Roles in a rink - by Ellen Falkner: And finally...the skip

Post date: Dec 28, 2014 4:55:07 PM

Triple Commonwealth Games gold medallist Ellen Falkner from the City of Ely IBC is one of the world's top women bowlers. She holds numerous national and international titles and is due to manage the England Junior Commonwealth Games team in Australia in the New Year, writes Stamford IBC press officer Bob Warters

In the fourth and final part of this exclusive series we asked her - when she visited Stamford IBC recently to demonstrate the Aero Bowls which she represents - what tips she can pass on to allow other bowlers improve, when playing any one of four positions in a rink. Previously it was 'Lead' , No.2 and No.3...

This time she reveals her thoughts on the position of skip.

"From a skip's perspective, yes you can win games and yes, you can save games but for me a skip's role is not necessarily about where you position your own bowls, it is how you lead, handle and manage your rink.

"It is more about how you support your team mates. If you are a skip that can always get the best out of your team then your rink is always going to perform well and that gives you every possible chance of winning," says Ellen.

"The skip is not always the best player but, ideally, they have to be a good tactician who can spot a head building up against them and get their players to cover against conceding a big score. Not only that but spot the opportunity to pick up a count with a critical bowl.

"Most of all, however, in my view the best skips are those whom, while earning the respect of their fellow players with shots they are capable of playing, can manage their rink of different characters and abilities and get the most from them."

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

We hope you have read all of this exclusive, 4-part series and that visitors to our site will take away some vital and useful information to help them improve and enjoy their bowls. A Happy New Year to you all.