Coaches Corner

Here at Maple Leaf we want to help you learn and become a better bowler. We offer coaching and instruction to all levels of bowlers, and the best part – it’s all part of you membership!

New Bowler Clinics

It all begins with new bowler clinics. If you’re new to the sport come learn at our New Bowler Clinics. Upcoming clinics are being offered:

January 9th, 2020 1:30 – 2:30 pm
January 16th, 2020 1:30 – 2:30 pm
January 23rd, 2020 1:30 – 2:30 pm
January 29th, 2020 1:30 – 2:30 pm
February 13th, 2020 1:30 – 2:30 pm

Be A Better Bowler Clinics

These clinics have a specific theme each time and require sign-up to ensure there is sufficient interest before hand. Examples of topics include Basic Strategy, the role of the Vice, what went wrong, rules and many more. Upcoming clinics are scheduled for:

January 8th, 2020 1:30 – 3:00pm
January 23rd, 2020 1:30 – 3:00pm
February 12th, 2020 1:30 – 3:00pm

Individual & Small Group Coaching

Many of our certified coaches are willing to do sessions with individuals or small groups at times outside the ones listed above. Just contact one of many coaches to set up a time.

How to Measure

A great resource for learning how to measure from World Bowls

Your Role As A Lead

Arriving at the clubhouse

Please wear your name badge as it helps members to get to know you.
Take your tag from the tag board and place it on the table . This should be done 15 minutes prior to the published start time for the draw as a courtesy to the draw masters.
When your name is called proceed to your rink and get ready to play.
Note the bowls on your team.

On the Rink

Leads are responsible for ensuring that there are 2 mats, 1 jack and 2 rakes on your rink.
Identify your teams bowls.
It is customary to shake hands with your opponents and team mates before the game begins.
After the skips have tossed to decide which team goes first the first lead places the centre line of the mat lengthwise on the centre line of the rink (centre of the number) A minnimum distance of 2 metres OR a minimum distance defined by the red lane markers from the ditch. The maximum distance a mat can be placed out from the ditch is defined by the first pig on the side bank.
Please do not place the mat on the same spot all the time as it is not good for the greens and avoid putting it near bare spots. Your skip may ask you to place the mat up further. This is legal as long as the distance from the front of the mat to the jack is 21 metres.
When ground sheets are used place the mat at the edge of the sheet overlapping by 1 inch to avoid tripping. The ground sheets are movable permitting mat position changes.
The leads rolls the jack to the length indicated by the skip and then with hand signals directs the skip in centring the jack. If the jack is rolled out of bounds (beyond the edge rink markers) or too short (not to the hog line or less than 21metres from the front of the mat) OR IN THE DITCH the skip rolls the jack back so the other lead has the opportunity to roll it. The original lead still rolls the first bowl. If the second lead does not roll the jack legally the skip places the jack 2 metres from the ditch. THE MAT MAY BE MOVED BY THE ORIGINAL LEAD.
