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Highworth Bowls Club permitted us to copy their beginners page.
See also in the menu "Links" > "Highworth-".
For Beginners:
How Bowls is played |
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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. |
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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.
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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. Bowls Skip 94 plays on artificial grass with pylons to mark the rinks. |
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The green: rink
positions are moved and rotated every few days to ensure even wear. |
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 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. |
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Forehand and
backhand lines to the jack (for a right-handed bowler) |
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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. |
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Highworth (blue and white) have the nearest bowl and the
second nearest, scoring two. No other bowls count. |
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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. |
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