BOWLS — ETIQUETTE. SPORTSMANSHIP AND SAFETY (last revised 2019)
BOWLS — ETIQUETTE. SPORTSMANSHIP AND SAFETY (last revised 2019)
Before the Game
Before the Game
* If you put your name down for a game, check to see if you have been selected. Tick to indicate that you are available, if you are not able to play contact the Captain of the Day asap.
* If you put your name down for a game, check to see if you have been selected. Tick to indicate that you are available, if you are not able to play contact the Captain of the Day asap.
* Be conversant with the ‘Rules of the Sport of Bowls’
* Be conversant with the ‘Rules of the Sport of Bowls’
* Arrive for matches in plenty of time and correctly dressed. Inform the person checking off the team sheet that you have arrived.
* Arrive for matches in plenty of time and correctly dressed. Inform the person checking off the team sheet that you have arrived.
At the Mat
At the Mat
* Shake hands and introduce yourself before the game starts.
* Shake hands and introduce yourself before the game starts.
* Concentrate and be ready to bowl when it is your turn. You should have your bowl in your hand ready to step onto the mat as soon as the last bowl has come to a stop.
* Concentrate and be ready to bowl when it is your turn. You should have your bowl in your hand ready to step onto the mat as soon as the last bowl has come to a stop.
* D0 N0T SIT on the bank — it is bad manners.
* D0 N0T SIT on the bank — it is bad manners.
* Stay at least 1 metre behind the mat when it is not your turn to play. Always stand still when a player is about to bowl. Do not distract the bowler.
* Stay at least 1 metre behind the mat when it is not your turn to play. Always stand still when a player is about to bowl. Do not distract the bowler.
* Never deliver your bowl before the previous bowl has come to rest.
* Never deliver your bowl before the previous bowl has come to rest.
* Take notice of your skip's instructions.
* Take notice of your skip's instructions.
* lf you are planning to put down a weighted or firing bowl, first indicate your intention to those at the head and on the adjacent rink.
* lf you are planning to put down a weighted or firing bowl, first indicate your intention to those at the head and on the adjacent rink.
* lf you follow your bowl up the rink, remember you must be back behind the mat or past the jack before your bowl comes to rest.
* lf you follow your bowl up the rink, remember you must be back behind the mat or past the jack before your bowl comes to rest.
* When your bowl comes to rest, possession of the rink passes to your opponent.
* When your bowl comes to rest, possession of the rink passes to your opponent.
* On completion of an end, the bowls should be grouped at least 1 metre behind and to the side of the mat for safety.
* On completion of an end, the bowls should be grouped at least 1 metre behind and to the side of the mat for safety.
At the Head
At the Head
* Stand well back from the head (at least 2 metres) when shots are being played.
* Stand well back from the head (at least 2 metres) when shots are being played.
* Keep still whilst players are on the mat.
* Keep still whilst players are on the mat.
* Compliment your opponents good shots. lf your opponents have bad luck and give away the shot, keep quiet.
* Compliment your opponents good shots. lf your opponents have bad luck and give away the shot, keep quiet.
* Never applaud your team's "lucky" shots, accept your luck graciously. Luck does play a part in the game.
* Never applaud your team's "lucky" shots, accept your luck graciously. Luck does play a part in the game.
* You must stay out of the head when your opponents have possession of the rink. Stand in a group.
* You must stay out of the head when your opponents have possession of the rink. Stand in a group.
* Move away from the head when a measure is taking place, and if you are not measuring don't distract/interfere with those who are making the decision.
* Move away from the head when a measure is taking place, and if you are not measuring don't distract/interfere with those who are making the decision.
* Respect the opinion of the umpire.
* Respect the opinion of the umpire.
Other issues
Other issues
* Keep to your own rink. Do not wander and distract other bowlers. When changing ends walk closely to the centre of the rink to avoid distracting players on the next rink.
* Keep to your own rink. Do not wander and distract other bowlers. When changing ends walk closely to the centre of the rink to avoid distracting players on the next rink.
* When walking on pathways do not distract bowlers who are bowling towards you, stop and wait until their bowl has been delivered then move.
* When walking on pathways do not distract bowlers who are bowling towards you, stop and wait until their bowl has been delivered then move.
* Avoid having conversations half way down the rink. All discussions between interested parties should take place at the head.
* Avoid having conversations half way down the rink. All discussions between interested parties should take place at the head.
* Pay attention to the game and encourage your team.
* Pay attention to the game and encourage your team.
* The ‘Home’ side players should update the scoreboard.
* The ‘Home’ side players should update the scoreboard.
* Enjoy the game whether winning or losing. Be a good loser and do not blame your loss on others or the green.
* Enjoy the game whether winning or losing. Be a good loser and do not blame your loss on others or the green.
* Respect the green surface at all times. Do not drop your bowls on to the green.
* Respect the green surface at all times. Do not drop your bowls on to the green.
* Always inform your skip and opponent if you wish to leave the green.
* Always inform your skip and opponent if you wish to leave the green.
* After the game, help to return all the rink equipment to the store.
* After the game, help to return all the rink equipment to the store.
* It is the accepted convention that players offer hospitality to their respective opposite number where possible.
* It is the accepted convention that players offer hospitality to their respective opposite number where possible.
This is a general guide only. We accept that there is a lot more information but we have tried to keep this guide as succinct as possible and hope that common sense will prevail.
This is a general guide only. We accept that there is a lot more information but we have tried to keep this guide as succinct as possible and hope that common sense will prevail.