Syston Bowling Club

"Highly Commended" National Club of the Year 2007 & 2008

COACHING

The Club has a fully-qualified County Coach - Des Eggitt (photo) - who is also Club Captain in 2009. Des is always ready to arrange individual (or group) coaching sessions. Des offers regular advice and guidance in his feature column in the Club Newsletter.
 

In addition, players might find something of use as they seek to improve their game, from the advice and guidance offered below:

1.         GETTING STARTED - THE BASICS

For Beginners: How Bowls is played
(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.)

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.

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.

Matches may be mixed or single-sex.  Bowls is a game in which men and women can play on virtually equal terms

Players deliver their bowls (sometimes called “woods”) 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 (curving in towards the jack from the right) or backhand (curving in from the left).

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.

Scoring

Each end, after all woods have been delivered into the head (above), all woods belonging to one player or team that lie closest to the jack are counted as shots.    In this illustration, two blue woods lie closet to the jack.  A red wood lies a close third.  The blue player/team therefore adds two shots to the cumulative score.  Red scores nothing.  In case of doubt, a measure can be used to determine the outcome.

2.     DRESS CODE - MEN

1.       Afternoon matches representing the Club

          Whites (shirt and trousers) to be worn

          Club name badge

          Club tie

          Blazer, where possible

          Bowling shoes

2.       Evening matches – representing the Club

          White shirt

          Club name badge

          Grey trousers

          Club tie

          Blazer where possible

          Bowling shoes 

3.       Club/County Competitions

White shirt

Club name badge

Club tie

Grey trousers

Bowling shoes      

4.       Casual bowling/Roll-ups

          White shirt

          Grey trousers

          Bowling shoes

No jeans, jogging trousers, track suit bottoms or similar allowed.

Dress should at all times be “of a reasonable standard”.

Any comments or complaints should be drawn to the attention of a member of the Executive Committee.

The full co-operation of all Members would be appreciated.

3.      DRESS CODE - LADIES

(As approved by the English Women's Bowling Association and Leicestershire Ladies' County Bowling Association)

1. BLUE BLAZERS to be worn when attending all matches.  No badges other than the County badge, if applicable, allowed on pockets.

2. BLOUSES & CARDIGANS must be all white or cream with set-in sleeves.

3. SKIRTS must be white or cream with two inverted pleats at the front and two at the back. (White or cream trousers of regulation design may be worn as an alternative)

4. SHOES worn on the green must be white or brown, smooth soled and with no heel.  The sole must be of a maximum one inch thickness.

5. SANDALS, which may be worn at the wearer's risk during Club games, the Patron;s match and the Benevolent match, are not permitted for County matches.

6. SHOES or sandals for walking out away from the green while the player is in uniform must be navy blue

7. HATS, which must be of regulation style, are optional at all times.

8. RAIN HATS should be of regulation type.

9. TIGHTS/STOCKINGS are optional at all times but, if worn, should be in shades of brown only.

10. SCARVES and GLOVES are optional at all times.

11. No SMOKING or ALCOHOL is allowed on or off the green at any time while play is in progress.