Bowls is a sport rich in history, strategy, and technique, yet to truly excel in this game, understanding its unique terminology is essential. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to refine your skills, knowing the specific language used in bowls can significantly improve your understanding of the game and your ability to communicate with other players. In this article, we’ll delve deeply into the most important bowls terminology that will help you gain a better grasp of how the game is played.
The Basics of Bowls
Before we dive into the specific terms, let’s quickly review the basics of bowls for those who are unfamiliar. The game can be played either indoors or outdoors, with players rolling weighted balls, known as bowls, towards a smaller target ball called the jack. The goal is simple: get your bowls as close to the jack as possible, outmaneuvering your opponent’s bowls in the process.
Though bowls might look straightforward, the tactics and skills required make it a highly competitive sport. One of the key elements that sets bowls apart from other sports is the way players use the natural curves of their bowls, often referred to as the bias, to navigate around other bowls and control their placement. To fully appreciate this game, however, understanding the terminology is critical.
Understanding the Jack
Let’s begin with the most essential element in the game: the jack. This small ball, typically white or yellow, is the focus of every end (or round) in bowls. The goal is to get your bowls as close to the jack as possible. The jack is placed at a distance on the green or indoor rink, and the placement of the jack dictates much of the strategy for the rest of the end.
While it might seem like a simple target, the jack can move throughout the course of play, particularly if a player manages to hit it with a bowl. This means that what started as a well-executed draw to land close to the jack could quickly become a losing position if the jack is knocked further away.
The Mat and Delivery
Every end of bowls begins with a player placing the mat on the green. The mat is a small rectangular piece that the players must stand on when delivering their bowls. The positioning of the mat can vary, and while it might seem like a minor detail, where the mat is placed can have a major impact on the overall strategy of the game.
The delivery is the act of rolling the bowl from the mat toward the jack. While delivering the bowl, players must consider not only the distance but also the green’s conditions, their bowl’s bias, and the placement of other bowls on the green. A successful delivery requires precision and a deep understanding of how each bowl will behave.
What is Bias in Bowls?
The concept of bias is one of the most unique aspects of bowls, and it’s one of the first things that players need to master. Unlike other sports where the ball travels in a straight line, a bowl is deliberately designed to curve due to its uneven weight distribution. This curve is known as the bias, and it allows players to maneuver their bowls around obstacles and position them strategically near the jack.
Learning how to control the bias of your bowls is crucial to playing bowls effectively. Depending on how you position your bowl during delivery, the bias will cause it to curve to the left or right. Skilled players use the bias to their advantage, delivering bowls that curve around other bowls or gently come to rest next to the jack.
The Importance of the Head
Once the bowls have been played in an end, the collection of bowls surrounding the jack is called the head. The head is the focal point of much of the strategy in bowls, as players must carefully observe how the bowls are positioned relative to the jack. Players will often adjust their tactics based on the head, either opting to draw closer to the jack or to drive their opponent’s bowls away from it.
The head is where strategy truly comes into play. A well-planned head can create a strong defensive position, where your bowls block your opponent’s ability to reach the jack. On the flip side, if you find yourself in a difficult head, you may need to rely on a drive or a wick to change the outcome.
Key Shots in Bowls
Draw Shot
The draw shot is perhaps the most important and common shot in bowls. This is a slow and controlled shot, designed to get your bowl as close to the jack as possible without disrupting the head. The draw shot is often the foundation of a player’s strategy, as it’s about precision rather than power.
When executing a draw shot, players must account for both the bias of their bowl and the slope or condition of the green. The goal is to deliver the bowl gently, so that it comes to rest near the jack without knocking it or other bowls out of position.
Drive Shot
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the drive shot, a fast and powerful bowl aimed at either moving the jack or knocking opposing bowls out of the way. This shot is typically used in situations where you need to dramatically change the head or disrupt your opponent’s carefully placed bowls.
The drive shot is high-risk, high-reward. If executed well, it can completely alter the course of an end by scattering the jack or your opponent’s bowls. However, a poorly executed drive can leave your bowl in the ditch or further from the jack than before.
Wick
A wick occurs when a bowl deflects off another bowl, altering its path. This can happen accidentally or by design. Skilled players sometimes aim for a wick intentionally, using other bowls to change the direction of their own bowl and land closer to the jack. Wicks add an element of unpredictability to the game, and being able to control or take advantage of a wick can be the difference between winning and losing an end.
Touchers and the Ditch
A toucher is a bowl that makes contact with the jack during its delivery. These bowls are marked with chalk and remain “alive” even if they end up in the ditch, the area surrounding the green. In contrast, bowls that do not touch the jack and end up in the ditch are considered out of play.
Touchers can be pivotal in close games, as they can score points even if they’re not on the green. Understanding how to achieve a toucher is important, as it allows for more aggressive play while still keeping your bowl in contention.
Dead Ends and Replays
A dead end occurs when the jack is knocked out of bounds, usually due to a powerful drive. When this happens, the end is nullified and must be replayed. Dead ends can be a double-edged sword, as they give players another chance to improve their position, but they can also undo carefully executed strategies.
Some players use the threat of a dead end strategically, knowing that a strong drive can disrupt their opponent’s plans and force a replay.
Conclusion
Bowls is a game that combines precision, strategy, and a deep understanding of how the elements of the game interact. From the bias of the bowls to the positioning of the head, every detail matters. The terminology in bowls is not just about jargon – it’s about gaining a deeper understanding of how to play and appreciate the game.
Whether you’re learning how to execute a perfect draw shot, taking a calculated risk with a drive, or mastering the use of bias, knowing these terms will give you the foundation you need to excel. The next time you’re on the green or watching a match, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for the skill and strategy involved in this classic sport.
