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Post date: Dec 22, 2014 12:47:06 PM
Ellen Falkner is the 35-year-old holder of three Commonwealth Games gold medals - the latest achieved in Glasgow in August 2014 - and a women's world fours gold medal winner in 2004, writes Bob Warters.
In the second of this exclsuive series I asked her, when she visited Stamford IBC recently - to demonstrate the Aero Bowls which she represents - what tips she can share for members to improve on, when playing in any one of four positions in a rink.
Last time it was 'Lead' this time, the role of No.2...
"The position of No.2 in a rink is traditionally undervalued in my opinion. In fact this position - and particularly in elite play at the top level - is a very difficult one and usually given to someone who is a good all-rounder, can play all the shots under pressure, is a consistent draw bowler and able to place positional bowls.
"The position of No.2 in a rink is traditionally undervalued in my opinion. In fact this position - and particularly in elite play at the top level - is a very difficult one and usually given to someone who is a good all-rounder, can play all the shots under pressure, is a consistent draw bowler and able to place positional bowls.
"In fact you are the only player on the rink who bowls without seeing the head. By that I mean that you can't really see accurately [from the mat] how 'the head' of bowls is building up, particularly as there may be bowls obstructing your view.
"In fact you are the only player on the rink who bowls without seeing the head. By that I mean that you can't really see accurately [from the mat] how 'the head' of bowls is building up, particularly as there may be bowls obstructing your view.
"Playing No.2 is therefore very much about watching and learning from the bowls that have already been delivered and trusting your skip, when they give you instructions, then executing them with effectiveness to the best of your ability.
"Playing No.2 is therefore very much about watching and learning from the bowls that have already been delivered and trusting your skip, when they give you instructions, then executing them with effectiveness to the best of your ability.
"In my opinion, a No.2 can win you a game because they can turn ' a head' [of bowls] around and re-shape 'a head' that might be going against you, quite early on in the process.
"In my opinion, a No.2 can win you a game because they can turn ' a head' [of bowls] around and re-shape 'a head' that might be going against you, quite early on in the process.
"If you have a strong lead and No.2 then I believe you are 90 per cent there towards winning a game. The front end of a rink is critical."
"If you have a strong lead and No.2 then I believe you are 90 per cent there towards winning a game. The front end of a rink is critical."
For further information about Aero bowls visit www.aerobowls.co.uk
Next time...the role of the No.3
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