Your skip may ask you how far the mat is from the ditch and the lead then steps out the distance to the front of the mat. Give the distance from the ditch in metres.
The skip will sometimes indicate the line of aim AND WEIGHT to help a new lead. As time goes by the lead is responsible for the line. As the head begins to build the skip may indicate whether to play a particular side. Always pay attention to this and check your bias before rolling your bowl. The skip may put out their foot where they wish the bowl to land.
Stay on the mat until your bowl has stopped in the head. You can make better adjustments for your next bowl if you watch the bowl until it stops. If the bowl does not reach a distance of 14 metres from the mat, or is out of bounds when it comes to rest, (fully beyond the white markers) it is a dead bowl and removed from the rink by the skip. It is also a dead bowl if it rolls into the ditch without hitting the jack first. Be ready to bowl when it is your turn.
Both leads remain on the rink until all their bowls have been delivered and then retire to the bank. STAY IN THE GAME BY OBSERVING LINE OF YOUR PLAYERS AND OPPONENTS. Have your bowl in your hand and be ready to play when your turn comes. Wait for the skip to motion the called shot with their arm and their foot. If no shot choice given the shot choice is get close. The leads function is to draw his/her bowl close to the jack. Behind is better than in front. The lead’s bowl lays the foundation of the head. Watch how your bowl travels so you can correct your aim or weight with the next shot if needed.
Stand behind the opposing lead and watch where their bowl rolls. It may help you to make your next shot.
YOUR VICE MAY OBSERVE AND PROVIDE INFORMATION RE DELIVERY. YOU ARE A TEAM SO WORK TOGETHER.
When the vices are finished bowling leads and vices walk down the centre of the rink to the opposite end. We do this so we do not infringe on the adjacent rinks when they are playing and hopefully avoid bowls hitting our feet.
Leads may stay on the rink while the skips are bowling but should stand behind the vices. Do not move around excessively as it distracts most skips when they are bowling. While it is fun and a chance to learn to stay in the game, only vices make the decisions regarding the status of bowls and jack. Leads can mention to their vices bowls to be considered in the count
At the completion of each end played be attentive to who has won the end. If your team won you place the mat for the next end. If your team lost you rake the bowls (after the vices have gathered them) and place them to the right of the number 1 metre behind the mat. THE RAKE SHOULD BE BROUGHT TO THE END OF THE BOWLS CLOSEST TO THE SKIP WHILE VICES ARE DETERMINING SHOTS TO SPEED UP THE GAME. When raking make sure you do not intrude on the adjacent greens and be aware of bowls that may belong to those rinks. In a pairs game the winning lead gathers the bowls before going to place the mat. The losing lead in a pairs game of the losing voce in a triples games puts up the score on the score board.

