Guidelines and Etiquette

Good Etiquette is Good Manners: If you don’t like something done to you, don’t do it to another.

  • Introduce yourself to any opponent and recognize their bowl
  • If playing a singles match, allow your opponent to call the toss
  • Place the mat on the green, don’t drop it or throw it
  • Hand your opponent their first bowl and the Mat/Jack if they won the end
  • Help move the bowls back after the head is decided
  • POSSESSION OF THE RINK – The mat is in the possession of the player until their bowl has come to rest and is marked (if a toucher) Law 35.1 and 35.2
  • Stay on or at the mat until your bowl has come to rest; even if it is a bad shot.
  • The person in possession of the mat is the only person who can ask a question of the Skip, Director, Marker. This also means that the opposing skip should not be in the head
  • Don’t stand IN the head when directing play, your white bowls shoes can be confusing
  • If you are not in possession of the rink, or controlling play, stand a minimum of 2 metres behind the head or the mat, or on the bank
  • Once your opponent’s bowl has come to rest and been marked or old chalk mark removed if necessary, THEN you move into the head to observe and direct your player
  • DON’T MOVE, PERIOD, if your team is not in possession of the rink
  • Remember to move away from the head once possession of the rink passes to your opponent
  • Don’t move to stop a bowl that looks like falling into the ditch unless it is going to hit a toucher or the jack in the ditch
  • Don’t go to the head unnecessarily
  • Don’t talk or laugh loudly behind play whilst a player is on the mat
  • Don’t have a preconceived idea on which side you want to bowl, wait for directions
  • When changing ends, wait until the third has had their last bowl, it has come to rest, and then start to walk up the green
  • Move quickly up the green, Skip & Third, don’t dawdle talking in the middle
  • The Skip/Director is the point of contact for a team, if you have a concern tell them, don’t go direct to the Umpire
  • If you are not the Umpire of the day, enjoy your bowls as a player. “Mind your own business”
  • Delaying play and Encroaching on adjoining rinks is not permitted and you could be warned for this behaviour Laws 36.2.1, 36.2.2, 36.2.3, 36.2.4
  • PART OF YOUR FOOT should be ON or OVER the mat at point of delivery
  • If playing in a club event e.g. Singles, STAY BEHIND and mark for the next round if you are defeated
  • If Marking – stand still with hands behind your back, be silent and be prepared
  • If playing, concentrate on the game, don’t be the reason for a game finishing last
  • If you are playing first, complete your score card after you have bowled