Glossary of terms
100 Up: A game of bowls where the object is to reach a score of 100 shots. Usually used in games based on a proportional scoring system, typically in a game each player in a singles game has 4 bowls, the closest is worth 4 points, the next closest 3 points and so on.
back bowl: A bowl place behind the head, positioned so that if the opposition trails the jack from its current position towards the back of the rink, the back bowl may become shot or reduce the number of shots that the opposition may have if moved to this part of the rink.
backhand: For a right handed player, delivering a bowl to the left hand side of the rink, with the bias facing the centre line of the rink. For a left handed player, delivering a bowl to the right hand side of the rink, with the bias facing the centre line of the rink.
bias: The natural curve built into a bowl, creating an arc from the point of releasing the bowl to the point it stops.
bowl: The biased ball used in the game of bowls. The side of the bowl that is biased can be identified by the smaller engraved concentric rings seen, compared to the outer (non biased) side of the bowl.
break: During a game, a planned stop in play, usually an afternoon tea break.
chalk: Used to indicate a bowl that has touched the jack as part of its initial delivery. A player in charge of the head will place a mark, which must be done before the next bowl comes to a rest, and must be removed before the bowl is delivered in the next end.
count: The number of shots received by a player or team at the conclusion of an end.
dead bowl: After a bowl has been delivered and comes to rest, if it finishes in the ditch, or outside the rink boundary, it is considered a dead bowl, and is removed from play. However, if the bowl has touched the jack, it remains a live bowl even if in the ditch, as long as it is within the boundary of the rink.
dead end: A partially completed end that has to be replayed because the jack going outside the rink or green boundaries.
ditch: The area surrounding a green, usually identifiable as a shallow trench at the edges of the green.
down: Expression to confirm if your opponent has one or more bowls closest to the jack.
draw up: A bowl delivered close to the jack without moving or touching other bowls in the head.
drive: A bowl delivered with the maximum force that a player can exert, the aim being to kill the end, disturb the head, or hit opposition bowls out of the head.
end: The playing of the jack and all the bowls of all players once in a single direction.
forehand: For a right handed player, delivering a bowl to the right hand side of the rink, with the bias facing towards the centre line of the rink. For a left handed player, delivering a bowl to the left hand side of the rink, with the bias facing towards the centre line of the rink.
green: The area of the playing surface containing one or more rinks, the perimeter of which is usually defined by a surrounding ditch. Also, the width of the delivery required to enable it to stop at a designated point within the rink. To 'take more green' is to bowl wider than your previous delivery.
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head: Refers to the area around the jack, and any live bowls that have been delivered.
heavy: (weight) a bowl delivered with more force than required to deliver it to a desired position on the rink
(green) a description of the relatively slow pace of the green, compared with a (quick) or (fast) green
jack: The small white ball that defines the target, or mark, for all other bowls to be played towards. The jack has no bias.
jack high: is a comparison of the position of a bowl in relation to the jack. A "jack high bowl" means a bowl which is level with the jack.
kiss: a bowl that glances either the jack or another bowl, resulting in a slight movement of the jack or bowl involved.
lawn bowling: Traditionally and historical, the game of Bowls was played on grass fields or greens.
lead: in a team of 2 or more, the player who delivers his bowl first is known as the lead. The lead has specific duties, including laying the mat, rolling the jack , and clearing the bowls if on the losing team for that end.
line: is the directional swing or arc that the bowl travels along from the point of delivery to the point it stops.
live bowl: if the bowl touched the jack when it was first delivered, it remains a live bowl even if in the ditch.
mat: A rectangular mat, bowls must be delivered with a foot on the mat
measure: A small pocket sized hand held tape measure used to judge the distance between the jack and one or more bowls at the conclusion of an end,
minimum length: the minimum distance allowed between the mat and the jack is 23 metres.[5]
narrow: (bias) a narrow bias describes the relatively narrow line that a bowl's arc takes from the point of delivery to the point at which it stops.
(bowl) if a bowl is delivered and finishes to the inner side of the intended target, it is said to have been a "narrow bowl".
pairs: A team game where each team consists of two players, a lead, and a skip.
rings:
(bowl) bowls are manufactured with a set of rings on each side of the bowl. The smaller rings indicate the biased side of the bowl, and the outer rings the non biased side of the bowl.
rink: The playing area of the green which is in play for a particular game, usually marked with boundary pegs at either end of the green.
roll-up: A casual game
rolling the jack: At the start of an end, the player in possession of the mat first rolls the jack along the rink or green to a preferred length or as indicated by the skip.
second: in a team of 3 or more, the player after the lead is known as the second. The second has specific duties, including measuring, chalking ‘touchers’, keeping score, agreeing decisions with opposing second and informing the skip of score.
shot: the bowl nearest the jack.
skip: in a team of 3 or more, the player who delivers his bowl last is known as the skip. The skip has specific duties, including directing the head for all other players in the team.
spray chalk: Used to indicate a bowl that has touched the jack as part of its initial delivery during an end.
spider: A one bowl competition where all participants are positioned at the edges of the green, and upon an agreed signal, all deliver a bowl towards a jack positioned in the centre of the green.
taking green: See line. If the resting place of a bowl is too wide, or particularly too narrow, to that intended, the director of the head may ask to "make sure you take your green", meaning adjust your line compared to your last bowl.
third: In a team of 4, the player who delivers his bowl after the lead and second have delivered their bowls is known as the third. The third has specific duties, including directing the head when it is the turn of the skip to deliver his bowls.
toucher: A bowl that makes contact with the jack during its initial delivery.
triples: A team game where each team consists of three(3) players, a lead, second, and skip
up: expression to confirm if you or your team have one or more bowls closest to the jack. This can also be indicated by tapping the appropriate number of times on upper arm.
weight: The relative effort required to ensure a bowl, when delivered, reaches its intended target.
wick: When a bowl is deflected by contacting a bowl or jack. Also ‘wooded’.
wide bowl: if a bowl is delivered and finishes to the outer side of the intended target,
wood: alternative name for a bowl. Derived from the fact that bowls were once made using a dense hardwood, lignum vitae: so heavy it sinks in water.
wrong bias: a bowl delivered where the biased side of the bowl has been placed opposite to the desired position for a given delivery.