BOWLS LINGO

Backhand  When (for a right-handed player) the bowl is delivered so the curve of the bowl is from the left to right.

Back bowl A bowl that finishes behind the head.

Bias  The shape of the bowl which causes it to curve.

Blocker A bowl deliberately played short of the head.

Delivery  The moment the bowl leaves the hand.

Ditch  The gully around the green. If a bowl ends up in the ditch and it is not a ‘toucher’ then it doesn’t count.

Draw  A bowl delivered at the correct weight, and with correct line, to arrive where you want.

Drive A shot played with great force.

End  The sequence of play from the moment the mat is placed down until all bowls have been delivered. A bit like a game in tennis!

Foot fault  If you don’t deliver the bowl with part of your foot on or above the mat.

Forehand  When (for the right-handed player) the bowl is delivered so that the curve of the bowl is from the right to left.

Green  The total playing area. There are usually 6 rinks on each green.

Head The area around the jack where the majority of bowls accumulate at any given end.

Jack  The little round white or yellow target ball to which you’re trying to get your bowls closest.

Jack high A bowl that has come to rest the same distance from the mat as the jack.

Mark (chalk it) Mark a bowl with chalk or spay to indicate it has touched the jack.

Marker A person who officiates in a singles match.

Mat  The rectangular mat from which the bowler must deliver the jack and/or bowl.

A Measure A tape measure is needed to decide which bowl is nearest the jack.

Pace The amount of force with which a bowl is delivered.

 Weight  The amount of force with which the bowl is delivered to execute a particular shot.

Rink  The rectangular strip of the green, between 4 and 6 metres wide, on which the game takes place.

Stance  Position adopted on the mat prior to delivery.

Shot bowl The bowl that is nearest the jack at any stage of play.

Take the green Instruction to remind bowlers to take a line that allows their bowls to fully bend.

Toucher  A bowl that hits the jack during its original course. This bowl still counts even if it ends up in the ditch.

Wick When a bowl comes into contact with the edge of another bowl and changes its line