Exclusive 4-part series by Ellen Falkner: Roles in a rink...Leading

Post date: Dec 15, 2014 4:19:48 PM

Few of the current crop of international stars among the elite of the game of bowls, know better than three times Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ellen Falkner about the tactics that should be employed during a match, especially when a rink of four players are involved, writes press officer Bob Warters.

So when the 35-year-old visited Stamford Indoor Bowls Club (pictured left) to demonstrate the latest Aero bowls,which she represents in the UK, it would be folly not to seek her advice to pass on to bowlers.

And she was more than willing to share her knowledge having played many times for her country, indoors and outdoors, won world women's fours gold in 2004 and recently been appointed as manager of the England team to compete in the Junior Commonwealth Games in Australia in the New Year.

"I started playing bowls when I was 12 but didn't take it seriously until I left University aged 21, " she recalled. "But I have learned so much, especially from former world champion Tony Allcock, chief executive of Bowls England, and now it is great to be able to have the opportunity to pass that knowledge on, especially to those taking up the game, but also to up and coming players to help them improve."

So what, I asked, are the particular skills that bowlers playing in a rink of four, for example, should work on?

Let's start with the position of 'lead' or No.1:

"If a lead is playing well they can give you an incredible start," says Ellen. "They can give you an opportunity to build 'a head' of bowls and create a foundation to dominate the game.

"I'm a great advocate of a lead finding the side of the rink he or she is most comfortable and consistent with - forehand or back hand - and stick to it.

"Similarly with jack length; it's important that as a rink, all team members agree and then play the length to which they are most comfortable and which will give them the best possible start to score shots.

"If you do need to change the jack length, then you can decide to do something drastic such as taking the mat up the green or you can be subtle by changing it by a mat's length difference up or back..

"So looking at it from a lead's perspective, you are not going to nail the jack every time. The key is to get your bowls within a foot or two feet to actually build the head by grouping bowls round the jack."

" I trust these tips are of value to aspiring leads and those who want to sharpen up their game. Next week I'll talk about the role of the No.2....a very important position on the rink but so often underrated and under-valued in my opinion."

For further information about Aero bowls visit www.aerobowls.co.uk