At the bottom of the page you will find a link to click on and download this information as a PDF if you want to print it out.

To Begin:

Some guidelines are offered here for new bowlers and experienced bowlers alike. Knowledge and practice of these points will make you a respected bowler and will contribute towards the enjoyment of th game for everyone involved and will reflect well on the club. Some items here you will find in the Etiquette section of the Junior Member Information Pack above.

Starting the Game:

Teams toss for the right to play first. The team winning the toss can ask the opposition to play first and they cannot refuse. In following ends the team winning the end just played plays first.

The lead of the team to play first lays the mat, delivers the jack and plays the first bowl. The front of the mat must be at least two metres from the rear ditch, the "T" marked on the green denotes this point. When laying the mat, vary where the mat is placed to avoid excessive wear in any one place.

Be Ready To Bowl:

Be standing behind the mat with your bowl in hand. This saves time and keeps the game moving. When you have bowled all your bowls stand on the bank. It is good practice not to talk on the green when people are bowling. Once you bowl has stopped you must step away from the mat to enable the next player to play without interference.

When Delivering Your Bowl:

• Prior to delivery note that the path of your bowl is clear. If there is a bowler ready to bowl towards you, decide on who was ready first and recognise via a wave if you are first.
• If waiting to bowl, stand at least 1m behind the mat. Do note disturb the bowler on the mat.
• Note that the mat/head is not yours until the opponent's bowl has stopped.
• At the point of delivery, part of one foot must be on the mat otherwise you are footfaulting.
• Once you have deliverd you bowl, you may move forward up to 6m - no more - unless you arrive at the head before your bowl stops.
• Some players, so intent on watching the progress of their bowl, move sideways, and can encroach on adjoining rinks, please do not do this, stay inside your rink.
• Applauding an opponents wayward bowl lacks sportsmanship.
• Commend good shots.
• Learn to accept lucky shots, both for and against you - they will balance out in the long run.
• Flukes are simply reveleations of unrecognised opportunities
  

General:

• Before the game, make sure you know the conditions of play for the competition you are playing.
• Ensure you adhear to the correct dress for the competition you are playing, they are on the competition flyer when you sign up.
• During the game, enter and leave the green by the banks and footpaths, do not walk across other players' rinks.
• Do not bowl until your opponents bowl has stopped.
• Do not drop bowls on the green
• Do not step backwards once you have delivered your bowl - you can trip on bowls behind you.
• Don't sit on the bank/gutter, it is distracting to the bowler on the matt and can be dangerous if the bowler delivers a drive.
• When at the head in sunny conditions, or as the sun is setting, avoid standing where your shadow is cast over the Jack, making it difficult to see from the mat.
• Similarly, standing directly behind the jack can make it difficult to see.
• "Possession of the Rink" must always be respected. Stand well behind the mat or the head, keeping still and quiet while others are delivering their bowls.
  
•  Assist with returning the mats and jack to the locker room and that the scoreboard is cleaned off once scores have been finalised.

Duties of Players:

4's Game
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Position of Players:

Mat end - If not bowling, on the bank, if bowling - at least 1m behind the mat.

Head End - If not controlling the head - on the bank, if controlling the head but not your head - 2m behind the Jack to the side of the rink.

When at the head, bear in mind some players like a clear view of the rink markers.

When Changing Ends:

• Be ready to move after the last bowl is delivered.
• Keep behind the last bowler so that they may follow the course of their bowl.
• Move at a steady pace and keep well within your own rink.
• Skips, plaese refrain from prolonged discussions at half rink.
• With timed games, slow and spread out changeovers disrupt your own game and adjoining rinks if they have to wait for you.

At The Completion Of An End:

• The lead of the team that wins the end immediately picks up and lays the mat.
• All players help in moving the bowls back well behind the mat - safety first, and retrieving the jack for the lead.
• Other bowlers must be ready for their turn. Too much time can be wasted getting onto the green, finding bowls and preparing to bowl. Be ready.
• Threes or Twos must ensure the mat is placed safely on the bank after completion of each end. It should be placed flat on the bank and not hanging over the edge which can be dangerous.

Deciding Shot(s) and Measuring:

• The result of each end (including measuring) is determined by the threes, or two in triples or lead in pairs. Other players should not interfere.
• Do not disturb the head until the result of the end has been agreed.
• If the result of the end is not immediately obvious, use your measure immediately. Ascertain the closest bowl of the team in the minority and then run the tape around the opposing bowls.
• As the shots are agreed, remove them from the head and place them in a group (on a cloth to identify they are shots).
• Leads and seconds must keep out of the way but can suggest a bowl be measured.
• Both Threes or twos or leads (depending on 4's, 3's or pairs) directing the head have the right to measure. If agreement can;'t be reached, call an umpire whose decision is final.
• When an umpire is called remove all shots not in contention and move away from the head.
• If directing the head you can ask your opponent to measure if you have a disability or injury or the skip may call on a lead or second to measure.

Communication - Skip To Player - Controller to Skip

• The skip should give clear, concise directions.
• Don't give options. As much as possible give a definite shot. Don't use the word "Try".
• The discussion between skip and player is valuable when there are difficult shots but the skip has the final say.
• Players must appreciate that the shot asked for is to give the skip a better chance to win the end.
• When the shot played is not what the skip asked for, the skipshould be mindful that every player is trying their best.
• On change overs, players should not advise the skip on shots to play unless asked, as the skip has just left the head and knows the situation.
• Follow the direction given by the skip whether you agree or not - there will be a good reason for it.
• Remember that directions for the skip are only given by the three in 4's and two in triples. Other players should not interfere unless asked.