Bowls Rules

Bowls Rules


Bowls, also known as lawn bowls, is a game with a rich history dating back to at least the 13th century. The game involves rolling weighted, bias-containing bowls towards a smaller target ball, known as the jack, on a playing surface, either indoors or outdoors on grass or artificial surfaces.


Bowls Rules
Photo credit: Mattinbgn (Source)



Object of the Game:


The objective of the game is to roll your bowls as close to the jack as possible and have one or more of your bowls closer to the jack than those of your opponent.


Players & Equipment:


- Playing Surface: The game is played on a level or convex (for crown-green) playing surface.

- Foot Mats: Mats are used to mark the starting point for players.

- Jack: A smaller, spherical target ball.

- Bowls: Spherical, weighted bowls with flattened sides and a bias, usually around 1.5kg in weight.

- Shoes: Players typically wear shoes with flat soles for better grip on the playing surface.


Playing Area:


- The playing area is divided into individual "rinks" where games are played. Rinks are 4.3 to 5.8 meters wide and 31 to 40 meters long.

- There are ditches at either end of the green to catch bowls.


Scoring:


- Points are awarded to the player or team with bowls closest to the jack at the end of an "end" (round).

- The player or team with the most bowls closest to the jack scores the corresponding number of points.


Winning the Game:


- The game is won by the player or team reaching a specified number of points (commonly 21) or having the highest score after a set number of ends (commonly 18 or 21).


 Rules of Bowls:


1. Toss of the Coin: Determines which player or team bowls first.

2. Starting the Game: The lead places the mat and rolls the jack at least 23 meters for it to be "in play."

3. Bowl Delivery: Players take turns bowling, scoring points for proximity to the jack.

4. End Completion: After an end, play resumes in the opposite direction from where the jack previously rested.

5. Ditch and Jack: Bowls in the ditch are disregarded unless they touch the jack before going in. If the jack is in the ditch but within the side boundaries, it's still in play. If the jack goes over the side boundary, it's a "dead end," and the end is replayed with no scores counted.

6. Strategic Play: Players can aim to strike opponents' bowls to gain a strategic advantage.


Optional Play:


- Some competitions use a "sets" format, where the first to score a set number of points (e.g., seven) wins a set, and the overall winner is the first to win a set number of sets (e.g., five).


The game has evolved since the publication of the "Manual of Bowls Playing" in 1864, and the World Bowls Centre in Edinburgh remains a significant hub for the sport.


Frequently Asked Questions


1: Can bowls be played on any type of surface?

-  Yes, bowls can be played on both grass and artificial surfaces, providing versatility for players.


2: What is the weight of the typical bowl used in the game?

-  Bowls are generally around 1.5kg in weight, contributing to the unique challenge of the game.


3: How is the winner decided in sets-based gameplay?

-  In sets, the first to score a predetermined number of points wins a set, and the overall winner is the first to clinch a set majority.


4: Can the jack be knocked into the ditch and still be in play?

-  Yes, if the jack is knocked into the ditch within the side boundaries of the rink, it is considered "alive" and in play.


5: Are there any restrictions on striking opponents' bowls with your own?

-  No, it is permissible and often strategic to strike other players' bowls, adding an element of excitement to the game.


Learn About Bossaball Rules

Popular posts from this blog

Tee-Ball Rules

Image
Tee-Ball Rules Tee-Ball is a simplified team sport designed to introduce young children to the fundamentals of baseball. With its modified rules and emphasis on skill development, Tee-Ball provides a safe and enjoyable entry point into the world of sports. TEE-BALL Objective of the Game The primary goal of Tee-Ball is for one team to outscore the other by earning more runs. Players aim to score runs during their innings while preventing the opposing team from doing the same when in the field. Beyond the competitive aspect, Tee-Ball serves a broader purpose of introducing children to baseball, promoting physical activity, and enhancing hand/eye coordination and ball skills. Players & Equipment Tee-Ball's popularity stems from its simplicity, requiring minimal equipment. Teams consist of 5 to 7 players, although variations are possible with mutual agreement. Players wear training shoes, safety helmets, and gloves when batting. The bats are between 25 and 26 inches long, and the T...
Read more

Underwater Hockey Rules: How To Play Underwater Hockey (Octopush)

Image
Underwater Hockey Rules: How To Play Underwater Hockey (Octopush) In the 1950s, the British Navy conceived Underwater Hockey, or Octopus, to maintain the physical prowess of their divers and enhance efficiency beneath the waves. Its popularity burgeoned in Australia before captivating a global audience, blending elements from ice hockey and swimming into a fiercely contested and physically demanding spectacle. UNDERWATER HOCKEY Object of the Game The primary aim in underwater hockey is skillfully propelling the puck into the adversary's goal. Victory is bestowed upon the team amassing the most goals within the stipulated timeframe. The entire game unfolds submerged, compelling players to remain beneath the surface until a goal is achieved or a referee calls a pause for a goal or foul. Players & Equipment A squad comprises 10 players, with a maximum of 6 immersed at any given moment, while the remaining 4 serve as dynamic substitutes, akin to their ice hockey counterpar...
Read more

Thumb Wrestling Rules: How To Thumb Wrestle

Image
Thumb Wrestling Rules: How To Thumb Wrestle In the realm of playgrounds and parks, a proclamation echoes: "One, two, three, four... I announce a thumb-o-war!" This phrase resonates not only as a whimsical children's game but as a bona fide sport, known formally as Thumb Wrestling or Thumb War, complete with official regulations and a global championship. THUMB WRESTLING The annual Thumb Wrestling World Championships unfold at the epicenter of thumb combat, Beccles in Somerset, UK. Drawing participants from diverse corners like the UK, USA, Holland, South Africa, Poland, France, and Thailand, these championships thrive and evolve with each passing year. The origins of Thumb Wrestling remain shrouded in mystery, a simple yet timeless game with a history spanning potentially thousands of years. Various claims about its inventor surface over time, with Paul Davidson attributing it to his grandfather in the 1940s—a notion dismissed as Thumb Wrestling and its variant...
Read more