Jack and Mat

Possession of the mat allows for control of jack length.

A three quarter length jack gives a good indication of green speed.

If winning on a certain length, keep that length. If not, change length

Movement of mat can upset opponent’s rhythm of delivery.

Against an inexperienced player a full-length jack might be an advantage.

Against an experienced firm driving bowler keep some distance between jack and ditch.

Observe opposition length preference so you can alter when possible.

Careless rolling of the jack can hand an advantage back to your opponents.

Play short ends with the wind and long ends against it.

When playing away from home consider bringing the mat up a short way to spoil the home team usual lines.

All the Team

Focus on the task at hand.

Do not hurry delivery, it’s your mat.

Routine : deep breath and relax, check bias, square to delivery line, select and focus on your aiming point, delivery is low slow smooth head still, stay down count to 3 stand up and breathe.

Delivery line pick out your aiming point for your line.

Watch your bowl until it comes to rest, if it comes back to centre your line is correct or you can calculate any adjustment needed.

Move right after delivery and be 1 metre behind the mat when your bowl stops.

Observe your skip for his signal on your weight of shot.

Change foot position on the mat to avoid blocks.

Avoid being short or narrow.

Know your shots

(1) Draw

(2) Trail the jack 1 to 1 ratio

(3) Run through positional to an area at the back

(4) Positional blocker on the line to the jack

(5) Move a bowl and stay 3 to 1 ratio

(6) Knock a front bowl through and run on 6 to 1 ratio

(7) Play a plant bowl on bowl or bowl on jack

(8) Use a shoulder to glance or wick towards a target area

(9) Drive

1-8 are all draw shots, 9 is a destructive shot which is often unpredictable.

It’s not a case of always drawing to the jack

In a cross wind the narrow side is kinder.

When a bowl comes to rest, possession of the mat reverts to the opposition. Do not step in to examine the head.

Front End

Establish the favoured hand early in a match, you don’t need to alternate away from the favoured hand just because an opponent is short on your line.

The lead and two are foundation providers, it is their job to get bowls in the head.

Work as a pair and start to develop the head position even at this early stage. The ideal first bowl is 20cm behind the jack, not in front. The jack will often go backwards but rarely forwards.

If as lead you cannot get shot then aim to get a good second.

You can introduce training drills on practice days to perfect playing as a pair.

When being outplayed, try to make opponents change the hand that is being played well, get in first and take their line.

There should be no interruption by the lead and second when the back end is directing or measuring the head, unless asked.

Back End

Be able to play any of the shots of the game (draw, on-shots, running & drive shots).

When at the head note the position of the jack and bowls and which bowl or bowls are shot. Always read the head (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) it can change after every shot. When the skip is bowling the third should advise him if anything changes since he left the head. If the change affects the skips plan then offer a recommendation as to the shot to be played. Lead and second should not offer comment unless asked.

Always know who holds second and third shot.

Indicate clearly the up or down position after the opposition bowls come to rest.

When making a shot selection always consider if an on-shot to move or wrest a bowl can be more effective than a draw.

Be aware of the potential movement of the jack when a bowl plant on jack shot is on and plan ahead, position receivers.

Try to build a tactical advantage in the head when holding shot by matching or beating opposition bowls behind the jack.

Attacking shots are more successful in shorter ends.

It is good to have two separated second shots before playing aggressively into a head.

Drives carry less risk if you have back bowls, without back bowls a jack trail can be more effective.

Play covering bowls before attempting blocks.

Blocks are more effective on slow or medium paced greens.

Never block a big head.

Skips

Have good communication with team members, explain the shot you want, use appropriate hand signals, positive instructions, short simple directions.

Use clear signals to show: Jack High, distance short or long on weight, who is holding shot are we up or down.

Always stay positive and support your rink, commend a player who plays a good shot, endeavor not to display disappointment if a player performs a bad shot.

Have control over mat placement and jack length.

Never underestimate your opponent’s ability.

Know the strengths and weaknesses of your players.

Never be afraid to let opponent have one shot rather than risk giving several.

Do not be greedy, do not overbuild the head, but strategically place bowls.

Counter the tactical moves of the opposition.

Play your tactics so they do not suit your opponent.

Avoid wasting opportunities to add to the score.

Acknowledgements

Welsh Bowls Coaching Association

Windsor Coaches

GameDay assets.sportstg.com

Lawn Bowls International