Rules of the Game

the bowls

Semifinalists of County competitions must have bowls with a current world bowls stamp, for club and district games, bowls must have a legible stamp dated 1985 or later
Bowls must only have one set of stickers
If a bowl is damaged during a match, it should be replaced by one from the same set (if this is not possible, then the whole set must be replaced by another set)
If a bowl is delivered but does not go beyond 14m, it is a dead bowl and should be removed
If a bowler drops a bowl when preparing to deliver, this can be picked up and delivered

the game

The first end and any extra end – a coin is tossed and the winner can either keep the mat or give it away (the opposition cannot refuse to accept the mat)
The winner of the previous end has the mat (you can’t give the mat to the opposition)
Trial ends and number of bowls are agreed by the captains (usually one end in each direction, trial ends allow you to explore the run of the green)
Position of the mat – centrally placed with the front of the mat between the 2 and 25 metre marks
The aim is to build the head and have the head mostly built before the skip bowls

the jack

If both players make faulty deliveries, the skip places the jack at the 2m mark and the first player places the mat anywhere between the 2 and 25 metre marks. Before delivery, the player should have one foot fully on the mat. At the moment of delivery, the player should have all or part of one foot on or over the mat. A faulty delivery occurs if:

the jack goes in the ditch
bounces off the bank back onto the green
goes outside the rink boundaries to the side
goes less than 23 metres

Rules about the jack, including touchers

When a bowl touches the jack, it stays ‘live’ even if it goes into the ditch either on its original course or if it’s subsequently knocked into the ditch
If the bowl falls on the jack after coming to rest, it is a toucher as long as the next bowl has not been delivered (if the last bowl of the end, you can wait 30 seconds to see if it will fall before deciding the result of the end)
Touchers should be marked before the next bowl is delivered; if this is not possible, it should be marked before the next bowl enters the head
A toucher or jack in the ditch should be marked (this identifies the position to bowlers and enables them to be replaced accurately if disturbed by subsequent non-touchers)
When the jack goes out of play to the sides, this is a dead end – the usual rule is for the end to be replayed
When it is agreed that there is no winning bowl, this is a tied end and no score is given but the end is counted

the players

Skip
- Will have sole charge of the team
- The team should follow the skip’s instructions
- The skip decides all disputed points with the opposing skip and there should be discussion before calling the umpire
- Has responsibility for the score card and this cannot be delegated
- Can delegate all responsibilities except the responsibility for the score card
- The skips need to know the abilities of their players and their bowls
- The skip should encourage and guide in a positive manner to get the best out of the team
Lead
- To place the mat, deliver the jack as instructed by the skip, and get bowls as close as possible to the jack to start building the head

Second
- To draw to any position as instructed by the skip
- If playing triples, the second takes on the responsibilities of the third as well

Third
- To deliver all types of shots (drawing, running and firing)
- Agree the score with the opposition’s third, by measuring if necessary
- To inform the skip of the number of shots for or against
- To call the skip if there is a dispute before calling the umpire

the etiquette

Possession of the rink
- Belongs to the player or team whose bowl is being played until it comes to rest, then possession is transferred to the opponent
- Players who follow their bowl up the rink must be beyond the head before their bowl comes to rest
- The player in possession of the mat should not be interfered with, annoyed or distracted in any way, e.g. by talking to them

Position of the players
- Mat end – players not delivering the bowl should stand at least 1 metre behind the mat
- Head end – the team in possession of the rink should be behind the head, the team not in possession should stand behind and away from the head

Movement off the green
- Anyone moving around the green should stop when in the eyeline of players about to deliver their bowl
- Spectators should not give any advice to players or disturb the play

Laws of the Sport of Bowls