After the Game

Shake hands and say thank you for the game with your opponents and team mates and return the equipment to the shed.
Your knowledge of the rules will make the game more enjoyable for you and others.
Have Fun and be Fun to play with.
There is a handbook you can get from the membership chairperson.

Your Role As A Vice

Before the game begins.

Be prepared.
Hydrate, wear sunscreen, hat and sun glasses. Have rain gear, warmer clothes and extra clothes in your bag.
Have your towel, chalk, measure and wedges before your first step onto the green.
Know the bowls.
Know your players bowls, both for recognition and the bias.
Know your opponent bowls for type and bias.
Have a plan and discuss plan with players.
Discuss players strengths and weaknesses. Long jacks, short jacks, favourite length.
Discuss game plan with the skip and other team mates.
If there are trial ends observe every bowl. Discuss observations with your team mates only not the opponents. Determine the wide side, narrow side, friendly side, pace of the green. Compare observations and decide on the preferred side of play. If you play together often then develop a trial end strategy to analyze the rink.

Once the end begins

When at the mat end while the leads are rolling.
Watch every shot to determine your line, weight and forgiving side.
Observe team mates predelivery to watch for variations. Only if you know the team mates and have had experience at detect and correct should you provide feedback re their delivery. This is a very sensitive area and the player must be open to observations. This could backfire, so know your mates. Know your limitations.
When it is your turn to bowl.
Be prepared to bowl when it is your turn.
Wait for the skip to identify the shot.
Commit to the shot requested by the skip understanding what is being required for line and weight. If there is any doubt then a question or a visit to the head may be in order.
Watch the bowl come to rest and determine what adjustments are necessary.
When changing ends.
When travelling down the green to change positions be aware of head possession. If it is your mat you can have discussion is the middle, if not your head your skip must be behind the mat once the opponent is on the mat. If it is not your head the skip can remain at the head end to discuss strategy.
When in the head.
In the head stand about 3 mat lengths behind the jack when it is your skip rolling the bowl. This gives the player support and depth perception. When your skips bowl comes to rest step out of the head. The head is defined as every bowl in play. The opponent must be able to see every bowl. Stand on the bank when the jack is at the respot position or closer to the ditch.
If the skip has just left the head then no instructions are necessary. However if the jack is hidden from view then point out the jack by running your hand down behind the jack. If a bowl is to be moved or advanced or drawn to then run your hand down behind that bowl. Use your foot to show the best place for the bowl to land. Be prepared to assume the role of the skip and be able to call the next shot.
As soon as your bowl comes to rest move out of the head and keep quiet and still. Do not transfer any information that may help the opponents. Your turn to give information will come when you regain possession of the head.
When you gain possession of the head view the entire head to see of there are any changes your skip needs to be aware of. Look for opportunities to increase your score. Make sure you have a second bowl in the head. Remember the jack can move so look for groupings or any exposed areas that may need one of your bowls. Make the shot decision and only give directions for one shot. If you are working as a team your skip will be looking to you for your shot choice. Your skip will also have a shot choice in mind. If the choices are the same then the skip now has commitment from you and will have more confidence in choice. If skip sees different shot then skip will ask questions or visit head to determine best choice. This is not about who is right or wrong but about making the best choice, having team commitment and confidence in ability. Use hand signals and you foot to show precisely where you want the bowl to land. Consider risk vs gain, percentage shot, a good miss is as useful as shot, be aware of the screw up shot. Sometimes it is better to give up a point than to make the situation worse. In doubt call the skip down, always give one choice only, sometimes there seems to be more than one choice but you are in the head so best able to differentiate.

When the end is finished

On counting the final results of a head the vice that is losing the points removes the bowls one at a time and places them on a towel. If a measure is required just get on with it, no need to stand and discuss. Best to have the vice giving the points remove the bowls.
If the measure looks close then the opponent can measure or you can call in an umpire or neutral party.
An umpires decision is final.
Remove the bowls not in the measure only with agreement from the opponent prior to the arrival of the umpire.
Explain to the umpire why he/she was called.
Refrain from commenting to umpire unless asked a question.
Thank the umpire.
Signal the score to your skip using taps on the top of the head or slaps on your thigh. Fingers are difficult to see from the opposite end. Both vices signal their skips.
Once the end is complete the vice must assist in removing the bowls by kicking them into a straight line. Make sure if you won the end your lead places bowls on the bank onto the rink before they set the mat. If you lost the end your lead goes for the rake. Removing the bowls quickly speeds up the game. Time saved here can be used during your predelivery or shot choice decision. Use your time wisely. Being last off the rink means you have less time to prepare for the next game.
The losing skip records the score on the scoreboard but only after the bowls have all been removed from the rink.

Strategy

View the entire head, not just around the jack.
Getting second shot is always your best offence and defence
Watch for clusters of bowls that can be an opportunity or a hazard.
Make sure you have more than one bowl within mat length in the head before attempting a transition shot.
Once you have 2 bowls within mat length look for a position for your next bowl.
Evaluate risk vs gain.
Watch your backside, remember jacks can move. Get back bowls up earlier.
Be in the game at all times.
Call the skip down if you suspect they cannot visualize the intended shot.
Know the rules.
HAVE FUN AND BE FUN TO PLAY WITH.

Link to a vices/skips handbook. http://www.suncitycenterlbc.com/public/handbook_for_vices_and_skips.pdfRole of Your Bowls

