Bowls Etiquette
BOWLING ETIQUETTE HINTS TO BEGINNERS
Dress with the correct colour of clothing, and your clothes should be clean and tidy.
Your bowls shoes must be regulation and clean.
If steps are provided to get on and the green then use them.
Never drop your bowls onto the green.
Do not stand on the edge of the green and ditch.
Where you are allowed to smoke always use the litter bins that are provided to discard your matches and cigarette ends and not in the Ditches.
Never kick in the bowls until ALL the shots have been decided.
After delivering your Bowl, a player should either retire behind the Mat or advance towards the head, making sure they are behind the head when the bowl comes to rest. NEVER take up a position in between.
Do not delay the game.
Don’t wander around or move about the head when a player is about to deliver a Bowl.
Bowling is a friendly game and all players should show courtesy and good sportsmanship.
All Bowlers should know the Rules as laid down by the World Bowls Ltd and the best way to learn them is to play the sport.
Mobile Phones should not be used on or around the green.
DO respect all players and bid all “Good Bowling’” at the game commencement and “Well Bowled/Thank You” at the conclusion of the game.
DO respect your opponent and show your enthusiasm, friendship and patience during the whole competition.
When a bowler steps on the mat, prepares and starts to bowl, other bowlers DO keep quiet and DO not move.
DO NOT dump bowls onto the mat/green as a protest to perceived head disturbance when you are about to bowl.
Players at the mat-end of the rink who are not delivering the bowl, DO stand at least 1 metre behind the mat. DO pay attention to the other bowlers when they are bowling, and watch carefully the position of their bowls.
DO pay attention to your skip’s instructions. DO NOT show doubt on your skip’s instructions. Ask for clarification if not sure.
SKIPS – DO give very clear instructions by voice or hand signals
DO remember the possession of rink law. When a bowl stops running and is stationary in its position, you must be behind the mat or behind the head.
DO NOT follow the opposition up to the head or move in for a closer look when you do not have possession of the rink.
When stepping on the mat, DO take notice of the direction of the bowl coming or being made by the bowler from the next rink(s). You should give way to the one who steps onto the mat first.
DO NOT wave your hands to will your opponent’s bowl through or to knock out their own bowls
If your skip decides to drive at the head, the other team members DO take a triangular position to prevent the bowls being knocked
out and entering adjacent rinks.