BRAMPTON LAWN BOWLING CLUB

RULES AND ETIQUETTE

 

 

1.      Arrive at least 15 minutes before game time as a courtesy to the other players and to allow the convenor to prepare for the games.

2.       Dress appropriately. 

a.       Closed toed, flat shoes.  This is for the player’s safety as well as the well being of the turf / carpet.

b.      Sports Leisure wear.

3.      Skips and vices should have chalk and a measuring tape available.

4.      On the greens

a.       Enter and leave the bowling surface by the steps provided (if any).

b.      Walk around a rink that other people are using.

c.       Be careful in the area of the ditches so that there are no ‘trips or falls’.

5.      Equipment set up – After the team have been determined, the Leads from each team will set up the equipment on their rink/green.

6.      At the beginning of the game: 

a.       Introduce yourself and shake hands with each member of your opposing team, wishing them a good game, etc.

7.      During the game:

a.       Keep the game moving, always play your bowl with minimum delay.

b.      Keep track of play and be ready to bowl when it is your turn.

c.       There should only ever be 2 individuals in the head - the skips prior to changeover, or the vice skips once the changeover has occurred. Leads and seconds should be positioned off the greens, behind the rink on the concrete path. This removes distractions for bowlers. It also minimizes any safety concerns from stray bowls.

d.      Ensure the previous bowl has come to rest before you play your bowl.

e.      When your opponent is about to deliver the bowl stand well back from the head, keep quiet and do nothing that would distract your opponent.

f.        If you are at the same end as the player delivering a bowl, stand behind the mat thus staying out of the player’s line of vision.

g.       Do not drop or toss your bowls onto the green and ensure that your delivery is not causing scuff marks or otherwise damaging the green.

h.      Do not turn your back on a bowl you have delivered until it has stopped and your skip has indicated its length or position in the head. You will then learn whether you need more or less weight or direction.

i.         If you wish to leave the rink during the game, inform your opponent.

j.        Some players like to see the rink boundary markers and the rink marker while playing - be make sure that you are not obscuring them.

k.       Skips and Vices need to be prepared to protect the heads of nearby rinks from bowls delivered with an incorrect bias.

l.         Calling a bowl ‘in’ or ‘out’. The person who threw the bowl is the one who determines whether or not the bowl is in or out of bounds. One must stand on the concrete behind the boundary marker and look down the rink to the marker at the other end to make this determination. 

8.      Observe the rules for possession of the rink:  Possession of the rink shall belong to the team whose bowl is being played. The players in possession of the rink for the time being shall not be interfered with, annoyed or have their attention distracted in any way by their opponents. As soon as each shall have come to rest, possession of the rink shall be transferred to the other team, time being allowed for marking a ‘toucher’.

9.      Change ends purposefully; Leads and vices to the head and skips to the other end throw their bowls.

a.       Again, keep the game moving.

b.      Walk up the centre of the rink during an end change / changeover.

                                         

10. When all bowls have been delivered, the end is complete.

a.       The vice from each team will agree upon the score.

                                                               i.      If you are not a vice, stand back from the head, allow the vices to determine the score.

b.      When the score has been determined,

                                                               i.      The Lead from the winning team will get the jack, put out the mat and prepare to throw the jack to start the next end of play.

                                                             ii.      the Lead from the team which lost the end shall rake the bowls.

                                                           iii.      Bowlers not raking the bowls after an end should help by kicking the bowls into an approximate line to help make raking easier.

11. Upon completion of the game, shake hands with your opponents (each member of the opposing team), telling them it was a good game, you enjoyed the game or congratulate them for a game well played, etc.  Be a gracious winner and a good loser. Enjoy social time after the game.

12. All players will help to clean up equipment after the game by returning equipment (mats, jacks, rakes and scoreboards) to the storage area. If using Club bowls, ensure the bowls have been wiped clean, returned to the bowls storage cupboards in their proper storage bag.