Role of the Skip

                                                            ROLE OF THE SKIP

Before the game begins a Skip needs to be prepared to play the game. The Skip needs to identify his teams’ bowls and how they will travel down the rink. Be aware of any disabilities or strengths that can be used or avoided during the game.
As skip you are in charge of your team. It is part of your job to instruct your Lead and Vice how you want them to play their shots with the best chance to produce a score for your team. Skips should decide which hand plays best and the friendly side of the rink. A Skip needs to observe his players pre-delivery to perhaps determine why bowls do not reach their mark. Positive information must be conveyed with sensitivity letting the players know you care enough to watch them and help them improve.
Build the head as to ensure that if you lose the end it will be by a low score. A skip needs to consider risk versus gain, percentage shot and player ability before determining the best shot choice. When you have 2 shots within mat length bowl for position. When you are down draw for shot or try for second shot. Try to cover the opponents’ positional bowls should the jack be moved.
The Skip must be able to communicate with team mates using hand signals and voice the intended shot identifying side and weight needed. If an adjustment is needed, then be specific.
The Skip at the mat end needs to give the Vice the opportunity to view the head and make the shot choice when the head has changed. When there is not a consensus, the Skip can ask for clarification or visit the head to discuss shot choice. Shot commitment and team consensus will lead to a better percentage shot.
Insure you team observes the head possession rule by not moving in the head when the opponents’ bowl is being delivered. Make sure to move out of the head when your team bowl being delivered has come to rest. At this point the head belongs to the opponents and no further information should be conveyed. Make sure when switching ends you do not to stop to chat with your team if your opposing skip is first up on the mat. You may stop to discuss strategy with you team if you are in possession of the mat. If it is not your head you may stay at the head.
It is important as a skip to encourage your team, help them to feel their role is important.
Help new players understand the rules of the game.
The Skip must decide with the opponent any dispute if possible, or refer it to the Umpire. Your attitude can win or lose a game. It is important to give advice to a novice player to ensure everyone enjoys the game. The Skip is a role model for players learning the game ensuring the game is fun so they want to learn and continue in the sport. Skips must be sure to thank their players and help put equipment away.
Have fun and be fun to play with.

When Playing 4’s

Rinks (fours) is the game used to define the roles of your bowls. Each player has only 2 bowls to contribute to their team.

The roles pertain to 2 bowls but each role needs to be satisfied before moving on. Roles can also change when the head changes.

The roles are
Get close. Close is defined as within mat length of the jack.

Get position. A positional bowl is one that may come into play should a transition shot or a trail shot move a bowl or jack. It can also be a bowl that makes it difficult for the opponents to score a multitude of points. It may not be within mat length but close enough that a transition or trail is reasonable. It can even be in front and pushed up later.

Make life easy/difficult. Make life easy for your skip if you are not counting or difficult for the opponent if you are counting. This could include a draw, a transition shot, guard, a trail. It is not an up weight shot. If you miss an up weight shot then you have not made your skips life easy and you have lost the shooter. If you roll light your bowl often becomes a hazard. It is a weight dependant shot. It may be a yard through shot to create a path. The result you are looking for is to set up the head for future shots.

Money making shots. This could be a shot that minimizes your loss, the drive to the ditch, the draw to get the extra point, the trail to a group of fellow bowls, the kill. It may include deciding not to roll your last bowl as the risk may be too high. These shots decides what goes on the score card for you or your opponent.

Lead In a triples game the leads role is to get 2 bowls within mat length and to get one positional bowl.

Vice. The role of the vice in a triples game is to get one positional bowl and one or preferably two bowls that makes their skips life easier. They have 3 bowls to do this. However if they do not have a bowl within mat length after the lead has finished then their role is changed to get a bowl close. If they have a bowl within mat length then they must get a second bowl within mat length as well. Weight is important. Get close is still a requirement if your lead was not successful. The shot choices may include getting close, getting position or making life easy/difficult and may change if the head changes.

Skip. The skips role will determine what goes on the score card. Get close is their first choice if they have no bowls within mat length, get position is their first choice if they are up 2 and they do not have positional bowls. If an up weight shot is to be considered it should be the first shot as if it misses then a draw must be used to minimize loss. If there is no route then a transition shot to open up a head may be in order which makes their life easier. There is nothing more demoralizing to your mates than changing a head from you being up to you losing points. So carefully consider whether to roll your last bowl. This decision will be dependant on the score, the number of ends to follow, just how confident you feel that day, how well you have been performing in practices.

Online Resources

You can also learn on you own with many of the great resources available on the Internet. Here are some links:

How to Lawn Bowl- Please note you don’t have to wear white unless that is your team colour for a tournament
Coaching Videos from Bowls New Zealand