The Players
Both men and women play lawn bowls. Both are welcome and in many cases husband and wife are players. It is also a great game for singles and those who are widowed. There is a social aspect that accommodates all situations. Both old and young can bowl, and poor health or physical handicap should not prevent one from trying. Of course one is never too young to start and the best tournament players are younger.
A team consists of a Skip (or captain), a Vice (or second), and a Lead (who delivers the bowl first). It is normal for new players to start as leads and advance to other positions as skills and experience are acquired. Never forget -- a good lead can be the difference between victory and defeat in the game of bowls.
Duties of Lead, Vice Skip and Skip
On being The Lead in a Lawn Bowls Game
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1. The Leads will roll a bowl or flip a coin to see which team wins the start. Whichever Lead wins will ask their Skip do we go first or second.
2. If your team is first, lay out the mat in the proper area. Deliver the Jack to the distance the Skip has selected (where he or she is standing). Center the Jack by directing the Skip. If you deliver the Jack too short or too long (in the ditch) the Jack will be returned and your opponent's Lead will deliver the Jack. The other Skip may direct your opponent to change the mat. If both Jacks are delivered incorrectly the Skip will place the Jack 6 feet from the ditch and centered in the rink. You still bowl first even if your opponent delivered the Jack.
3. Select a bowl and deliver to the Jack. Generally a lead should try and deliver two bowls near the jack and one behind the (1- 3 feet if possible). It is better to be long than short.
4. Leads may get directions from the Skip to deliver bowls left or right. The Skip may indicate how far your bowl is from the Jack so stay on the mat and look at your skip until the bowl stops. Exit the mat to your right. Remain 3 to 4 feet behind opponent when he/she is bowling and remain quiet.
5. After Leads & Vices have bowled, walk past the head and remain at least six feet past the head and remain quit while the Skips bowl. After all bowls have been delivered, Vices will determine score and signal Skips. Leads do not participate in the scoring.
6. Losing teams Lead will then rake the bowls one or two feet behind and to the side of the mat.
7. Start new end.
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On being the Vice Skip (Vice) in a Lawn Bowls Game
:
1. As with the Lead, remember your Skip is in charge. You must try to follow the Skip’s instructions on the delivery direction and placement of your bowls.
2. After completing delivery and the exchange of ends, your function is to report (signal) when asked by the Skip specific information regarding the position of the bowls in the head.
3. Know your Skip...ask him in advance if he wants any special help.
4. If what you consider to be a dangerous situation has developed in the head, do not hesitate to motion your Skip to come take a look.
5. Possession of the rink: remember when your teammate's bowl has come to rest, you should immediately retire at least six feet behind the head and make no observations of the head, or relate any changes that might have taken place. Remain quiet; your opponents now possess the rink.
6. All players at the head end are to stand at least 6 feet behind the jack, except the Vice in possession of the rink. All players at the head end of the rink shall remain motionless until the bowl has been delivered.
7. You will chalk-mark all bowls that contacted the Jack either before the next bowl is delivered or before the next bowl in course comes to rest. You will remove chalk from your opponents bowl if it did not contact the Jack. Remove any bowls from the Ditch which did not touch the Jack and guard the Ditch to prevent entry of a bowl which may disturb the position of the Jack or one or more bowls that touched the Jack that are in the ditch.
8. You must prevent any disturbance of the head by an outside object or by a dead bowl from another rink.
9. When an end is completed with all bowls delivered, it is the responsibility of both Vices to determine the score count of that particular end. Never signal the resulting score to your Skip until all measurements needed have been made and you and your opponent have mutually agreed. When measuring for a multiple count, it can be helpful to place the bowls already measured on a wiping cloth to avoid confusion or possible re-count of a bowl previously measured.
10. The score should be kept by both teams. In fours, the Second keeps score; in triples, the Vice keeps score; and in pairs, the Skip keeps the score. If no cards are kept in a local game, the Vice or the Skip who is at the end where the scoreboard is should mark the score.
11. Both Vices will aid the Lead raking the bowls at the conclusion of an end by kicking in bowls to more or less group them so as to make raking easier on both the Lead and the green.
Some Do’s And Don’ts For Playing The Position Of Vice Skip
Do’s
1. Become familiar with the bowls of the people on your team even before the first bow is delivered.
2. Inform your Skip if a change takes place in the count of the head, but only when you have control of the mat and the rink.
3. Call your Skip to the head when you are in control of the rink if there is a special
circumstance that he should be aware of.
4. If your opponent is measuring for a point, watch carefully to see that it is being done correctly with the proper angle, no sagging of the tape, without moving the Jack or the bowl, etc.
5. Get the permission of your opponent before you move any bowl that you are claiming as a point. When you do remove a point bowl, place it on a towel to make the final count more accurate.
6. If you are claiming a point but your opponent does not agree, don’t argue; just have him/her measure immediately.
7. Before you signal your Skip on the point count, be sure your opponent has agreed to the same number.
8. If your team has won the end, pick up the Jack and give it to your Lead before the bowls are raked.
9. After each end, help kick the bowls into line to make it easier for the Lead to rake.
10. If your team has lost the end, record the score after helping kick the bowls into line.
Don’ts
1. Do not move when any player is on the mat and is ready to bowl.
2. When the opposing team has control of the mat and rink and one of the opposing team members is on the mat, do not approach the head or try to communicate with your Skip.
3. Do not tell your Skip what to do. If your Skip wants advice or information, he/she should ask for it.
4. Do not volunteer to your opposing Vice how many points his/her team has. He/she should state the number of points he/she thinks his/her team has, and then you either agree or disagree with his/her claim.
5. Do not move any bowl or the Jack until you are sure the last bowl has been delivered and the final count of points has been agreed upon. A good way to tell that all bowls have been delivered is to watch for the Skips picking up the mat at the other end of the rink.
6. Do not socialize or wander off while the game is being played. A good team player stays focused on the play of everyone on his or her rink.
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On being the Skip in a Lawn Bowls Game:
1. You are in charge of your team as director. You must decide, with your opponent, any dispute or refer it to the umpire. Sign both score sheets at the end of a match, and act as scorer in a pairs match.
2. It is part of your job to instruct your Lead and Vice as to how you want them to play their shots with the best chance of producing a score for your team. Should one of your teammates fail to make the shot called for, don't be critical. Remember, the player knows without being told that it was a bad shot.
3. Stand still, don't move around the head. This can be quite distracting to other players.
4. When your opponent delivers the last bowl at the conclusion of an end, it is your responsibility to remove the mat.
5. It is important to remember that as the director of your team, your attitude towards your teammates and the game will often make the difference between a loss or win. The purpose of the game is to enjoy yourself, make it enjoyable for others and win if you can. But, when your team is down and the breaks seem to be all going against you, even the most naive should recognize that encouragement of your team may accomplish what caustic criticism or languishing on the bench when the Lead or Vice is on the mat can never, never accomplish. You may not win the game, but your popularity will increase immeasurably.
TIPS FOR SKIPS
1. Allow leads to draw twice before bowling for position.
2. Leads should not be asked to drive.
3. Skips should decide which hand plays best and stick with it if possible.
4. Build each head safely. If you must lose an end, it should be by a low score.
5. When you have the shot, bowl for position. When you're down a shot, draw.
6. Do not call for position bowls that will give your opponents a chance to wick in or rest on.
7. Try to cover all positions that jack would take if wicked.
8. Know when your team is in a position to make a big score.
9. The drive is both an offensive and defensive weapon. Use it to nullify an end, move the jack, or push a bowl up.
10. Blocks are very difficult to make. Practice block shots with opposite hand.
Lawn Bowling at its Finest