware of where the neighbouring rinks are, and avoid walking on them when you make your way to the jack, the clubhouse, or when walking from one side of the green to the other. Walk down the centre of your rink and don’t distract your neighbours.

2) Enter the mat from the left and exit on the right

Avoid collisions with the next person who is due to bowl and give them plenty of space as well as keeping out of their eye-line when they bowl. Stand a metre back from the mat when not bowling.

3) Watch out for bowls

When leaving the mat, or even just milling around, be aware of not treading on loose bowls behind you. Ending up on your backside is not a good look.

4) Rink Markings

Make sure that you don’t obscure the rink numbers when the mat/jack is being lined up.

Acknowledge skilful bowling

Congratulate opposing players on exceptional shots or game-winners, even if it is through gritted teeth. This goes a long way to maintaining the congenial spirit of the game. Don’t congratulate a lucky shot though, your opponent may think you are taking the mick. You can comment on wicks, but don’t labour the point. Acknowledge a lucky shot of your own.

Bowl… don’t drop!

Bowling greens are delicate areas, and it’s easy to cause damage by throwing or dropping a bowl. Place your bowls on the green at start of play. Dropping them is a good way of upsetting the greenkeeper. Different players have different delivery styles, but it’s polite to make sure your technique isn’t damaging the green or causing scuff marks. If it is, try and bowl more gently. On a really soggy green, ‘bruise mats’ may be used. Just bowl normally over these.

Be Ready

Talking to your opponent is all part of the social side of the game, but don’t let your conversation distract you from being ready to bowl when it is your turn. Don't talk when someone is about to bowl. Also, know where your bowls are so you don’t spend a long time looking for them. Good to have one ready to go in your hand when your opponent is on the mat and you are next up.

Chalk Marks

Remove any chalk marks made from the previous end from your bowl before it’s used again

Skip’s Bowl

You may see the bowl belong to the Skip due to play next placed on the mat as players change ends. This is just an old courtesy.

Afterwards

Normally a drink with the opposition, a raffle, a snack and the captains will announce the result – so don’t rush off immediately you finish bowling.

 

SHORT MAT GUIDANCE - Avoiding Common Mistakes                Brief Guide Here

 

Chalking Touchers - Bowls must be chalked as "touchers" by Skip's or the No 2 players (or No 3 if playing Fours /Rinks) at the time that the event occurs. Nomination of "touchers" should be avoided unless the bowl is in danger of toppling.

Removal of Chalk Marks - Chalk marks must be removed from bowls by players before the start of the next end.

The Block – If you hit the block, your Skip will retrieve the bowl, but you have to do the walk of shame to replace the block to it’s proper position.

Delays at Ends Change - As soon as the end is completed don’t delay at the change of ends. Walk reasonably quickly down the mat and don’t disturb play on any adjacent mat.

Foot Faults - Always remember that at the point of delivery one foot must be entirely within the confines of the delivery mat, the other foot must be within the delivery line(s).

Players Position - Please don't stand at the side of the fender when someone is bowling.

Talking - Don't talk to a member of your team or the opposition when a player is about to bowl.

Marking - Only the No 2 players (or No 3 if playing Fours /Rinks) should be on the mat at the completion of an end to determine shot wood, 2nd wood etc. All other players must be behind the fender and not on the mat.

Drives – If a player indicates they intend to play with force, those at the head should be ready to field anything going off the mat. Let the other players know if you intend to drive.