Bowls glossary,

Bowl A set of bowls means four bowls, all of a matched set, which are of the same manufacture and the same size, weight, colour, bias, serial number and engraving. In all games, each player shall play with the appropriate number of bowls from the same set.

Bias That design which is inbuilt into the bowl that causes the bowl to travel in a curve.

Forehand When for the right-handed player the bowl is delivered so that the curve of the bowl is from right to left towards its objective.

Backhand When for the right-handed player the bowl is delivered so that the curve of the bowl is from left to right towards its objective. Follow-Through What should be the natural movement forward of the delivery arm following the line or path of the bowl.

Stance The position adopted by the bowler on the mat prior to delivery.

Delivery The moment the bowl leaves the hand.

Foot Fault That a foot must be wholly on or above the mat at the moment of delivery, and that if it is not, then the player could incur a penalty.

The Green The total playing surface, the measurements of which are laid down by Laws of the Sport of Bowls.

Ditch The green is surrounded by a depression whose edge marks the boundary of the playing surface. Measurements of the ditch need to conform to the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.

The Lead The player who lays the mat, rolls the jack and delivers the first bowl in an end.

The Second or Number Two The player who plays after the lead in number two position in a game of fours or triples. They mark the score card and keep the score board up to date.

The Third In the game of fours, who will deputise for the skip in certain circumstances and should be responsible for measuring.

The Skip Captains the fours, triples or pairs. They are the last to bowl and are responsible for dictating the tactics of the game.

The Marker A person who in a game of singles undertakes to see the game played according to the Laws of the Sport of Bowls. They will mark all touchers, centre the jack and measure, if required, plus keep the scorecard and score board updated.

Tied End It sometimes happens that the nearest bowls of both sides are exactly the same distance from the jack at the completion of the end (e.g. when both have a bowl actually touching the jack). Neither side scores, but it is a completed end, and is entered on the score card with no score to both sides.

Rink A rectangular area of the outdoor green on which play takes place Dimensions are laid down in the Laws of the Sport of Bowls.

Wick Off A bowl played at a certain pace which comes into an angled contact with another bowl so that the course of the moving bowl is definitely altered.

Block or Stopper A wood delivered with enough pace to stop short of the objective, in the hope that it will prevent an opponent from being able to play a certain shot.

Fire or Drive There are various reasons for such a shot, but it is a shot where the bowl is delivered at a very fast pace.

A Toucher on the Green A bowl which during its course has touched the jack. A bowl which has to rest and falls over to touch the jack before the next bowl is delivered. A bowl, if it is the last to be delivered, falls and touches the jack within the period of half a minute. All the above shall be marked with a chalk mark.

Toucher in the Ditch A toucher as above, which has fallen into the ditch shall be a live bowl, but not if it has come to rest outside the confines of the rink.

The Shot The bowl that finishes nearest to the Jack at any stage of play.

Heavy Bowl Where a bowl has been delivered with too much pace and will end beyond its objective.

Jack High Bowl A bowl which when it comes to rest is at the same distance from the mat as is the jack.

Back Bowl A bowl that has come to rest beyond the Jack or the main body of bowls in the head.

Dead Bowl A bowl which comes to rest in the ditch, or is knocked into the ditch and Is not a toucher. Or a bowl that comes to rest outside the confines of the rink, either in its course or by being knocked there.

Live Bowl any bowl that comes to rest within the confines of the rink and allowing for conditions as laid down by the Laws of the Sport of Bowls. Or any toucher in the ditch.

Counter Any bowl which contributes to the score at the completion of the end.

Dead End An end which is considered not to have been played and no score is recorded. It can happen as a result of the jack being driven out of the confines of the playing area.