Hints and Tips

Note: The following is NOT necessarily authorititive. It is largely what I have picked up through my few years of bowling. If anyone is aware of anything that is incorrect, I'd very much appreciate being told about it. Also, if there are other aspects of the game that for which you think some advice would be helpful, please let me know. Jeff.

Mat & Jack

• At the beginning of a game the side to go first is decided, usually by coin toss or by "Visitor's Jack" declaration.
• The Lead for the first team places the mat:
  • with the leading edge no less than 2 metres from the rear ditch and no less than 25 metres from the far ditch
  • squarely on the centre line of the rink (with guidance from the Skip at the other end of the rink)
• The Lead then delivers the Jack (usually with guidance from the Skip as to the desired length)
• For a legal delivery, the Jack must come to rest:
  • within the boundaries of the rink
  • at least 23 metres from the front edge of the mat
  • at least 2 metres from the ditch
• If the Jack stops on the rink, but less than 2 metres from the ditch, then it is placed 2 metres from the ditch
• If the Jack finishes off the rink, or too short, then it is returned to the mat for the opposing Lead to redeliver. In this circumstance, the opposing Lead may reposition the mat to any legal length
• If the second attempt also delivers an illegal jack, then the Jack is placed at two metres from the ditch. In this circumstance, the original Lead player may reposition the mat to any legal length
• Once a legal length Jack has been delivered (or placed), it is centred by the Skip, with guidance from the Lead
• Whichever Lead delivered the Jack, the Lead for the first team then delivers the first wood.

Duties of the Skip

• The Skip shall be the final bowler of the team
• The Skip will indicate to the lead the length of Jack desired
• The Skip will stand just behind the head while the rest of his/her team deliver their bowls
• Before each delivery by members of his team, the Skip may indicate what type of shot he wants played
• After each of his/her team's bowls have come to rest, the Skip will indicate the length, compared to the Jack
• At the end of the match, the Skip will agree the scorecard and result with his opposite number

Duties of a Marker

In a Singles game, the Marker:

• shall supervise the toss for the initial Jack
• may indicate the length of shot, compared to the Jack, for woods delivered during trial ends
• will answer, to be best of his/her ability, any direct questions asked by the player currently owning the mat (e.g. "Which wood is shot?" "Am I holding shot?" "How far through is shot wood?"), but shall not offer any unsolicited information or opinion
• shall ensure both players agree the shots scored on each end
• shall carry out any measuring requested by either player
• shall maintain the score card and ensure that the scoreboard reflects the true state of the match
• shall remain entirely neutral throughout the game
• at the end of the match shall ensure both players agree the final score and have them sign the score card
• may accept a well-earned drink from the winner

        (Also see Nobody's Darling)