You may need this reader to print the membership forms.
For Beginners: How Bowls is played
The following introduction covers the basic aspects of
the game, as normally played in the UK. It is not intended to be a complete
definition of the game or the rules.
Like many games, the object of Bowls is
essentially simple. It can be played by almost anyone, but to play consistently
well demands determination, concentration and practice.
You may need this to play our games.
The game of Bowls is played on a
34 to 40 metre square of closely cut grass called the green. The green
is divided into playing areas called rinks.
The green is surrounded by a small ditch to catch bowls which leave the
green, and a bank upon which markers indicate the corners and centrelines
of each rink.
A six-rink green: rink positions are moved and rotated every few days to ensure
even wear
Players deliver their bowls alternately
from a mat at one end of the rink, towards a small white ball called
the jack at the other end. The bowls are shaped so that they do not run
in a straight line, but take a curved path towards the jack.
To be successful the bowl must be delivered with the correct weight, along the
correct line. The bowl can be delivered either forehand or backhand.
Forehand and backhand lines
to the jack (for a right-handed bowler)The object is to get one or more
bowls closer to the jack than those of the opposition - one point is scored
for each counting bowl. After playing all the bowls in one direction, and agreeing
the score, the direction of play is reversed - the next end is played
back down the rink in the opposite direction.
The blue and white team have the nearest bowl and the
second nearest, scoring two. No other bowls count.
Bowls
can be played as singles, or in teams of pairs, triples, or fours (a team of
four is also known as a 'rink'). In
fours or rinks games, each team member has a particular
role to play:
- The first, or lead,
places the mat, delivers the jack and centres it before attempting to bowl
as close as possible to the jack.
- The second or two keeps
the score card and scoreboard up to date. The two will normally be required
to improve or consolidate the position achieved by the lead.
- The third or three
may be called upon to play different types of shots in order to score more,
or to place bowls tactically to protect an advantage. The three also advises
the skip on choice of shots, and agrees the number of shots scored, measuring
if required.
- The skip is in overall
charge of the rink, directs the other players on choice of shots, and tries
to build the 'head' of bowls to his or her advantage.
The
normal game formats are as follows:
- In Fours or Rinks play,
the lead, two, three and skip each deliver two bowls for 21 ends.
- In Singles, the two
opponents deliver four bowls alternately. The first to reach 21 shots
is the winner.
- For Pairs, the players
deliver four bowls each. The team scoring the most shots after 21 ends
is the winner.
- In the Triples game,
the lead, second and skip deliver three bowls each, for 18 ends.
Although these are the most common formats,
variations are allowed by the controlling bodies. Matches may be mixed or
single-sex.
Beginner's guide and graphics
reproduced with permission of Highworth
Bowls Club
