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Coaching Tips

 

Etiquette

Bowls is a friendly game-let the exercise of consideration for others, courtesy and good sportsmanship, add charm to a skilful and rewarding sport. Here are a few tips which may help:-

Hints for beginners (and others)
  • Bowls should not be dropped on the Green.
  • Do not stand on the edges of the Green.
  • Matches, cigarette ends etc. should be placed in the proper container, not in the ditches.
  • Bowls should not be kicked in until the shot has been decided.
  • After delivering a bowl a player should retire at least two metres behind the mat. He should not take up a position at or in front of the mat.
  • Don't delay the game.
  • Don't wander around or move about the head when a player is about to deliver a bowl and particularly do not stand in line with the boundary pegs.
  • Don't talk in a loud tone whilst a player is about to deliver a bowl.
  • When watching a match, always observe strict neutrality. Advice or criticism must not be given. Barracking is bad form.
  • All bowlers should know and understand the Laws of the Game as laid down by World Bowls.
Do:-
  • Give full support to the members of your team and Skip.
  • Advise your opponent if unable to keep an appointment for any game.
  • Always conform to the correct attire for play.
  • Applaud good shots and generally encourage all players.
  • Keep still and silent whilst your opponent and other members of the team are playing.
  • Always watch the play. Take an interest without interfering.
  • Play always for the side and not individual success.
Don't:-
  • Argue with the Skip on the shot to play.
  • Interfere with the Skip unless the position is changed.
  • Develop mannerisms which indicate displeasure at indifferent play or success.
  • Stray on the adjoining rink.
  • Have excuses for bad play and readily accept praise for success.
  • Abuse the privileges of the Club.
  • When changing ends don't go ahead of the player who last delivered a bowl.

Here are a few questions and answers from the Umpires Tutorial Manual.

Question 1

A running bowl hits a toucher on the green. The toucher hits the bank and rebounds onto the green and lies beside the jack. Is the toucher a live bowl?

Answer

Yes.

Question 2

A player plays out of turn. The player's bowl does not touch anything during its course. The bowl comes to rest 2 metres from the jack. What should happen?

Answer

The bowl has not disturbed the head so the opponent should choose whether to leave the head as it is and play two bowls one after the other to get back to the proper order of play or return the bowl to get back to the proper order of play.

Question 3

A player, while walking round the head, accidentally moves a bowl which is at rest on the green. What should happen to the displaced bowl?

Answer

If the displaced bowl has not disturbed the head, the opposing skip should put the bowl back to its former position. If the bowl has disturbed the head,the opposing skip should put the bowl back to its former position and replace any part of the head disturbed after the displacement.

Question 4

Player 'A' drives at the jack in an attempt to kill the end. The bowl strikes the jack which then comes into contact with an opponent's foot. What should happen?

Answer

The opposing skip should choose whether to:

Place the jack where the skip believes it would have come to rest and replace any part of the head disturbed by the displaced jack,

or:

declare the end dead.

Question 5

Skip 'A' complains to the umpire that skip 'B' is receiving advice from a club member who is sitting at the end of the rink. What action does the umpire take?

Answer

Check whether the person giving advice is either the team manager or the team coach. If the person is either the manager or the coach, then no action is required. (Note that the umpire should, before the start of the game, be given the names of any team managers or coaches who are present).

If the person is neither the manager or the coach, then the umpire should ask the person to stop advising the players. If the person does not stop giving advice, the umpire should ask the Controlling Body to take appropriate action.